a New Way to Fish

Introduction:

Today’s text makes frequent reference to boats, nets and fish, but it is not primarily a fishing lesson, it is a disciple lesson.

As our election rhetoric heats up I have read people whom I believe to be genuinely born again question how a Christian could vote for the candidate they are not supporting. I have friends who are asking, “How could a person be a Christian and vote for someone who is open to damaging our earth and diminishing the value of women and people of color?” I have friends supporting the other leading candidate who are asking, “How could a Christian ever vote for someone who approve of abortion?”

We could debate the extent to which either of these portrayals is accurate, but that is not the reason we are gathered this morning.

We are here to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to make a disciple, we need to clearly understand who a disciple is.

Let’s travel in our minds halfway around the globe through 2000 years of history to see if we can identify what is required to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ.

The first verse gives us the setting. This lake was commonly called Galilee, but was also referred to in the Old Testament as Gennesaret or Chinnereth meaning “shaped like a harp” because the land basin to the SW was shaped like a harp. The same water was later named after a Roman politician so you can find reference to the Sea of Tiberias. The different historical names should not get in the way of believing this was a real lake with real fish where Jesus taught a real lesson.

For hundreds of years, fish has been a symbol of Christianity. I can’t verify, but I’ve heard it was a code to separate true believers from those like Saul who sought to persecute the early church.

Transition: The lesson Jesus teaches begins with…

Becoming a Disciple starts with Listening (v.1)

Hearing what it says (v.1)

1. Jesus spoke the Word of God which was recorded by historians, transmitted through the ages and is being translated into the languages of the peoples of the world.

2. There are various ways for us to “hear” the Word

a. Written – dozens of translations inexpensive in print and free in apps. My library contains over 65 different English translations of at least a portion of our Bible.

b. Recorded - cassette, CD, online audio, streaming apps, YouTube (like the reading we just watched)

3. Warning: because these sources are so easy to access, cults also distribute their false translations and there is a HUGE difference between translation and paraphrase.

· For example, what we know as the Living Bible (not to be confused with the New Living Translation) was Kenneth Taylor’s attempt to restate the teaching of the Bible so that his children could easily understand at bedtime. Mr. Taylor does not intentionally attempt to change or deceive, but his wording is shaped by his understanding of meaning and he tries to re-express that meaning on a juvenile level.

“Modern translations change the wording to fit modern language, but leave the setting, time and place in ancient history.” One of the more unique paraphrases is the Cotton Patch Gospel. From a product description in a catalog, “What is unique about the Cotton Patch Gospel is that it brings the language, setting, time and place into the midst of the racial tension developing in the South in the 1950s and 1960s. The “cotton patch” approach to the New Testament is to allow the same sense of participation in them which the early Christians must have had. Therefore, Romans now becomes a letter written to Christians in Washington, D.C.; Galatians is addressed to the Churches of the Georgia Convention; and Philippians is being read by the Alabaster African Church of Alabama. New Testament people have become modernized, as well, so that Peter is now called ‘Rock Johnson’ and John is changed to ’Jack’."

· Other paraphrases that can be helpful if used properly include: The Amplified Bible, The Emphasized Bible, The Passion Translation or The Message.

4. After we’ve learned what it says, the next thing we need is to hear is…

Teaching what it means (v.3)

1. Sermons

· Just as Jesus did in the middle of Luke 4 that we studied 2 weeks ago (archive is at our website) Jesus took the words of Is 61 and applied them to the current situation of his listeners.

2. Christian Literature – the printing press made the Scriptures available to the masses. The internet makes articles and ebooks even more accessible.

3. Broadcast Radio, Streaming sites, Podcasts (you can access through flinthillschurch.net) & Youtube, Facebook or Faithlife make good teaching available to those who prefer to listen than to read.

4. Warning: because these resources are inexpensive and easy to produce, you must be discerning about the source!

Application

1. Christianity is not a “feeling” religion. The legitimacy of one’s faith is not found in experiences.

2. Christianity rises or falls based upon the Truth claims in our Book.

3. “People of the Book”

Even other religions recognize the truth claims of our Bible. Muslims refer to Jews and Christians as “people of the book” because they acknowledge and respect we have received a revelation from God. However, their understanding of God is not contained in the Book, rather in the 5 pillars as revealed by their prophet in the Arabic Quran.

4. Warning to any who add to or take away from the Book.

a. Some say, “we believe the Bible…as translated by our leader”

b. Some say, “we believe the Bible…as interpreted by our Elders”

c. Some say, “we believe the Bible…as expanded in another testament or explained in our writings.”

d. Some say, “I believe the Bible…where it says…” and they lift one principle without regarding the rest. i.e. God is Love, Judge not lest you be judged, or God is not willing that any should perish.

5. If we are to follow Christ as one of His Disciples, it starts by knowing what He has said.

Transition: We’ve heard often that “elections have consequences”. It is also true that “knowing has consequences”. Knowing demands a choice and…

Growing as a Disciple demands Obedience (vv.2-7)

Inferred Obedience to a Reasonable Inconvenience (vv.2-3)

1. Simon (known later as “Peter”) was tired after a full shift of work. He is finishing up his final tasks before going home for sleep.

2. This is at least the 4th personal encounter Simon has had with Jesus. In Jn 1:40 Simon’s brother, Andrew, heard Jesus and brought Simon to hear him. In Mt 4 Jesus interacts with the fishermen while fishing from the shore. In Luke 4 Simon’s mother-in-law receives a healing, and here the carpenter/rabbi asks for use of a boat.

3. Sometimes our obedience means we do it when we’d rather be doing something else.

The quickest way to get a “not now, maybe later” is to ask a favor as your spouse/parent/child is coming through the door after a long day of work or school.

4. The text doesn’t tell us Simon’s response, but we can infer from Jesus’ getting into the boat that Simon complied.

5. The 1st century fishing boats of Galilee (one has been recently excavated by archeologists) were about 25 feet long and could carry from 2-10 passengers.

Explicit Compliance with a Radical Request (vv.4-7)

1. What does a carpenter have to tell a professional fisherman about fishing?

a. When we hear fishing, we probably think of a pole and hook. If we are attentive, we may pick up on nets and think of a casting net like this. Play video of Bryson. This type of net would have been used in the incident described in Mt 4:18 and Mark 1:16.

b. Trammel nets were 100’ long, they were a 3-ply tool (hence the plural), with weights that would take them down about 20’ and be drug between 2 boats. These are the type of nets that would be used in todays text along with the other account (after the resurrection) in John 21.

c. While Trammel nets were efficient at night when fish come to the surface to feed on bugs and the darkness obscures the lines of the net. It is hardly ever recommended when the light of the sun would expose the material in the water.

2. This unlikely method being requested by an inexperienced carpenter being made of exhausted professionals is why I say this request is radical.

He speaks, we respond

1. The hinge point of this whole encounter is in v. 5 At your word I will (ESV) or Because you say so, I will (NASB)

I don’t mean to unjustly throw shade on Simon. But I get the impression based upon the first part of v.5 that Simon is thinking, “This isn’t going to work, but I’ll do it to humor you, if that’s what it is going to take to get you to leave me alone so I can finally go home and get some sleep”.

2. Because of Simon’s (doubting?) obedience, he is surprised beyond his wildest dreams in v.6.

3. The reason I just said that Simon is humoring the Lord, is because his partners are still back on the docks.

4. Jesus’ miracle isn’t only a lesson for Simon, it is also for James and John when their boat gets filled and starts to sink as well. I think Andrew is in the boat with Simon because of the “they” in 6 and 7. But Peter, James and John need this specialized lesson in the positive results that happen when they obey Jesus because these 3 will make up his inner circle for the next 3 years.

Transition: Being a Disciple starts with our knowledge, it develops through our obedience, but maturity happens when our values and affections change.

Maturing as a Disciple Requires Connection (vv.8-11)

Simon connects in humble worship (vv.8-10a)

1. It would be a mistake to read too much into Simon’s confession at this point because he is still a work in progress. But he does realize this is no ordinary carpenter in his boat.

2. This word sinful appears 47 times in the New Testament, 18 of which are in Luke’s gospel. It is a word that doesn’t necessarily mean “worthy of hell” but is an expression that “I don’t measure up”

3. Perhaps it was the thoughts that Simon was muttering to himself when Jesus asked him to undock the boat or head out with the nets.

4. Perhaps it was his general awareness that his life goals were misplaced.

5. Falling at Jesus’ knees expresses this is more than an “oops, I’m sorry.”

6. For out obedience to Jesus to mature into strong faith requires that we preach the gospel to ourselves and remind ourselves of our weakness and His strength.

Simon connects in new mission (v.10b)

1. While the miracle in front of him was perhaps the most profitable day he had every had as a fisherman, Jesus is calling Simon away from that success.

2. NIV & NASB play on the fish theme and say “fish for people”

3. KJV & ESV realize that Jesus uses a different word in the end of v.10 from the “let down the nets” in v.4. The word in v.10 is “to catch alive”

4. Fishing is usually the gathering for the purpose of killing. Catching alive has the idea of gathering for a purpose.

5. Our Discipleship is not only to prepare people for their death, We should be driven to help others bring about change so that they can experience the abundant life we read about in John 10:10.

John 10:10 ESV:2016

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Simon connects in sacrificial presence (v.11)

1. It is easy to over-preach the “left everything” in v.11.

2. But in John 21, Jesus finds Simon and the boys had returned to fishing.

3. Most of us today, if we were to make a career change, would want to liquidate some of our assets, maybe setup a trust for our loved ones or sell the business to someone else who could carry on our legacy.

4. While following Jesus wasn’t a permanent rejection of their past, they did determine that following Him and being with Him was more important than anything else they had going.

5. The sacrifice to follow Jesus as his disciple is different for each of our callings. But it is always worth it.

6. Play https://youtu.be/ciDWL5fshHg

Conclusion:

Who you vote for in a few weeks (in all of the races) does not determine if you are a disciple or not. Your vote should reflect your desire to hear all the Word of God, obey the voice of God to the best of your understanding, and mature in intimacy with God’s mission and presence.

The most important thing you can do this morning is to ensure that you have become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The second, and closely connected, thing you can do is to commit yourself to His kingdom coming and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.