Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Turn to Luke 5:1-11.

Is there are part of Jesus’ message that is supposed to be a part of the Gospel that we might have missed?

In the story we’ll see today, we’ll note that the disciples didn’t just decide to trust Christ, but they became disciples and followed Christ.

"...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

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

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)

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

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

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.