Introduction

Good morning, Church family! Today, we're diving into the depths of the Gospel of Luke and John to explore the incredible power of Jesus' presence, His miraculous provision, and the life-altering call to follow Him.

As Alexander MacLaren once said, "Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God." And there's no better way to change our hearts than by answering Jesus' call and experiencing His presence and provision firsthand.

Let's read together from Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-12.

[Read passages]

Let's take a moment to pray before we dive into today's sermon.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your living word that speaks to us today as powerfully as it did over two thousand years ago. Open our hearts and minds to receive Your message. Help us to grasp the power of Your presence, to marvel at Your miraculous provision, and to respond to Your call to follow You. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

The Power of His Presence

The power of Jesus' presence is a profound theme that echoes throughout the scriptures, and it is vividly illustrated in the passages we've just read. In both instances, Jesus' mere presence on the scene dramatically alters the circumstances and the lives of those involved.

The setting in Luke 5: The fishermen had labored all night and caught nothing. They were washing their nets, perhaps feeling a sense of disappointment or frustration. But then Jesus steps into Simon's boat. His presence immediately transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, the mundane into the miraculous. Suddenly, the boat isn't just a boat; it's a pulpit. The lake isn't just a lake; it's a sanctuary. The fishermen aren't just fishermen; they're disciples. Jesus' presence changes everything.

The setting in John 21: The disciples had been fishing all night without success. But when Jesus arrives and instructs them where to cast their nets, they haul in a miraculous catch. The disciples' failure turns into a triumph, their fruitless labor into abundant provision. Again, it's the power of Jesus' presence that makes the difference.

It’s not limited: But the power of Jesus' presence isn't limited to physical locations or specific moments in time. It's not confined to the pages of the Bible. It's a reality that we, as believers, can experience in our own lives. When we invite Jesus into our hearts, our homes, our workplaces, our relationships, He brings transformation. He brings hope where there's despair, peace where there's turmoil, joy where there's sorrow, and life where there's death.

Manifested in the way He reveals Himself to us: In both stories, Jesus reveals His divine identity through a miraculous catch of fish. But He also reveals His intimate knowledge of the disciples' needs and His ability to meet those needs in ways that exceed their expectations. When we experience Jesus' presence in our lives, we come to know Him not just as a historical figure or a distant deity, but as a personal Savior who knows us, loves us, and cares for us deeply.

The call to discipleship: In Luke 5, after the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus tells Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." Jesus' presence in Simon's boat didn't just result in a physical miracle; it led to a spiritual transformation. Simon, who would later be known as Peter, left everything to follow Jesus. The same is true for us. When we encounter Jesus' presence, we're called to a new way of life. We're invited to leave behind our old ways and follow Him.

The Miraculous Provision of Jesus

In both passages, the disciples had toiled all night and caught nothing ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO