BASIC STEPS IN FOLLOWING JESUS Luke 5:1-11
Proposition: “A true disciple of Christ will make a total commitment to Christ and live up to that commitment.”
Objective: My purpose is to challenge each child of God to take the basis steps helpful in making a full commitment to Jesus Christ.
INTRODUCTION:
Illus: Did you hear about the man who ran a variety store a few years ago? It had once been a thriving store, but as he got older he became obsessed with keeping the store neat & clean. He spent hours arranging and rearranging the merchandise on the shelves. Some days he wouldn’t even open the store, for fear that it would be thrown into disarray. That man lost sight of the purpose of his store. While it sounds ridiculous, it’s easy to do for us to do as followers of Christ.
The crowds often “pressed” to see Christ’s miracles and listen to His parables. The people were interested in what Christ had to teach them of spiritual truths and were astonished at His teaching. What Christ had to teach were the laws of God, a kingdom distinct from of worldly kingdoms. The materialistic Jews had expected that the Messiah would usher in a kingdom that would excel all other kingdoms in splendor. Christ’s kingdom was to be a spiritual kingdom. Unlike the old theocracy with its temple and throne in Jerusalem, His kingdom would be extended by the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world.
The Gospels present 3 perspectives on the call of the fishermen to follow Christ. The Gospel of John recounts the importance of John’s ministry as it related to the call of these first disciples (See John 1:35f.). Andrew & an unnamed companion were introduced to Jesus by the Baptist’s striking words, “Behold the Lamb of God…”, and immediately Andrew found his brother Peter and brought him to Jesus. Matthew and Mark give helpful insight into the apparent evolution of the fishermen’s call to discipleship (cf. Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 1:16-20). We learn that the four fishermen received a clear call to follow after the Savior and become fishers of men. These men, perhaps unaware of the radical, life-changing nature of Jesus’ call, did not completely abandon their fishing business. Luke recorded the final phase of the call to discipleship for the fishermen. Finally, in the context of the miraculous draught of fishes, these men realized more fully the breadth and depth of Christ’s call to service. No halfway measures would do. He demanded full compliance and obedience to His command to follow Him.
Step I. AN AGREEMENT: BE OPEN TO THE INITIATIVE OF JESUS (vvs. 1-4) “He stood by the Lake…He got into one of the boat”—Peter and the others had just returned from an unsuccessful all night fishing trip. The large throng crowding around Jesus prevented His teaching effectively as He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, another name for the Sea of Galilee, by a village on the northwest shore. So He went out a short distance in the water in Simon’s boat so that they could all listen to the Word of God.
1. The interest: The curious crowd (v. 1) “The multitude pressed about to hear”—Gennesaret is the name of the lovely, fertile plain on the west side of the lake. The lake measures roughly 13 miles by 7 miles being about 700 feet below sea level. The Lord used Peter’s boat as a pulpit from which to teach the multitude. The crowd was eager to hear the Word (can mean “Word that comes from God” or “Word that tells us of God”). If we yield all our property & possessions to the Savior, it is wonderful how He uses them, & rewards us too.
2. The involvement: The weary workers (v. 2) “They were washing their nets”—Cleansing the nets (that encompassed 100 feet) on shore was the regular morning’s work after a night of fishing. They had gathered a great deal of dirt and filthiness as well as smell. Even though they had not caught any fish, they had to clean them in order to put them up as they had given up. This was so the boat would be in readiness for the next trip.
3. The instruction: The tireless Teacher (v. 3) “He…taught the multitudes”-- Jesus’ gathering of disciples was not unusual in His time & Jewish setting. Many rabbis would gather students to teach Torah. But the kind of disciples Jesus gathers is unusual—they are not professionals. Fisher-men, tax col-lectors, former revolutionaries & just plain sinners make up this new community. Jesus launches them on a journey with God, a walk in which God begins to work in their lives. The lesson is that we need not be perfect to come to God; rather, we need to trust God & let Him do His gracious work in transforming our lives.
4. The initiative (command): The divine request (v. 4) “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets”—The fish came nearer the surface at night to feed; in the daytime they went down to the cooler waters deep in the lake. Here Jesus speaks an authoritative Word. Jesus says, “Push out and launch your vessels further from the shore and let down your nets for the “taking” (catching) of fish.” Jesus’ command must have seemed unreasonable to them after their failure during the night (v. 5).
Illus: Years ago the British agnostic Thomas Huxley had to leave early one morning to go from one speaking assignment to another, so he got into a horse-drawn taxi to go from his hotel to the train station. He assumed that the hotel doorman had told the driver of the carriage that they were to go to the train station. So when he got in, he simply said to the driver, “Drive fast!” Off they went. After a short while, Huxley, being somewhat familiar with the area, realized that they were actually going in the opposite direction from the train station. He yelled to the driver, “Do you know where you’re going?” Without looking back, the driver replied, “No sir, but I’m driving very fast.” It doesn’t do much good to go fast if you’re not going in the right direction. We must be in line with God’s purpose and be going in the right direction.
