Bible Message/Preaching : Calling to be Fishers of Men
1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, 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 and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. (Lk 5:1-11)
Jesus is a t lake Gennesaret and there was multitude around Him. This time it was time for Jesus to select some disciples and His eyes were on the fishermen at the shore. Peter and his friends had toiled the whole night and had caught nothing! Peter was very tired from the "night's hard work". Jesus didn't ask him until He was done with what He was busy with (I guess Peter too)! But even after this "big failure" he just trusted Jesus's words and at His word he made his move again in the familiar water and saw the miracle!
What is the setting of this scene?
Multitude is pressing Jesus to hear the word,
but Jesus' eyes are on the fishermen!
Why did Jesus asked Simon only after he'd finished talking?
Simon would’ve listened to Jesus, he called Him master in answering. His faith would've increased in the words Jesus spoke.
Why would it be strange for Simon what Jesus had asked him?
Familiar waters, timing for fishing, whole-night labour resulted in nothing!
What are the characters of the fishermen that caught Jesus' attention?
- Working hard v5,7
- never quitting & finishing what one is busy with before going to next level! V2, 11
- obedience v3,6,11,
- Allowing (Word) God to bless the work
- humility and honesty v8,
- working in unity & sharing the burden with each other v2, 5, 6, 7,
- They are people of faith! V11
They worked whole night even though they caught nothing! Then they filled both boats until they began to sink! God is really searching for hard working people!! He don't want any lazy ones in His field! That's why Jesus always focus on 'doing' the word rather than just hearing!
2 Thes 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
Actually we work to help others esp. believers!
GAL 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
But we're not to overwork, especially to get rich!! -> this is common practice today! => Acquiring material possession!!
Pro 23:4-5 4Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 5Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
e.g.: Elisha was ploughing in the place of 12th OX! (1 King 19:19)
Moses was herding the sheep when the Lord called him from the burning-bush!
After a whole nights work of not catching anything, they went on to clean the net!
After the miracle, they brought the boat to the shore and put it on land before following Jesus!
Clean up the mess from today so that we can be ready for tomorrow! - it may take an extra effort!!
e.g.: Samson: preserved till the end even when he was blind to destroy the Philistines. (Jud 16:28-30)
Obey God no matter what the circumstances are!
They had tried all night! They don't fish during the day! But still on Jesus' words.
Jesus is not a fisherman – a carpenter. He could've said, preacher-man you just preach/ do carpentry, we know our work very well, we've been all our life just here! Above all we're very tired right now after the whole night work and we're ready for resting after finishing cleaning up this mess!
But they were obedient even it means they have to clean the net once again!!
e.g. Naaman in the muddy waters of Jordan! (2 King 5:10-14)
Jas 2:17,26 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
They were working already, but being obedient, they channelled the blessing of WORD to bear fruit in their lives!
They were willing to work and allowed Jesus to bless them with guidance.
e.g: Naaman, heeded the council of one of his servant to be obedient to the word of the prophet.
When Simon realised Who is with him, he fell on his knees and confessed!
e.g.: David, accepted his sin when Nathan confronted him ( 2 Sam 12:13, Ps 51)
"we've tolied". They washed the net together, in one boat put net together and at the catch, he just signalled the other boat, its common thats why they came! Its about lifting the Name of Jesus ? together!
In a family, problem occurs due to lack of unity and when one fails to help the other in need!
e.g.: On the day of pentecost, the disciples were in the upper room with one-accord! (Acts 2:1)
They forsook all and followed Jesus & not the miracle!! This is a problem these days people flock around miracles, or the SUPPLIEs, not the supplier!!
e.g.: Hebrews chapter 11: Moses forsook calling to be Pharaoh but to endure with the children of Israel.
Meditation:
- What is the Lord asking me to do today?
- Which of the attitudes should I cultivate so that the Lord can fulfil His calling in me?
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