No More Fishing!

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "No More Fishing!"  He used John 21:1-12 as his reference scripture.

In this Bible story, Jesus is Risen!  He has appeared to the disciples several times. While he is away, Peter decides to go fishing.  Some of the other disciples decide to go with him.  If you remember, Peter was a professional fisherman when he met Jesus.  But Jesus called them to a new profession. Matthew 4:19 says, "Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!” (Living Bible)

Now I will give the disciples the benefit of the doubt.  They had been terrorized and traumatized by the crucifixion of Jesus.  They saw their dream of a new kingdom crumble right before their eyes.  Then they received the shocking news that Jesus was risen from the dead.  I imagine they just didn't know what to do next.  We may even be able to relate.  

So they went fishing.  They fished all night and didn't catch a thing!  Not even a minnow! In the morning, Jesus appeared on the shore.  They didn't recognize him. Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”  They answered him, “No.”  He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn't haul in the net." - John 21:5-6 (Common English Bible)  They immediately realized it was Jesus and rushed to the shore.  

What can we take away from this message? I'm so glad you asked. 

No matter what the situation looks like, always obey God!  Don't back-peddle!  If God has given you instructions, follow those instructions!  Don't go back to fishing for fish, after you've been called to fish for men! Proverbs 16:25 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."(New King James Version) 

Don't trust in your Technique, your Tackle, or your Timing!  I know you are extremely talented, and intelligent, but without God's supernatural power added to your natural ability you will fail.  Have you ever completed a difficult task and wondered, "How did I do that?"  The Apostle Paul wrote about this, "Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do." - Philippians 4:13 (Easy-to-Read Version)  

Proverbs 3:5-12 says, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.  Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this." (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia