Luke 5:1-11 -- A Great Fish Story . . . er, Story About Fishing!


  1. Let's make Jesus our favorite preacher.
    1. Several men are numbered among my favorite preachers: Wendell Winkler, Woodson, Tom Holland, Frank Chesser, Michael Shepherd, Wayne Jackson, Johnny Ramsey, George Bailey, Vance Hutton. These men generally draw good crowds when they preach.
    2. In our text, Jesus had drawn a great multitude, perhaps several thousand, so many that He could not teach from the shore (vv 1-3)
    3. Jesus was the world's greatest teacher. No one ever influenced the world through his teaching as did Jesus.
      1. Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, and Aristotle for 40: a combined 130 years. Jesus' public ministry was just over 3 years -- but whose influence is more greatly felt?
      2. Jesus astonished His hearers:
        1. with His authority -- Matthew 7:28-29
        2. with His manner of teaching -- John 7:46
        3. By laying bare the hypocrisy of His detractors:
          1. John 8:1-11 -- the woman caught in adultery
          2. Matthew 22:15-22 -- He silenced the Pharisees
          3. Matthew 22:23-34 -- He silenced the Sadducees
          4. Matthew 22:34-46 -- He silenced the Pharisees again
        4. with His compassion -- John 8:1-11
        5. with His commitment to the common man:
          1. Matthew 11:2-6
          2. Mark 12:37
        6. Luke 2:47 -- even as a child He amazed the experts!


  2. Let's be willing to "launch out into the deep" at Jesus' bidding.
    1. Even if we are tired -- "Master, we have toiled all night"
    2. Even if we have failed previously -- "and have taken nothing"
    3. Churches, elderships, and Christians must be willing to step out into the deep (act in faith) for the cause of Christ:
      1. Even if we are tired -- Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:58
      2. Even if we have failed previously -- the apostle Peter
      3. Even if we are not sure it will work (cf Isa 55:10-11)
      4. We must trust that God is in control and knows what He is doing.
      5. Let us therefore launch out into the depths:
        1. of thought
          1. Proverbs 23:7; 1 Timothy 4:16; Psalm 1:1-2
          2. don't be a Bible skimmer! Be a student! 2 Timothy 2:15
          3. Navigate the depths of the Word; be a navigator not a skater!
        2. of friendships -- what dominates the conversations between you and your friends?
        3. of religion:
          1. don't have a Brill Cream religion! (A little dab'll do ya)
          2. how deep is your commitment to Christ's church?


  3. Let's trust Jesus when He tells us something -- "let down your nets"
    1. Because God's commands are for our good always:
      1. Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 24-25
      2. John 10:9-10
      3. Prohibitions against forsaking the assembly, dancing, immodest dress, fornication, drunkenness, and such like are for our good!
    2. Because God is able to deliver on His promises -- "for a catch"
      1. Romans 4:17-21
      2. Hebrews 11:11
      3. Joshua 21:43-45
      4. Jesus promised Paul a trip to Rome (Acts 23:11), and neither shipwreck (27:41) nor snakebite (28:4-5) could nullify it (28:16). (cf Isaiah 14:27)
    3. Even if we do not think it will work -- "Nevertheless"
      1. Fisherman fished at night when the fish schooled in shallow water and near the surface
      2. It was now day and the fish had gone to deeper water
      3. They would be difficult (impossible?) to locate in deep water
      4. From a practical standpoint, who knew more of fishing?
    4. Even if it doesn't make sense to us -- "at Thy Word I will let down the net"
      1. Genesis 3:1-6 -- Eve in the Garden
      2. Genesis 22 -- Abraham & Isaac (cf Hebrews 11:17-19)
      3. 2 Kings 5 -- Naaman
      4. today -- e.g., "Being dunked in water doesn't make any sense."


  4. Let us Trust in Jesus'that our nets may always be full -- "they enclosed a great multitude of fishes"
    1. Fishing was Peter's livelihood. A great catch of fish meant prosperity for Peter and his partners.
    2. For Christians, trusting in Jesus' Word opens the door to an abundant life -- John 10:10.
    3. Psalm 23 -- when the Lord is our Shepherd
      1. We shall not be in want (v 1) cf Matthew 6:25-34
      2. We shall have abundant peace (v 2)
      3. A great table shall be prepared for us and our cup shall run over (v 4)
      4. Goodness and mercy shall follow us always (v 6)


  5. Let's be willing to acknowledge our unworthiness to be with Jesus -- "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."
    1. Rom 3:23 as opposed to 2 Cor 5:21 / Heb 4:15 / 1 Pet 2:22
    2. John 1:27
    3. John 13:8
    4. Ephesians 2:8-10
    5. Luke 17:7-10