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Luke 5:1–11 (NLT)

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Peter, James, and John were fishermen by trade. They knew how to fish, where to fish, and what the best conditions were.

These professional fishermen had spent all night trying to catch fish without any bites

Though Jesus was ministering to the crowds, He was also intently pursuing these men. He chose there boats on purpose.

When Jesus asked them to let down their nets, though Peter was conflicted, he still agreed and experienced a miracle that only he would understand.

Jesus meets us where we are and meets our needs

When Peter realizes who Jesus is, He recognizes his sinfulness in response to who Jesus was. He asks Him to leave him

Instead, Jesus calls Him closer as He would begin to teach Peter and the other disciples how to live and how to reach other people

He called them out of their boat, which resembled their past, to pursue something greater in Him

This story represents the salvation experience when we leave behind our old life with our sins and human nature and follow after Jesus to pursue His will for our lives.

Another significant moment Jesus has with Peter is found in John 1

John 1:42 (NLT)

Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

The word “intently” in the Greek means “to look closely, directly at, or think about”

Jesus was not just looking at Peter just like anybody would. Jesus was looking at who He saw Peter to become.

He was looking at Peter intently with love, looking beyond what he currently was and the mistakes he would make, into who Jesus saw He was

Jesus looks at you the same way

Jesus calls Peter by his current name “Simon” but then says you will be called “Cephas (Peter)”

Simon (Greek + Hebrew meanings): to hear, be heard, reputation

Cephas (Peter): rock

Jesus was saying that Simon wouldn’t have to wander around anymore trying to be heard or trying to prove himself. Jesus was saying He was going to become a rock and he would become solid because of his trust in Jesus.

When we receive salvation, we automatically begin a new life, whether we feel it or not.

2 Corinthians 5:17–18 (NLT)

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.

The experience of being transferred from death to life is how we can begin bringing people back to God

We no longer have to answer to the condemnation of our past (Romans 8:1)

Romans 8:1 (NLT)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

But Peter, just like all of us, fell back into the very boat that Jesus delivered Him out of. He had walked with Jesus, seen miracles, had conversations with Jesus, ate with Him, and did so much more.

Though Jesus had called him “Cephas”, Jesus still knew He was going to fail him. Jesus tells him about it.

Luke 22:31–34 (NLT)

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Satan was demanding to sift all of the Apostles

Sifting wheat resulted in the grain being beaten, mashed up, and ground between stones

John 10:10 says that Satan wants to kill, steal, and destroy. He wants all of these things to happen to you.

Jesus prayed for them, but specifically Peter here, because his faith was about to be put to the test.

Jesus tells him he is going to fail the faith test, but that when he gets up and repents, he needs to focus on building others up.

Peter denies he will fall and instead makes a declaration that he is ready to go to prison and even die for Jesus sake

Jesus reiterates that he will deny Him three times

Luke 22:54-62 tells the story of Peter’s three denials of Jesus to three people, including a servant girl, who he shouldn’t have been intimidated by.

Peter was following Jesus at a distance as He was being taken away and after the rooster crowed, it says...

Luke 22:61–62 (NLT)

At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

When Jesus looked at Peter, it wasn’t a look of disapproval.

The same word for “looked” here means the same as it did when Jesus first came F2F with him and changed his names

Looked: “to look closely, directly at, or think about”

Jesus’ heart for Peter did not change with the denial.

In the same way, Jesus’ heart for you hasn’t changed. You may have....

Fell back into the sins you said you’d never do again

Have been ignoring God calling you back

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

When God sent Christ to die in our place, we hadn’t done anything good to help ourselves.

CHRIST DIED FOR US AT OUR WORST SO WE COULD NEVER SAY HE CHOSE US FOR OUR BEST.

Peter related well to going back to the same old boat he had been delivered out of.

John 21:3–13 (NLT)

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.

Just as Jesus had did from the beginning, He met Peter where he was. He showed him again just as He had before.

Peter forgot the nets, boats, and everything else again. He jumped in the water and went back to Jesus. He knew by this sign, that Jesus still loved Him and was pursuing Him.

Jesus restores Peter during the time they spent together

John 21:15–17 (NLT)

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

Peter denied Jesus 3 times, Jesus asked Peter to confirm His love 3 times.

David Guzik says, “Jesus restores us by causing us to face squarely our point of failure, then challenging us to set our eyes on the work ahead.”

We cannot avoid our failures

TO MOVE FORWARD WE MUST FACE FORWARD

His confirmation of love was followed with a calling to “feed or take care of” his sheep.

Who are the sheep? The people of God

Jesus restores Peter and now Peter is given the purpose to pour His life into people

Some of you in here need to repent and receive the gift of salvation for the first time (or for real)

Some of you need to come out of the boat again because you’ve went back to it since you’ve given your life to Christ

Some of you need to commit to reaching the lost sheep in your circle of influence