Scripture Text (NRSV)
Luke 8:26-39
8:26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is
opposite Galilee.
8:27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons
met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live
in a house but in the tombs.
8:28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the
top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most
High God? I beg you, do not torment me"--
8:29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the
man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and
bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be
driven by the demon into the wilds.)
8:30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion";
for many demons had entered him.
8:31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
8:32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding;
and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them
permission.
8:33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and
the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
8:34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and
told it in the city and in the country.
8:35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they
came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone
sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they
were afraid.
8:36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been
possessed by demons had been healed.
8:37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the
Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great
fear. So he got into the boat and returned.
8:38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be
with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying,
8:39 "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done
for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much
Jesus had done for him.
Comments:
Rejection comes in many forms. Last week we saw the people in the
synagogue rejecting Jesus because they saw him as arrogant. Today we
see Peter trying to reject Jesus because Peter felt unworthy. I want
to reject his teaching when it doesn't fit with my own plans for
today, or my way seems easier. Some reject Jesus just because.
But Peter soon pulls himself together, realizes that maybe it's not
all about him, changes his mind and follows. He never did shake his
sinful nature, but that's where Good Friday stepped in.
I wonder what it was that happened between Peter's near-rejection of
Jesus and the decision to follow. The text isn't specific about that.
They were all amazed at the great catch, but that was what made Peter
say "Go away." Something happened while they were pulling their boats
ashore. Maybe they had a conference about it. Jesus never extended the
invitation to them... they just went.
It's only mid-January as I write this. Plenty of time to refine
thoughts.
KyHoosierCat
Near the beginning of Jesus' ministry, his words and signs have
powerful and surprising effects: crowds press upon him, a great and
unexpected number of fish fill the nets, and a fisherman becomes an
apostle.
The holy presence of God, which appears to Isaiah in the temple
vision, comes to Peter on the lake of Gennesaret. After teaching on
the shore, Jesus asks Peter to cast his nets into the deep water.
Peter reluctantly agrees because he has already been fishing all night
without success. In Peter's reaction to the unexpected catch of fish,
we see the reflection of Isaiah's experience as he recognizes both the
holiness of God and his human insufficiency. The "sinfulness" (5.8) of
which Peter speaks is a candid response to his awareness of the gap
that exists between his limited humanity and the all-powerful
otherness of God.
A song from a musical asserts, "Anything you can do I can do better!"
In today's lessons people are outdoing one another in humbleness. The
prophet Isaiah moans, "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean
lips...yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" Simon Peter
cries out, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" St. Paul
describes himself as "the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an
apostle."
These are not cases of pride at being humble, but honesty. We may
never experience an epiphany like Isaiah's who saw the Lord high and
lifted up, but we know our Lord made low in the manger, we know our
Lord lifted up on the cross, we know him arisen. Such a magnificent
epiphany "demands my soul, my life, my all!"
The disciples were not always so humble. They were known at times to
have argued about their just rewards. They could have compared all
they had given up to follow Jesus. Simon and James and John: "Two
boats full—I mean full to overflowing—full of fish. We left it all and
followed him." Or Matthew, "I had it made—a job as a tax collector.
But when he said, ‘Follow me,' I left it all, everything, and just got
up and followed him."
No, if ever we brag, let's brag about what God had done for us. Isaiah
could say, "The seraph touched my lips with the live coal and now my
sin is blotted out." Peter would have to admit, "Three times I denied,
but the angel at his empty grave said to the women, ‘Go tell his
disciples and Peter...!'" And Paul could say, "By the grace of God I
am what I am."
Say it this way: "I am what I am because God is how God is—forgiving!"
This is a story of awesome wonder. And Peter responds with his heart
wide open. Rejecting Jesus? That's not how it strikes me. His language
may sound that way, but look at him. He's fallen on his knees before
Jesus. He declares his unworthiness, and yet he leaves everything to
follow Jesus. What power Jesus must have had. It is hard to imagine
this response.
RE: miracles. The miracles in our lessons for today seem to be about
who God calls. We're unclean. We're unworthy. We're outright sinful.
And yet, We are allowed to see Jesus. We are allowed to serve Jesus.
We are the ones who get to tell the stories of faith to the world
around us.
Amazing.
Pam in San Bernardino
Yesterday I ran into this background info on fishing in Galilee while
browing the preachingtoday.com website... The article was dealing with
the text in John 21, but I think it would also help us here in Luke 5
as well.
(begin quote) In John 21 Jesus redirects the disciples' fishing
efforts. But the entire story assumes we understand how fishing worked
in that century. New archaeological work has uncovered a myriad of
ancient ports all around the Sea of Galilee, as well as a vast
collection of implements used in its fishing industry (anchors,
sinkers, hooks, etc.).
The best fishing could be found in the early hours before sunrise
("night" in 21:3). Fishermen in boats generally used vertical nets
(drag and trammel nets) that encircled a school of fish by setting up
vertically with cork floaters on one edge and metal sinkers on the
other. That built a type of net wall from surface to bottom, which
kept the fish from escaping. Once the school was surrounded, the net
was tightened (generally by two boats), and men would throw cast nets
(about 10 feet across) bearing lead sinkers over the unwary fish.
These filled cast nets would either be emptied by a swimmer or pulled
into the boat, while many of the other fish would get caught in the
net wall surrounding them.
Peter's boat is using this method in the shallow water just 100 yards
(200 cubits) from shore (21:8); it is likely that he is diving into
the sea checking the cast nets (21:7).
The seven disciples had an unsuccessful morning on the sea and were
frustrated. At sunrise, they were finishing up when an unknown voice
from shore instructed them to try the opposite side of the boat.
"Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find
some," Jesus called out (21:6).
To toss a cast net at random into the sea was virtually futile. Only a
school captured by an enclosing net could be picked up in this manner.
But the stranger may have seen a large school of fish from the shore,
and Peter quickly spun the net over his head and let it sail, like a
parachute, dropping onto the sea. He watched the sinkers take it down.
Pinned to the net were over one hundred fish—later counted at 153—and
its weight was more than the boat could take. In these shallow waters,
the miraculous catch could not be mistaken.
Recently members of Kibbutz Ginosar in Galilee found such a
first-century fishing boat (now on display at the Beit Yigal Alon
Museum, Ginosar) and its size gives some insight. Its length was 26.5
feet and its width 7.5 feet. If this bears any resemblance to Peter's
boat, seven men alone would have nearly filled it. A large haul of
fish would leave no room on board for much else. (end quote)
A frequent reader
Jesus taught all of them, but reveal himself only to a few, those who
were available, faithful, teachable and responsive. But that was what
I got a few years ago. Today, looking back at this passage, I see a
balance in Jesus's ministry in responding to the hunger of the mass,
and the intentional building up his core leaders.
