LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP
Luke 5:1-6
My brothers and sister there are times in our lives when we must learn to launch out into deep waters. As we are in a world that has moved onto greater technology and advancements, it was done simply by taking risk and living by the saying “Learn to plan, or plan to fail.” Some churches even though in a new century, have failed to keep up because we’ve fail to Launch out in the deep, and to add ministries that will help our people. We watch and are amazed at ministries like Bishop Ulmer who bought the forum in L.A., and Rev. Joel Olstein that bought the building in which the Houston Rockets used to play in, and they did it because they dared to launch out into the deep. I’m reminded of the history of Evangel Temple when Rev. Meares the father was the pastor of the church. It was located near the corner of New Hampshire and Georgia Avenue. Pastor Meares used to launch out every opportune time by driving his bus into the black communities picking up children that wanted to attend Sunday School or bible study. He would not only pick them up to teach them God’s Word, but he also fed them and put them back on his bus to returned them back to their homes. As time would have it, those children became adults, and helped him build a church on Rhode Island Ave., and later on in Largo. Regardless of the rumors we heard about people borrowing money and second mortgaging their homes, they simply gave where they worshiped. The brethren around town were somewhat disturbed at the fact that this white preacher had a black following, only failing to realize that Pastor Meares did what they didn’t, that he simply launched out into the deep.
Our lesson begins with Jesus down by the lake of Gennesaret. Now whether it was his intention to teach while he was there or he went there to get some rest I’m not sure. But, the text reveals to us that there was a multitude there pressing to hear the Word of God. So, Jesus noticed two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen were gone out of them, and was washing their nets. That is when Jesus entered one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to launch out from the shore, and it was there that the scriptures said that Jesus sat down and taught the people. And when He was done, He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought. Now we should note Simon’s answer, it was reluctant in kind, he said “Master we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing.”
So, come let us look at this text and hope that we too can be challenged to Launch out into the deep.
First of all as we visit the text, Dr. E. K. Bailey warned us of the Dangers of shallow waters and Pastor Streeter’s first point was “In order to Launch out into the deep you have to have the right attitude” Now I find my first point is in v.4-5 and I warn . . .
1. DON’T LET THE SITUATION DICTATE THE OUTCOME (v.4-5)
“Now when He had ceased speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought. 5. And Simon, answering, said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing”;
To often those of us that are called the children of God are fooled to believe that what we hear or what we have we should be content. And too often we think that because the situation is what it is, and it has been that way for so long, we are lured to believe that, that is the way it should be. We buy into what some might say that we cannot afford it, or there is nothing wrong with what we have. But if we want the best that God can offer, we need to trust God and launch out into the deep. You see if the word tells us in Hebrews 11:6; But without faith it is impossible to please Him; then we are not pleasing God by our lack of faith in what He promised. Watch how this verse end for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. And if we believe that He would reward us that seek Him, then we cannot settle for normalcy, we must trust God to reward us, both for eternity and while we are here.
So, look at the flow of the text. Jesus told Simon to launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a drought, and Simon’s answer displayed how fatigue he was from fishing all night which resulted in what appeared to be an answer of frustration. Simon said, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing.
In other words Peter was telling Jesus that he being an experienced fisherman, knowing when, where, and how to fish, he wearily let Jesus know that in his efforts he caught nothing. But Peter didn’t know that although he knew where, when and how to fish and he had the experience, and he knew how to pick a crew of fishermen to bring in the big catch, but there was one important fisherman he did not have on board that night, and His name was Jesus. You see when Jesus gives us instructions, and when we follow them, things happen. So Peter allowed the situation to dictate his answer.
Secondly
Dr. Bailey told us that evening that God does His best work in deep water taking it from verse six, Pastor Streeter’s second point was In order to launch out into the deep you need to know when to get some assistance taken from verse seven.
My second point is found again in verse 5b, so in order to launch out into the deep . . .
2. YOU MUST TRUST HIS WORD. (V.5B)
“nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net.”
There are some words that can make a text very interesting because of what they imply. Jesus had just told Peter to Launch out into the deep and drop your nets for a drought in verse four, and in verse five, Peter’s answer to Jesus exhibiting his failure the night before. Then there is a colon and Peter says “nevertheless.” The colon is used to mark a major break in a sentence, and the word “nevertheless” implies “in spite of or however.” But what Peter was saying even though he was tired from fishing all night and catching nothing. He is letting the Lord know that regardless of what they didn’t catch the night before, he is willing to try again. And that is the way we should view things. Our trust in God’s Word should be so that regardless of the failures in our lives, regardless of how bad it might appear we are going to launch out because the Lord told us to. So, Peter said “Nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net” Had you ever had a nevertheless experience. I mean one of those experiences that you were let down by your own ability, or a friend. You like Peter had called it a night, you started to wash out your net, and while you are there you started to have a pity party. You might have been turned down by a job, or turned down from getting your dream house. Then the Lord whispered in your ear to try again or call them back, and you being beat down, busted and disgusted, set aside all your hurt and said “nevertheless” then tried again because the Lord had told you, and all of a sudden what you wanted was yours. I tell you every now and then we need to have a nevertheless experience.
Finally . . .
Dr. Bailey said. Don’t go into the deep without Jesus. Pastor Streeter had one more point after this one. Pt. 3 was In order to launch out in the deep you need to. Properly assess yourself taken from vers eight, and his final point was. You need to answer the right call for your future from verse 11.
My final point is . . .
3. IF YOU RESPOND TO THE CLARION CALL TO LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP, THERE WILL BE A BONUS CATCH (v.10-11)
“And so were also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch fish. 11.And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”
Between verses five and 10 we find Peter and his crew doing exactly what Jesus told them. They had let down their nets and immediately they caught a great amount of fish, in fact it was in such abundance that they broke the nets and they had to beckon for the other boat, and that one was also filled and they both looked as though they were going to sink. This amazed Peter so that he fell down at Jesus feet, saying depart from me; for I am a sinful man, and not only was Peter amazed but all that was with him.
And it was here where Jesus extended the call for Discipleship. Not only was Simon there, but James; and John, the sons of Zebedee. Then Jesus said to Simon Peter “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” You see they heard the clarion call to launch out into the deep and for their efforts they caught a lot of fish. But when you do as the Master commands, you put yourself into the bonus category. Just like on Jeopardy or Wheel of fortune, some people find themselves in the bonus round. So, the bonus for Peter and his crew was instead of just catching fish for men, they would be catching men for Jesus. In fact the rewards are so lucrative that verse 11 shows us that when they had brought their ships back to the land, they forsook all and followed Him.
CONCLUSION
Well I got to go now, but before I go I must encourage you. If you want something great from the Lord, you have to Launch Out Into The Deep. I’m reminded of a saying that a great missionary once shared he said “Attempt great things for God, then you can expect great things from God.”
So, as I take my seat I need to say regardless of how many times you’ve been disappointed, regardless of who turns their backs on you, regardless whether things look bright. Just remember that is a NEVERTHELESS Experience. You let them know,
although I’ve been disappointed,
although my friend had turned their backs on me,
and although my future to them doesn’t look bright.
Nevertheless, the Lord God is able,
Nevertheless, the Lord will be by my side,
Nevertheless, if God said it, that settles it.
