Luke 5:1-11 | The Catch of Fish

June 29, 2025 – Morris Evangelical Free Church Bilingual Service – Church at the Lake

Theme: The Miraculous Catch of Fish

= Introduction and Welcome =

Good morning everyone!

Today we are having a bilingual service.

Pastor Hector will be speaking in English, and I will speak in Spanish.

It’s so good to be gathered together and enjoying this day.

The fact that we’re next to a lake makes me think of the teachings of Christ.

There’s a Bible passage where Christ teaches from a boat.

Please get your Bible ready and turn to Luke 5:1–11.

But first, let me pray.

= Opening Prayer =

Let’s read Luke 5:1–3 (ESV):

1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Imagine a day by a lake where a large crowd is gathered to hear the word of God.

The people had an urgent desire to hear God’s word.

Jesus knew their need for God’s word.

So His immediate action to meet that need was to get into a boat.

He pushed off a little from the land, sat down, and began teaching.

That day, that boat became a pulpit.

Verse 3 says it was Simon’s boat. How do you think Simon felt, knowing that Jesus was using his boat to serve others?

I believe Simon was happy!

Maybe he thought: “The Lord is preaching from my boat—how amazing!” or “I never imagined God would use what I have to bless others!”

Simon had front-row seats to hear and see the Son of God!

Jesus used something that belonged to Simon for the expansion of God’s kingdom.

I know Stevens County is known for its generosity.

And I know many of you are generous.

Thank you for your generosity!

Thank you for offering what you have to serve God!

Thank you for using what you have for eternity!

I also want to encourage you—don’t grow weary!

Weary of what?

Don’t grow weary of doing good!

That’s what God desires—a church that is zealous for good works!

God wants a people who are zealous for good works! (See Titus 2:14).

= The Weariness of the Believer =

In the believer’s life, there are times of great joy.

But there are also times of sorrow and hardship.

Some believers go through seasons of frustration.

Some believers experience weariness.

Some people feel like they’re working hard but achieving very little.

Some people are overworking themselves.

Some are battling legal issues.

Others are struggling in their relationships.

Some are in conflict with family or friends.

Some are facing difficulties at work.

Others have health problems.

Some are just tired and frustrated.

That’s why I urged you—don’t grow weary in the kingdom of God!

Life doesn’t always look bright.

Some days it seems like nothing will go right.

That’s exactly what happened to Peter and his companions.

Remember Peter’s profession? He was a fisherman.

= God Responds in the Midst of Weariness and Adversity =

Picture Jesus finishing His teaching from the boat.

He has spent time spiritually feeding a crowd.

The people have heard about God’s love and His kingdom.

Those carrying burdens and weariness now know God loves them.

Many of them now have hope in Christ!

But Jesus isn’t done yet!

Now He’s going to deal with a group of people who aren’t just tired—they’re also frustrated.

That’s a hard combination.

When weariness and frustration come together, it can feel overwhelming.

That’s exactly how Peter and his companions felt.

That’s how many people feel at times!

Maybe that’s how you feel today.

Imagine working all night and catching nothing. Imagine a night shift and earning $0.

That’s what happened to Peter and his friends.

Let’s read Luke 5:4–5 (ESV):

4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Jesus had just ministered to the crowd—now it was Peter’s turn.

Peter and his companions were about to receive something special from God!

They didn’t know it yet, but God’s loving heart had big plans for them.

These tired, frustrated men were about to experience Christ!

They would see both the material and spiritual provision of God.

In the midst of their exhaustion and pain, they would witness God’s powerful hand.

Jesus tells them to go back out and cast the nets again.

Peter’s reply shows both his frustration and his faith.

They had already washed their nets—meaning they were done.

They were tired and ready to go home.

If we could hear their thoughts, we might hear things like:

“We worked all night and caught nothing...”

“I just finished cleaning my nets and now I have to use them again?”

“Fishing is best at night, not during the day...”

“This Rabbi knows carpentry and theology—but what does He know about fishing?”

“What a miserable day—I wish someone understood me…”

But then Peter said, “But at your word I will let down the nets.”

= The Word of God =

Peter’s response was the right one.

He said: “But at your word…”

God’s Word gives life to His people!

God’s Word is powerful and trustworthy!

With His word, God created everything that exists!

By His word, He governs all creation.

Through His word, He nourishes our souls!

As it is written: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, ESV)

Jesus had just spoken God’s word to the crowd.

And now Peter obeys—and they cast the nets.

Let’s read Luke 5:6–7 (ESV):

6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 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.

What a difference when Christ directs your life! What a difference when Peter obeys Christ!

What a difference it makes to obey God!\

The results are different when the believer submits to God.

What does life at work, school, and home look like without God?

And what does it look like with God?

These men experienced God because they were with Christ.

You can’t be with God without Christ!

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! (John 14:6)

What happened to Peter and the disciples as they experienced Christ?

= Peter’s Response to Experiencing Christ =

Let’s read Luke 5:8–10 (ESV):

8 But 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 that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

When Peter saw what had happened, fear came over him.

He fell to his knees before Jesus.

But Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.”

Beloved church, there’s nothing wrong with falling to your knees before Jesus.

In fact, that’s the right place to be!

There is blessing and life at the feet of Christ.

God is working in each of our hearts!

Let me ask—have you given your heart to Christ?

If not, what’s holding you back?

In Luke 5, Jesus ministered to the crowd, gave a miraculous catch to Peter and friends, cleansed a leper, healed a paralytic, called Levi, answered questions, called sinners to repentance, and taught about God’s kingdom.

The winners in the story are those who followed Christ.

Following Christ is good and right!

Are you feeling tired, frustrated, sad, or sick?

Life is different when you follow Jesus!

Beloved church, is there anything holding us back from following Christ?

Peter and his companions followed Jesus—and the result was history!

Luke 5:11 (ESV):

And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

= Call to Prayer =

Is anyone here tired or frustrated and in need of God’s help? Please stand.

All who follow Christ, please stand as we pray!

= Prayer =

Let’s pray for Morris Evangelical Free Church, our Spanish-speaking congregation, and The Bridge in Hancock.

Let’s pray for everyone going through difficulties, frustration, and exhaustion.

And let’s pray that we all follow Christ, that He may strengthen and refresh us.

Pastor Héctor Franco Pastor Alex Pulido