In Jesus initial revelation to Peter, He could have performed a more
obvious miracle such as having fishes flying automatically in the
boat, but that will leave no room for Peter's willingness to
participate in faith. It's ironic that many would challenge God to
reveal Himself to them, but neither have the willingness nor the
participation in faith.
Peter's statement was a wonderful hesitation, "I know this stuff, I
also know how far we can get at this; YET IF YOU SAY SO, I WILL DO."
The reason that I do not experience God's power fully in my life can
be boiled down to the same two problems: 1) I don't know what God say
(sometimes I got more confused from secondary researches, perhaps
because of my lack of solid study of Scripture), and 2) I don't obey
what I hear Him say (sometimes, out of uncertainly if I hear him
correctly or not). But even in this state of confusion, mostly the
cloud is about theological understanding, seldom on practical living.
Sadly, I don't think even in that practical living I obey Him enough.
Follow the miraculous experience, Peter's followup was a deeper
response that what I would have. "It's so cool, Lord, can you teach me
how to have that discernment? How to know where the fishes are? How to
be effective in my vocation as a fisherman?" That would be my line,
caught up in all the excitements of the blessings.
Peter's response was strangely introspective, "Away from me Lord, for
I am sinful!" Peter was able to look beyond the Purpose-Driven results
and see the Cause, look beyond the Miracle and see the Maker. He was
able to re-enact the Isaiah 6 style of response to God, and also
commited his life to Him too.
So, the point of Jesus' miracle was not helping Peter to be more
successful in his vocation (minister, in my case), but to help Peter
to come to an encounter with the Living God, the encounter so
compelling that he would be willing to forsake his vocation to follow
Him. It was a long winded road, with many obstacles and distractions,
with many incremental progresses of HEAR+OBEY, and continue on for the
rest of Peter's life, but finally Jesus got his disciple.
Lord, help me to see beyond Your results.
Coho, Midway City
Do you ever feel as though you have heard a reading so many times
there is no point in reading it again? I know the answer to this - I
just have to confess groaning and nearly walking away when I heard the
gospel lectionary reading this week. Makes me think that if i feel
like this, so must those in the pews. our task - to bring the gospel
to life I suppose! :)
We are used to the denial of Peter. But today's reading opens my eyes
to the tremendous faith of Peter. How? Jesus was a carpenter. Peter
was a fisherman. Yet, Peter pays heed to the word of Jesus and casts
his net in the deep sea! (Selva Rathinam)
Very first, early thoughts. You can work yourself to death, do the
work and even do everything right, but without Jesus, there is "no
catch". I think this is true in anything you do, but especially for
those of us in pastoral ministry.
Thank you, Selva, for the insight about listening to a carpenter! I am
not sure how I will use it, but I know it will be included in my
message!!
Blessings, Toni
OK - ignorant question, here
Why do you need to wash your nets? Mending, I can see. Picking seaweed
out, I can see. Washing?
Seems they'd be too heavy and large for the kind of washing I'm
thinking of (like a wash tub with a scrub board).
Sometimes things are just too easy ... they labored all night long
when all they had to do was to put out a little way and let down their
nets (wonder if they got the soap powders out? - haha).
My initial response when things are too easy is, "Ok, what's the
catch?"
Sally
This passage reminds me of something we often (TOO often) hear in our
churches..."We've Never Done It That Way Before" --sung to the tune of
"Sing Alleluia to the Lord." (That song is on the flip side of another
old record, "We Tried It Before And It Didn't Work" and closely
resembles "This Is The Way We've Always Done It.") Wouldn't it be
great if we just put the nets out again, and gathered in the "catch"
that God is sending? I have seen so much of God's work in my little
churches recently...the Spirit is moving in Central New York! Even so,
I still hear these two old refrains whenever someone makes a
suggestion or introduces an idea. RevJan in CNY
I love the title, "What's the Catch?"!!!!
Some early thoughts:
Ah the amazing things that happen when we come into the presence of
our God. I am thinking of Bonhoffers comment about Peter walking on
the Water... he could not do it until Jesus called him from the boat.
Here in these readings it seems that we have the call and then
response. The disciples have been doing one thing, over and over...
then Jesus calls them. They do the same thing, yet in the name of the
Lord, and mmm, Interesting Results. (I say this after sitting through
another Annual Meeting).
Isaiah, "Woe is Me." God comes to him. Purifies his lips (ouch!!) and
then suddenly, "Here I am, Lord. Send me."
Paul even talks about Jesus appearing to him first... then he is able
to act.
So how does God come to us? What are we to do?
RevJohn in Juneau
RevIsrael
I used the story of your Grandfather Butch this weekend and I want to
thank you and tell you what a great impact it had at all three
services. Your story really got all to thinking about mission outside
the four walls of the building, plus validated the lives people lead
in the real world.
Thank you again.
Pr.del in Ia
" They left everything and followed him " This haunts me. As clergy do
we tell the laity they have to leave everything and follow. I am
uncomfortable with this maybe we need to focus on following Christ
where we are, in the workplace, school,whatever. Then we are fishing
for people when we bring Christ to them. Padresac, MS
My title this week is "Please, I'd Rather Do It Myself" (from those
old TV commercials from the '60's). In fact, this week's sermon will
start to lead us into our Ash Wednesday service, which focuses on our
attempts at self-sufficiency, bringing in the words of Christ, "cut
off (or apart) from me, you can do nothing".
Sermon's written, bulletin's printed..... now I can get some serious
home visiting done the rest of the week! But, knowing me, I'll come
back to read everything and post a thing or two. Have a great week,
everyone!
KyHoosierCat
Oh brother! I just looked up the "Mother, please, I'd rather do it
myself" thing on my search bar (trying to remember which product they
were selling with that line) and came upon Paul F. Bosch's 1998 essay
doing the exact same thing. Well, so much for being done for the week.
I get to start over now. Bleahhh.
