Sunday, January 18, 2004

 

 

 

 

Luke 5:1-11

1: And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2: And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3: And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
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:
10: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11: And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

One of the things I like about reading the Bible is that it speaks to me. A passage or story may say one thing to me today and something entirely different the next time I read and study the same words. Does that ever happen to you? That’s because it’s a living word. This passage in Luke is like that.  Initially, I wanted to focus on the bulging nets full of fish, but as I read, I kept seeing and hearing the second part of verse 5:

“But because you say so,
I will let down the nets…
because you say so…
because Christ says so.”

Have you ever been in a situation where you did not want to let down your nets? We all have nets, you know.
Some of us willingly let our nets down for a catch, while others of us keep our nets neatly folded hoping we never have to let them down. I’m okay just like this.

I’m not moving or changing or growing. I’m going to stay right here! Thank you very much! You go on. Perhaps our nets aren’t being let down because we’re fearful of a situation, uncertain of our abilities or it’s just a case of old fashioned disobedience to God.

God asks us to do many things. Some things we gladly and quickly do. We let the nets down so quickly we amaze ourselves at our speed. Yes, Lord! I will do that! That will be fun. It’s easy to let down the nets when we are asked to do something we perceive as comfortable or easy but when we are asked to do something outside our normal way of doing things, our comfort zone, things have a way of slowing down or not happening.

Let me illustrate. For me, going to seminary was comfortable. I like school. I let that net down easily.

Once I arrived there, I started to doubt myself, my ability and yes, even God’s decision to send me there. Perhaps some of you may have felt this way about something in your life. I started to pull in my nets and to have this conversation with myself…and then…God spoke.

“What am I doing here? God sent me. How am I going to do this? With God’s help and the help of others sent your way. This is not what I want to hear. I’m pulling in the net.” And then…I heard…“No, let down your net.” And then I said, “I can’t do this by myself.” “I know, who said you’d have to do it alone. Let down your net and see what you catch. While you’re at it, sign up to lead Chapel service for the seminarians.” “Somebody is supposed to ask me.

After all, I’m a first year, first time student.” “Someone did ask you. Just do it. Let down your nets and I guarantee your net will yield a catch.” “I’m really hesitant, “but because you say so, I will let down the nets. I will trust you and I will obey. I know that you will guide me.”

I let down my nets and let go of fear, uncertainty and independence. When I did, I felt a tug in the net and my fear gave way to certainty and cooperation. I felt like Simon in verse 7 of the text, Simon recognized the authority of Jesus and submitted to his command. Jesus said so and he obeyed. Jesus said so and I obeyed. Another sailor with nets came my way and let down her nets for me.

Our nets formed a bridge for both of us to cross to help each other with what God would have us do. What a mighty God we serve! God can work wonders when we get out of the way with our excuses! Fear, independence and disobedience!

What about you? What purpose do the nets hold in your life? Have you been called to join Jesus in the work of the Kingdom but your nets hold you steadfast in the pew? Each of us has a certain gift that contributes uniquely to the work of God. As a sign of fear or independence which is really disobedience to God’s nudging you say: I come to church and pay my dues. What more do you want from me?

Well, don’t direct the question to me. Direct it to God, but be willing to hear the answer. God may respond with,

“Show me your love or how about showing some fruits. You know about the fruits of the spirit?
You say that you are filled with the Holy Spirit
so let’s see what’s in your fruit basket:
is there love, kindness, joy, faithfulness, patience, gentleness, goodness, peace, self-control?
Are you willing to share what’s in your basket
or do you want to keep it to yourself?
It’s not so much the doing but the becoming! 
Let others see Christ in you!
Get involved in the church body
and be a worker for me. Glorify me.” 

Do it because you love me! Visit the sick that are in the hospital or at home. When was the last time you visited one of my dear ones or called to check on them or sent a card? And not only to those you know.  My work on earth is done by my body…that’s you. Remember my words READ Matthew 25:35-40.  Oh, you do these things. Great! What else can you do?  The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few!

Do you bring others to the sanctuary with you?  Do you tell my story?  How will others know if you don’t tell them?  Do you love your church family?  Do know who they are? The people you worship with each week.  Do you know their names?

Get to know one another. Church should be a place like they say in Cheers where everybody knows your name!  Love one another.  Care for one another.  Love my church!

You can respond or refuse God’s call.  It’s your choice.  It’s great to have choices but remember when God’s winnowing fork clears the threshing floor it’ll be better to be wheat than chaff! Because the chaff will burn in the unquenchable fire! Are you wheat or chaff? Wheat or chaff?

Go ahead let down your net. Why are you stubbornly holding onto them? What is God asking you to do? What is God asking this church to do in 2004? He stands in our midst, knocking at the door to our hearts, oh that we may give ourselves to him who gave himself for us. I urge you to listen to God and when God says

“let down your nets”,

respond with,

“Because you say so, I will let down my nets.”

God may ask you to change and taste the unfamiliar, but because you say so, I will trust you. God knows that change is difficult for us. It means doing familiar things in a new way but remember it’s a way inspired by the living God who still creates and is a part of the world today.

Changes at home, at work, at our church may be unwanted or even dreaded by us. But in times like those we pray for guidance and understanding and rely on God for truth and grace. God will give us what we need when we need it.

But better still, God is with us and will see us through.

Just trust and obey. Let down your nets.

BENEDICTION

My friends if God says so, do it.
Now may the love of God,
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit
rest, rule and abide with you now and forever more.

Amen

 

Drink From Our Cup

[Our Beliefs] [Children's Ministry] [Our Commitment] [Pastor Rich]

[Prayer Requests] [Church Photo] [Coloring Books] [Youth Group]

[History]  [Worship]  [Monthly Calendar]  [Webrings]  [Links]

[Thought for the Week] [Thoughts for the Week of the Past]

[Monthly Newsletter]  [Monthly Newsletters of the Past]

[New Sermon] [Past Sermons] [Church Cartoons]

  [Lords Prayer Page] [Bible Sand Sculptures]

[E-mail]

[Home]

[View]

[or Sign]

[New Guestbook]

[View Old Guestbook]

 

The Hymn Playing is:

<BGSOUND SRC="Midis/grace_greater_than_our_sin.mid" PLAYCOUNT=”15”>

"Grace, Greater Than Our Sin"