I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

by Jonathan Spurlock
(Holts Summit, MO)

Text: Luke 5:1-11

Background: Jesus taught the Word of God to people, asking Simon Peter to launch out a little from the shore. He then asked Simon to launch into the deep water. Simon reluctantly agreed. Watch what happens when the fishing trip was eventually over!

Introduction: What would you do if Jesus asked you to do something? Peter was one of the few who did Jesus a favor, humanly speaking, and received far more than he ever thought possible. Let’s look!

I The Two Requests

A-Launch out a little way from the land (v3)
B-Put out into the deep water (v4)
The Lake/Sea of Galilee was 16 miles long and 6 miles across!

II The Two Responses

A-A reluctant response (we’ve worked all night, catching nothing)
(Greek word means labor to the point of exhaustion!)
B-A grudging agreement (but if You say so, we’ll do it)

Was Simon Peter trusting his training or experience more than Jesus?

III The Two Results

A-The boat’s nets were filled to the breaking point
B-Simon and the others left the entire business to follow Jesus

Note that Jesus never said, “Follow Me” as He had done other times!

This was a voluntary decision on Peter’s part (and the others)

Conclusion: Jesus didn’t ask every fisherman to forsake anything and follow Him, but we ought to be willing to do whatever Jesus asks of us.

How many blessings have we lost because we didn’t respond to His requests?