Sermon Tone Analysis

Psalm 67 / John 21:1-14

It’s not about fish

Matthew 4:19 “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.””

Mark Dever - Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist since 1994

To the extent that numbers in this case means souls, then yes we do care about numbers, because we want as many of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones to go to Heaven with us; but inasmuch as numbers just means attendance counts, congregation size, and collections, we should not care about numbers.

They knew what to do

John 21:3 “Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We will go with you.”

They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

Matthew 4:18-19 “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.””

They were doing nothing

John 21:3 “Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We will go with you.”

They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Jesus Knows better

John 21:4-6 “Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”

They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.”

Jesus illustrated His Lordship

Jesus proved that He brings the abundance

Jesus encouraged them that obedience, not their effort was the key

What will we do?

We have experience; we know, right?

We have done.

We are catching nothing...

Is the Lord leading us in our current circumstance?

William Douglas - Pastor of New Direction Baptist

To catch different types of fish, you have to use different bait; sometimes a whole different setup.

Will we obey?

Church Family, may we never be a people who abandon the true gospel of Jesus; being fishers of men.

Also, God help us to listen and obey; to cast our nets when, where, and how The Lord is currently leading us that He may give the increase, and receive the glory.