Peter’s Crisis of Faith

Luke 5:1-11

INTRODUCTION: Almost every believer has multiple encounters with the Lord before finally surrendering to God’s known will. We make half-hearted commitments, knowing that it is right to yield to the Lord, but it is not until we have a true crisis of faith that we learn to truly follow through with our previous commitments.

I. PETER’S CALL

A. The Baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:21-22)

1. The Lord Jesus came to John to be baptized of him (Luke 3:21-22).
2. The Father testified from heaven of His Son’s faithfulness (Luke 3:22).

B. The Testimony of John (John 1:35-42)

1. John declared Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:35-36).
2. Andrew heard John’s proclamation and went to get Simon (John 1:37-41).
3. Jesus beheld Simon and changed his name (John 1:42).

C. The Call of Jesus (Mark 1:16-18)

1. Jesus witnessed Simon and Andrew casting a net into the sea (Mark 1:16).
2. Jesus called them to follow Him (Mark 1:17).
3. The men forsook their nets and followed Christ (Mark 1:18).

II. PETER’S EXPERIENCE

A. The Marriage in Cana (John 2:1-11)

1. The problem in Cana (John 2:1-3)
2. The provisions of the Lord (John 2:4-11)

B. *The Healing of Peter’s Mother (Luke 4:38-39)

1. The problem (Luke 4:38)
2. The provisions of the Lord (Luke 4:39)

III. PETER’S CRISIS (Luke 5:1-11)

A. The Lord’s Pulpit (Luke 5:1-3)

1. The pressing of the people (Luke 5:1)
2. The availability of ships (Luke 5:2)
3. The thrusting out in one of Simon’s ships (Luke 5:3)

B. The Lord’s Challenge (Luke 5:4-7)

1. The Lord’s commands (Luke 5:4)
a. Launch out into the deep.
b. Let down your nets for a draught.
2. Simon’s faithlessness (Luke 5:5)
a. Simon’s reasoning
1.) Master – this may have been to emphasize that the Lord’s area of expertise was as a teacher
2.) We have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing.
b. Simon’s release – “I will let down the net”
3. Simon’s catch (Luke 5:6-7)
a. They inclosed a great multitude of fishes (Luke 5:6).
b. Their net brake (Luke 5:6).
c. They beckoned for the other ship (Luke 5:7).
d. Both ships were filled and began to sink (Luke 5:7).

C. Peter’s Conviction (Luke 5:8-11)

1. Peter’s sorrow (Luke 5:8-9)
a. He fell down at Jesus’ knees (Luke 5:8).
b. He confessed his sinfulness (Luke 5:8) for he was astonished (Luke 5:9).
2. The Lord’s comfort (Luke 5:10)
a. Fear not.
b. Thou shalt catch men.
3. Peter’s surrender (Luke 5:11)
a. They forsook all.
b. They followed Christ.

CONCLUSION: What is it going to take for the Lord to get you to finally forsake all and follow Him? What half-hearted commitments have you made, but never fulfilled?