03 October 2008

Goin’ Fishin’ – 10.5.08

Luke 5:5 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.

As chapter 5 of Luke commences, Peter had been out all night on the lake of Gennesaret trying to catch some fish. The night was a total failure, and he and the others had called it quits. They were out on the shore washing their nets. Then Jesus shows up and asks Peter to launch out a little onto the lake so he can teach the people who had pressed upon him to hear the word of God from the ship. Once Jesus had wrapped up the sermon, He told Peter to launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Verse 5 is Peter's response.

Now, we know how the story ended up. They caught enough fish to break their net and fill not one boat, but two. Then in verse 10, Jesus calls Peter to follow him…from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Verses 11, Peter and the others forsake all, and followed the Lord.

Great story! And it's true. It happened just exactly like the Bible says that it did.

Now, based on this passage and others such as Matthew 4:19, we know that evangelism is compared to fishing (and many an old-time country preacher could do some mighty-good expoundin' right there). With that in mind, draw your attention to what Peter said in verse 5. Despite the fact that he'd just come back empty after a whole night out on the lake, he said, nevertheless AT THY WORD I will let down the net.

If you're saved and born-again, then Christ has said to you, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets…He said, Go YE into all the world, and preach the gospel unto every creature. Each and every Christian has been given an absolute and irrevocable duty to proclaim to the world salvation from sin, death, heal, and the grave – by grace and through faith the death, burial, and resurrection of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Titus 1:2-3; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; et al.

  • But I'm scared… AT THY WORD I will let down the net.
  • But they'll make fun of me… AT THY WORD I will let down the net.
  • But they'll think I'm a fanatic… AT THY WORD I will let down the net.
  • But it doesn't do any good… AT THY WORD I will let down the net.
  • But don't you think we need a new method… AT THY WORD I will let down the net.
  • But it might offend somebody… AT THY WORD I will let down the net.
  • But I'm too busy. I don't have time… AT THY WORD I will let down the net.

Let's dedicate ourselves to doing what Christ has told us to do, and that's preach the gospel…fish for men. He'll build His church (Matthew 16:18). He'll give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). His word won't return void (Isaiah 55:11). And He'll bless us for it.

When's the last time you've been fishin'?

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