Broken things

Jesus Teaching by the sea

Luke 5:1–11 NKJV

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.

Preach for a Year #1 (Broken Things)

I. Introduction

Before a bridge builder builds a bridge he takes a sample of the steel and sends it to a lab to be tested. Before a diamond is set in a piece of jewelry it is examined to see if the color and brilliance will pass the test. Before new drugs come to the market that drug has to undergo a series of test to see if that drug will accomplish what it is suppose to accomplish. Before and new car hits the high-way they make what is called a proto-type and it is tested to see if it is reliable and safe!

Same thing with God. Everything God uses He test! He tested Adam and Eve by saying do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. God tested Abraham by saying Abraham I want you to take you only son Isaac whom thou lovest and offer him to me a burnt sacrifice.

He tested the Children of Israel by telling them through His man servant Joshua Choose ye this day whom you will serve…

Exodus 17:8-168Amalek came and fought Israel at Rephidim. 9Moses ordered Joshua: “Select some men for us and go out and fight Amalek. Tomorrow I will take my stand on top of the hill holding God’s staff.” 10Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. 12But Moses’ hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. 13Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle. 14God said to Moses, “Write this up as a reminder to Joshua, to keep it before him, because I will most certainly wipe the very memory of Amalek off the face of the Earth.” 15Moses built an altar and named it “God My Banner.” 16He said, Salute God’s rule! God at war with Amalek Always and forever!

[Add some of you own examples if you like]

He even tested His own Son by sending Him here in a cold world. He was hungry had no place to lay his head; He was talked about, Lied on, scandalized and called everything but the Son of God. And as if that wasn’t enough they dragged him from judgment hall to judgment hall, beat Him, hung high and stretched him wide.

But after He did everything that God sent Him to do, He hung his head in the locks of his should and declared “It is Finished!” Jesus passed the Test!

Every now and then when I am watching TV or listening to my radio sometimes the programs are interrupted and a warning signal is transmitted just to see if the emergency equipment is working properly.

I heard a message that said don’t be alarmed, there is nothing wrong with your set, and this is just a test.

I want to encourage somebody before I go just because you going through something right now as if some strange thing has come upon you; don’t worry, there is nothing wrong with your connection to God. Touch your neighbor and let them know that the storm that you are going through right now is just a test!

Guest what; somebody here tonight is about to pass the test! Give God the glory in this place!

The Bible Guide Calling Disciples (5:1–11)

Jesus is now a popular teacher. He borrows a fishing boat to speak to the people who are thronging the shore. Later, he helps the owner of the boat, Simon, make a fabulous catch of fish—after a luckless night and in broad daylight. Simon realizes that this is an act of God, and begs Jesus to go away. But Jesus calls Simon and his business partners, James and John, to become his followers. They will bring their fishermen’s gifts of patience and hard work to the task of catching men and women for God.

A. Jesus Teaching by the Sea

1. The Lake of Gennesaret, the Sea of Galilee. Not large but beautiful

b. Rolling hills and a narrow beach

2. The crowds and His boat-pulpit

B. The Miraculous Draught of Fish

1. A well-known miracle

2. The Lordship of Christ and His call to serve

C. Broken Things

II. Body

A. A Broken Net (v. 6

1. “And the net broke”

2. The details of the miracles. Fishing was finished and they were washing their nets

b. They had toiled all the night and caught nothing

c. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity

d. Failure to this point is not a factor. “Let down your nets for a draught”

f. The net broke because of so many fish

3. What this miracle required:

a. Action when the goal seemed impossible

b. Work when fatigue called for rest

c. Faith when circumstances called for doubt

4. What this miracle demonstrated:

a. The Lordship of Christ

b. God’s care for our physical needs

c. The power of Christ over natured. God’s power to bless is greater than our capacity to contain

B. A Broken Man (v. 8)

1. “Depart from me for I am a sinful man”

2. What a strange reaction! Why?

a. Peter knows that he is in the presence of the Lord

b. His lack of faith

3. There are many reasons for repentance

a. Peter’s repentance later after denials

b. The Lord’s call to the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:5)

c. What is your reason?

A Broken Partnership (v. 10)

1. “Who were partners with Simon”

2. Consider the business possibilities:

a. Simon Johnson and Associates … World’s Largest Fisheries

b. Fish for less from your big fisherman

c. Cornering the fish market with Christ

3. One statement changed all that

a. “From henceforth thou shalt catch men”

(1) From perch to people

(2) From sole to souls

b. People are the most important to the Lord

4. Leaving their boats (v. 11): a picture of surrender

III. Conclusion

A. What must you Leave to Surrender?

B. Let Christ make you a Fisher of Men