Venturing into Deep Waters: A Call to Discipleship

Jesus commands us to cast our nets into the deep water. Gazing into the murky waves, we fear that which we cannot see. Not knowing this man, the disciples faithfully cast their nets where they never expected. Bursting with fear, we fear that which we cannot see. They were astonished and overwhelmed by what the deep, dark water had to offer. [00:11:10]

The spirit of the Lord is upon us and illuminates the unexplored corners of our ecosystem. Hooked on the love of Christ, we are being made into fishers of people. [00:11:38]

But Jesus said, why don't you try fishing over there? That's where the deep water is. I bet we'll catch something there. But Jesus was not ready to give up. He was ready to give up. He was ready to give up. He was ready to go. Jesus wasn't a fisherman. These other guys, they were fishermen. So they should have known better than Jesus, right? And they probably doubted Jesus a little bit. Why are you telling us to go up there? We've been fishing all day. We know where the fish are. [00:19:18]

And he wants Peter and the other disciples to follow him and join him in ministry and change the world. He wants to grow God's kingdom. And that happens when you catch people metaphorically, right? So it's metaphor, meaning let's tell people about God and God's love, okay? So whether you like fishing or not, you're going to be fishers of people. And he says, go and tell people about God. So whether you like fishing or not, the challenge for all of you this morning is to be a fisher of people, okay? To go forth and tell them about God's love because you've experienced God's love like Peter, okay? [00:21:34]

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret. And the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God. He saw two boats there at the shore of the lake. The fishermen had gotten out of them and were now washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon. And asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put your nets out into the deep water and let them down for a catch. Simon answered, Master, we've worked all night long. But have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets. [00:29:09]

But when Simon Peter saw it. He fell down at Jesus' knees saying, Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. For he and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken. And so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching people. When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. [00:30:23]

Peter's response may not seem like the main point of this story, but it does tell us some important stuff. This is how we, too, need to respond to God in our lives. We repent. We say, I'm sorry. We admit our faults. We acknowledge that we're not worthy so that we can go forth on this path of grace and redemption. [00:43:02]

Discipleship isn't about performing the right miracle, providing them with fish. It isn't about a great sermon. That's all of a sudden going to double. The size of the church. It isn't about the right invitation card or event. It's about building relationships with people. Discipleship is more like a crock pot than a pressure cooker. It takes time. It takes relationship. [00:49:03]

It might be dark and it might be scary and not very promising at first. And we might say this is the way we've always done it. But Jesus wants us to venture out past the shallow water. Past the shallow invitation to build relationships. To visit the hardworking fishers of our community. To heal mothers. To fish in the uncharted waters. That's what this ministry is all about. So this week, let's stop casting our nets just in this building. [00:50:24]

Let's start small but gradually venture out deeper into the water. Trust God. Because God will do abundantly more than we imagine. So I want to challenge you. Let's imagine really big. If God's going to do that. If God's going to do abundantly more. Let's fish big. Why not go to the deep end if God is going to multiply the fruit that is produced? Let us pray. [00:50:59]

You taught your disciples to cast a wide and deep net. But not for fish. For people. Not just on the surface but for those drowning in the trenches of life. Teach us how to fish. Make our fingers nimble so we can handle hearts and hands gently. Make our minds quiet and patient while we wait for those who are not yet ready to receive you. [00:51:43]

Are you fishing and tired and a little annoyed that Jesus is not helping you catch anything? Maybe Jesus is asking you to go to the deep waters. And you probably know where that is. There's a community or a person, place in your life that you're thinking of, I should reach out to them. They need the healing and love of Jesus. They need help. They need stability. They just need love, whatever it may be. But I'm pretty certain that you know where that deep water is. [00:59:37]