"Launch Out" Luke 5:1-10

August 3, 2025

FBC Baxley

am service

________________________________________

Welcome radio and online guests…

Vision Statement: FBC Exists to Live & Share the Love of Jesus Christ, through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry & Evangelism.

** I want you to know, GOD LOVES YOU!

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will, way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, Some Saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “Launch Out”

Scripture Passage: Luke 5:1-10

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

PRAY-

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Three Points:

The Push of the Savior v.4

The Power of Submission v.5

The Purpose of the Shift v.

Main Idea: Christ calls every believer to trust Him, launch out in faith, and reach others.

Introduction: Boats Weren’t Meant for the Shore

Years ago, a sailing instructor said something that stuck with me: “Boats are safest in the harbor, but they weren’t made to stay there.”

A boat is designed for open water—for movement, for mission, for a purpose greater than safety.

That’s a powerful picture of the Christian life.

Many believers are tied up at the dock of comfort—anchored in routine, safe in the shallows—but Jesus has called us to launch out.

In Luke 5, Jesus issues a call—not just to sail farther into the Sea of Galilee, but to step into deeper trust, greater purpose, and eternal impact.

I. The Push of the Savior

Text: Luke 5:4 – “Launch out into the deep...”

Notice who initiates this moment. Peter didn’t suggest it.

The crowd didn’t demand it. Jesus said it. He steps into Peter’s boat, finishes preaching, and says: “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

This is more than a fishing trip—it’s a moment of spiritual redirection.

Jesus is pushing Peter past his comfort zone into a place of greater trust.

Original Language Insight:

The Greek word ἐπανάγω (epanagō) means to set sail, to bring out into deeper or higher regions. Jesus is saying, “Peter, let’s go further than you’ve gone before.”

Application:

Sometimes, Jesus calls us away from the shallow, safe, and familiar into the deep waters of dependence. He says, “Trust Me. Push out. Let go of the shoreline.”

Cross-References:

Genesis 12:1 – “Go to the land I will show you.”

Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham… went out not knowing where he was going.”

Matthew 14:29 – Peter walked on the water toward Jesus.

Illustration:

Imagine a child learning to swim. They cling to the edge of the pool. The instructor says, “Let go and come to the middle.” The child is afraid—but that’s where they learn to truly swim. That’s what Jesus does. He leads us out where we can’t stand, where He becomes our support.

Transition:

Jesus never calls us into deep waters to drown us—He calls us there to develop us.

But once we’re in the deep, it’s not enough just to float. We have to obey. That brings us to the second point.

II. The Power of Submission

Text: Luke 5:5 – “Nevertheless, at Your word…”

Simon Peter responds honestly: “Master, we’ve toiled all night and caught nothing.” He’s tired. He’s frustrated.

He’s a professional fisherman, and this carpenter is telling him how to do his job.

But then comes one of the most powerful statements in Scripture: “Nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net.”

That is the turning point of the story—and possibly Peter’s life.

Original Language Insight:

The phrase “at Your word” is ἐπὶ τῷ ῥήματί σου (epi tō rhēmati sou)—meaning a specific spoken command.

Peter wasn’t obeying a general truth—he was responding to the living voice of Christ.

Application:

“Obedience may not always make sense—but it always makes a difference.”

When we obey the Lord based on His Word—not our feelings—we align ourselves for miraculous results.

Cross-References:

John 2:5 – “Do whatever He tells you.”

James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word…”

1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Psalm 119:60 – “I hasten and do not delay to obey Your commands.”

Illustration:

A farmer may not understand all the science behind rain, but he plants anyway—trusting that the seasons will do their work. Faith acts even when it can’t explain. That’s what Peter did.

Spiritual Insight:

Peter didn’t feel like it. The situation didn’t look good. But he obeyed.

Faith isn't the absence of doubt—it’s obedience in the presence of doubt.

III. The Purpose of the Shift

Text: Luke 5:10 – “From now on you will catch men.”

After the miraculous catch, Peter falls to his knees in awe.

Jesus responds with a life-altering statement: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”

This wasn’t just about fish. It was about future.

Jesus used the miracle to launch Peter into his mission.

Original Language Insight:

The word for “catch” here is ζωγρέω (zōgreō) – meaning to capture alive for a purpose. It’s a word used for soldiers who spare someone for service.

Jesus is saying, “Peter, I’m not just saving you—I’m sending you.”

Application:

Jesus doesn’t fill our nets just for us to enjoy the blessing. He blesses us to send us.

Your boat is a pulpit.

Your job is a mission field. Your hands are nets in the water of a lost world.

Cross-References:

Matthew 4:19 – “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

2 Corinthians 5:20 – “We are ambassadors for Christ.”

Acts 1:8 – “You shall be My witnesses…”

Romans 10:14–15 – “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?”

Illustration:

A man once joined a disaster relief team thinking he’d hand out blankets.

Instead, they handed him a rope and said, “You’re going in.”

That’s the shift—God doesn’t just want supporters—He wants rescuers.

Conclusion: Three Life Applications

1. Be Willing to Leave the Shore

Don’t let comfort keep you from calling. Launch out.

Matthew 16:24 – “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself...”

2. Say “Nevertheless” in Faith

When God speaks, obey—especially when it doesn’t make sense.

Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith it is impossible to please God…”

3. Live for the Mission

Jesus saves you from something—but also for something. You are called to catch others with the gospel.

John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Final Challenge: Will You Launch Out?

******phonenotex

Jesus is in your boat. He’s speaking. He’s calling you deeper.

Will you stay at the shore—or will you trust Him? Will you say, “Nevertheless, at Your word…”? Will you let Him repurpose your life to reach others?

Boats weren’t made for harbors.

And Christians weren’t made for comfort. You were made to launch out.

Let’s pray.

Invitation is this. Will you come to the altar, take this short book??