1. Jesus’
Request (Command) – 5:4.
a) Launch
out into the deep and let down your nets. This must have seemed illogical to
Peter.
i) Jesus
asked them to do the very thing they had been doing all night.
ii) They
had been fishing in the same unproductive waters.
iii) They
were tired physically.
iv) They
were already cleaning their nets.
b) Bible
contains numerous commands that seemed illogical to man.
i) The
capture of Jericho -Joshua 6:1-21.
ii) Gideon’s
victory over the Midianites – Judges 6:1-21.
iii) Cleansing
of Naaman the leper – II Kings 5:1-14.
2. Peter’s
Reluctance – 5:5.
a) "Master,
we have toiled all night and taken nothing, nevertheless."
i) Peter
seems to be saying, "It won’t work, but if it will make you happy, we’ll
do it anyway."
ii) But
notice the reward for his obedience.
b) We
ought to obey God’s commands willingly, rather than reluctantly.
i) Jesus
demonstrated this attitude prior to his death (nevertheless) - Matthew 26:28-31.
ii) Paul
saw a need to continue living in the flesh even though this was contrary to what
he desired (nevertheless) - Philippians 1:23-24.
3. Peter’s
Reaction – 5:8-9.
a) "Depart
from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord". Why is Peter now acknowledging his
sin?
i) Realizes
he is in the presence of deity.
ii) Realizes
the sin of his reluctance in obeying God.
b) Peter
now realizes what all of us must realize before we are fit to serve Christ.
i) The
deity of Christ.
ii) His
own sins.