KHC
I couldn't help but notice that Christ's instruction was to let down
your "nets" and later we are told that the one "net" singular that was
let down was full to over flowing, just think what may have been if
multiple nets had been let down. The limits of the one may not have
been so taxed and the catch even even larger. Could this be a lesson
for the church? Humm I feel a sermon coming. Pastor Dan
Hello, I discovered a wonderful book entitled the Spirituality of
Imperfection (I don't have the author's name with me), and I hope to
weave into these passages from Luke and Isaiah reflection upon human
imperfection and the fundamental need to accept them along with our
powerlessness. We work so hard to be "perfect," and to hide our
imperfections. One reason why the 12-step groups are so appealing is
that they urge people to be themselves, warts and all, to surrender to
God and thereby be empowered. Sadly, this admission of imperfection
(and openness to forgiveness) is often hard to do within the context
of the traditional church community. Anyway, that is the direction I
seem to be headed.... Ruth
I don't know if this illustration could be used here, if not some
other Sunday about fishing. I was invited to a buddies church who has
satelite. We watched a live pastor's conference where one of the
speakers was Dr. D. James Kennedy. He shared these words about
fishing- "You know, as pastors and the church, we do most of our
fishing in a bath tub. We like the comfort of fishing within the walls
of our churches. The problem with fishing in a bath tub is that we
only get small bits of soap. The fish are in the streams, rivers and
lakes of the world. If we want to fish for people, we must go where
they are in the streams, rivers and lakes of life." PH in OH
"A frequent reader" - good historical sociological background ... but
can you give us a citation for the material?
Many thanks.
Blessings, Eric in OH
I have heard the blunt honesty of AA speakers. They are very sincere
and blunt to put it mildly. However, the relationship with God is
sometimes weak, especially when it comes to church ties. Many tend to
think of AA meetings as a substitute for church. While I agree AA is a
disease, there are some who would say, "God could deliver them and
this is not emphasized." PH in OH
Although the Epistle lesson and this Gospel pericope are also on the
Episcopal lectionary this week, the lessons from Hebrew Scriptures are
different. We have Judges 6:11-24a and Psalm 85. The Judges piece is
the commissioning of Gideon to go slay the Midianites -- his reaction
is, of course, "I can't do that; I'm the least of the least." You can
almost here the "we've never done it that way before" undertone. It
fits nicely with this lesson in that regard.
I will probably build my sermon around that theme -- "The Seven Last
Words of the Church" -- We've never done it that way before.
Blessings, Eric in OH
Why did Luke include this incident in his gospel? Why did Jesus
perform such a miracle? Was it to emphasise the power of Jesus, or his
uncanny knowledge of nature or some other reason?
If its about technique, then I certainly need to assess my own,
because our catch is currently rather limited. If its about personal
faith then I and many other clergy in my area, need to assess ours
because frankly we're not catching such large numbers that we're in
danger of "sinking the boat".
I think rather that its about position or direction of the ministry,
and I certainly need to change mine, because our church seems to have
been working in a kind of darkened state for the past 40 years and we
are experiencing the results of that direction in the numbers who now
affiliate with us on a regular basis. "We have fished all night and
caught nothing." And I think that this is certainly close to Luke's
point.
I like to think that Luke always had a reason for including what he
did in his material. He always used the events of Jesus life, as a
means of directing the corporate developing church.
In this case, it is into the deep water that he (Jesus) directs the
fishermen. Now, when I'm in deep water, it usually means that its over
my head. The kind of depth where I can't touch the bottom. Not in the
safety of the shallows, but perhaps even out of my league and out of
my capacity to cope.
Now I can't be sure of Luke's direct intention but I think he wants
the corporate church to understand something very fundamental about
the ministry.
While the church, and I remain in familiar territory or comfortable
surroundings, our catch (our influence upon the lives of people) will
be limited. It is in the unfamiliar, the uncomfortable reaches of our
lives that I think we do the best work for Christ. Those deep places
where we are floundering and simply relying entirely upon our faith
and grace. (as others have said)
To reach such numbers of people, however means that we can't possibly
sustain our current level of intimacy that we're used to. Whilst it
might seem exhilirating to contemplate such large numbers, it is not
without risk. Ministry that doesn't contain an element of risk, is
usually not effective.
My own experience of fishing, is that the best and largest gathering
of fish always seem to be in the most inhospitable places.
Ah well! That's the fishing life.
Regards to all for a great week. KGB in Aussie.
PS: Sally - My little experience with nets suggests that if they were
regularly netting off the bottom the nets are covered with mud, sand
and debris. Normally if you don't wash this off, it can seriously
weaken the net cord where it remains. Most fisherman simply rinse them
on the edge of the shore and then hang them to dry. Hope this helps.
KGB in Aussie's comments about fishing reminded me of a sermon I
preached four years ago at my former parish's annual membership
meeting. It had to do with the Markan version of the call of the
fishermen (Mark 1:14-20), but y'all might find something of use
there....
http://thefunstons.com/sermons/b012300.html
By the way -- don't use the evaluation form -- my consultation site is
currently laying fallow -- I haven't had time up-date it since
relocating to Ohio and have disabled most of it... So just use your
"back" button to return to this site.
Blessings, Eric in OH
Then there's "shooting fish in a barrel ..." gosh, the puns could go
on and on!
Just an odd sort of thought for food!
If we put the nets down and catch a bunch of bass, will we say, "Oh,
darn! I was hoping for perch!"
Sally
Just a note, the scripture as printed here on the forum is missing
verse 10. and so also were James and John, tsons of ebedee, who were
partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from
now on you will be catching peoople."
The phrase "deep waters" strikes me. If we only fish with shallow
words, will the catch be small? Nancy-Wi
I am learning to fly-fish. The thing about fly-fish that most amazes
me it that you have to know what the fish are biting on- what they are
hungry for. If you don't have the fly that resembles what the fish are
biting on, you might as well pack up your kit and go home.
We all hunger for the holy presence of God. Without that presence in
our lives, the nets of our daily existence come up empty. Clearly the
people are hungry...following Jesus and pressing upon him to the point
he has to scramble into Peter's boat. I have been pondering what words
Jesus spoke to the people from the back of the boat. Perhaps Peter's
encounter with the holy presence of God began as he heard Jesus speak
from the back of the boat. The words must have filled the God- shaped
hunger in Peter's heart, for Peter, the experienced fisherman, to
honor Jesus' request and let down his nets after a night of
unsuccessful fishing. The miraculous catch confirms Peter's growing
realization that he is in the presence of the living God. That
encounter with the holy seals Peter's commitment to Jesus and sends
him out, like an experienced fly-fisherman, who now knows from
personal experience the God-shaped "fly" that people hunger for.
Susan in GA
Sally - Regarding the fishermen washing their nets: from my experience
using hand power to pull in beach seines, the nets collect silt and
slime from the lake bottom which makes them really heavy and hard to
pull. What's more, if that stuff dries on the nets, then the nets will
be even heavier when they are used again and collect more slime. So
the fact that the fishermen were washing the nets suggests to me that
they just finished pulling them in and were doing their clean-up work
before calling it quits for the day. That would probably make them all
the more reluctant to heed a stranger's suggestion that they put down
the nets one more time and get them dirty all over again with no clear
sign that they might be more successful this time.
