Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets. (Luke 5)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Work is hard. Living outside of Paradise. Thorns and thistles grow. Work is filled with the sweat of your brow. Peter has been out fishing all night with nothing to show except an empty net and a heart filled with frustration.
Work is hard. Working as a parent. (Home.) Working in the Lord's Church. (Kingdom of God.) Working in your community. (Citizen.) Do NOT go it alone. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15)
Peter tried all he could to catch fish only to come up EMPTY. The Lord Jesus proclaimed His Word. “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for A CATCH.” (Luke 5) The Word of God gives what it says. So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55)
At the Lord's speaking it was done. The nets that the Disciples let down were so filled they began to break. Peter confesses his sin. “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5)
FEAR NOT. Jesus has come for sinners. To atone for ALL your sins. In Christ you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3)
Jesus teaches Peter now you will be a "fisher of men". The net to catch sinners is the Gospel.
I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1)
This is the Good News of Jesus Christ that has brought you into Christ’s Church. The net of Baptism the Lord caught you. Christ has placed you into the boat, the Ark of the Holy Christian Church. By the power of God's Word you were rescued from the depth of sin and death.
God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4)
The WORD OF GOD is the power. The Lord has called you into the Kingdom of God. To hear God’s Word and believe it. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119)
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11)
Each week the Church gathers around the Holy Spirit filled Word of God. (The Church) devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2)
Gladly hearing the Word and holding it sacred. At your Word, Lord, the Church bows her ears, hearts, and lives. In Baptism the Lord gifts repentance and forgiveness. At God’s Word the Church receive forgiveness all for Christ’s sake. The Church comes hungry to the Lord’s Supper to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Word sends you forth in peace. Comfort. Strength. Boldness. Confidence in faith in Christ. To confessing God's Word one to another. I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. (Psalm 119)