I would like to start off with a serious question for you. I would like for you to think about your life for a moment. If you knew that the current life you are living at this very moment was the same life you would be living for eternity, would you choose the life you are living now? If the answer is no, then why are you living the life you are living now? A few years ago I met with someone who was in their 80’s that told me they have lived a wonderous life with no serious pains or suffering. They grew up splendid and had everything they ever needed. In other words, they are living or have lived a life where the words “living happy ever after,” would fit quite positively. I suppose for some, that would be possible. However, for me, and I know many others, I cannot say that! My life needs to be better because of sin! And its sin that is the culprit of suffering. To help give a better grasp on mankind’s deep roots with sin, God tells the prophet Jeremiah The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick [wicked]. Who can understand it? No matter how you dish it out friends, the life we live needs repaired. So, I guess my question to ask you to recap, are you ready to meet God if you are called home at this moment, or is there work to be done? Knowing we are not promised our next breath and as the Gospel ship leaves port, I can just hear the words, All Aboard. Scripture tells us, “Today is the day of salvation. Choose you this day whom you will serve.”
In 2024, a UK gazette article stated that a Yorkshire man was arrested for driving drunk. The surprising source of the intelligence to arrest the man came from the man himself. He apparently called the police and explained he had drunk way too many and that he was drunk behind the wheel. He swiftly was arrested, but what is striking is no matter how bad a situation is, its never too late to seek restoration and healing by first admitting he are wrong.
In todays scripture reading, in Gospel of Luke we learn a side of Simon Peter that we would not expect which is making a deliberate confession towards his own sinful life. Lets start at verse 3. And He [Jesus] got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little distance from the land. And He sat down and continued teaching the crowds from the boat. Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” To this point, the men are tired. Previous attempts to catch fish failed. And notice it wasn’t just one attempt, but all night long, while dealing with the dreary waves, cold and wind. In other words, Simon Peter said, Why? However, they did as Jesus directed them.
And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking. Could you just imagine the immense energy, the joy and surprise in all their faces. They spent all night fishing and caught nothing, but now, following Christ’s instructions, they are now more than full, they are fully satisfied with a smorgasbord of fish! This should declare to you friends that listening to God, even in circumstances we cannot understand, always pays off!
But then, while others were rejoicing and seeing a miracle right before them, Simon Peter, the rock, recognized something he may have never really seen before. Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man! What did Simon Peter see exactly? What did he experience? Without much detail, Peter discovered just how sinful he really was! In so much as to even say to Jesus, Go away from me! Isn’t that cold words to say? But in reality, Simon truly felt lower than an ant! He felt so undeserving, sinful and down right unfaithful! But why? Well there is a hint in verse 9 that I would like for you to remember. For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken. Simply put, Simon’s faith had failed! He couldn’t believe what just happened before his eyes! Remember, the disciples had been with him not too long now. Seeing Jesus doing miracles, hearing His wonderful words of life, but yet, when Simon actually saw the miracle of the fish, it truly sidetracked him; caught him by surprise. Peter’s faith and dedication to God was in question! Truth be told, if Simon was asked if He is ready to meet God, his answer would probably be no because of how he felt. However, the story does not end there! And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” So, Jesus has now given Peter and us a mission! We are to catch people. The Greek word used here dzō-gray'-o means to literally capture alive. This directly means we, as servants of God, are to go to people, catch them to save them through Christ our Lord.
Jesus forgave Peter. Jesus delivered on His promise to supply them with fish. Jesus showed that even though Peter wanted Jesus to depart from him, even when Peter felt so unworthy and unfaithful—Jesus not only did not leave him but gave Peter and us today a mission. Do Not Fear! Go and do God’s work. Regardless of your viewpoint of faith, regardless of your inability to serve Christ like others, regardless of who you think you are in this world, regardless of any decision you made, Christ tells us, do not fear! Get ready for work! I will prepare a way for you! This is why I ask you to consider today. Are you ready to board the Gospel Ship, even if you have limited faith and abilities? According to Jesus and the scriptures, regardless of what your lacking, Christ can make it whole again. This is where we need a decision. A decision to say Lord, forgive me. I am unworthy and unfaithful. Forgive me of my sins and allow me to become new again in your likeness and in your love.
In closing friends, if we based our lives strictly on our faithlessness and unworthiness then we are looking at Christ the wrong way. We don’t come to God, get ready to leave this earth to then receive our eternal reward based upon how good we are, how faithful we have become or even how awesome we are in church. We come to God because of what God has done for us! We are unworthy in every aspect of the word. Scripture even tells us, “We cannot do enough to please God!” We do not have the full capability to do so. God has the ultimate plan in mind which is you and me.
In 2007, Dan McConchie, vice president of government affairs at Americans United for Life, got into a serious motorcycle accident which left him a paraplegic. The doctors claimed it would be a miracle if he ever walked again. Eleven years had passed and Dan was still in a wheelchair. Dan then said this. “What I learned,” Dan said, “is that this life isn’t for our comfort. Instead, the purpose of this life is that we become conformed to the image of Christ. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen when everything is unicorns and rainbows. It instead happens when life is tough, when we are forced to rely upon God through prayer just to make it through the day. That is when he is most at work in our lives molding us into who he designed us to be.
“My prayers are different today than they several years ago. Back then, I looked at God like Santa Claus. I asked him to send nice things my way. Now, I have one prayer that I pray more than any other: ‘Lord, may I be able to say at the end of today that I was faithful.’” In 2016, Dan was elected to the Illinois state senate, where he continues to serve, lead, and witness for Christ.
Getting ready friends means we are to prepare. In preparations, we are to rely fully on Christ! Even when we don’t think we have the faith like Peter, God says, “Yes you do because I’m here with you!”
With God all things are possible. Amen