New Fishing and Hunting Buddies

"...We live in a unique time in history, in which virtually every dimension of human endeavor has advanced: communications, travel, education, medical solutions, agriculture, nutrition, child development, economics, and even government. Christians themselves have more access to Scripture and biblical teaching in hundreds of languages than in any previous generation as well. Today more is possible than ever before. So why then has progress stalled, particularly in the churches of the global north? I want to argue that we have misunderstood one of the core tenets of our faith--the gospel story itself--and that this misunderstanding has derailed the achievement of Christ’s Great Commission." (p. 57, Richard Stearns. Unfinished).

Stand, Read Luke 5:1-11. Pray.

When Jesus came, He came preaching and telling people the kingdom of heaven has come. Disciples are supposed to be introducing the world to God’s kingdom, but we’ve often forgotten to let go of our nets and follow Jesus. We’ve gotten comfortable in our modern “Roman Empire,” and we’ve left the calling of Christ out of our heralding of the Good News.

"God leaves us here because He has a mission for us to fulfill. We aren't here by accident; neither are we simply here to enjoy the good things life has to offer. We are here because God put us here, and He has a sovereign purpose in keeping us here. It's true for us as individuals, and it's true for His body, the Church, in all of its fullness"—Billy Graham

What should we do with our lives? Jesus shows us in the passage.

“What to do with the rest of your life? The challenge is to spend it as a big-game hunter, taking people alive for Jesus. Don’t settle for less.” (Larson, B., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1983). Luke (Vol. 26, p. 106). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.)

Proposition: Let Down Your Net-- Catch Disciples for Christ!

1. Because of the Need

v. 1, 9-10

The crowds came to hear Jesus.

Note that everywhere Jesus went, He found people to minister to. Yes, He performed miracles, but His main focus was to save souls—to forgive peoples’ sins!

Jesus saw the need—and He showed the disciples that it is great!

Luke 10:1-2

Luke 10:1–2 AV

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

There are billions of people needing to know Christ today—and you are here in this time and place now because there is a need around you for people to know Christ and follow Him!

Transition: How do we know what to do with our lives? Is it all guesswork, or can we really know?

2. Because of the Word

Luke 5:5

Luke 5:5 AV

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

As disciples, we are to listen for the Word of God and obey it implicitly. We know from the experiences of life that it is sometimes difficult to obey the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

One, it may be difficult to obey the Word when we have not been able to put all the pieces together. We like to understand things, and see the big picture, but whether we understand everything or not, God’s Word is to be obeyed.

Two, it may be difficult to obey the Word when we hear the objections to God’s Word by those close to us. Let me remind you of an old Proverb that says, “One fool can ask more questions than fifty wise men can answer.” (Spurgeon, C. H. (1902). “Nevertheless at Thy Word.” In The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 48, p. 603). London: Passmore & Alabaster.)

Three, it may be difficult to obey the Word when It seems to differ with our experiences.

Peter listened to Jesus when He was preaching, “Sure, He knows about spiritual things,” but Peter may have doubted when Jesus said to let down their nets—“What does He know about fishing? That’s my thing!”

Have you ever thought you knew more than God? Peter’s experience as a fisherman caused him to initially resist, but aren’t you glad he obeyed the Lord? This example reveals our own hearts and the victory God will bring when we listen!

Some of us don’t do what’s right because our stubbornness will only allow us to do something if it is our own idea!

Four, it may be difficult to obey the Word when we love ourselves. The Bible speaks of self-denial, and we wrestle within saying, “Life will be hard if you obey the Bible.” Remember, in Christ, our friend is not the flesh—we “worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3)

Philippians 3:3 AV

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Fifth, it may be difficult to obey the Word when our love for others holds us back. “If I obey God, which I know is right, my friends will be angry.” We may wonder, “Is there a way to please man and please God?”

Sixth, it may be difficult to obey the Word when we are faint of heart.

Psalm 27:14

Psalm 27:14 AV

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

God tells us we need to be fishers of men. That is His Word on the matter of your life.

Are you obeying God’s Word or refusing the path of a disciple of Christ?

3. Because of the Partnership

(Picture of fishing boat)

Did you notice the net was breaking?

Some fish escaped

Imagine if they put more nets out!

The other ships came.

4. Because of the Reminder

Fast forward about three years, and Jesus had just been crucified. The disciples had seen Jesus two times since His resurrection. Peter was feeling pretty badly for letting the Lord down when He needed him most, and Peter led the disciples to do what he used to do—go fishing for fish.

Was fishing for fish what God called the disciples to do?

We must ask ourselves, what would happen if the people who God saves and calls to follow Him would turn away and return to their former lives.

This is a situation we are facing.

"What if Peter and Andrew had returned to their fishing, Matthew to his tax collecting, Paul to his prestigious role as a Pharisee? Many of our churches are no longer boot camps established to equip us for battle; they're spiritual spas designed to enhance our well-being and give us a glow at the beginning of our week. We sing a few songs, shake a few hands, and listen to a pleasant homily. The call of Jesus to lay down our lives, take up our crosses, and share in his suffering seldom echoes from our pulpits" (Stearns, Unfinished. p. 54).

God called us to follow Him because a changed life, a Christ-like life, is what He uses to “catch” others from the world and bring on the road to Heaven.

It was late. The disciples were tired. They were confused. They weren’t sure what to think—in part, because Peter, their leader, was falling apart at the seems.

John 21:1-15

John 21:1–15 AV

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

What was it that told the disciples it was Jesus on the shore that night? Because Jesus reminded them of the day they were called to be fishers of men instead of fishers of fish.

“Cast your net on the other side.”

Once again, Peter had to bite his tongue and try things someone else’s way. Then it all came back to him—it’s Jesus!

Jesus was there this time to remind the disciples of the salvation He gave them and the call He placed on their lives to be His disciples.

Conclusion:

In the confusion of the time, the disciples had become short-sighted, and they had forgotten there is a need. Let’s get our eyes up out of our comfort zones—and see the vast schools of fish still needing the Gospel!

In a time when the disciples did not know what to believe and who to trust, they had forgotten God’s Word and all Jesus had taught them just before He was crucified. Jesus had a purpose for His death to pay for the sins of the world.

They were feeling singled out and alone, and they forgot the importance of partnering with other believers to do the work of God’s kingdom. If you notice, in John 21, he specifically mentions the nets did not break—let’s help each other in the work!

God is really good at bringing us back to Him with simple reminders when we have forgotten Him and His will.

The Great Commission given to us by Christ is still unfinished. It’s time to get back out reaching people.

Will you let down your net and catch disciples for Christ?

Invitation:

Pray

Salvation—Do you need to be “caught” and saved, so you can follow Christ?...

Discipleship—You’ve been caught…your life has been redeemed from death and destruction…are you letting down your net—catching—others for Christ and bringing them into God’s church and His kingdom?

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