The Word of God, Peter, and the fish
Notes
Transcript
Intro
What is God’s plan? Have you ever asked that question? If you haven’t, you probably haven’t been a believer for long. God is revealing his plan for the world. All of the Bible is God revealing his plan, but Jesus is explaining what that is.
Need: Hearts can’t comprehend it. Generation after generation couldn’t handle it. We’re not meant to fully understand the intricacies of his plan. We can however understand what he has revealed. This text displays that.
Main Idea: God is revealing his plan for the world
Jesus is in Gennesaret. Close to Capernaum. People are following him.
Luke 5:1-11
Truth #1: The gospel is revealed in the Word of God (1-3)
Exp. Jesus’ fame was spreading. Verse 1. Gennesaret = NW of Sea of Galilee. Close to Capernaum. They were pressing in. Wanting to hear Word of God. Kicked out of Nazareth. Luke uses Word of God exclusively for the gospel. All throughout Acts. The good news of the kingdom. The kingdom is here and all that has been written down is being fulfilled. There were so many people, he needed a new pulpit. Verses 2-3. He goes into the boat and teaches from there. Sharing the good news of the kingdom.
Christ - Jesus is the word of God and the gospel message is about him!
The gospel is revealed through the written word. All throughout the Bible.
The gospel is revealed through the word made flesh. Jesus reveals it be teaching but also fulfilling it.
Ill. Visual learners. Sometimes things are missed by simply reading. Draw a picture and everything makes sense. The written word is there, but here is the actual word to see.
Arg. How is the gospel revealed in the Word? Wouldn’t they get it? Jesus used the OT to explain the gospel. John uses OT to explain gospel. John 1:1. Paul used the OT to explain the gospel. Galatians 3. Hebrews uses OT to explain the gospel. Temple and sacrifices. IT IS REVEALED.
App. Our gospel message should be centered on Jesus Christ. What is the gospel?
God created us. Everyone.
We sinned and were separated from God. Garden displays it.
The only way to get back to God is a sacrifice. Sacrificial system. Wasn’t enough.
Respond. How do you respond to the gospel?
Truth #2: Obedience reveals what God is doing (4-7, 9-11)
Exp. Jesus finished teaching and was going to do something miraculous. Verse 4-5. Imagine being out all night, not catching anything. Then told to go back out by someone who wasn’t a fisherman. Jesus’ instructions imply a catch is imminent. Simon says what we’re all thinking! Master = used by Jesus’ followers. Not theological; simply “you’re the boss.” Despite exhaustion, he will obey. Look at the result. Verse 6-7. Imagine this scene. Tired. Then overfilled. Nets breaking. Boats sinking. What’s the point? Verse 9-11. Catching men. Jesus did the work, but obedience puts it on display.
Ill. Nick Saban. GOAT. Without the players, he never obtains that status. Players have to go and do what he wants them to do. Jesus gives commands to further the kingdom, but the church must obey.
Arg. John 14:15
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Christ - Jesus demands obedience from followers. He demands obedience because God demands it. Jesus is God. He is the Word of God and is to be obeyed. Jesus would take these fisherman and turn them into those who fish for men. See the lost be saved. If you think a lot of fish is cool, wait until you see lives changed.
App. Obey Christ. Obedience leads to seeing God’s blessing.
Obey his written word. No believer regrets obedience.
Enjoy his rich blessings. No pride. God is at work in you. But he uses you.
Thank God for using you.
Truth #3: Encountering holiness reveals our sin (8)
Exp. I skipped important verse. Verse 8. After this miracle, Peter doesn’t ask for an explanation of how Jesus did that. His sinfulness was immediately brought to the forefront. Why? When you experience the holiness of God, you become keenly aware of your sin.
Arg. Isaiah 6:5
5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Exp. Notice what Peter calls him here. He’s more than master. He’s Lord. Peter realizes who he is standing in front of, and his sin became ever present.
Ill. Being confronted with your sin is never easy. Like looking in the mirror to see all the flaws. The mirror shows flaws compared to your standard. Coming face to face with God reveals your sin next to his holiness.
Christ - Unlike messy hair, food in your teeth, or makeup issues, your sin is not something you can look in the mirror and fix. You need a savior. God provided a way through the Law and now through Jesus.
App. Repent and be used by God.
Take your sin seriously. It’s a serious matter.
Repent. Turn away.
Follow Jesus. You can’t live in sin and follow Jesus.
Conclusion
What is God’s plan? Jesus is. Revealed in flesh. Calling people to himself. Atoning for sin. Restoring humanity. Giving life when we have none. How will you respond?
