Intro. Backdrop of story, text. Genessaret, sea of Galilee - Called this because of a fertile plain along the coast - John 1:39 "He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ". (Salvation is readily available to any who find the Messiah) But in our text, it is not salvation, but the challenge of surrender.
So many are flippant about church and their walk with Christ, or lack of. Many never know what it means to obey the Lord. Is your walk with God REAL?
The Christian life is full of different joys and challenges. We enjoy the benefits: Grace, Peace, Assurance, Security. But do we really believe? Are we willing to sell out totally to Christ by faith? What about the Risks?
I. The Pressing of the People - vs. 1 Oh that people would want what we have!
vs. 1 - Jesus was doing what He was accustom to doing - Preaching and Teaching.
If God is going to move among us, we must have preaching. 1Co 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." The people pressed to hear more preaching!
A. Caused by the Presence of God - they wanted to be with Jesus.
- They Pressed upon Him - This means they GOT AS CLOSE AS THEY COULD!
Ps 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,"
Ps 145:18 "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."
B. Caused by the Precepts of God - TELL US MORE - they wanted His Word.
Oh that we would have that attitude - Jesus tell us more and we will obey.
II. The Permission that was Sought - vs. 2-3
A. The Opportunity - Two boats, Jesus climbed into Peter’s boat!
- Jesus did not force Peter to Obey.
- Jesus is giving all of us, many opportunities!
B. The Inconvenience
- his day was done, he was cleaning the nets and going home.
- Peter was not even in his boat, it was tied up and ready for the night.
III. The Presence that was Welcomed - vs. 3b
A. The Settling - Jesus was in the Midst of what Peter Had - He sat down.
B. The Surrendering
1. Peter surrendered His Boat to be a Pulpit.
2. Peter surrendered some Convenience
- Peter was already finished fishing. He was packing up to go home.
- He was already washing the nets.
- He was already weary in body (he had toiled all night) - Exhausted.
But he let Jesus use His boat - We will not be used of God by our terms!
C. The Schooling - The greatest of all teachers began to expound the Word!
Imagine as Jesus expounded on the Word. We are not told what He taught, but all of His Word is just what we need.
IV. The Proposal that was Given - vs. 4-5 Up to this point, Peter had been obedient, but only in what was easy! That is how most of us want obedience. Then comes the command - Do more than you understand!
A. It was a Risk of Comfort - this was not in his thinking, not logical! We have fished all night, and you want me to go out again?
1. He would have to do all of his work AGAIN.
2. He would have to do something that was not in his plans.
3. He would have to do something not in his schedule.
B. It was a Risk of Confidence
1. He would have to do something that would take resources - Nets
2. He would have to do something AGAIN in which he had failed.
3. He would have to do something while others were WATCHING!
C. It was a Risk of Total Commitment - Put your boat out into the deep, and throw all of your resources down if you want a “draught” - merely a catch.
1. Peter had to reveal his own Deficiency - He was not good enough.
- Master, we have already tried that ALL NIGHT! When we reject our flesh, then God will move
- Master, when we tried we caught nothing- But God was in the boat now!
2. Peter than revealed his Doubt.
- Master at thy word, I will let down a net - Jesus said nets, Peter said net.
How many times have we not had enough faith to just obey.
D. It was a Risk of being Corrected - We might actually find we are wrong.
1. The Place - Go back to WHERE YOU FAILED.
Jesus knew they had caught nothing, so he said, “Peter, go back out and drop your nets and you will get the catch you sought last night.”
2. The Task - seemed irrational - Launch out into the deep and drop the nets back into the water.
- Those nets that you have already washed.
- That deep water where you have already fished - Peter, Launch out even though you do not understand.
3. The Compliance - not full obedience, but just what Peter thought was enough to APPEASE the Lord - aren’t we all guilty of that!
- He acknowledged the right Position - MASTER!
- He acknowledged the Command - At thy WORD! He knew what to do.
BUT, Peter was cocky, even with the Lord. He did not obey! He would have received even more if he had.
- He saw a Miracle - but, not what he could have seen.
We enjoy the blessings of God many times in a partial obedience - what would we see God do if we were willing to put out ALL of our nets?
V. The Provision that was Gleaned - vs. 6-11
A. The Benefit of a Supply - vs. 6 - remember, he had no fish.
B. The Beckoning for Service -vs. 7 Others got involved after Peter acted.
C. The Breaking of Sufficiency - Peter thought he knew better!
1. In his pride, One net was more than enough
2. In his pride, His sole ability was enough
D. The Bowing of Sincerity -Peter pushed aside his pride! Others are watching!
We will never follow Christ to the fullest extent until we worry more about what He thinks about us, instead of what others think about us.
1. Peter was Aware - YES, Peter sinned - He did not believe Jesus really had the answer. ( HUMBLED HIMSELF) - are we willing?
He did not believe God, he was going through his religion by routine.
He resisted Jesus, he resisted selling out totally.
2. Peter was Amazed - do we even notice when God works around us?
3. Peter was Accepted - Peter consecrated his life - then, he gave all. - vs. 11
Just moments before, Peter was reluctant to lower his nets, now He was willing to forsake the nets and the boat for Jesus!
Concl. Until we are willing to risk our thinking, a total submission to Christ, we will not see the provision He has for us. We see some fruit in our partial obedience. God gives us some, but what if we were obedient instead of skeptical?
We will see God provide for us in a miraculous way only when we relinquish our own possessions and wills, and launch out into the deep by faith. We must get out of the norm, and trust God. If we will totally surrender to God we will risk our own thinking for the working of Almighty God - LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP!
