New Plans and Purposes
Luke 5:1-11
February 3, 4, 2007

When I was five years old, my father took me on my first fishing trip. A minister-friend of his, Bill Simer, invited dad and me to join him on his annual trip to the Lake of the Woods region in Ontario, Canada. The adventure sounded awesome-I couldn't wait to go. The big day finally arrived and we stuffed Rev. Simer's station wagon with all of our gear and gadgets and strapped a big ol' 19 foot-long canoe on top. They literally wedged me in between the stuff and the ceiling of the vehicle-but I didn't care. Although the trip would be hundreds of miles-from the south side of Chicago to north of the border-I was just thrilled to be going. We stayed at a place called "Big Pine Lake"-there were rustic log cabins that lined a beautiful inlet-it was a gorgeous spot. And as soon as I saw the water, I wanted to start fishing.

Dad and Rev. Simer told me that there would be plenty of time for that-and cautioned me that because of the constant activity around the dock-that I might have a hard time catching anything. But that didn't dampen my enthusiasm at all! Whenever we weren't out on the lake in that gargantuan Grumman canoe-I'd be on the dock casting away-sure that I was going to catch something. I was using my new fishing rod and reel that my dad had bought for me-the basic Zebco kit-how many of you had one of those "Zebco 202s?" And I still remember the lure I was using-it had red and white stripes with a single treble hook-and it was shaped like an extended rhombus.

They kind of chuckled every time I left the cabin-partly because of my naïve optimism-and partly because they were glad to get a little peace and quiet. It happened the second day we were there. I plopped that lure down near a lily pad and began to reel it in. Suddenly, the water exploded! I began to yell, "Help! Help! I got one-I got one!" Dad and Rev. Simer heard me crying out and came out of the cabin. Rev. Simer realized what was going on and grabbed the fishing net. I was struggling-but they let me struggle… And after about five minutes, they helped me get that northern pike into the net and onto the dock. The fish was longer than my arm and weighed almost five pounds. Ah, the thrill of the unexpected catch!

And do you know what? During the rest of the week, I wasn't alone when I went down to the dock. Needless to say, my dad and I got "hooked." And some of my fondest memories of times spent with my father were in the following ten years during our summer fishing trips to Canada. I suspect that some of you could share similar stories!

AND IF YOU LIKE FISHING STORIES, YOU'LL PROBABLY LIKE THE ONE WE HAVE HEARD FROM LUKE. But this fish tale is dramatically different. One of the primary characters in the cast-Simon Peter-is not fishing for fun. He is fishing for funds, for financial rewards, for his livelihood! And the story has as many unexpected twists and turns as a big bass trying to break your line. After a hard night of fishing Jesus tells Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch." His reply is so predictable, so human-you can hear the frustration and fatigue in his voice. "Master we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything."

Can you identify with him? Most of us know what it's like to give it all we've got, to try as hard as we can, to put forth our best efforts. And most of us know what it's like to come up empty. Ellen and I saw an inspiring movie this past week-The Pursuit of Happyness-which is based on the life of Chris Gardner. Will Smith does a wonderful job of portraying Gardner-a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesperson. Struggling to make ends meet, Chris finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. He loses his car, loses his home, loses his wife-not because he isn't working as hard as he can-but because he continues to come up empty as life deals him one hard blow after another. The film had many scenes that brought tears to my eyes, but one of the most poignant was when Chris was reflecting on Thomas Jefferson's words-that as citizens of this country, we have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Notice that Jefferson didn't say, "life, liberty, and happiness." He said "the pursuit of happiness." Chris ponders the word "pursuit," and wonders, "How did he know? How did Jefferson know?" Sometimes we give 110%--and we still come up empty.

Fortunately, the movie doesn't end that way-and neither does the story from Luke! For some unexplainable reason, Simon Peter pays attention to a fishing tip from a preacher. He says, "Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." And you know what happens next! You can hear them yelling, "Holy Mackerel!" The bounty is so big that the nets begin to tear-TWO boats can barely handle the load-in fact, they begin to sink! It is as if Peter and his pals have hit the lottery! Their net worth suddenly skyrockets! They are swamped by the weight and wealth of this tremendous catch!

