Why Are You Fishing? Series

Cancel Culture

Pt. 3 - Why Are You Fishing?

I. Introduction

What was once called boycotting has been replaced by the term Cancel culture. It is a modern form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles – whether it be online, on social media, or in person. Those who are subject to this ostracism are said to have been "cancelled". In an attempt to use popular communication platforms to call out very real, dangerous, destructive and evil behavior like racism and sexual abuse at times this movement has gone off the rails and become, as one man said, like the digital equivalent of the medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn. This movement has targeted authors like JK Rowling. Businesses like "MyPillow.com". Athletes like Drew Breeze. And even fairy tales like Snow White. In doing so, the cancel culture has in many cases lost credibility with the average American. However, I want to encourage you today to embrace Cancel Culture. Before you dismiss me, I want you to listen carefully.

Text: Luke 22:33-34, 54-62, John 21:3 (TLB)

Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.” But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

John 21:3 - Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

It is an account that you are probably familiar with. It is an account you have or are living at this moment. Peter filled with resolve, boldness, passion writes a check with his mouth that he can't cash with his actions. He boasts that he is committed, sold out, all in. He informs Jesus that he is His ride or die. He breaks out into the stanza of "though no go with me still I will follow." The only problem is he doesn't. In fact, he fails miserably. His words of resolve fizzle into full blown regret. Confronted by a girl around a fire in the moment that Jesus needed him most, Peter couldn't pass the test. Peter couldn't toe the line. He couldn't come through. He denies Jesus just like Jesus said he would. The result is an impromptu fishing trip. It sounds innocent enough. However, the truth is it is sinister in reality. It is backtracking. It is returning to the old life. It is casing aside every God dream and every prophetic word. This fishing trip is a declaration that everything I witnessed in the last 3 years was for nothing and that I have nothing to show for it. The miracles didn't matter. The lessons were lost. Peter has given up. So, with one simply phrase "I'm going fishing" he throws in the towel and throws us a hint that we must learn to practice cancel culture or we will be cancelled.

Peter teaches us that . . .

We must cancel regret!

Notice that the enemy uses Peter's regret to get him to go back to his comfort zone and his former way of life.

The enemy will use regret to morph into guilt that acts as glue to keep you bound in seasons God has already moved past and removed from your record. The problem is if we don't cancel regret, then we will constantly revisit what we can’t revise. You can relive every word said and every action taken. You can replay the tape again and again but there is nothing you can do to reverse what took place. This regret then impacts how we talk and believe. There is no longer the language of faith. We no longer say, "God still can." Instead, we begin to talk about what could have been or what would have been. We become trapped in grief over old opportunities as if God can’t create another opportunity.