In 1947, in one of the worst winters ever recorded in the UK, Paul Kay was born in a snow bound Victorian house in the heart of Norwich. Today, Paul is a retired prison officer who is active in the community and a leader in his local church, Earlham Christian Centre. But in his early [...]
‘Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ Most faiths have their visual symbols. For example, Judaism employs the Star of David. A crescent moon is the symbol of Islam. Bhuddism is linked to the lotus flower. The symbol of Christianity is the Cross. Jesus was crucified at nine o’clock [...]
Living on a local council estate, Mary Metcalfe, a single mother of three, has known many hard times. Born in Norwich, Mary, the youngest of seven, says “I grew up a typical teenager – visiting local pubs and following bands. I was also good at sport: I loved running and hockey.” As an adult, her [...]
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My thoughts this week are based on a familiar text found in Paul’s letter to the disciples at Philippi “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4 v13 ‘The come back kid’ is the title that sums up our story. Thomas Edison and his team laboured for an unbroken 24 hours [...]
Our thoughts today are based on Luke 5. 1-11. Luke, the writer of the third Gospel and the author of the Acts of the Apostles is the champion of outsiders. After all, Luke was an outsider himself – the only Gentile in an all Jewish cast of New Testament writers. Luke shows how Christ includes those who were labelled outsiders – women, shepherds, Samaritans, the poor. God welcomes all comers into His Kingdom, including you and me!
Luke 5. 3. ‘Jesus went on board Simon’s boat and asked him to anchor off shore.
Christ taught the people from the boa’. The surrounding water provided the perfect acoustics to carry Christ’s voice to the thousnds of people listening.
Verse one tells us that Christ had time for crowds while verse 10 tells us that Christ also had time for the individual. Hymnwriter: Jesus died for all mankind and Jesus died for me. Quote: The individual is the central, rarest, most precious capital resource in our society. (Peter Drucker) v.3. ‘Jesus went aboard Simon’s boat and asked him to anchor off shore.’ Christ borrowed Peter’s boat. During His public ministry Christ borrowed a coin (Matthew 22.20) a boy’s lunch (John 6. 11) a donkey (Matthew 21.2-3.) a rich man’s tomb (Matthew 27. 60.) The Architect, Maker and Owner of the Universe Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth in every mine (Psalm 50. 10) borrowed from people. ‘He Who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich.’ (2 Corinthians 8. 9.) Possessions play a major part in our everyday lives and are a measure of our success. But remember the wise words of the apostle Paul: ‘We brought nothing into this World and we can take nothing out of it.’ 1 Timothy 6. 7.
Quote: God made man to be somebody, not just to have things.
v 4. ‘When Jesus had finished speaking He said to Simon: “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Notice Christ’s command was followed by a promise – a catch of fish. As far as Christ was concerned they weren’t just going fishing, they were going to catch fish!
‘Launch out into the deep.’ Christ challenges us out of our comfort zones. Is it time for us to let go and let God? God is still looking today for people with a pioneering spirit. A young woman applied to be a missionary to China but was rejected. She saved up but couldn’t afford to go by ship. So she took the train. She had £2.09 in her pocket, two suitcases and a bedroll. Eventually she arrived in China. She bought a child out of slavery for nine pence and eventually ended up witha hundred children in her care. She has gone down in history as the most noted female missionary in modern times. Her name was Gladys Aylward. She launched out into the deep with God. Why not take risks, be a pioneer. When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Verse 4. “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” All day long Peter had been listening to what Christ had to say to the crowds. Now Christ challenged him to put into practice what he’d heard. Christ wants us to be a ‘doer’ of His Word, not just a listener. Quote: Obedience has the power of making things easy which seem impossible.
The calming of the storm (Mark 4.39) and the large catch of fish (Luke 5.6) have one thing in common – Christ was in the boat. Christ at the centre of our lives can make all the difference in the world. ‘Christ IN YOU the hope of Glory. Colossians 1.27.
v4 When Christ had finished speaking He said to Simon: “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” v5 “Master, we have worked all night and caught nothing, but because You say so I will let down the net.” Peter’s reluctant response was understandable. He was worn out, disappointed with empty nets and had accept instructions where and when to fish from a Carpenter! Quote: Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice. Everything is lost by failure to obey God’s call.
(Henry Liddon) v 6. ‘When they had done this, they caught a large number of fish.’
Christ was teaching Peter to interact, co-operate and partner with Him. If we do do we shall achieve something worthwhile, something of value, in life. Learn the lesson, we cannot afford to go it alone. ‘I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4. 13. In return for lending Christ his boat, Peter got a prize catch.
God is no man’s debtor. God has never short changed anyone. God is a generous God. The miracle catch demonstrated Christ’s Lordship over His creation.
v8. ‘When Peter saw the size of the catch he fell at Jesus’ feet and said: “Leave me alone Lord, I am a sinful man.” Peter’s conscience was stirred. He was convicted of personal sin. A boy was about to do something wrong, when he noticed a picture on the wall of his room with the words: Thou God seest me. So he quickly turned the picture round to face the wall. Saul of Tarsus, dazzled by a revelation of Christ’s Glory on the Damascus Road, confessed, “I am the chief of sinners.” 1 Timothy 1.15
A man in the Temple confessed: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus said that man went down to house justfied. If we confess our sin God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin.
v10. Jesus said to Peter: “Fear not, from now on you will catch men alive.” Christ believes in failures. Peter failed at fishing, he failed as a disciple. But Christ invests in failures. Christ will never give up on you – be encouraged. Learn to use failures as learning curves and stepping stones to success. ‘Though the righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.’ Proverbs 24. 16. Christ invested in Peter who became a disciple, a leader, a writer and a martyr. Christ alone in the One Who can lead us into a true discovery of our real selves. v10. “From now on you will catch men alive.”
This promise is in the present continuous tense. A habitual practice.
Christ gave Peter the opportunity to take his fishing skills in a different direction and to a new level. Catching men and women alive for God’s Kingdom requires skill, patience, courage, perseverance and concentration. The rewards can be higher, offering greater satisfaction.
v10. “From now on you will catch men alive.” Christ made a prophetic promise over Peter’s life – Peter’s future. It came to pass at Pentecost when Peter preached his first apostolic sermon and three thosand people responded. Acts 2. 41.
Let us rise to the call of Christ: “Follow Me and I will make you fishers’ of men.”