A Call To Fish

When we last saw Simon Peter he was on the shore of Galilee fishing when Jesus comes by and calls him to become a fisher of men. I want to look at Peter's journey.

Peter may have been a called man, but…

He was not perfect -

Naturally Impulsive -

Matthew 14:28 - When Jesus was walking to them on the Sea he told Jesus to prove it was really him by telling him to come to him Matthew 17:4 on the Mount of Transfiguration Peter wanted to build 3 tabernacles Presumptuous and contradictory

Matthew 16:22 Peter REBUKES JESUS for saying how he was to die John 18:10 - Cuts of the Servant's ear of those coming to arrest Jesus. Fearful and Cowardly

Matthew 14:30 (KJV)

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Matthew 26:69-72 Denial of Christ

Rash

Matthew 17:24-27 (ESV)

24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”

25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”

26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.

27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

He was growing in Grace - Maturing

You see times of great love and admiration - When Jesus wanted to wash his feet, that wasn't enough Made great statements of faith in Christ as the Son of the Living God. He was called not only to fish for men but to feed the lambs

John 21:15-19 (KJV)

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, sonof Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry theewhither thou wouldest not.

19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

This was a specific call and command to Peter and I think it gives us a taste of God's grace to Peter

This is the one who forsook Jesus the most

Yet he is given the greatest responsibility and command

This is the one who was rash, insensitive, impulsive, and presumptuous

Yet he is given the role of tenderly leading and feeding sheep

This command would come out and begin to bloom on the day of Pentecost, in Acts chapter 2. I don't know what Peter felt, or experienced that day but it was so great and powerful that he was never exactly the same again. When we are filled with the Spirit it should make a difference in our life as well. People ought to be able to tell.