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Hello. My name is Dottie Freeman and I have no fancy titles or degrees, I am simply a blood bought saint like you. God has recently called me to preach and I am willing to accept that call. He has also provided this opportunity on this site to share the Good News about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Call of Peter
Peter and the other disciples were "called" to follow Jesus just that same as you and me. Let's look today at the call of Peter in Luke 5:1-10, which reads as follows:
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon (Peter) and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Peter, "Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch." Peter answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord: I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Peter's partners. Then Jesus said to Peter, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him. (NIV)
What I want to share with you today are the eight things involved in our call to follow Jesus. Coincidentally, all eight things begin with the letter "C."
The first thing we see in these scriptures is CONTACT. Jesus spoke to these men and suggested to them how to catch more fish. He made that initial contact. He does the same thing when calling us out of darkness to either come and be saved or to have a closer or deeper walk with Him.
Secondly, there was a CHALLENGE. Jesus told them that if they would go to a different part of the lake that they would catch more fish. In other words, Jesus is saying, "Do you believe me, go ahead and give me a try." Jesus is speaking to us in the same way as if to say, "Now that I have your attention, do you believe?"
The third thing we see in these scriptures is the CATCH. They did not hesitate. They heard his voice, did what he said and caught more fish than ever before. This is called "obedience." When we do what Jesus' says, we are blessed in a way that our human mind cannot understand.
Then came the CRISIS. There were so many fish that the nets broke and the boats began to sink. And at that moment, Peter realized that he was in the presence of someone holy for he told Jesus to go away, that he (Peter) was a sinner. Peter was frightened by the awesome miracle just performed before his very eyes and he knew this man was more than just a man. You see, Peter was a fisherman by profession. He had fished this lake time and time again and he knew with his human mind that it would be impossible to catch any more fish there. But when he saw the size of the catch, he knew that it was a miracle and the awesome presence of this man called Jesus frightened him for he knew he was a sinner and unworthy of even being in his presence. "Go away," were his words. Peter experienced a crisis. We are the exact same way. It is called "CONVICTION." Once we realize who is calling us and how unclean we are, we must CONFESS as Peter did, "I am a sinner."
Bless God, next came the COMFORT. Straight out of the mouth of Jesus came the comforting words, "Don't be afraid." In other words, Jesus was saying, "I love you just the way you are, do not be afraid of me." This is a big problem for some of us. We say, "surely He is not calling me—look at all the terrible things I have done…He can't possibly love me and want to be my friend." I think this is what was going through Peter's head. But that sweet, still voice just comforted him when Jesus said, "Don't be afraid." Is that where you are today? Have you felt His presence? Have you felt ashamed and been too frightened to take that next step and give your all to Him? Just as surely as He accepted Peter, he will accept you. What do you have to do? Look at the last portion of these scriptures.
The next thing that happened to Peter was COMMITMENT. Jesus told him that from now on he would be catching men. Some translations of the Word say, "follow me and I will make you catchers of the souls of men." Either way, it is clear that Jesus wanted Peter to follow in His footsteps, to walk where He walked and learn from the Master and Peter's reward would be the salvation of many. What did Peter do? It says that he, John and James pulled the boats to shore, left everything and followed Him. Glory! What a picture. That is exactly what we are called to do. Put Him first. Follow Him. Obey Him. Put aside worldly things and learn how to bring others to Him. Yes, we are catchers of men, just like Peter.
I was hoping the Lord would give me a touching Easter message this week to share with you, but He did not. And I really do not know why. Perhaps the persons visiting this site need to be reminded that as surely as Jesus arose from the grave and ascended to the Father, He is coming back soon and He wants His people ready. So, put down those struggles and troubles, like Peter hassling over those nets, and listen for His call.
If you do not know Jesus, now is the time to be still and listen, because He is calling you. You can click here for the sinner's prayer and have your salvation today. If you have a prayer need, you can e-mail me direct at freeman5@friendlycity.net and I will pray for you.
Have a wonderful Easter and make Him the Lord of your life!
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