Gone Fishin’ with Jesus

Luke 5:1-11

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.  NKJV

1.  God takes over where we fall short!

Vs. 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing…

The men had obviously spent all night fishing and were tired. They were ready for some rest. 

Vs.2 says that they had all gone from the boats and were cleaning their nets. 

**We must learn that we are creatures that are created deficient by design.  While God created us with awesome talents and abilities there will always be a need for interaction between created and creator. ***

Surely Simon was a fisherman by trade. If there was anyone who was capable of locating and catching fish He was your man.

It is not always what we can do, but realizing how much more can be done when God is in it.

Isa 55:8-11

8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.  NKJV

Some times it takes us exhausting all our resources so that God may receive the Glory in what He is doing around us, in us, and through us. 

Regardless of what you think about a situation remember have patience and wait to see what good thing God is doing!!!!

2. Abundance always follows obedience.

In verse 4 Jesus when He had finished speaking, told Simon Peter to launch out into he deep and let down your nets for a catch.

Now we know that the fisherman had been fishing all night.  We know that Simon thought this to be a useless act because of what He had already experienced in the prior nights fishing.  What he was about to learn is that obedience pays off.  No matter how great or small the act obedience is always a paying customer.

Vs. 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were breaking…

Now obviously this was a major catch for these men.  There nets were breaking the catch was so great!!  But just a few minutes prior they were in a different frame of mind.  They had come in from a night of fishing empty handed.  These men were providers for families.  Most of the local communities trade and commerce revolved around fishing. No fish equals no trading, no money, no supplies, no food!!! I’m sure these men had more on their minds than hanging around to here Jesus teach.  But one mans obedience turned all that failure into a mid morning success story!

Matt 6:31-34

31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

NKJV

3. They were blessed to be a blessing.

Who do you think in this passage was a blessing to whom first!

It was Peter.  He was a blessing to Jesus by allowing him to use his boat to teach from instead of having to teach on a crowded sea shore.

Peter chose to be a blessing even in the middle of his problems his chose to lend a hand to someone without thinking” what’s in it for me.”

Vs.6 says that when they had let down their nets they caught so many fish that their nets were breaking. (Paraphrase)

Not only was Peters boat blessed but Jesus knew that he had partners on another boat.

V.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.

2 Corinthians 9:8

 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.  NKJV

2 Corinthians 9:8

8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance , so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].  AMP

Luke 6:38

38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."  NKJV

This is a picture of true biblical prosperity.  Be obedient to God while blessing others opens up avenues for God to bless you with  abundance so that you can once again be a blessing to someone else.