Catching More Than They Could Carry

PP0549 DATE

CATCHING MORE THAN YOU CAN CARRY!

Luke 5:1-11

Lu 5:1 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.

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:

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (KJV)

INTRODUCTION: This is one of the most miraculous passages of Scripture in all of the Bible. This tells of the mighty power of the Lord. This story is not about Jesus teaching the multitude, but rather about Him teaching Simon Peter a great lesson.

Luke is the only Gospel that goes into any detail about this story. Matthew and Mark both give a brief reference to it, but Luke explains it in detail.

There is some typology in this passage that is very iteresting.

The “nets” would symbolize the talents of the disciples. They were washing their nets or polishing up their talents. Getting their talents ready for the next opportunity for use. That is something that every child of God should always be doing. Too many never attempt to improve their ability. That’s why it is important to read – study – increase your talents. I think I will start having you tell us in each service what you are currently reading. You should be reading something. Of course the Bible, but books that will increase your knowledge and that will challenge you. I am not much on reading these fiction paperbacks with a religious story. They will only work on your emotion and will not increase your knowledge. Read books on Baptist doctrine, prayer, commitment, Christian living, biographies of great preacher and women, lives of missionaries, etc.

The “ships” are a type of the local N.T. Church. Notice that in Vs. three Jesus taught from “out of the ship”. Or from the ship. I am leary of any ministry that is not connected with a local N.T. church. Every ministry, every missionary, every missions project, every evangelist, every Bible college, every printing ministry must be under the authority of a local N.T. church.

After Jesus had finished teaching he told Simon to take the boat out into deep water for a draught of fish. When Jesus came to them in Vs. 2 the ships were standing idle and not in fishing mode. The fishers were washing their nets. They had fished all night and the nets had picked up trash and junk from the sea waters.

That’s why it is important that each of us keep our lives clean and useable – we won’t catch any fish with dirty or unsuable nets.

We see three great priciples in this passage. One, we see Peter, The Lord will use man and his ability for the purpose of the kingdom of God. Second, we see Peter’s boat, the Lord can use anything that is given to Him to be used. Third, when the Lord uses the object or the person He will pay off with great dividends. They made a great catch.

There are five things that I want to point out to you in these few verses.

First of all Jesus told Simon to:

I. LAUNCH OUT Vs. 4.

Lu 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (KJV)

You will do nothing for God until you launch out. God is still waiting for most Christians to launch out.