A Fisherman Who Fears

One of the problems that Christians face is remembering that Jesus is Lord of our lives. It is God’s mercy that He reminds us, lest we forget and live for ourselves. Jesus gave Peter one of these reminders in Luke 5. After Jesus finished teaching the crowds, He asked Peter to go out to the deeper part of the lake and fish. Peter politely explained that he had already been doing that for the entire night with no success. Still, Peter knew enough about Jesus that he complied with the request. When the nets filled to their breaking point, and the fish filled two boats, Peter remembered. Although Peter was a professional fisherman, he didn’t control the fish. Although Peter had a life, he didn’t get to control it. When he saw the incredible haul of fish, Peter fell on his face before Jesus. Then he acknowledged that Jesus is Lord. But the real test wasn’t if Peter would obey when Jesus gave him fishing advice. The test was when Jesus told Peter that He had a different plan for his life. Jesus told Peter to follow Him so that he could catch people for God like he had fish for the market. With the reminder of Jesus’s lordship fresh in his mind, Peter left everything, the boats, the nets, and the haul of fish, and followed Jesus. These questions resound today. Will we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord? Will we allow Him to lead our lives? Will we leave whatever He asks us to and follow Him? Our answer will show in how we live. –Pastor Rory

Sunday at Liberty

9AM: Roger Williams and other Early Baptists

10AM: Pastor Rory–A Fisherman Who Fears–Luke 5:1-11 (sermon notes)