Called To Fish

Called to Fish

Luke 5:1-11

Thanks and Praise be to God, that starting today we have a new facility (new to us) to worship in on each Lords day. Having this facility presents both blessing’s and challenges, today we will address one of the challenges.

Before the challenge is stated, I would like you all to know, the leadership team (Elders and Ministers) thank God for each of you and the Spiritual growth that is taking place in this congregation. This message and challenge is certainly made easier because you love the Lord and are mature as disciples who recognized the need to evangelize through personal evangelism.

Challenge – We must do all we can to fill the chairs with those that “Need the Lord” And we all need the Lord:

Romans 3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (NIV)

Who Need’s the Lord?

Those that have never accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior

Those who have fallen away and need restored

The Body of Christ

Today, we don’t have sufficient time to cover all three areas; therefore our focus will be on, “Those that have never accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior”.

Servants of God in the Bible are often described with common metaphors: shepherds, builders, farmers, fishermen etc.

Some may accuse me of doing anything I can to talk about fishing, but it was Jesus who compared the kingdom to fishing.

Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (ESV)

Our Text today will be Luke 5:1-11 (Please turn there now if you would like to follow along)

Location – Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee – 13 miles long, 7 miles wide, lowest freshwater lake on earth ( 209 meters below sea level),

Potential Christian Fishermen

Luke 5:1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Common Ordinary People

Jesus is about to make Ordinary People His disciples and Fishermen

Abraham Lincoln – “God must have loved common people – he made so many of them”

Jesus did not go to the recognized schools of higher learning

Jesus didn’t pick the most knowledgeable rabbis of Jerusalem

To Realize Your Potential – We should NOT think so much of what we are as what the Lord will do with us if we let HIM

They were Busy People - Verse 2

Involved in their work

It has been said, if you want a job done get a busy person to do it

Simon’s boat became the pulpit for Jesus

Jesus did teach in synagogues

He also taught from a boat

What boat do you have? (Place of Business, Home, Fishing Pier, Office, etc.) Let your light shine…

Potential Christian Workers (Potential Fishermen and Fisherwomen)-

Picture in your mind the church as a very long line of workers, because that’s what it is and this solitary line includes all members from the newly baptized girl of sixteen at one end of the spectrum to the trained disciple, Bible student, teacher, preacher and Elder at the other end. Between these two ends come all the workers of the Church.

Luke 5:4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

5Simon answered, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

A Sure Catch – Jesus said, “FOR A CATCH”!!! Verse 4

Prerequisite - Let down your nets!

Key Idea – Because of the word of Jesus he let down his net

Illustration - There was a missionary translator that was having problems finding the right word for “obedience” in the native language. Obedience was a virtue that was seldom practiced among the people. As he returned home one day, he whistled for his dog. The dog came running at full speed. An old native, seeing this, said admiringly, “Your dog is all ear.” Immediately the missionary knew he had his word. Obedience is being all ears. Our Church needs to be all ears for Jesus Christ. – Simon heard Jesus!