Sermon – Responding To God's Call in Perilous Times
Scripture Luke 5:1-11
“One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee,[a] great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon,[b] its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Introduction: What an honor it must have been to be called on and used by the Lord to assist in his kingdom enterprise. In today’s lesson, Simon Peter is called upon to assist the Lord in preaching the gospel. I think it is interesting that Jesus does not usually come at a convenient time. Sometimes, he come when we are tired, frustrated or just busy. Ever had a long hard day working and all you can think of is getting? You finally walk through the door to grab a snack and head for your recliner, just as you are getting comfortable, the phone rings and life seems to fall on you.
As Jesus launches his public ministry, he needs the help of others. He has overcome the temptation of the wilderness, overcome the rejection of his hometown people at Nazareth, and now he is traveling around sharing the good news with anyone willing to receive it. The shore of Galilee was tingling with excitement as fishing boats lined the coastal shore. Peter, John, Andrew, and James were familiar with Jesus, but had return to their fishing profession. Jesus had been teaching and his crowds were massive. They were pressing in to get close to him. Jesus sees the fishing boats and thought to use one as a pulpit. The disciples were busy washing their nets, getting them ready the next day’s trip. Jesus asked Peter thrust boat out so the crowd could a better view. Peter responds to the Lord and allow him to use his boat. When Jesus calls like Peter, we may be distracted by other things.
1. Jesus Call Comes When We are Distracted by Other Things. “One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee,[a] great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon,[b] its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.“
You never know when Jesus is going to step into your space. Jesus is teaching a multitude of people along the shoreline, and for Peter, what looked like a delay, or a distraction was a gateway to a new life. I am sure after a frustrating night of fruitless fishing; Peter was not expecting another delay. I am sure Peter’s mind on was his business and what he needed to do next. It’s alright to clean nets after a successful day of fishing, but it is tedious job when you have caught nothing but seaweeds. Peter was probably thinking about the expenses of the trip, how to pay his helpers, and how hungry and tired everyone was. They all needed food and rest, but Jesus was only asking a little favor. Peter simply obeys and pushes the boat out a little. We never know what small step obedience to the Lord will do for our lives. Jesus doesn’t tell Peter how long it will take or if he felt like doing it, he just wanted obedience and cooperation. After Jesus finishing preaching, he gives Peter another command. Not only does Jesus call when we are distracted by other things, His call requires a new level of determination.
2. Answering His Call May Require a New level of Fortitude - 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
It took a new of level determination to respond to the Lord command. One reason is that Peter was a professional fishing, a complete knowledge of the sea of Galilee. He was familiar with the wind, currents, and fishing patterns, and he had already tried it…all night! I am sure something inside of Peter was saying, no one can catch fish in the middle of the day. Maybe he wanted to prove a point to Jesus, maybe he started to believe that Jesus might really be the Messiah, he quickly responds “Nevertheless, I will let down my nets.” He chooses to obey and see what will happen. What Peter and the disciples learned that day is a valuable lesson for us today. Doing what God ask, is not always logical to our finite minds. It does not always fit logically in our thinking. Yet, it takes trust, faith, and determination. Obedience will always be the best course of action, regardless of whether you know what the overcome will be. Peter simply got his nets, moved the boat to the spot, cast the net out and his whole life was changed.
Following Jesus requires a new level of determination because he will sometimes ask us to go back to familiar place, do the same old familiar things, at an inconvenient time, keeping the results to him. Go back to the same old church, do the same old thing, believing God will do something new. The disciples caught so many fish, the nets began to break and had to call for assistance. Obedience requires determination. You have to move out in obedience, commit yourself to following Jesus no matter what. Life will always be filled with distractions and disappointments. Jesus knows what we are really seeking. He knows the joy and fulfilment we long for. He can lead us to fountains of life water. Are you willing to move out to deeper water and let down you nets again? Some only complain that “it’s too late now”; “there’s not any fish out there” or “I tried it once before.” Do you have enough strength to try again? Have you given up on God, the Church, church people? What’s got you tried, frustrated and weary? Do you believe Jesus can still give rest? Peter responded to the call of Jesus even though he was distracted by other things, and Jesus was requiring a new level of determination.
3. Following Jesus Leads to a Deeper Relationship with Him - “8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.”
For many, catching this amount of fish would have been a dream come true. They would have gathered of the catch, ran to market and received a big payday. Probably, spending days talking about the catch, To these fishermen, this was more than a catch. It was blessing from God. This blessing of God became a doorway into a deeper spiritual experience. They have truly found the Messiah, the long-awaited redeemer. They recognized Jesus for who he was and were astonished. Imagine the moment as Peter turned, falling at Jesus, confessing his sins. Then Jesus speaks a word that would completely change their lives forever. “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”
Once they experienced the power and authority of Jesus in their personal space, they were drawn into a deeper relationship with God. The idea is, Jesus was saying, just as you trust me to catch fish, trust me for everything and I’ll supply all you need. This story is not about the catch, the blessing, it’s about a deeper relationship with the blesser! On the very day, they received the biggest catch, they are called to leave it all and follow Jesus. No ifs, or buts, they left everything and follow Jesus with full devotion. Jesus wants to give us more than a blessing, he wants to transform our lives. The choice to obey and follow him is a choice to give ourselves completely to him. Transformation is just about church attendance or trying to do better. It’s about being conformed to the image of Christ. Just as Peter and the boys were called to assist Jesus in Preaching the gospel, going a little further, fishing a little deeper and following a little closer, He is calling you and me. It is only in following closer do we experience the Abundant Life Jesus promised. Following Jesus allows us to experience life the way God intended.
Jesus turned this group of fishermen into pillars of the Church. They experienced the fulness of life. How many of us still believe it’s possible? How few of us ever experience it? Are you willing to answer the call and assist in Preaching the gospel? Are you willing to go a little deeper and follow a little closer?
The call of often comes when we are distracted by other things. At times when we may be tired or frustrated: or disappointment and weary. Yet the call comes to all. The call of God requires a new level of determination. It may mean going in a different direction, at an inconvenient time or even going alone. Answering the call and following Christ will lead to a deeper relationship with God. I know it is not easy to leave all and follow Christ, but it is necessary. The disciples knew about Jesus, but their lives had not changed. Peter was in the boat with Jesus, but his life had not changed. As he obeyed the Lord and followed his command, He experienced the miraculous power of God displayed. Nothing happened until he recognized Jesus for who he was and submitted to his Lordship. Then everything changed. Peter returned to the shore with more than a catch of fish, he had a deeper relationship with The Lord. Peter willingly walked away from the thing he had fished for all night. He found something more real, more satisfying, he found abundant life. Are you ready to answer the call? Are you ready to try again?
Mt 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Mt 16:24-26 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