Bill - a former fisherman
When I read Simon's words"Well, if you say so..." I can't help hearing
them in the drawling sighs of Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh's defeatist
donkey friend. His nervous words of "Go away from me.." I imagine in
the nervous stutter of Piglet. Too much Milne?
If you want to get the full effect of reading this lection Sunday,
sneak into the sanctuary early and leave a few open cans of tuna under
the pews.
Sorry I have no constructive insights this early, tom in TN(USA)
I loved the title "What's the Catch?" Here's another... In this world
where money seems to be so all-important: What's Your Net Worth?
Tom in the Adirondacks
Two things that immediately come to me in this passage and the Isaiah
and Corinthians passages are the places of call (in a place of
worship, on a roadside and beside a lake) and the feelings of
unworthiness of those being called. Still very early in my ponderings
- not sure of where I'll be going. Looking forward to all your
comments. Blessings LGB
Can't help myself...
But is not this website kind of a "Net.." Catches all these fishes on
the Inter... NET.
I love this site!
RevJohn
Padresac.MS I believe we can "leave everyting" and stay where we are.
We can "leave" our greed and participation in materialism, we can
"leave" our conceit or our unhelpful humility, we can "leave" our
critical or complaining natures. We can "leave" whatever may separate
us from God or keep us from following Christ. Blessings LGB
I am doing "Fishing 101", I am getting a lot of this good stuff you
all are sharing in it! I think I am going to do like a syllabus,
decription of the job of "fishing for men". Blessings, Toni PS I am
usually "last-minute-Lucy" on here Saturday nights, Sally has a title
and I have a text! WOW!!
Hey, Tom, I think cat food would be more effective! Or even sardines.
Toni
OK, I think some of Sally is rubbing off on me! I am doing this in
"bites". Did anyone else notice that the scripture above has left out
vs 10? I was thinking, "Wait, it does not say anything about being
fishers of men", and I looked in my Bible and realized the verse was
missing! I have not seen that happen before. I usually just print the
scripture from here and make notes by them. Hmmmm? Blessings, Toni
I remember a bumper sticker, "A bad day of fishing is better that a
good day at the office." Aren't we blessed that we get paid for what
we do??
Nancy-Wi: I've always been captured by the phrase "Put out into the
deep water." Have you ever noticed that when fishing in shallow water,
the fish can seen you and scatter? When we carry a shallow
spirituality, or a shallow sense of worship, the very fish we are
trying to get into the net scatter. I'm coupling that concept with the
second part of that phrase, "Let Down Your Nets." If you don't take
the time and effort to let down your nets, if you don't cast out into
the deep, you will not catch any fish. Pure and simple. Shallow
Spirituality+No Effort=Empty Nets.
PastorBuzz in Tennessee
P.S. I'm thinking about using "A River Runs Through It" where the
narrator notes that his Presbyterian minister's father was quite proud
of the fact that the disciples were fishermen ... and John, the
Beloved, was a dry-fly fisherman.
Pastor Buzz wrote: "I'm thinking about using "A River Runs Through It"
where the narrator notes that his Presbyterian minister's father was
quite proud of the fact that the disciples were fishermen ... and
John, the Beloved, was a dry-fly fisherman."
"River Runs Through It" is a great book and a good movie.... but the
sort so "sport" fishing that a fly-fisherman does and the subsistence,
do-it-for-a-living seine fishing that the apostles did are two very
different activities. Personally, I think it belittles the call to be
"fishers of people" to equate it, even metaphorically, to sport
fly-fishing.... and I say that to one who spent many enjoyable hours
fly-fishing with my grandfather, some of the happiest memories of my
youth!
Blessings, Eric in OH
How many times have we been tired, through for the day (ready for the
showers, so to speak) and the word comes to us "throw out your nets"
Maybe there are times when God needs to get past our sacred (to us)
sense of self-suffiency, and can only do it when we have given up and
are ready to go to the house.
I attend an AA group that meets at my church, and tonight they were
talking about their "higher power" and what someone said really stuck
with me about a higher power (read:God) "how much more you can do with
God than without"
Rick Warren (yes, the purpose-driven guy) says that we need to set
goals for our church that are about ten times more than we can
reasonbaly expect to accomplish- so that we can give God room to work.
Sometimes, you just to have to trust that God knows more than we do
(which is harder than it sounds-at least for me) Human knowledge,
human experience, human skill are not unimportant- but the ability to
trust God is more important than anything else
revgilmer in texarkana
Is there any significance to the fact that it is only after Jesus has
finished speaking that he tells Peter to try the other side. How long
does he teach ( did he have to tie everything up in twenty minutes or
less?) does it end before the good time for fishing. Does everything
stop when Jesus teaches (Peter's partners are still there). Maybe my
liturgical sensibilities are overwrought, but is there something about
worship here, tying in with the Isaiah passage, which is thought to be
about worship? Any thoughts on this?
revgilmer in texarkana
What is shallow spirituality? How would you define it? I am trying to
put that into words. Nancy-Wi doing the little bits stuff too.
If they hadn't caught the huge catch of fish, would Peter have
followed? Did his faith depend on the act of Jesus to provide a
miracle?
Anonymous
PS KHC, why rewrite a sermon because somebody else did something like
it before? If you didn't steal it, it's your work.
bammamma, I am using the CD you suggested in Isaiah. I have some
questions for you over there in Isaiah. Nancy-Wi
"What's the Catch?" is a great title idea.
This week I'm building on the Jeremiah lection from last week. I
talked about "God's Timid Masterpieces" & how he made us to be
showcased in a special spot but some want to hide themselves in the
closet.
This week, I'm going to explore what happens when we step out in faith
and follow Jesus. I'll use two brief testimonies from each of my two
congregations. I'm planning to explore getting prepared for the
blessing God showers on us. My title alludes to the first "Jaws" movie
when the men set out to find the shark. They finally do, and the
sheriff's(?) comment gave me my title, "We're Gonna Need a Bigger
Boat!"
It's especially appropriate for my two little churches. This spring we
are stepping to revitalize our children's program. For the first time
in years we're going to offer children's choir, Sunday School and VBS.
There's no way it will fly unless God give us a miracle.
However, stepping out in faith is not something you do when you have
all you need. Faith is doing what God wants when there's no way to
accomplish the task without His help!
Peace & blessings
Rich in Bama
It sseems to me that there are two net releases and two catches. The
first is Jesus speaking from the boat to the crowd on shore. His net
is cast that he catch may be large. Then, he orders Peter to launch
out to the deeper water to let down their nets. A second catch is
made. Of fish? Perhaps. But, how about of fishermen who would learn to
cast out nets of the Word that the catch may be brought in. Lynn in
Blair.
Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught
nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." Luke 5:5
Oh, the insanity of the will when it is curved in on the self, the
inability to see or understand anyone else's suggestion - the power of
being always right! Jesus is not a fisherman, Jesus knows nothing
about this craft. Peter knows and has experience catching fish. What
is Jesus doing - going beyond his area of knowledge and "commanding"
Peter to do something that goes against every fiber of his being: "We
have worked all night and have caught nothing." (Under his breath he
must have been saying: Its no use, we have tried everything, I really
know better anyway).
It is only in the surrender, the letting go of the will and the ego,
turning toward Christ that the miracle happens. So it was with Isaiah,
it was recognizing (turning toward) the unseen Glory of God that the
prophet recognized his own sinfulness.
In both accounts through their surrender they were ready to respond to
a call. We must do all we can to examine our own refusal to submit and
to turn in order to follow the one who is Life.
tom in ga
When I read this passage this time around, the line that stuck with me
was - "Jesus got into their boat..." , hence, my sermon will be
something like - Jesus in your boat. We often think of spiritual,
dedicated, very faithful people as seeking and finding God and serving
willingly - didn't Mother Teresa do it this way? Didn't ML King do it
this way.... well, no. Its not that they (or we) go off to find a
Savior, or find God to ask for an assignment (or a call, to use church
language), its more like God comes looking for us, right where we
live,love work,worry, and make ends meet. For Isasih it happened in a
worship - GOd came into his "vision". FOr Moses it was out with the
sheep when he couldn't resis investigating that odd bush. MLK somewhat
reluctantly got involved in a bus incident and boycott in the 50's.
Our initial response is (like Peter, Isaish, Moses, MLK, Mother
Teresa...)typically - Oh, not me.... I can't.... I'm not worthy or
special. In fact, our idea that there are special people who go off to
look for a special relationship with GOd may be a way for us to avoid
a call. But God knows us, and God sends us CHrist, and Jesus gets in
our car, sits by our desk, watches us type at the computer, stands in
our kitchen, urging us to go to the deeps of life with him..... still
working.... Jim in CT.
A reply to Rev. Jan:
The tune's a good one...but you've got to match the meter:
1. We've never tried that way before... (we've never tried that
way...etc)
2. We tried it and it didn't work... (we...tried it years
ago...we...tried it years ago)
3. What will the other churches say? (what...will the
others...what...will the others..)
and I've got to come up with positive verses:
4. The best way to fail is not to try... (the best way to fail...the
best way to fail...)
5. If Jesus wants it, it will fly... (If Jesus wants it...If Jesus
wants it...)
6. God's plans take work and sacrifice... (Jesus makes it
possible...Jesus makes it possible)
So sing Alleluia to the Lord...etc.
Da Rev in CT
New lyrics © Borderlands Music, 2004. Please feel free!
Jim in CT - you're so right; we don't go looking for a savior = I'd
say it was primarily because we're not aware we need one. And our
Savior comes to us, not the other way around.
On the other hand, we are created with a vague sense of
incompleteness, restlessness, yearning, thirst that will not slake
until heppening upon the "real thing." My favorite analogy is the
Country-Western song, "Looking For Love in All the Wrong Places."
Prevenient Grace, in more highbrow circles.
As for me, I'm remembering the really bad movie from the 70's,
"Logan's Run." Remember? they went looking for "sanctuary," having
been sheltered from anything but their geodome.
We somehow know there's something more, but it's a combination of us
going to him and him coming to us - but from then on, it's us
FOLLOWING him.
Sally in GA
oops - should clarify. We're aware we need somehting - just not aware
of what type of Savior we need.
Someone mentioned AA - well, to get all Dr. Phil about it, the
addiction began with a type of payoff. You're self-medicating and
therefore that numbing-like buzz is your payoff. So, in a way, alcohol
is the savior.
However it's not the right savior.
Sally
Am I the only one here that can see Isaiah's understanding of his
sinful self and Peter's realization that he is a sinner and relate
this to the filth that passed for a half-time show this past Sunday
during the Super Bowl? Has our culture sunk so low that crotch
grabbing, pelvis thrusting and the unspoken permission to tear off a
woman's clothing is okay? We get glimpses of the holy Lord in Jesus'
preaching and teaching with authority and his ability to cast out
demons and heal the sick. Isaiah envisions God upon the throne of
heaven and the seraphim choir echoing Holy, Holy, Holy throughout the
ages and we are stuck in small boats with dirty nets! I'm not sure
where I want to go with this. My Lutheran soul cries "grace, grace"
and then I realize that I, too, am a sinful woman being asked by Jesus
to cast my net. Just some thoughts rattling in my brain. Blessings to
all of you. You are my "text study" as I slog through Hebrew and Greek
and all the joys of seminary work. - Seminary Cindy
Thanks, Eric for the link to your sermon. I like the idea of our
limited concept of evangelism as being one (person), one pole, one
fish at a time, versus hauling in a whole net full. How small our
vision. My teenage daughter attends a church that keeps doubling in
size. It's possible to make disciples in large groups. We haven't
gotten there in my church yet, our style is more humble. But who knows
what may happen if you listen to Jesus?
DGinNYC
Nancy - Wi,
Here's my attempt at an explanation of shallow spirituality.
Shallow spirituality is the difference that Jesus refers to regarding
the pharisees. They clean the outside of the cup, but fail to deal
with the inside.
Their spiritual reality is related to what is physically visible and
temporal. It is the easier way. To simply appear holy, is much easier,
than actually being holy. To appear loving and compassionate and
caring, is much easier than actually loving as God dictates.
Shallow spirituality is often connected with moral purity, civil
acceptance, social norms, rather than a genuine conviction for those
that society (and sometimes even the church)- spurns.
To go deeper into oneself, is to discover the darkness of ones own
being, and the inert prejudice and errant thinking that govern our
everyday existence. Jesus was a deep thinking person, who saw the
injustice caused by people operating only on the surface of life.
Superficial Christians concerned only with how God and the church
appear to the world, I have found contribute very little to the
concern for those who truly do know themselves to be sinful beings.
In this I refer to the opening chapter of Phillip Yancey's book -
"What's so amazing about grace"
"Church!" she cried. "Why would I ever go there? I was already feeling
terrible about myself. They'd just make me feel worse."
As I said at the beginning, this is my attempt. I think the western
modernised world, accepts so much shallow spirituality disguised as
deep thinking, that we have become very surface orientated. Jesus was
the man who hung around with prostitutes, publicans, dirty and rough
fishermen, tax collectors and the like. All those that the Pharisees
regarded as despised by God.
