Clear Eyes, Full Heart

Good Morning. It is Super Bowl Sunday. Now I Know not everyone cares about football but it is a day that many in our country will tune into the one game a year that they may watch even if it is just for the commercials.

Tonight's Game between the chiefs and the Eagles is marked as a potential for history for the NFL as the Chiefs try to be the first team to ever three peat. The Eagles are trying to return to glory and mark their place as the best team in the league. It will be a clash of two teams that will be an interesting game.

It had me thinking about football this week as I prepared for this mornings message and I wonder if at times Jesus had to feel a little bit like a coach. Getting his players ready and preparing them for the battle that takes place on the field.

Where does it all begin though. You have to get the players on the field. This is where we pick up with this mornings passage.

Luke 5:1–11 NIV

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

I love this story. It is such a interesting moment in the story of Jesus and his disciples. Jesus Hanging out by the lake and as usually he was getting crowded and was probably running out of space as people wanted to hear from him.

In that moment he sees this boat sitting there climbs in and turns to Simon and asks for a...

A Small Favor

It started with a small favor for Jesus. Think about that for a moment. Simon’s journey started by simply letting Jesus sit in his boat so that he could teach people in comfort.

He let Jesus use his boat so he could not be pressed up upon or have his personal space overwhelmed by the people who had gathered.

Simon had no idea who this man was. Sure he may have heard about him or may have seen him before but in that moment he helped by supplying this small favor to Jesus.

Simon had to be listening to the message that Jesus was sharing while he and his brother cleaned the nets. He also was probably a little focused on getting his task done so he could go home. He had no idea what was about to happen.

Jesus finishes speaking and walks up to Simon and you would think that he just came to thank him instead he tells him...

Luke 5:4 NIV

“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon exhausted and frustrated because he had been fishing all night and they caught nothing. Here was a man who had already asked him for a favor and he was willing to do that small thing but going fishing again after they spent the whole night trying to catch something and had just finished cleaning their nets.

I am sure there was a moment of “Sigh” from Simon.

Yet, He knew this man was important and special and because of who he was he did it.

The Big Catch

They put the nets out and they catch such a large amount of fish they can’t handle it their nets were about to break and they had to get help from their friends.

All night nothing and in a moment, following a command from Jesus these men caught the largest catch of fish they had every had or heard of.

Simon Peter comes and falls down before Jesus and says

Luke 5:8 NIV

“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

Simon Peter knew right then that this was not just an ordinary man he was more. He knew that after hearing what he said and seeing what had happened that he was in the presence of the Messiah.

He realized he wasn’t enough.

Jesus Knows

Jesus knew what Simon Peter needed in that moment to realize the truth of what was happening. He presented it to him and he opened it up so that Simon had the opportunity to respond to him.

Simon Peter in shock and awe knew that Jesus had done something great and that he wasn’t worthy.

I thought about this for awhile and it was challenging for me.

Every day that I get up I look at the things that I have done and where God has lead my life and I realize man i don’t deserve or have the ability to be where I am at.

I think back the the day that I gave myself over to God. That I told him that I was willing to follow. In that moment I put aside my fears and my worries and I just trusted in Him.

Through out the years though on this journey there are moments that I Wasn’t sure and I look back to this time and I am reminded that He called me and this is what he wants for me.

The Encouragement

It is in this encouragement that I am reminded of those moments that we need to be lifted up and made ready to do the things that we are called to.

Think about tonight and the Big game. It is a moment that there will be speeches and inspiration to get the teams ready to play the game. To inspire them to play the best football they have ever played. It made me think of one of my favorite football quotes. Let’s check out this clip.

Clear Eyes Clip

Clear Eyes, Full Heart

Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can’t Lose. I really think these could have been words that Jesus would have said to the Disciples.

If you keep your eyes clear and focus on me.

You fill your heart with who I am.

Nothing can beat you.

Jesus in this moment of the story looks at Simon Peter and says something very similar.

Luke 5:10 NIV

“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Don’t be afraid. Clear those eyes trust in who I am and you will be changed forever.

Not only will you be changed but you will change the lives of others.

Jesus was calling Simon to something that was beyond who he is and what he is really able to do.

Called to More

Jesus Called Simon Peter to do something amazing. He called a simple fisherman to do amazing things. The person you would least expect. Jesus knew That this broken man in front of him was worth the time and effort no matter if he was a sinful man.

Jesus saw what he was capable. He sees the same in each of us and wants us to be more.

No matter where you are in life right now he is calling you to something and you have the choice to heed the call or decide to go home and keep just living your life.

Or we can have the same attitude that the disciples did.

Luke 5:11 NIV

11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Realize they realized that everything they had just gained or already had was nothing compared to following after Jesus. They were willing to sacrifice everything for him.

The allowed him to be the one to lead them in life.

Communion transition.