At first, Peter tries to hang on to all of it. But suddenly he realizes that he is not just standing in the middle of two boatloads of fish. He is standing in the middle of a God-moment, a divine miracle, an epiphany. With just a word, Jesus makes these fishers more successful than they had ever dreamed possible. But Simon Peter's reaction is peculiar-he doesn't feel like a winner. Instead, he is overcome by his own problems. Incredibly, Peter collapses at Jesus' feet. Economic security flops all around him, but Peter hears that will truly transform his life. Jesus calls Peter to a new way of living-he has other plans and purposes for him-and for his partners, James and John. Jesus says, "Do not be afraid; from now on, you will be catching people."

WOULD YOU HAVE DONE THAT? Would you forfeit a fortune in fish to be a follower of Jesus? Or, let's consider some alternatives. Every week, millions of Americans put down a few dollars and buy a lottery ticket. I'd like to have a million for every minute I have stood behind some of the people at one of these local gas stations! Now, I realize that for most folks, buying a lottery ticket is a harmless little indulgence. But suppose you actually won! Millions of dollars are yours for the taking. Doesn't that just-for-fun lottery ticket now become deadly serious business?

Or consider some of the most popular television shows on TV right now. American Idol is dominating the ratings wars! Ah, the lure of an easy road to fame and fortune! Let's just imagine that you advance from the first round, to the next, to the next. Doesn't that just-for-fun tryout suddenly become extremely serious business? Or what about another popular show? Folks are making a big deal out of Deal or No Deal. But what if you ended up with the sweet suitcase with the seven digit number inside? Doesn't that just-for-fun game show become more than just a little fun? Or what about this athletic event that is happening Sunday evening? A whole lot of the action for this just-for-fun football game happens off the field. Advertisers are willing to bet that they can spend up to $5.2 million a minute to make us buy what they're selling. An estimated 60 million people will bet over $6 billion dollars on the outcome of the contest between the Bears and the Colts.

But let's say you win-you're the big winner, the big dealer, the idol, the super better or super bowler-what happens next? Would you just smile, and say, "Oh well," and then casually toss it away? Would you say, "Oh-it's not that big a deal." You know, if you did-that would make you look just about as foolish… As…Simon Peter, James and John. Isn't that what they do? Jesus dumps a fortune in fish at their feet-and they walk away from it. Luke tells us in verse 11: "When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him." Does this sound smart? Does this sound like a reasonable thing to do? They have become wonderfully successful in the eyes of the world-perhaps for the first time in their lives? Could you turn your back on the money, the comfort, the status? These guys are crazy, right?

If you were offered a choice between a million-dollar jackpot and a life of "catching people" for Jesus, what would you do? Friends, we have been called out as disciples of Christ. But sometimes I wonder if we are following him close enough to hear the flap of his sandals? If we are, then there may be times in our lives when we will have to make choices that may cause us some serious economic hardship. If we are, then there may be times in our lives when we will have to risk our own reputations for the sake of others. If we are, then there may be times in our lives when we will have to walk away from the world's standard of "success" because it can only be bought with a piece of our souls. If we are, then there may be times in our lives when we will have to open our hearts in love and trust, knowing all too well that they may be broken. And why in the world would any of us do any of that?

Why in the world did Simon Peter and James and John and so many others respond to the call? Because Jesus offers us a life filled with the joy of discipleship. Because Jesus offers us a new sense of purpose. Because Jesus offers us opportunities every day-wherever we are and whatever we're doing-to make a difference in this world. Because Jesus offers us the chance to use our gifts in service to God-to please God! And perhaps because Jesus knows…what we know in our heart of hearts. The choices and the challenges, the paths and the propositions that are offered to us must promise to shape us. They must build our character and change our world view and make us better people-if they are to have any appeal to us at all. If we are presented with decisions that will help us make a difference, we will be much more eager for the journey.

This past week I was inspired by the courageous words of a young pastor from Africa-one who was eventually martyred for his faith. He wrote: "I am a disciple, a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. "I have the power of the Holy Spirit. "The die has been cast; I have stepped over the line. "I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. "My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future secure. "I'm finished with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals. "I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. "I don't have to be first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. "I now live by faith, lean into God's presence, walk in patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power."

So friends, be careful around this place! It may look safe and comfortable and cozy. But we are here because there is One among us… There is One who calls us to follow him and fish for people. There is One who invites us to experience the joy of being a part of the plans and purposes of God.