Sermon Luke 5:1-11

We know today's text isn't about fish. Jesus starts with people, and ends with people. The fishing advice he gives Peter, James, and John is to make a point! After preaching to the people, from the boat, he tells the three that they have been fishing on the wrong side of the boat. They must go out into deeper water. It seems that seasoned fishermen, need to be told by Jesus, a carpenter, how to fish! And when they listen to Jesus they fill their boat and even have to ask for help there are so many fish. But the story is not about fish ... its about people.

Jesus says, "Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching people." They brought their boats to shore, left everything and followed him.

The fish is a symbol of one who follows Jesus; before the cross, the fish was a sign of those who were faithful to Christ. During the great persecutions of the early church by the Roman Empire, it was a code symbol for those who wished to tell others that they followed Jesus.

I wonder how we tell others we are disciples of Jesus? Have you thought of that? It seems like a simple question. Indeed, how do we know ourselves that we are being disciples of Jesus. What distinguishes us as part of Christ's mission? Well, coming to worship is a good start. Jesus said, Love God with all your being ... so if you follow Jesus and love God, you'll want to offer yourself regularly in worship with God's people. It is simple. It's what Jesus did, and it is what disciples of Jesus do; we worship God.

But, of course, we know discipleship is more that this. We know that real discipleship involves a way of life; a way of life with Jesus at the centre. This is one of the things we mean when we say Jesus is Lord. It means that we re-orient and re-pattern our lives around following Jesus.

And yet, the truth is Jesus has stopped being the centre guide for most who claim to be disciples in our churches. Sometime over the last few generations something has changed. Not just here but right across mainline churches, and if the truth be told, in the so called evangelical churches, as well.

Jesus has stopped being central to who we are and how we shape our lives. Jesus has become a buddy rather than our master; God has become a hobby rather than our passion. Church, a club rather than a life defining mission.

Gordon Scoville put it this way; "The Church exists on a flat date-book surface right next to the appointment demands of the sewing circle, the Lion's club, the basketball team and the like. These associations and the church are experienced as equal drains on time."

Am I off base in saying that I think Scoville is too generous. It appears that the church comes pretty low on the priority list for most who claim to be followers of Jesus. Remember last year, when Statistics Canada released the 2001 census data? A total of 5000 people in New Westminster claimed to be part of the United Church of Canada. Wow, if only 1/10 of these people came and worshipped, our three churches would be full and our mission strong. And yet, given than many of you don't live in New Westminister at all, I suspect the number of United Church people who worship is only 1/100 who claim the name.

And it is disheartening. We, like the disciples, have been fishing for a long time in shallow waters and our nets are empty. And so when Christ calls us to change directions; to change where we ish and how we are fishing. What do we have to lose? If Jesus advice in the text is wisdom, we have everything to gain by fishing in the deeper water.

This is where the text is pressing us. Will we be willing to risk listening for Jesus guidance? Perhaps you are reluctant like Peter who says, "Master, we have been working all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down my nets." And when they had done this they caught so many fish their nets were breaking." Many disciples were made when the church trusts Jesus by moving into new territory.

We know that one of the central tasks of the church is to fish for people. To make disciples of Jesus, for his mission. Let's be careful, we're not talking about recruitment; about bringing people back or gathering in existing Christians from other communities to ours. No, that is not what Jesus is calling us to do this morning. Do you know that most of these big churches that spring up overnight aren't making disciples. No, they are stealing fish from other boats.

But this morning Jesus is calling us to fish in new territory. To fish in deep water, which looks like a poor place to fish. It is there that one finds people open to respond to the grace of God. I wonder why that is? But hasn't that always been the case with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Often the Church, seeking its own interests, looks to share the Good News with people like ourselves. We cast our nets in the shallow waters and turn up nothing. Yet, when we turn our attention to those on the margins of society. To those who are struggling in life. To those who are "over their heads", perhaps even drowning. When the net is cast out to these people, they don't struggle to escape, but instead leap into the net; ready and open to the news that God's salvation is a gift and willing to join in the journey with Jesus on his boat.

This is why in the coming year, as we discern the United Churches mission for the coming years, we must listen for Jesus wisdom, lest we cast our nets into shallow water. We who are willing to set aside our preconcieved ideas and be open to God's new future for us, might just discover our boat being overloaded with new fish. May it be so, AMEN.

Scripture
Luke 5:1-11

Hymns
# 382 Breathe on me breath of God
# 626 I heard the voice of Jesus say
#509 I, The Lord of Sea and Sky

Call to Worship
Do not be afraid, God is redeeming the world.
Be filled with hope, the Living God is restoring our broken creation.
Open your hearts, minds and bodies to Spirit of the Living God.

Confession
Like the first disciples, we gather to seek your wisdom. We know our ways are not your ways. We too like the first disciples often seek life in the wrong places. Going down dead-end roads. Getting caught up in the schemes and scams of the world. Expending our efforts only to come up empty handed.

We need you God, especially in this age of self-centred greed. Give us what we need. Free us from our desire for more. Liberate us from false comforts, that we might embrace your life of peace and service for the world. Give us a life of exciting service, such that we might need to call out to you, not for more wealth, but for more of your Spirit. Engage us with life, that we might drink deeply from the well of blessing that you offer us. In Jesus name. AMEN.

Assurance
For those willing to turn from the empty promises of the world, will find a God ever ready to call them friends. To assist them in finding true freedom. To open their eyes to the reality of the world, such that they do not fall into despair, but rather seeing God amongst the suffering and in seeing believe. And in believing, be filled with hope, action, and bold love. In Jesus name. AMEN.

Offering
You've gathered us in for mission. Some of us from the deepest waters where we were drowning in the sin and oppression of the world. In gratitude for your saving power, we offer our lives in faithful service as witnesses to your way of love. Shown and given to us, through Jesus Christ, our Love. AMEN.