Step II. AN APPROVAL: OBEY HIM EVEN WHEN I DON’T UNDERSTAND (vvs. 5-8) “Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net”—They had tried & tried again, but without success. Though Peter, an experienced fisherman, was sure he would not catch anything at that time of the day when the fish were deeper in the lake, he obeyed Jesus’ word. This showed a significant amount of faith. The resulting catch began to break the nets, so they filled Simon’s and another boat with the fish till both boats… began to sink.
1. Unrelenting disappointment: The failure (v. 5a) “Master, we have toiled all night”--Fishermen of the Galilee would fish at night when the schools of fish worked there way toward shore to feed on swarms of minnows in the shallower, warmer waters. They had tried and tried again, but without success. Simon Peter and his partners were ready to call it a day. They had fished all night long and had caught not so much as a single little fish. They are tired, frustrated, discouraged, and defeated. The last thing any of them wants to do is go back out and fish some more. Note their failure without Jesus.
Illus: In 1858 the Illinois legislature, using an obscure statute, sent Stephen A. Douglas to the U.S. Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln, although Lincoln had won the popular vote. When a friend asked Lincoln how he felt, he said, “Like the boy who stubbed his toe: I am too big to cry & too badly hurt to laugh.”
Illus: Robert Louis Stevenson wrote words that continue to delight and enrich our lives and yet what did he write on his epitaph? “Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little and failed much.”
2. Unqualified trust: The faith (v. 5b) “At Your word I will”-- Yet, when Jesus tells Peter to do just that, he surrenders to the will of the Lord and goes out to fish. Obedience to Christ’s commands always results in divine blessing. Here the blessing was a boatload of fish. So many, in fact, that their nets were about to break, and they had to call their friends over to help them. But even then, the two boats were not large enough to hold all the fish. They filled both the boats to overflowing, & then the boats began to sink! When God tells you to do some-thing, do it, even if it doesn’t make sense. God told Noah to build an ark because a flood was coming when nobody had ever even heard of rain. And Noah did it. God called Abraham to pack up his possessions and start walking. And Abraham did it, even thought he didn’t know where he was going. God told the people of Israel to march around Jericho for seven days if they wanted the walls to fall down, and they did it. God wants to work through you. God wants to bless you. But you have to be like Simon who says, "That doesn’t make sense, but nevertheless, at your word, I will obey." Disciples obey Jesus even when it doesn’t make sense.
3. Unspeakable catch: The fullness (v. 6) “Their net was
breaking”—You know what. Jesus knew where the fish are. Peter had said, “There’s no fish there,” Jesus had said, “Put the net down over there.” Jesus truly knew where the fish were. If Jesus knows about the number of hairs on your head, the birds fly, the great fish to swallow Jonah, He knows where the fish are.
Without Jesus: Night of toil; Nothing taken; Nets empty!
With Jesus: Full Nets; Full ship; Full hearts!
4. Unquestioned success: The filling (v. 7) “They filled the boats…began to sink”—Obedience brings results! The success was over-whelming with two boats so full that they were sinking. When we focus our faith on small works we get small results. When we focus our faith on large works we get large results...actually extra-extra large results! After their nets began to break, the ships began to sink. Christ-directed service produces problems—but what delightful problems they are. They are the kind of problems that thrill the heart of a true fisherman. Fullness is found in Jesus.
5. Undeserved mercy: The humility (v. 8) “I am a sinful man, O Lord”—In contrast with Jesus, whose deity was indicated by this miracle, Peter realized that he was sinful, and felt unworthy to have Jesus with him. He had a consciousness of his own sinfulness and sin. Peter’s response was what any good Jew of the first century’s response would have been, if they found themselves standing in the presence of the holy God. Peter said, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord! He wasn’t telling Jesus to go away, but confessing his own unworthiness to stand in the presence of the Holy God.
Illus: Bill Hybels, pastor at the Willow Creek Church near Chicago, heard God’s call when he was about 20 years old. He was a college student on staff in a Christian summer camp. His father was a prosperous owner of a business that Bill would inherit. But one day the camp director pulled Bill off to the side & asked a loaded question: "Bill, what are you doing with your life that will last forever?" That question shook Bill to his very foundations. He has been trying to answer it ever since. Bill’s answer took him out of his comfort zones into deep water.
Step III. AN ACCEPTANCE: BELIEVE THAT JESUS LOVES ALL PEOPLE (even sinful) (vvs. 9-10) “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” The miracle of the fish brought the response by Peter & the other’s astonishment at such a large catch of fish.
1. The amazement: A concern for the situation (v. 9) “He and all…were astonished”—Note their response to what is happening. Christ called Peter from catching fish to catching men, or more literally, “taking men alive.” What are all the fish in the ocean compared to the incomparable privilege of seeing one soul won for Christ and for eternity!
