Summary: A sermon about receiving from God while still doing our part. Too many times we treat God like a genie from a magic lamp. We only call on him when we have a wish or need to be fulfilled.

Luke 5:4-9 (KJV)

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

· You may have heard the expression:

“To throw in the towel.” These fishermen were quite ready to do so.

· Simon Peter, James, and John had fished all night long. Continually, they would cast their nets only to come up with nothing.

· They welcomed the twilight of day, so they could bring their boats to shore.

· Then they had the tedious task of cleaning their nets before they could go home. Otherwise the salt from the water would eat away at the ropes.

· What they didn’t realize that while they were cleaning was that this Jesus character had stepped onto their boat to teach.

· They had heard about this Jesus fellow from what people in the community had said. But they had never really had any direct contact with him just yet.

· Many of you this morning are living a life filled with labor. You have poured your energy into making a living for yourself and your family.

· Day after day passes and nothing much really changes.

· The rut is still there and the rat race of life goes on.

· Maybe you feel like a gerbil on the wheel of life.

· You are constantly running, wearing yourself out, but you never get anywhere.

· Unfortunately, we all have to work. As we all know, there are no free lunches. No one is going to step up and pay your bills for you or feed your family.

· These guys were burnt out. They had fished and fished; yet never caught what they were seeking.

Luke 5:4

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

· For a draught? Draught means an incalculable amount. However, Jeremy’s definition for draught is Jackpot.

· Jesus told them in advance what the result was going to be.

· However, Simon Peter still questioned the Lord’s directive.

· How many times does the Lord tell us to doing something, and we question it.

· These guys probably thought we have fished our whole life, and besides what does this guy know about fishing.

· The Sea of Galilee was 13 miles in length and 8 miles wide. Which isn’t that big compared to Lake Michigan, which is 310 miles in length and 120 miles wide at its widest point.

· These guys probably knew where all the good spots were, and they most likely had exhausted every possibility that night.

· So many times when we are disappointed and hurt by people who build up our expectations and then let them come crashing down.

· The letting down of the nets represents the letting down of reservations, our doubts, and the safeguards we have built to avoid being hurt again.

· Nonetheless, Simon Peter felt compelled to obey.

· Peter was tired, worn out, sleepy, hungry, and ready to quit for the day. But when he obeyed God and cast out the net, he began to draw in more fish than he had ever seen.

· He was suddenly committed and excited. He forgot he was tired. He forgot that he wanted to go home and rest.

· He forget he was hungry. He forgot that he had already washed the nets.

· The miracle that was promised was coming to life right before his very eyes.

1. Are you ready for your miracle?

2. Who could use a financial miracle?

3. Now before everyone says yes, know that there is something you must do.

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

· Right away people are determining that you are not going to do what Malachi says to do and you are never to see God’s blessings financially, nor are you going to see financial miracles happen in your life

· God will have mercy on you and you might squeak by somehow through his grace.

· But you are never going to be debt free; you’re never going to get your head above water. If we don’t obey God’s commands, then we will never see or experience the miracle.

· Simon Peter was getting a miracle, so great that he could not contain it. He had to call for help in order to try and load up all the fish.

· Maybe it is a Healing miracle you need today. Well let me tell you what it says in:

Exodus 15:26 (Amplified)

26 Saying, if you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, and will do what is right in his sight, and will listen to and obey his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.

· Again, obedience is the key to obtaining the miracle.

· Sometimes we trust doctors more

· We talk to doctors more.

· It is time to realize who it is that can make a difference in our life.

1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

· I can tell you that you will not receive your miracle by being uncommitted, uninvolved, and uninspired.

· Obedience to God is the only way to get out of the valley and move on to a bigger and better life.

· Verse 8 Simon Peter recognizes who Jesus for what he is and praises him for this awesome miracle.

· When God bestows a miracle upon up, we need to recognize it had nothing to do with us. It was all God who reached down and changed our circumstance.

· Does anyone desire God to reach down this very day and change your circumstance?

· The hand of the Lord is not short!

Isaiah 59:1 (KJV)

1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

· He knows your pain, your hurt, what it is that keeps you awake at night.

· He sees the tears you cry and the heartache you feel.

Finally in verse 9, it refers to a draught again. It says:

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

· The draught! The Jackpot, which Jesus predicted would happen if they would be obedient and have faith.

· If you really want God’s miracle working power to be made real in your life, then you have to learn to obey.

· If you really want God’s miracle working power in your life, then give your to him in service.

· If you really want to see God’s miracles in your, fall down and worship him!

Acts 2:17 (KJV)

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

· Let me also tell you this today. People believe that the greatest thing that happened that day for Simon Peter, James and John was this unbelievable catch of fish.

· To tell the truth, this was just the start of things to come. When they got back to shore, it says that they forsook all.

· Meaning they gave up fishing to follow the Lord’s calling.

So are you ready to receive your miracle?

-Altar Call-