“LESSONS LEARNED FROM A NIGHT OF FAILURE”
TEXT: Luke 5:1-11 W. Max Alderman
INTRODUCTION: Some of your greatest lessons will be learned at “The University of Adversity”. I have heard people say that they received a degree in “knee-ology” at the “School of Hard-knocks”. The message that we are looking at this morning shows why we sometimes fail and how we can learn from our failures and go on to a very productive Christian life. The disciples had fished and toiled all night without catching anything. The Scriptures tell us that they had “taken nothing”.
After they had done all they could the Lord told this seasoned fisherman where to fish and where to cast the net. Simon said unto Him, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” According to our Text, this is when business really picked up. There are five great lessons that we can learn from “A Night of Failure”.
I. THERE IS FAILURE WITHOUT HIM… (V. 4,5); (Philippians 4:13)
These fishermen were unable to make a catch, although they had used all of their skills, abilities and time, until Jesus blessed them. The Lord was teaching a lesson that we all need to learn; there is failure without Him.
A. To Work Without Him Will Bring Disappointment…
Not only is there failure, there is disappointment that comes with that failure. In our service to the Lord, we can have all of the tools for greatness only to find the disappointments and the frustration of not seeing God’s blessings. The blessings of ministry come from having Him. We need Him. This is the reason that we are having our Wednesday night men’s prayer meetings. We know that we must have Him.
B. To Work Without Him Will Bring Discouragement…
Discouragement can hinder the work. Washing nets which have caught no fish is not any fun. There will be times when you will not see results; you only are “washing nets which caught no fish”. If this is so because you were simply going through the motions without His blessings, then this is a real tragedy. The Lord’s presence and the Lord’s instructions brought the Lord’s blessings to Simon Peter and the rest of the fishermen. Two boats nearly sank because of the large number of fish… after the blessings came.
II. WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN HIM… (V. 5)
To have faith in the Lord is indicated by being obedient to His Word. Peter at first argued that they had spent the night without any success, but then took the Lord at His Word. This teaches us that we often do things our way only to find that our ways, alone, will yield no lasting fruit.
(Colossians 1:16, 17) “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
A. Have Faith that He is The Creator God… (Colossians 1:16, 17)
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Christ Jesus could have either called the fish to the net or created them in the net. Either way that which happened was a miracle. When Jesus shows up… “Look for a Miracle”.
B. Have Faith that He is The Caring God… (Philippians 4:19)
There has been no greater comfort to me as the pastor of the Bible Baptist Church than just knowing that the Lord cares about us… So much so, if we do what we should, He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. Just as He provided the fish for the fishermen, He can provide our church with our church needs… “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
III. WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO FORSAKE ALL FOR HIM… (V.11)
This should be the attitude and the disposition that marks the true disciple. Luke’s Gospel tells us this in Luke 14:33: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
A. This Involves Surrender…
To surrender is to turn loose anything that has a hold of you… This could be a job, a friendship, a comfort zone, a crutch (by that, I mean anything that you are trusting in that will hinder you from following Him).
B. This Involves Submission…
When Peter said, “Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” he was submitting to the will of the Lord.
IV. WE SHOULD FOLLOW HIM COMPLETELY… (V. 11)
What better Guide than He? To follow Him is to follow Him through the Scriptures. His Word will point you in the right direction…
A. He Will Lead Us As The Good Shepherd…
One only has to think of the good work of the shepherd who leads, guides, and protects his sheep. Our Good Shepherd certainly leads us well.
B. He Will Lead Us By The Glorious Scriptures…
CONCLUSION: Though this passage deals with the miracle of the great draught of fishes, its principles abound as it deals with the way the Lord provides for His own…
