Sermon Notes - Fifth Sunday after Trinity - Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - 1 July 2018, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)
The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.
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The Collect.
RANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A short commentary on today’s Collect:
This universal prayer, this continual cry from the multitude of faithful worshippers throughout the land, is continually heard and answered. It is answered in the course of the world, in the affairs of nations, in the preservation of thousands, who are rebelling against God and neglecting the means of grace. It is answered by prolonging time, in order to give fresh opportunities of serving the Lord whilst he may be found and calling upon Him whilst He is near. It is answered, by God's wonderful grace and mercy overruling the ignorance of foolish men, who, being destitute of a right judgment, contend about matters of little consequence, and overlook the weightier concerns of salvation. Contentions and doubtful disputations, however, have little weight with established Christians, and are mercifully overruled for the universal purifying of the Church of Christ.
Thomas Henry Lane Fox
Reflections on the Collects
Church of England 1864
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NDit came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11)
The preaching of Jesus was never done with flamboyance or affectation. He preached calmly and without dramatization. He had no fancy pulpit even when speaking at the synagogue at Nazareth. He chose the backdrop of the Sea of Galilee (Genneserat) perhaps to remind the multitude of the Water of Life and to dispel any distractions. He alone was on the ship, and He was the Word of God which the multitude had sought to hear. “to hear the word of God.” The people had only the Word of God upon which to fix their focus.
The modern church is into fancy and ornate furnishings, but Jesus always preached from the wilderness of nature which was His tabernacle. He never took up an offering. This comment will get me in trouble with other ministers, I know. He presumed to use Simon Peter’s ship without even asking Peter. The Son of God need not ask for the use of any property since He owns it all. But He owned Peter’s heart and, therefore owned all of Peter’s possessions to use to the glory of God.
Peter, James, John, and all of their helpers were tired and weary. They had fished all night without profit. They were now cleaning their nets for the next venture at sea perhaps the next night. But Jesus gave an extraordinary command, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” If you were Peter, how would you feel about this? Peter doubted the good sense of the command, but he also knew that Jesus was always right. So he launched out and caught so many fish that he sought help in landing them from other ships. When God blesses, He brings in a multitude, while our efforts profit nothing.
This entire event taught the Apostles preaching the Word is very much like fishing. The night hours will not suffice. We are children of the day. Our churches must be as one, just as the other fishing boats were one, in bringing souls to shore.
Now, a deeper look:
Jesus is once again by the shores of Galilee (Gennesaret). As usual, people of all stripes are pressing around Him, either for the sake of healing and hearing, or for a glimpse at a popular figure. Many today are no different from this latter crowd. They enjoy the ‘popularity’ of Christ and being ‘called’ Christian. Have you ever asked yourself what it is about Christ that most appeals to your own heart? Is it itching ears you have to hear a new word, or is it the Word of Truth that you truly seek?
We observe in today’s Gospel text the third call of Peter, James, Andrew and John – this time to Apostleship. There were two previous calls of increasing import – John 1:35-42 & Matt 4:18-22. This third is the chief call. It is much like our level of ministry in Holy Orders.
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. The ships of fishermen usually dock in the morning after a long and weary night of fishing. Night is the best time to fish for fish, and it is the best time to fish for men. Those who walk in darkness have great need of Light, and this Light we present to them so that “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great Light” and that Light is Christ! Fish are easily caught at night due to the dangers of limited vision. Those who walk in darkness as well fall prey to the snares of the devil.
The two ships are notable. The one into which Jesus steps are much like the Jewish nation to which He came first. The second is like unto the Gentile nations. In the end, both who follow Him are filled to capacity with great blessing.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
The multitudes are great and press closely on Christ. He can hardly move an elbow for the press. He enters Simon’s ship and asked him to cast out some short distance from the shore. This vantage point will separate Him from the crowd and its worldly concerns of His popular appeal. They represent the world, and He sits apart from the world and preaches to those who stand in it. It is often necessary for a minister to separate himself from the petty politics of the parish and get a deep-seated stand on the Word of God that he may preach with power and conviction, unmoved by public opinion.
Jesus, unlike many modern “Jumping Jacks of the Pulpit”, often sat down to preach and teach. He spoke in even and calm accents. He sat as one having authority and not needing to scream to awaken heaven and hell to His Person.