Please accept these token thoughts in the spirit of one beggar showing
another, where to find bread.
Regards, KGB
We need to keep the West Virginia Conference people in prayer, this is
the year for them to have a new Bishop. Plus, they Endorsed two to be
nominated Rev. Tom Bickerton and Rev. Randy Flanagan...God Bless them
both. (I hope the WV Conference gets a female bishop! I am praying for
that! Ready or Not WV!)
CB in West Ohio
Another big fish story! In a reference book of 14,000 quips and quotes
there are a number of them about fishermen. Here's one...."It is
generally agreed that no honest men are fishermen." And
another....."How far a fisherman stretches the truth depends on the
length of this arms." And yet another......"African natives fish lying
down but in this country fishermen lie standing up." Thankfully, our
text this week is not just another big fish story.
SW Ohio guy
Happpy Day to All,
Just getting ready to say something "catchy" this week and noticed
that I sometimes feel like I make aweful bait. I wiggled and wiggled
avoiding the insertion of that cross in my life missing the importance
of allowing the sharp edge of that hook to pierce my heart with such
loving precision that I can continue to wiggle attracting others to
this bizzare dance known as servant ministry.
I too appreciate the title "What's The Catch" for I was anxious to
know the price that had to be paid for the peace and serenity that I
felt when I moved toward my call and not further away. I was easily
swayed to envision that ministry was about me fishing for others
instead of realizing I am the bait. Even more important is the
understanding that "fishing" and CATCHING are very different concepts
opening all kinds of issues not the least of which is what fish were
needed for in the first place....food - How about the clip from Nemo
where the shark yells "I'M HAVING FISH TONIGHT" - We really do need to
be able to acknowledge that we, like those we hope to catch are called
to be fodder for the world, nothing less, nothing more. Kind of hard
to sell even for a strapping fisherman who knew that he would want
Jesus to "fish" his way....Say it ain't so Jesus...I never Knew
him...Yet Jesus' sacrificial example demonstates a profound reality
that living in community, building love relationships that seek to
meet the needs of the marginalized and voiceless will be far more
impressive than a full net of fish...
My title will be "Here's the Catch" stemming from my post resurrection
perspective that discipleship is a dance of joy in the midst of
sorrow. A foolish practice of acceptance and offering of time talent
and resource in hopes of extending the table....not just in hope that
I will one day eat in the eternal presence of the fisherman who caught
me, but the miraculous realization that whenever I am blessed to have
something to eat and someone to eat with today that God is right here
with me. That makes me dance a little harder and, I hope catches
someones attention....
This video is about a philosophy of living that is very applicable to
ministry... Sorry for the wind, but just wanted to share....Getting
Hooked on all of you,
Cyrktrder64
This year I am focusing on issues of hunger as I explore this reading.
The catch is fish. Food. Here is Jesus again filling the bellies of
the poor who labour all night long and have nothing. The disciples
leave everything to follow Jesus, which I understand as following the
way of global peace and justice. I think most who post on this site
are ministering with privileged churches, and the passage challenges
us to leave behind our excess in order to embrace the calling to live
and work with the poor. My congregation struggles with maintaining a
building full of exquisite stained glass windows. We argue about
worship styles. I think this passage call us to place our struggles
elsewhere, to leave everything we know of North American church and
examine what Jesus really calls us to be and do.
Life must have been rather unsettling in Palestine with Jesus of
Nazareth on the loose. Wherever he went, crowds seemed to materialize,
normal daily routines were disturbed, lives were put into such new
perspectives that perfectly good occupations suddenly seemed
irrelevant--even the age-old rules about when and where to fish no
longer held! Jesus had a way of threatening the old and promising the
new, of changing the lives of anyone he touched. Peter could have
borne eloquent witness to that fact. This story about Peter concerns
the beginning of his contact with Jesus, a contact which was to have
importance beyond anything Peter could ever have imagined when he
changed his vocation from catching fish to catching people. But Peter
knew that he had to follow that man, come what might. Could Peter in
this story have anything to say to us about our response to Jesus?
A sermon on this passage could well have as its theme the kind of
change which contact with Jesus Christ brings into one's life. The
story has descriptive, but perhaps also prescriptive, values. Life
simply is not the same after contact with Jesus. For one thing, he
opens our insight into ourselves. He is dangerous to the way we have
lived and the way we want to live. He lets us see dimensions of
ourselves that are not pleasant to see. In the light of his grace, the
dark corners of our lives come into view, and we are forced to admit
we are not what we pretend to be, or even what we want to be. With
Peter, we must confess that we are sinful people. But that is not the
end by any means. Contact with Jesus also means we have a task set
before us. Our old priorities may suddenly collapse, in light of the
new priorities Jesus puts before us. Contact with him may change the
way we carry out our whole lives. We may not, with Peter, abandon our
old vocations, but we will surely carry them on in a new pattern of
relationships with our communities. Thus, Peter acts out the only
response appropriate to contact with Jesus of Nazareth: he, Jesus,
must become supremely important in our lives. We will not become
disciples in the way Peter did. We cannot follow Jesus the way Peter
did. But we can accept the challenge te risen Jesus puts to our lives.
We know what Peter in this story did not know: that Jesus of Nazareth,
risen from the dead, has become God's glorified Christ. Have we any
alternative but to put him first in our lives?
The danger in such a sermon is to give the idea we can all become
little Peters. We cannot, obviously, but surely Peter's response has
paradigmatic value; the structure of the story points to the fact.
Peter here acts out the ideal response to the challenge of Jesus. That
is the emphasis the sermon ought to have, put in terms appropriate to
the contemporary situation.
Nancy In WI
ran across this quote in my daily mailing from the bruderhof community
(thanks to Eric for pointing out this website http://www.bruderhof.com)
"When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically
thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most
gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap." (Cynthia Heimel)
Robert Capon in his book "The Foolishness of Preaching" talks about
how we are so afraid to be thought of as foolish that we reach a very
limited Gospel, and that every preacher who is afraid of being a fool
for Christ will eventually become "just a damn fool."
Shallow spirituality is a piety that is safe, that never takes risks,
that thinks it can depend completely on itself. It is a spirituality
that seeks only to feel better, that does not look beyond the end of
its own nose. It stays in the shallows because it is afraid of the
deep, of the changes that being in the deep water will bring about.
Going into the deep is dangerous, because you are not in control in
the deep water. Oh, and if you're not going to drown, you need
something to hold on to (even Mark Spitz can't tread water forever)
And along the lines of being a fool for Christ and in the spirit of
Yancey's (ahem) best book "What's So Amazing About Grace?" (which is a
very dangerous book in the best sense of the Word) here are the lyrics
to a Rich Mullins song that talks about the depths Of Jesus
Surely God Is With Us
Well, who's that man who thinks He's a prophet?
