Calling Peter from Failure to Success
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The Failure of Peter to Steer His own Life
The Failure of Peter to Steer His own Life
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 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.
Life without Jesus is a struggle, a struggle made all the more bitter by failure. We do not mind struggle if it leads to success, but to toil without reward is miserable.
For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
To work hard and long and have nothing to show for your effort - that is failure.
The reality of Peters all night work without anything to show for it, is the very picture of a sinner who tries to be a good person, but find out that despite all their best efforts they have nothing to show.
Imagine a life, lived with the best intentions, to try and be a good person. imagine lending to the poor, showing compassion to the sick, being a devoted husband or wife, trying to be an excellent father or mother. Working hard at your job, being a class leading employee, paying your taxes, never breaking a single governmental law. Only to Die and find out that you did not achieve a single shred of righteousness all your life.
That is the reality of Life.
But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
How is that possible? Because God looks at our heart, while we look at the outside.
Its a reality because God hold humanity to a higher standard that we hold ourselves.
Its the reality because God is Holy and Perfect and flawless. But we are sinful, and fallen and evil.
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Peter thought he was a good fisherman, and didn’t need any help.
Humanity things they are good people, and don’t need any help.
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: But a faithful man who can find?
And Humanity, like Peter. End up tired, empty and failed.
Then Jesus Climbs aboard
Then Jesus Climbs aboard
Everything was about to change for Peter the moment he allowed Jesus to come aboard his boat.
Everything changes for us when we allow Jesus to board our life as well.
Jesus Gives Peter a command., But its more than that. This was Peters boat, Peter was the Captain of this vessel. When Jesus issued the command, he was saying to Peter “I want to take command of this ship, you were the captain, but im the captain now.”
This was razor edge for Peter, he could have easily gotten offended. “Who is this carpenter that thinks he can tell me how to run my boat!?”
Who =do you think you are telling me how to run my life? Sound familier?
How dare you tell me how to live my life! Its my life!± ill love who i want, marry who i want, its my body, ill kill who i want! Its my socialism and ill take what i want!
this could have gone any way for Peter.
What is Peters response?
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.
Mater-Epi-stata - Commander - Admiral. The Highest rank in the Navy. Peter was acknowledging Jesus not just as Capitan, but as captan of captains.
We need to do the same. When we invite Jesus Christ into our Lives, we must not try to share headship or leadership with him. He must be the Lord of Lords and King of Kings - Even as Peter called him: captain of Captains.
Surrender and Obey
Surrender and Obey
Peter knows that his best efforts have resulted in nothing. He has tried and he has failed. Many people come to that realisation too. How many times have you tried - tried to live a life pleasing, tried to be a better husband/wife? tried to be more organised?
tried and failed. But this time something was different, this time Jesus was at the helm.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Notice Peters faith, they key activation of his faith is in the words: “At Thy Word”. ie: Because you say so, i will obey.
Success in life begins at obedience to Christ’s Words.
Note: Obedience not knowledge.
Jesus sopke on obedience many times, but perhaps most famously is in:
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Obedience is both Hearing AND doing.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
What Jesus say happens to those who hear and obey? Are they spared storms and trials? No, but they will face less.
you will face less hardships, not because God will shield you, but because you will shield yourself.
My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, And peace, shall they add to thee.
And God will preserve you.
He keepeth the paths of judgment, And preserveth the way of his saints.
Peters Success
Peters Success
Peter accomplished more in a single cast with Jesus that he did all night on his own.
Not only that, But Jesus promoted Peter, from a man who catches fish, to a man to catches men.
Jesus promotes us too.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, Nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: