From Empty Nets to Fishers of Men

``That experience of confessing our sinfulness in the midst of Christ's holiness is the very normal Christian experience. And I hope that all of you have done that and do do that regularly in your Christian walk. To kneel at your bed, to bow your head at your your kitchen table, to do so in this place here today or anytime and simply say, Lord, I am a sinful person. There is wickedness in me. [00:41:05] (44 seconds)  #DailyConfession

Because Jesus doesn't say you're right. Get away from me. Or I'm leaving. Don't follow me. Right? That's what Peter's reaction is. Go away from me. How can you abide in my presence, a sinner? How can you put up with me? But yet again, our Lord's response is one of grace and mercy, love, and compassion. We expect nothing else from our Lord. [00:42:31] (38 seconds)  #GraceNotRejection

John Newton was humble enough to call himself a wretch, a horrible human being because he knew the horrible things he had done in his life, not simply being involved with the slave trade, which is certainly horrible, But who knows how many other things just like any one of us? Horrible things he'd said, wretched things that he had done, a horrible heart that was self centered, inward focused. He had the humility to be able to confess that it's by the grace of God that he was saved, a wretch like me. [00:46:05] (53 seconds)  #SavedByGrace

I'm sure Simon had the same thoughts as my neighbor. What are you talking about? You may be a wonderful preacher. You may be a a man of God. You may have been able to heal my mother-in-law and those people in my village, a wonderful miracle worker who God has given to us. But Jesus, what do you know about fishing? I don't see that on your resume. I'm the professional. Leave the fishing to me. We've been here all night. If you hadn't asked to get into my boat so you could address the crowd, I would be home in bed by now. [00:34:49] (39 seconds)  #CalledBeyondResume

We are blessed in so many ways by a merciful and loving savior who came into this world to save us, to die for us, to give us not just eternal life, but holy life to make him to make us like himself. And so if we're able to say, to admit, to confess, I am a sinful person to God, we're being honest with ourselves. And we need to be able to do that in order for him to then use us, to remake us in his image. [00:44:14] (44 seconds)  #RemadeInHisImage

Our hearts rejoice in you, father, son, and holy spirit. You are the one who has created us, this planet, these galaxies and universes, and they praise your holy name. We pray that not only during this hour together, but in all the hours and days to come, we too might be always praising your holy name, expressing our gratitude and our thanks to you for your love, for your grace and mercy, for your steadfastness even when we are not. [00:09:18] (46 seconds)  #PraiseAlways

He experiences this powerful miracle which will undoubtedly bring him some financial windfall as he takes this boatloads do boatloads of fish to market. He and his partners to share this great excess of income. And in the midst of all of these miracles, in the midst of knowing this man Jesus, however briefly, in the midst of hearing him preach about the kingdom of God, Simon has no other choice but to fall at his knees and say, go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man. [00:40:20] (46 seconds)  #MiracleAndRepentance

And we don't know exactly what Peter had in mind, whether he was just simply thinking of his attitude that very day about, you know, I'm tired. What do you know about fishing? Or whether he was reflecting on the events of his life, things he had said, things he had done, the the attitude in his heart to be able to confess, I am a sinner, and to admit that in the presence of this holy man. [00:41:49] (35 seconds)  #ConfessInHisPresence