Well, I wonder if He's got something up His sleeve
Where's He from?
Who is His daddy?
There's rumors He even thinks Himself a king
Of a kingdom of paupers
Simpletons and rogues
The whores all seem to love Him
And the drunks propose a toast
And they say, "Surely God is with us.
Well, surely God is with us."
They say, "Surely God is with us today!"
Who's that man who says He's a preacher?
Well, He must be, He's disturbing all our peace
Where's He get off, and what is He hiding
And every word He says those fools believe
Who could move a mountain
Who would love their enemy
Who could rejoice in pain
And turn the other cheek
And still say, "Surely God is with us, Well, surely God is with us,"
Who'll say, "Surely God is with us today, today!"
They say, "Surely God is with us Well, surely God is with us"
They say, "Surely God is with us"
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Heaven belongs to them Blessed are those who make peace
They are God's children I Am the Bread of Life, and the Way"
You hear that Man, believe what He says!
Tell me, who's that Man, they made Him a prisoner
They tortured Him and nailed Him to a tree
Well if He's so bad, who did He threaten?
Did He deserve to die between two thieves?
See the scars and touch His wounds
He's risen flesh and bone
Now the sinners have become the saints
And the lost have all come home
And they say, "Surely God is with us (Surely God is with us)
Well, surely God is with us,"
They say, "Surely God is with us today!" (Today!)
They say, "Surely God is with us Well, surely God is with us"
They say, "Surely God is with us today"
grace and peace
revgilmer (trying to stay warm like most of the country) in Texarkana
I'm heading for the deep water myself. I've got a couple of stories
about water that I can work into the sermon (the first day of swimming
class when I jumped into the deep end, bobbed up like a bobber on a
line...and then remembered I couldn't swim...) and the time we headed
out of the calm of Renshaw Bay right into the leftovers of a
thunderstorm on Lake Ontario that nearly swamped our boat. Nothing
like seeing water 3 feet over the gunwales to port and starboard as
the bow of your little Arkansas Traveler slams into the waves...and
somehow you know the 13 and a half horsepower motor's not cutting
it...
The deep water may appear calm, but it holds a threat to security, our
established ways of doing and being. That way lies uncertainty,
adventure. What can a carpenter tell fishermen about their business?
But Lord, if you says so...
Peter and the rest went out fishing at night using torches to draw the
fish, which would come up to feed in the cool nights. During the day
the fish headed away from the hot sunlight. They went into the deep
water.
Fish in shallow water, all you catch is minnows.
Da Rev in CT
grace and peace
revgilmer (trying to stay warm like most of the country) in Texarkana
I had a fraternity brother from Texarkana named Tom Dodds. He told me
about the goat ropers and cedar choppers in those parts. If you should
run into him, tell him Charlton says hello for me. Thanks...
Da Rev in CT
I'm titling this week's sermon "An honest Fish Tale" (speaking of
DIShonest fishermen). Peter's response to jesus' miracle is naked
fear, not joy. I think this probably relates to the ancient belief
that no sinful human could survive in the presence of God's holiness
(e.g. the OT belief that no one could look upon God's face and live).
Peter knows their catch is miraculous, explainable only by the fact
that Jesus must be a very holy man. He asks Jesus to depart because he
fears for his life. I think that is one big reason Christians don't do
more to serve Christ. On his website, Richard Fairchild has a neat
children's sermon to go with this text:
CHILDREN'S TIME: "God Will Lift Us Up" Object - Two children - almost
the same height. Theme - God makes us able. Source - Self and Weisheit,
The Gospel For Kids, Series C, 1979
Good morning -- Last week we talked about how each of us - no matter
how little or how big is the just the right size to hold the gift of
God's love. I want to talk a little more today about being the right
size.
There are a lot of people who do not feel good enough to talk to God -
or to help Jesus do his work in the world, to share his gift of love.
Do you know why that might be?? (Do wrong things, don't have the
ability)
And do you know what - they are right. None of is really good enough
to help God out - none of us is as holy as God, or as special as
Jesus. But God tells us to not be afraid of him or to worry about
whether we have the ability to do what Jesus did. God asks us to help
him give his gift of love to the world anyway. And God makes us able
enough to do his work.
Let me show you something - I need two of you to stand here beside me
-- which one of these is taller??? (Exchange one kid for another)
Which is taller now??? Who is taller than me??? None of you??? So you
couldn't reach as high as me??? Let's pretend for a minute that I am
God. Here is what God does for those whom he asks to follow him and
help him show his love in the world. PICK UP KID -- now you can reach
where I reach -
God lifts us up too - God wants us to talk to him and work for him and
God lifts us up so that we are able to do the work - he makes us able.
I think because Peter is honest about his fear, Jesus is able to help
him, to assure him that God will "lift him up" so that he will be able
to serve God and live a life worthy of the calling of God.
CB in Ohio, are you a member of the WV Conference, or a former member?
I agree that a woman or an ethnic bishop (or both!) would be a great
blessing to us and stir us up, but I hope and pray that WHOEVER our
new bishop is, she/he will be a strong leaser and pastor!
P.S. Please continue to pray for me, sisters & brothers. My Feb.2
surgery was cancelled (2nd time!). I'm rescheduled now for Feb.11. I
really want to get this over with so I can get back on my feet! Please
remember me. Ken in WV
A friend came across something Will Willimon wrote about this passage
in which when those "fishers of people" meant they were to "take 'em
alive." Catch them alive, transform them by showing them Christ, and
then letting them go back into the water. Don't know where he got it
but it gave it a different slant. What a wonderful Sunday to invite
people to go out and invite someone to church for next Sunday!
Mark in WI
In the line of the conversation between "A W-G rocky coast Me" and "JWS"
a parallel scripture is Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman at the
well. That story is no more about water than this story is about fish.
Both are about Jesus and about life, as Peter and the Samaritan woman
eventually recognize. Water and fish are "bait", but unfortunately the
people around Jesus kept mistaking the "special effects" for the
"substance" we all need. You can even add the Isaiah 6 passage into
this understanding. Christians weren't devastated when the Temple was
destroyed because they understood that the power wasn't in the coal.
It wasn't even in the seraph who carried the coal. The power was in
God, where it has always been and always will be. I'm not one of those
who writes there sermon on Monday or Tuesday. Mine gets done on Friday
or Saturday. That's why this comment is too later than most. Thanks to
all who have written good stuff so far.
