Fisherman Becomes Man-Fisher

Bible Book: Luke 4

Subject: Soul Winning; Witnessing; Evangelism; Preach as Evangelist

Introduction

"Fisherman Becomes Man-Fisher" could be the headline to describe a day in the life of Simon Peter. The Synoptic Gospels record this account (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; and Luke 5:1-11). We read in Luke 4:42-5:11, “Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.’ And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.’ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”

Rev. John McNeill (1854–1933), known as the “Scotch Spurgeon,” preached from the words, “‘He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught,’ announce[d] as his divisions ‘Launching Out, Letting Down, and Leaving All,’ [Luke 5:4]. . .”[1] Building on his outline; note five links of trust and obedience in a golden chain of faith.

I. Launching Out

Luke 5:4 reads, “‘Launch out into the deep . . .” It is interesting that these seasoned fishermen would take fishing advice from someone known as the carpenter’s son. They wisely deferred to the one who made the fish and everything else. Through divine omniscience Jesus could detect the fish and through divine omnipotence He could direct them. Either way, it reveals His miraculous power.

This is the first link of trust and obedience in a golden chain of faith.

II. Letting Down

Luke 5:5 reads, “. . . let down your nets. . . But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’” Dr. R. C. H. Lenski (1864-1936) comments, “A startling command indeed! What did Jesus know about fishing in contrast with an expert like Simon? It sounded like ignorance for this former carpenter to designate ‘the deep’ as the place for making a catch of fish and like double ignorance to ask that this effort be made now, well on in the day, about noon. Jesus orders this while multitudes line the shore, many of whom were conversant with fishing, who certainly would give Peter the laugh for doing something that is so apparently irrational, really foolish, and contrary to all experience. All this must be fully appreciated in order to understand this order of Jesus. He intended it to be an order like that, and Peter's face must have been a study when he heard it.”[2]
This is the second link of trust and obedience in a golden chain of faith.

III. Lifting Up

Luke 5:6 reads, “. . . for a catch.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.” In the words of Annie Johnson Flint (1866–1932), “He giveth and giveth and giveth again.”[3] Dr. Trent C. Butler writes, “The Master proved that he was the master fisherman. Following his instructions brought a record catch. Not just a net full, but two boats full—so full the boats began to sink.”[4]
Notice not only Jesus’ ability, but the abundance He provides, as in the feeding of thousands of people from a few loaves and fish with food to spare (Matthew 14:20-21; 15:37-38).
This is the third link of trust and obedience in a golden chain of faith.

IV. Loading In

Luke 5:7 reads, “So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”

Dr. Rod Mattoon explains, “The catch was so vast that the fishermen in the other boat were called to help them draw in the net. Both ships were filled to the point that they began to sink. God is not cheap in His giving. We cannot out-give Him.

Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor [1832-1905] had complete trust in God’s faithfulness. In his journal he wrote: Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”[5]
This is the fourth link of trust and obedience in a golden chain of faith.

V. Lunging Forward

Known for being impulsive early in his relationship with Jesus, Simon Peter often lunged forward as a horse following the dictates of the flesh. After a series of events Simon Peter becomes meek like his Master. We read in Psalm 32:8-9 about lunging horses and lagging mules. In the words of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, “Be swift my soul to answer be jubilant my feet our God is marching on.”[6] Believers must be quick to follow the leadership of the Spirit. There is a time to surge or lunge forward.

Dr. Luke writes, “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.’ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:8-11). Dr. Robert H. Stein explains, “This was an appropriate posture in a theophany when one encountered the Lord. Objections have been raised that this would not have been physically possible to do in a boat, but the recent discovery in the Sea of Galilee of a boat twenty-six and a half feet long and seven and a half feet wide dating from Jesus’ day has refuted this.”[7]

Rev. Matthew Henry (1662–1714) comments, “These fishermen forsook all, and followed Jesus, when their calling prospered. When riches increase, and we are tempted to set our hearts upon them, then to quit them for Christ is thankworthy.”[8]

On the statement, “You will be catching people,” Dr. J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) comments, “It has often been remarked, and with much justice, that the Greek word translated ‘catching’ means literally ‘take alive.’ It is only used here and in one other place, 2 Timothy 2:26: a passage which is often misinterpreted, but rightly understood is a remarkable parallel to our Lord's words in this place.”[9] 2 Timothy 2:26 reads, “and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

English poet Francis Quarles (1592–1644) shares the following, “On our Saviour's Fishing. Whereas our blessed Saviour took in hand To be a Fisher; Mark the rule he keepes: He first puts off a little from the Land; And, by degrees, he launched into the Deepes: By whose example, our Men-fishers hold The selfe-same course; They do the same, or should.”[10]

This is the fifth link of trust and obedience in a golden chain of faith.

Conclusion

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887) wrote, “A little library, growing larger every year, is an honourable part of a man's history. It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.”[11] However he confessed, "I dedicated myself not to be a fisher of ideas nor of books, but a fisher of men."[12] When he was twenty-two years old, Dr. Thomas Boston (1676–1732) wrote a masterpiece on the pastor’s motivation to win souls for Christ titled The Art of Man-Fishing. We read in Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, / And he who wins souls is wise.” It is wonderful each time anyone wisely captures human souls.

Every time someone misdials the telephone number of Felix’s Fish Camp in Spanish Fort and we received a call, we have an opportunity to practice the art of man-fishing.

Several years ago, Sharon and I enjoyed a great meal with the pastor search committee of this church overlooking the Mobile Bay at the Nautilus, later known as The Compleat Angler. Izaak Walton (1593–1683), author of The Compleat Angler, asserts, “Angling is an art worthy of the knowledge and practice of a wise man.”[13] Allow me to share the last stanza of “The Angler’s Song” by William Basse (1602-1653):

The first men that our Saviour dear

Did chuse to wait upon him here,

Blest Fishers were; and fish the last

Food was, that he on earth did taste.