Jesus now gives a command that would seem ridiculous to a seasoned fisherman of little or no faith: 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. It might seem at first strange that so common a teacher as Jesus could command the immediate obedience of rough men of the sea, but Jesus was no common teacher, and His disciples would be, no more, rough men of the sea. Christ, through the disciples’ knowledge of Him gleaned from past observation, commanded respect, obedience, and action. He has full authority over the lives of those who consider themselves His disciples – that includes you and me.
The bright morning sun would preclude a reasonable possibility of catching fish; yet, these fishermen knew that whatever Christ commanded was reasonable even if a miracle were required to bring about the result.
Of course, obedience to Christ will always result in munificent reward.
Do not simply “launch out”, but also “let down you nets,” and not simply “let down your nets”, but let them down for a draught of fish! Even if God’s commands may seem unreasonable to us, we obey to the letter and wait for the miracle.
We might prefer to fish for bait fish along the near shore, but Christ commands us to launch out far into the deep – that is where the large catches are made – Africa, India, Asia, America, the darkly lit streets of New York!
So, what response do we expect from a faithful disciple?
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. The labors of the hands of men profit nothing apart from the hand of the Lord working in, and through, him. Working all the long night will avail no riches in heaven unless it is in obedience to God’s Word.
Even though the disciple has labored all night, at the opportune time for fishing, and achieved nothing at all, yet, the Lord’s commands are not empty of meaning. Peter acknowledges that he has failed in his own strength to catch any fish, but, “at Thy Word” Peter will let down the net. We can fish for men all we like under our own power, but we will change no hearts, nor save any souls. It is the Holy Ghost working in the hearts to draw them to the NET that counts.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Even when we begin with faith, we are overcome in amazement at the surprising power of God to bring victory from hopelessness. It is unlikely that these men had ever caught so many fish that their nets began to break, but at the most inopportune time of day for fishing, this is the very thing that happened. Obedience to God ALWAYS pays dividends.
The laborer may look at his pitiful seven loaves of bread and wonder how can this ever provide sufficiency to feed a family, or a household with guests, but he then remembers the One who fed on one occasion four thousand, and on another, seven thousand, with such little provision of bread. That increase, which God gives, though seemingly small, will always be sufficient to meet the needs.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. Instead of constantly struggling for the greatest mansion of a building, or for pride and prestige, the churches should be working for the greater need – the salvation of souls and propagation of the Gospel. Instead of playing petty politics with sex and sin, they should be manning the rescue boats for the saving of souls. And they must labor together and not at odds with each other or the Word of God in doing so. The number of boats will never be sufficient to land the haul of souls caught in the net of the Gospel if we are obedient to God.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken
Are you astonished at the work of Christ in your own life and that of others? If not, perhaps you need to be more diligent in prayer and study. Do you believe that Simon Peter really desired Christ to depart from him? Not at all! He could not suppress his humility and gratitude that such a Majestic Lord would bend ear to him. Though Peter had come to expect the unexpected, he was nevertheless surprised at the Grace and Power of God evidenced by Jesus.
We note, first, the awakening of conscience in Peter. When he observed the righteousness and glory of Christ in comparison to his own poverty stricken soul, he was ashamed of his own sins. Have you been?
Following the awareness of our sins comes the cry of fear and contrition! How can Christ receive poor Peter in view of his past sins? How can Christ receive you and me in view of our past sins? But He does!
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. If Christ abides with you, FEAR NOT! Yes, you have been heavy laden with sins, but He will remove that unbecoming yoke from your shoulders and place His own yoke upon you that does not bear down, but rather lifts up. Your earthly nets may break with sin, but Christ will make you fishers of men and that NET will never give out for abundance. In the two previous Gospel accounts of fishing, Christ had told them that He would make them fishers of men. Now, they are told that they SHALL catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. The disciples had abandoned all to follow Christ on previous occasions: And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (Matt 4:20) And following the Crucifixion, they did so again: Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. (John 21:3) Following this event when Christ again commanded them to drop their nets, Peter and the others never returned to their secular professions. They left the life of fishers of sea creatures, and took up the full mantle of fishers of men according to Christ’s command to them – and to us!
Are you?
