Luke 5:1-11 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, ² he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” ⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” ⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

1. Who is Jesus?
   1. One of his early followers summed it up, “he is the image of the invisible God”
   2. This text (along with the rest of Scripture) gives us insight into what God is like

Key Points of the Text

1. Jesus goes to where the people are (v. 1); he hung out with the average person
   1. Jesus was immensely popular at the time; people flocked to listen to him
   2. God’s story in Scripture is exciting, relevant, and life changing

1. Jesus reveals his divine power to the fisherman through the miracle
   1. It took an act of faith on Peter’s part
   2. God desires to reveal himself to us; but we need to be willing take a step of faith and seek him
   3. James 4:8 “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you”

1. Jesus accepts them despite their sinfulness
   1. Simon Peter recognizes he should even be in the presence of this holy man because his life does not measure up
   2. Instead of judgment, Simon receives unexpected grace
   3. Grace—undeserved mercy from God by which not only are our past sins forgiven, but we are given the unconditional promise of God’s presence with us for all eternity

1. Jesus calls them out of their old life and presents a new life
   1. They left their boats, the catch of fish, and their jobs to follow Jesus
   2. They have a new purpose in life- to reach to others for Christ

1. We have a need for God
   1. There is a God-shaped hole in every human heart (Blaise Pascal)—we will never experience life to the fullest until we let him in
   2. Have you received unexpected grace? Are you longing for God’s grace?
   3. Have you heard the call of Jesus to follow him?
   4. Is there something holding you back from following Jesus? Something you have to leave behind in order to follow him?