Are You Ready?

Luke 5:4-9 (KJV)

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.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

· You may have heard the expression:

“To throw in the towel.” These fishermen were quite ready to do so.

· Simon Peter, James, and John had fished all night long. Continually, they would cast their nets only to come up with nothing.

· They welcomed the twilight of day, so they could bring their boats to shore.

· Then they had the tedious task of cleaning their nets before they could go home. Otherwise the salt from the water would eat away at the ropes.

· What they didn’t realize that while they were cleaning was that this Jesus character had stepped onto their boat to teach.

· They had heard about this Jesus fellow from what people in the community had said. But they had never really had any direct contact with him just yet.

· Many of you this morning are living a life filled with labor. You have poured your energy into making a living for yourself and your family.

· Day after day passes and nothing much really changes.

· The rut is still there and the rat race of life goes on.

· Maybe you feel like a gerbil on the wheel of life.

· You are constantly running, wearing yourself out, but you never get anywhere.

· Unfortunately, we all have to work. As we all know, there are no free lunches. No one is going to step up and pay your bills for you or feed your family.

· These guys were burnt out. They had fished and fished; yet never caught what they were seeking.

Luke 5:4

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

· For a draught? Draught means an incalculable amount. However, Jeremy’s definition for draught is Jackpot.

· Jesus told them in advance what the result was going to be.

· However, Simon Peter still questioned the Lord’s directive.

· How many times does the Lord tell us to doing something, and we question it.

· These guys probably thought we have fished our whole life, and besides what does this guy know about fishing.

· The Sea of Galilee was 13 miles in length and 8 miles wide. Which isn’t that big compared to Lake Michigan, which is 310 miles in length and 120 miles wide at its widest point.

· These guys probably knew where all the good spots were, and they most likely had exhausted every possibility that night.

· So many times when we are disappointed and hurt by people who build up our expectations and then let them come crashing down.

· The letting down of the nets represents the letting down of reservations, our doubts, and the safeguards we have built to avoid being hurt again.

· Nonetheless, Simon Peter felt compelled to obey.

· Peter was tired, worn out, sleepy, hungry, and ready to quit for the day. But when he obeyed God and cast out the net, he began to draw in more fish than he had ever seen.

· He was suddenly committed and excited. He forgot he was tired. He forgot that he wanted to go home and rest.

· He forget he was hungry. He forgot that he had already washed the nets.

· The miracle that was promised was coming to life right before his very eyes.

1. Are you ready for your miracle?

2. Who could use a financial miracle?

3. Now before everyone says yes, know that there is something you must do.

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.