Luke 5:1-9 (NKJV) 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.
Jesus was preaching by the Lake of Gennesaret in the morning. Multitudes had gathered to hear the Word of God. Jesus saw two boats and got into Simon’s boat to use as a platform to preach to the masses. Jesus asked Simon to move the boat a little further into the sea. The fishermen had worked hard all night but caught nothing and were washing their nets. They were tired and yet they did what Jesus asked them to do and served Him.
After the teaching was over, Jesus asked Simon Peter to go fishing again. Peter and his friends had toiled all night in vain. They knew fishing better than Jesus who was a carpenter! In the natural there was no reason they should be listening to Jesus. But Peter knew within who was asking him to cast the nets. He chose to obey the Son of God. Peter recognized and acknowledged the Word of Jesus thus saying ‘nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net”. And so great numbers of fishes were caught and the nets were full and the boat was almost sinking due to the load. The result was unbelievable to the natural eye!
We often face circumstances like Peter did in our work life, too. Hard work and dedication may not always pay off. It is easy to get discouraged and give up in the time of crisis. But remember that if Jesus is on the boat with us, we will never return to the shore without a good catch!
The fishermen were all dismayed when they returned to the shore without any fish. Yet Peter lent his boat to Jesus and listened to His preaching without giving an excuse to go home. Peter blessed Jesus with the usage of the boat and God blessed him.
Luke 6:38 (NKJV) “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Continue to be faithful servant of God no matter what situation you are in. Seek His will and guidance in your circumstances and obey. Peter obeyed Jesus and listened to His Word. He applied what he learned from Jesus’ preaching into his business. We ought to do that too in all areas of our life. Acting upon God’s Word gives a breakthrough!!
We may go about the duties of our calling, with great cheerfulness, when we have been with God daily through prayer. He thus sanctifies our worldly duties by His Word! Never abruptly quit your calling even if you have not seen any desirable success yet. When we follow the guidance of Christ’s Word, we will taste and see His faithfulness. Let Him be the captain of your boat!
Sermon Series: God’s Wisdom
让祂进入你的船
路加福音 5:1-9 耶稣站在革尼撒勒湖边，众人拥挤他，要听神的道。他见有两只船湾在湖边，打鱼的人却离开船洗网去了。有一只船是西门的，耶稣就上去，请他把船撑开，稍微离岸，就坐下，从船上教训众人。讲完了，对西门说：“把船开到水深之处，下网打鱼。” 西门说：“夫子，我们整夜劳力，并没有打着什么，但依从你的话，我就下网。” 他们下了网，就圈住许多鱼，网险些裂开，便招呼那只船上的同伴来帮助。他们就来，把鱼装满了两只船，甚至船要沉下去。西门彼得看见，就俯伏在耶稣膝前，说：“主啊！离开我，我是个罪人！” 他和一切同在的人都惊讶这一网所打的鱼。
耶稣早晨在革尼撒勒湖边讲道。众人聚集来听神的话语。耶稣看见了两艘船并上到彼得的船上，将船作为一个平台向群众布道。耶稣叫彼得把船划向海里去一点。这些渔民整夜辛勤工作，但一无所获，正在洗网。尽管他们累了，他们仍然按照耶稣的要求做并且服事祂。
讲道结束后，耶稣又叫西门彼得去捕鱼。彼得和他的朋友们整夜都在辛勤，却只是徒劳。他们比起做木匠的耶稣更懂得捕鱼！按常理来说，他们没有理由听耶稣的话。但彼得知道是谁在要求他下网。他选择服从神的儿子。彼得承认并接受耶稣的话，因此说：“但依从你的话，我就下网”。于是，他们网住了很多鱼，渔网都满了，船也因负荷太重而几乎下沉。这个结果在常人眼里真是难以置信呀！
我们在工作中也经常面临彼得的情况。勤奋工作和努力未必总能得到回报。在危机的时候，很容易气馁，放弃。但请记住，如果耶稣与我们同在船上，我们将永远不会一无所获地回到岸上！
渔夫们在没有捕到鱼的情况下回到岸边时，都感到很沮丧。彼得却把船借给耶稣，听祂讲道，不找借口回家。彼得将他的船作为耶稣所用，而神就赐福给他。
路加福音 6:38 你们要给人，就必有给你们的，并且用十足的升斗，连摇带按、上尖下流地倒在你们怀里。因为你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。
不管你身在何处，继续做上帝的忠实仆人。在你的境况中寻求祂的意愿和引导，并且服从。彼得听从耶稣和祂的道。他把从耶稣的布道中学到的东西运用到他的捕鱼上。我们应该在生活的各个方面也这样做。按神的话语而行，找到突破！
当我们每天都通过祷告与神在一起时，我们会以极大的快乐去做我们被呼召的职责。祂用祂的话语使我们属世的责任成圣！即使你还没有看到任何令人满意的成功，也不要突然退出你的呼召。当我们听从基督的话语的指引，我们就会感受到和看到祂的信实。让祂做你的船长！
讲章系列: 神的智慧
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