THERE WERE GOOD AND BAD FISH IN THE NET.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind," verse 47.

The word "again" indicates just how keen the Lord is to get this truth across to His hearers. He would have understand the truth concerning His kingdom.

1. Notice the fishing ends when the net is full. "Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, " verse 48. The Saviour said to Paul on one occasion.: "For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city," Acts 18:10. See John 10:16; Acts 15:14. The Saviour is seeking to 'catch' in the gospel net a certain people, His elect. "God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name," Acts 15:14. They come from the deepest and darkest places. Out of such the Lord draws many sinners. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," 1 Cor 6:9-11. Not until the net is full will gospel fishing end in this age!