Church Anniversary Service
N.B. Apologies – the audio fades out at times as the speaker moved away from the lectern/microphones
Introduction
A fishy story
Jesus gives ‘fishy’ advice
The story – not about the fish
Painting a picture
Up North
Jesus had been preaching and teaching
Word of mouth is spreading
The Scene
Crowds gathering around the Sea of Galilee
There is a crowd gathered this morning
Do we have faith the building can be full again?
Born for such a time as this
The aim to hear the word of God
God’s word brings light
The people at the back had difficulty seeing and hearing Jesus
Jesus goes out in a boat on the lake
He sat down to preach
He was likely wearing ordinary clothes
The main focus is the word of God
The content of the preaching is unknown
But He was preaching about the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)
Simon (v4-7)
Having taught the crowds – Jesus turns to Simon
A vital lesson for us
God’s speaks to us
God speaks to a congregation
Through Sunday Services
Through mid-week prayer meetings
Do we believe that God is speaking?
Do we consider that it is Jesus speaking?
What does God want for this church?
God speaks to individuals
God speaks to Simon Peter
Do we think ‘if only so and so was here’?
God speaks to us
Lessons from what God says
Reading v4-7
Payback time for Simon
Jesus borrowed Simon’s boat and He will pay for it’s hire
He pays very well
Jesus is no man’s debtor
What do we own?
What do we hold on an open palm?
Obedience
"Put down your net for a catch"
Fishing – is usually at night
Peter calls him Master/Teacher
He respects his teaching about the kingdom of God
Does he think he is the fisherman and Jesus the teacher?
But he has seen and heard things about Jesus
In the wrong place / at the wrong time – but at the word of Jesus Christ
It seems foolish
Yet "at your word I will let down the nets"
Not about catching fish but catching men
It seems a weird request
But so many fish are caught!
Abundant payment from Jesus
Personal example
Serving the Lord – "He is no mans debtor"
Signs
Who Jesus Christ is
Master / Teacher / Rabbi – to begin with (v5)
How did He know the fish were there?
O Lord (v8)
A high term for Lord
The penny has dropped
Depart from sinful me
There is always more to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ
Is that why we have come to Church?
Are too big and Jesus is too small?
Do we minimise ourself and enlarge Jesus?
Are we humble?
A right view of Jesus and a right view of ourselves
There should not be a proud Christian
What is Jesus doing? – a call to ministry
For Simon – a call to ministry
To us – a call to mission
v9-10a
Who can Jesus use?
Sinful men
Those who know they are sinful
Those who are humble
Our sin humbles us before a Holy God
Repentance (after salvation) – a daily occurrence
In our weakness, God is glorifed
Jesus commissions Peter
A fisher of men
This is our business
Our main aim is to be fishers of men
Toiling in our area
Do we believe God can come in great power?
As individuals – we are fishers of men
Always on duty
Are you saved this morning?
We can know God only through Jesus Christ
He lived a perfect life
He died on calvary to pay the penalty for our sin
He rose again
Repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ
Trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ
Do not lose this vision – we are fishers of men