Offshore fishing is a team sport – it takes a well prepared team to compete at a high level in a big money tournament or to have a rigger full of flags on a fun day of fishing. At the moment a marlin comes up on a squid chain teaser the entire team effort is set into motion. The captain is quickly pulling the teaser away and getting the boat into position, the angler is dropping back the pitch bait which the mate has expertly prepared for this encounter, and additional anglers are manning rods looking for another billfish to come up. As the bait and switch takes place, some lines are cleared, some dropped back for chances at additional hook-ups, the captain quickly gets the teasers in, mate is clearing the dredges and the fight is just beginning. With all lines cleared the captain, angler and mate work together to get line back on the reel and the fish boat side. The wireman finishes the fight, a quick tag and release and the drill starts all over again – all hands on deck getting the teasers, dredges and baits back in the water. It takes a well-oiled machine to be continually successful in the blue water.
Acts 2:41-47
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
When God reached down and set you upon the Rock that is His salvation – he didn’t just save you in order that you’d walk this journey of life alone. He saved you into a fellowship – a fellowship of believers that are held together by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. And this fellowship of believers is especially important in the eyes of God – in fact scripture often refers to this fellowship as the church, the body of Christ (of which Jesus is the head – Ephesians 1:22-23) and the bride of Christ (as we will be united with Christ in eternity – Revelations 21:9).
In today’s culture the church is often referred to as a building or a place to go and worship on Sunday mornings. Personally speaking I have said many times “We are headed to church” or “What church do you attend?” Our landscape is speckled with huge church buildings, featuring lavish grounds, tall steeples and ornate stained glass windows. Is there any wonder why we as a people are confused about what church is?
Acts 2:42-47 teaches not what or where the church is, but WHO the church is. The church is the people of God that have been set-apart for the purposes of God. As God delivers people from their sins He establishes them into a local body for the purpose of studying the Word of God and for genuine fellowship with one another. Fellowship that establishes genuine community among members as we seek God’s truth together, corporately reflect upon his grace, shoulder one another burdens, rejoice together in our triumphs, spur each other along, and essentially live our lives together as we look forward to the return of our Savior.
If you have recently accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior – it’s now time to establish a relationship with a local body of believers. Seek out a local church that is true to the Word of God and who truly desires to see genuine fellowship of believers. For those who plow the waters, being a lone ranger comes naturally – but the joy of realizing God saved you onto the perfect team is simply incredible.
Tip:
Want to develop a great team for tournament fishing? First, nothing can help more than spending time together. Spend time together both personally – getting to know one another beyond just saying hello and spend time together fishing. Practice and fun fishing days can help hone skills that are necessary to compete against professionals. When team members get to the point of knowing exactly what to do without anyone saying a word – then the team will start to operate as smooth AND efficient as possible. With a big blue marlin on the line: tournament winners are calm, smooth and efficient.