2. The assignment: A commission to serve (v. 10) “From now on you will catch men”—The word for “catch” means to catch alive, such as a policeman would catch them alive, but those who were caught would experience eternal life. His commission was to rescue men from the danger of sin. This miracle stands as an object lesson. Just as Jesus fills those nets beyond compre-hension with fish, He is saying to Peter, “If you will follow me and trust me, you will be someone through whom I will continue to bring in the harvest of souls, catch the people that I’m going to put into your life. I’m going to do what I promised to do. You can trust me to accomplish it.”
Illus: Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of Charles Mansion, who was convicted of trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford was released Friday from a Texas prison hospital after more than three decades behind bars. Investigators at the time found her proud that she was a follower of Charles Manson, who was a crazed killer of Sharon Tate, an actress. News magazines checked into her background. Squeaky had felt like a misfit in her town. She wandered across the country until she reached California and met Charles Manson who promised to take care of her. She went with him and was willing to kill and die for him. Reporters asked her, “Why would you give your life to a man like Manson?” Squeaky explained that she made a choice in her teenage years: “Whoever loves me first can have my life.” Someone likely had loved Squeaky, but she was ready to give her life to whoever made her feel loved first.
Step IV. AN ALLEGIANCE: BE READY TO LEAVE EVERYTHING AND FOLLOW JESUS (v.11) “They forsook all”-- Finally, the disciples left everything and followed Jesus. We can leave everything and do His Works too...but that does not always mean that this "sacrifice" will bring us more faith! Peter, James, and John pulled their boats up on the beach and forsook all and followed Jesus on one of the best business days of their lives. And how much hung on their decision!
1. Submission “They brought their boats to land”—This is almost everything that they may have owned. Then and there. They had already become His disciples. Now they leave their business for active service of Christ.
2. Surrender “They forsook all”--They were forsaking all for Jesus. This is almost everything that they may have owned. They leave all that they have of value by returning to the shore, leaving their boats and marvelous catch—indeed they leave everything. They could have made much money with their nets, and their ships, and their servants, and their relations, and friends.
3. Satisfaction “They…followed Him” –These men followed Christ; & became His disciples, even all four of them, Peter, Andrew, James, and John. All of the Gospel writers use the term n the sense of a self-commitment which breaks all other ties. Note that they “forsook” all to follow Jesus. (Read Luke 18:28-30)
Illus: Twelve Christians, including three pastors, were killed and 20 churches were demolished in Nigeria amid escalating religiously motivated violence, prompting a call for government intervention. Sabo Yakubu, a husband, father of seven and pastor of a Church of Christ congregation, was hacked to death by a machete, ICC said. Also killed were Sylvester Akpan, pastor of National Evangelical Mission, and George Orji, pastor of Good News of Christ Church. In the fighting, 700 people including police, Islamic militants and civilians were killed. In the city of Potiskum, Islamists attacked First Baptist Church and Church of the Brethren, burning musical instruments and sound systems before being chased away by police, ICC said. Since 1999, more than 10,000 Nigerians reportedly have been killed in "sectarian and communal attacks and reprisals between Muslims and Christians," USCIRF said.
CONCLUSION:
1. Discipleship begins with an informed and voluntary decision to follow Christ. Here is a call to greater commitment.
2. Disciples are “learner”—those who learn and apply what Jesus teaches them. Here is a call to greater intimacy.
3. Discipleship involves being equipped by Jesus to influence others for Him (“I will make you fishers of men.”).
4. Discipleship involves learning from other Christians how to follow Christ.
5. Discipleship requires allowing Jesus to change your life (priorities, relationships, direction, etc.) according to His purpose and timing.
Illus: The Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez anchored his 11 ships off the Yucatan Peninsula in the year 1519. Cortez had embarked on an ambitious con-quest; thousands of miles of ocean separated him from home and reinforcements. At the time, Mexico was ruled by the mighty Aztec empire, whose warriors numbered in the tens of thousands. Cortez, on the other hand, was only able to transport 608 men, 16 horses and a few cannons in his 11 small ships. It was common practice in those days to leave guards with the ships, as the ships might be needed later to return to the Old World for supplies or, if necessary, to retreat from the enemy. Despite the overwhelming odds, Cortez was fully committed to the mission and ordered his men to go ashore. Not long afterwards, the Spanish encampment awoke in the middle of the night to the voices of men yelling, “Fire! Fire!” The soldiers stumbled out of their tents to see their wooden ships burning in the distant waters. Their hearts sank. The 11 vessels were their only means of retreat—their only way back to home and civilization. And now they were going up in flames. Some of the men moved quickly to row out and fight the blaze, but to their astonishment, Cortez stopped them. He told them that he had ordered the ships burned. Was Cortez crazy? Quite possibly. Was he ruthless? Apparently. Was he totally committed? No question. And the message to his men was clear—there would be no retreat. They would conquer this new land or die trying. Historians have since debated Cortez’s judgment and leadership tactics, but one thing is certain. In the year 1519, one man totally committed himself to a cause—and under his leadership, just 608 men, 16 horses and a few cannons conquered a vast and powerful Aztec empire.
Prepared by: Gerald R. Steffy
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