Alan Selig
Sorry that this is so late, but then, you all are probably far beyond
my little insight. While I was shoveling the snow from my driveway
this morning, it suddenly hit me: It was the great bounty (gift,
graciousness, etc.) of God that apparently produced guilt in Peter.
Not the Law. Not condemnation. Not someone telling him how bad he was.
Not an angry God, but rather a loving, giving, gracious God. Despite
the sucess of Jonathan Edward's famous sermon, I find this
fascinating. Too bad it's Friday. I'd like to have a week to think
about this. Any ideas from anyone else? LB in MN
To: A pastor on the Jersey Shore: I just now read your comment. I
agree with you if you are saying that God can do marvelous things with
our words; gracious ones sometimes are heard by the conrgegation as
condemnation, condemning words sometimes are heard as grace; hopefully
God sorts it all out as it is needed. But I'm sure you would agree
that when the Bible says that God loves them (actually, I'd prefer
us)that it is not cheap grace to preach to them (us) that God loves
them (us.) Actually, it occures to me that there may be no substantive
difference between God's love and God's grace. What do you think? LB
in MN
Since believers are simul iustus et peccator, the proclaimed word of
God can be interpreted as either Law or Gospel, depending upon whether
it is "filtered" by the sinner or by the saint.
The sinner in us will always rebel and despise, while the saint in us
will always rejoice in the Word.
We are called to preach faithfully, and not try and determine the
impossible task of how the message will be interpreted - that is up to
the Holy Spirit and the individual.
I'd suggest reviewing CFW Walther's theses from "The Proper
Distinction between Law & Gospel". Keeping in mind, that Luther said
that anyone who can always properly distinguish between the two should
automatically be given a doctorate in theology.
Luther in IA
I keep thinking about George Hunsberger's chapter in the book "Missional
Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America"...he
points out that we often speak of building/establishing/bringing about
the reign of God or of extending/spreading/growing/expanding God's
reign. Isn't this where "invite someone to church" fits in? Our
cultural instincts are to think of the reign of God as something we
achieve or enlarge.
The NT words, he says, are receive and enter. This week's texts are
illustrations of receiving God's reign. Isaiah's vision and the fish
were both gifts given. While we may hunger and seek God's face, while
we may hope for justice and peace (God's reign), it is God's gift not
our doing.
In light of this truth, he says that "Daily life becomes a discipline
of asking how one may move more squarely into the realm of God's reign
and how one may welcome and receive it into the fabric of one's life
this day more than ever before."
The framework for evangelism moves from recruiting or co-opting into
the church to an invitation of companionship: "The church would
witness that its members, like others, hunger for the hope that there
is a God who reigns in love and intends the good of the whole earth.
The community of the church would testify that they heave heard the
announcemnt that such a reign is coming, and indeed is already
breaking into the world. They would confirm that they have heard the
open welcome and received it daily, and they would invite others to
join them as those who also have been extended God's welcome. To those
invited, the church would offer itself to assist their entrance into
the reign of God and to travel with them as co-pilgrims." (p. 97)
As I wonder also how we are equipped/what our equipment is for
fishing...could it be our stories of seeing God high and lifted up
when we were low, our experiences of humility when seeing ourselves in
the light of God, the opportunities we are given to start again?
Note: I am posting this to all three list.
Using all three readings I have titled my message "Unfit," using
Paul's self-description of his qualifications for apostleship. There
seem to be various human preoccupations that would tend to distract us
from the activity of God in human events.
That somewhat nebulus idea leads me to wonder about Isaiah's
preoccupation with Uzziah's kingship and the future of Judah now that
he's finally gone. Does anyone have awareness of that particular topic
or a reference that I might consult?
Any refinement of these thoughts or this outline would be appreciated.
Things that disqualify us from discipleship. 1. Politics - Isaiah.
Relied too heavily on the king.
2. Profession - Peter. Relied too heavily on his work.
3. Prejudice - Paul. Relied too heavily on his self-righteousness.
The only way we are made fit is by the cleansing blood of Christ.
Hey, I've still got 40 hours to develop it . . . or go another
direction.
PKFlyer in TX
ADDENDUM: The point being that as unfit as we may feel for kingdom
work, God's call makes us fit.
God doesn't call the qualified.
God qualifies those who God calls.
Jesus doesn't address the "sinfulness" of Peter...instead, he tells
Peter to "not be afraid." It is as if Jesus bypasses Peter's
confession. Peter is not called in spite of his sinfulness...it is a
given I suppose. Jesus calls Peter out of his immense love for Peter
as he is--as a human being. Yes, he is unworthy but that is not the
issue. We all are unworthy. Jesus calls us and we decide whether to
respond/follow or not. Perhaps it is easier to make a decision to
follow someone if they love us instead of one who condemns us as
sinner. Title: "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God" vs. Johnathan
Edwards' coercion tact.
RevKev in OK
Jesus doesn't address the "sinfulness" of Peter...instead, he tells
Peter to "not be afraid." It is as if Jesus bypasses Peter's
confession. Peter is not called in spite of his sinfulness...it is a
given I suppose. Jesus calls Peter out of his immense love for Peter
as he is--as a human being. Yes, he is unworthy but that is not the
issue. We all are unworthy. Jesus calls us and we decide whether to
respond/follow or not. Perhaps it is easier to make a decision to
follow someone if they love us instead of one who condemns us as
sinner. Title: "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God" vs. Johnathan
Edwards' coercion tact.
RevKev in OK
A late post, Sat. am. This passage as touched me this week while
doctors have been doing endless gi tests on my 86 year old mother. It
has been like casting a heavy net over and over again. Doctor's
disagreeing over what is the matter. (where to cast next) Also thought
of Isaiah's world that crumbled with the death of Uzziah. My title is
The Fish Finder that I think I saw somewhere on this site. Not so much
a miracle story that Jesus will produce an instant cure, but that in a
sea that seems empty, Jesus assures me that there are fish out there
somewhere and I can in faith keep on casting. Glad to report that they
finally discovered a gall bladder problem and remvoed it. Will not
solve all of Mom's health problems, but we are one step further along
with God's help. Will begin with a conversation with a man in Ukraine
who was suspicious of us "rich" Americans who went to help build a
church. He did his work and spoke to almost no one. But at lunch
(through an interpreter) he did ask me about fish finders. I have no
idea how they work but I described how this screen show drawings of
fish and gives the depths at which they supposedly are. He then told
me how he cut a hole in the ice to fish and I get the idea that this
is not a sport for him but a meal for a table. No Roland Martin
program here where we show them off and throw them back,(an
evangelistic approach I have seen) but a life and death struggle for
survival. The word is in hopless situations keep on casting. jrbnrnc