I therefore strive to follow those,

Whom he to follow him hath chose. [14]

Dr. Vance Havner (1901–1986) stated, “Many a Christian would best glorify his Lord by a fishing trip. Maybe fishing in the creek would improve our fishing for men. We can get closer to people by getting away from them for a while.”[15]

Oswald Chambers (1847-1917) writes, “All our Lord succeeded in doing during his life on earth was to gather a group of fishermen—the whole church of God and the enterprise of our Lord on earth in a fishing boat!”[16]

Dr. J. C. Ryle writes, “There is a striking similarity between this miracle, performed at the beginning of our Lord's ministry, and another which we find him performing after his resurrection, at the end of his ministry (John 21:1ff.). In both we read of a miraculous draught of fishes. In both the apostle Peter has a prominent place in the story. And in both there is, probably, a deep spiritual lesson, below the surface.”[17] John 21:1-14 reads, “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’ They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and eat breakfast.’ Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, ‘Who are You?’—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.”

Bill Kern writes, “The Bible has a lot of stories involving fish and fishermen. Even Jesus fished. He told others how to do it and where to do it! Not only that, He took a group of fishermen and molded them into fishers of men! Maybe that's why I like the gospel so much. If you stop and think for a moment, that’s what the church is about. The folks I worship with have learned some things about fishing. We know we are not going to catch all the fish, nor are we going to land all the fish that we hook. We’ve learned you can’t force the fish or the line will snap. We also have learned to try new and different lures and baits in the different waters in which we are fishing and in doing so, we have started to catch fish! That’s why the church exists—to fish and catch fish. That’s our goal. We can never allow any other activities to be substituted for or move us from our one goal—fishing.

Sometimes it’s easy to get sidetracked in the everyday events of the work of fishing. Nets need mending and sharks need to be shot. Granted, both of these need attention, but they can't become our focus. We need to keep fishing to get some action and reward! Let us cast the lure of the gospel in the waters of the lost world and trust in Jesus that we will have a large catch!”[18] Matthew 4:19 reads, “And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’”

James A. Richards begins his classic titled, Fishers of Men with the following statement, “Aye, but there are lots of people who can’t follow Christ. They haven’t the ‘beautiful feet’ spoken of in Isaiah. Still there’s no trouble with them physically. The difficulty is, that they are dead in trespasses and sins. This command is not spoken to dead people.”

Richards asks, “Are You Alive?” He continues, “Have you died with Him and have you been raised again and are you ‘walking in Him who is your head, even Christ?’ In brief, are you a Christ Christian? Dead people can’t follow nor fish.” Richards asks, “Are You Well?” He continues, “Some Christians are sick-a-bed. They have allowed the self-life to starve the Christ-life till they’re bed-ridden and have been so for years. Sick men can neither follow nor fish.”

Richards exclaims, “No, No!” He continues, “The Lord doesn’t call you to follow and fish, you half-alive, sick-a-bed Christian. What lots of you are! What a mistake is often made in trying to set you to work. Better try to get you well. Take Christ as a tonic, legion friend, till you are able to stand and walk in Him. Then there will be some chance of following and fishing.”

James Richards concludes in the following way: “Discouraged Fisherman, a word for you. God does not judge the faithfulness of the fishing by the size of the catch, but by the number of times you have skillfully cast your baited hook before fish. This is a reckoning only He can make, and it may be He will say, Well done, good and faithful fisherman, you have been faithful over a few things.” [19]

Remember the “headline” for the remarkable story of Simon Peter and others: FISHERMAN BECOMES MAN-FISHER.

[1]Thomas Harwood Pattison, The Making of the Sermon, (Philadelphia, PA: American Baptist Publication Society, 1898, 1902), 169

Available from: http://archive.org/stream/makingofsermonfo00patt#page/n7/mode/2up .

[3]Annie Johnson Flint, “He Giveth More Grace,” (Public Domain).

[6]Julia Ward Howe, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” (1861).

[7]New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery, Volume 24: Luke, Robert H. Stein, (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2003), 168, Database © 2013 WORDsearch. [Citing S. Wachsmann, “The Galilee Boat—2,000-Year-Old Hull Recovered Intact,” BAR 14.5 (1988): 18–33.].

[8]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, (1706), Database WORDsearch Corp.

[10]Alexander B. Grosart, The Complete Works in Prose and Verse of Francis Quarles, in Three Volumes, Vol. II, (Edinburgh: Thomas and Archibald Constable, 1880), 231.

[11]Accessed: 03/15/14, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/579730-a-little-library-growing-larger-every-year-is-an-honourable

[12]Pattison, Sermon, 12.

[13]Cambridge Chronicle, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Saturday, May 7, 1904.

[14]The Poetical Works of William Basse, ed. R. Warwick Bond, (London: Ellis and Elvey, 1893), xix, 126.

[17]Ryle, Luke.

[18]Bible Illustrations, Book 4 – Heartwarming Bible Illustrations, Comp. Richard A. Steele, Jr. and Evelyn Stoner, #780, “Let’s Go Fishing,” by Bill Kern, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG International, Inc.., 1998), 307, Database © 2014 WORDsearch.

[19]James A. Richards, Fishers of Men, (New York, NY: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1892) Accessed: 03/07/14, https://archive.org/details/fishersofmen00rich .

By Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, pastor First Baptist Church of Spanish Fort 30775 Jay Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527

Author of Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice Available on Amazon.com and WORDsearchbible.com

http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Biblical-Preaching-Giving-Bible/dp/1594577684

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http://www.webspawner.com/users/franklinlkirksey / fkirksey@bellsouth.net / (251) 626-6210