DURING A MYSTERIOUS SERIES OF EVENTS AT A QUIET MOUNTAIN LAKE, JESUS SELECTED HIS APOSTLES

1. The most amazing thing about Christianity is that ordinary men were called to serve Him
2. There were no starry eyed fanatics, no white haired theologians, no great conquerors
3. These were a group of successful businessmen, plying their trade in the hard work of an all-night session on the sea; but still willing to listen to Jesus when He spoke.

I. JESUS HOLDS A BIBLE CONFERENCE Like 5:1-3

The early ministry of Jesus consisted of wandering about, teaching and ministering publicly

A.- THE PEOPLE CAME TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD, AND PRESSED UPON HIM TO TEACH THEM

1. There is no other way to Revival - no other way to Life eternal - The Word must reign
2. Wherever the Word has been honored,- people have been blessed- Nehemiah, Hezekiah, Josiah
3. America has more Bibles, and more Bible reading by more people than ever before- why no Revival?

C.- JESUS TAUGHT PEOPLE IN THE OPEN, IN THE MOUNTAINS, BY THE RIVERS, NEAR THE SEA OF GALILEE

1. A scan of the outline of the "Harmony of the Gospels" show Jesus often teaching crowds
2. Only a few of His sermons are preserved whole- Matt 5,6,7- Sermon on the Mount -
3. But it accounts that often the people gathered to listen to Him and heard Him gladly

D.- HERE JESUS TAUGHT THE WORD OF GOD BY THE SIDE OF GALILEE, THE GENTLE SLOPES, ROLLING FIELDS

1. Like any mountain lake- it had a distinct shoreline- green grass to the water's edge
2. The ships were there to dry their nets, perhaps Jesus was there to await their return-
3. But when Jesus saw the opportunity to use an empty vessel - Simon pushed it out a ways from the land- & Jesus taught the people as from a pulpit - and many in front row!

II.- THE ATTENTION DEVICE WAS A MIRACLE V.-4

We may use object lessons, visual aids, startling statements, rhetorical questions-

A.- WHEN HE HAD FINISHED TEACHING, HE SAID TO SIMON, "LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP" v.4 1.

1. The important thing is the Word of God- but foolish men hunger for miracles- toys, bobbles
2. To strengthen faith- or pay rent on boat - you guess!  But Jesus asked for obedience
3. Can you imagine the faith it took to try to tell a fisherman how to fish? -Typical words

B.- PETER HAD HIS OWN FEELINGS, LIKE A FISHERMAN BEING TOLD HOW TO FISH, BUT HE OBEYED v.5

1. They had fished all night- caught nothing- Fish were lying on the bottom- storm??
2. But Peter showed he had good sense- HE OBEYED - and this meant a lot of extra work for him
3. The application is obvious- Leaders today could do much if they could have obedience!

C.- THE RESULT WAS SUCH THAT ASTOUNDED PETER, THAT CALLED ATTENTION TO ALL OF A MIRACLE v.6-9

1. The net was strung out, and as they begin to draw it, it filled to the breaking point
2. They signaled to their partners- other ships came,- so many fish they almost sank
3. No danger-close to shore- but Peter was convinced- v.8- frightened because of his own sin

Many throughout ages- when face to face with God, were frightened- Gideon, Jacob, etc.

III.- JESUS CALLED FOR FISHERMEN FOR MEN Luke 5:10,11

The miracle of a divine call to discipleship for these, apostleship- might be yours!

A.- THE THREE ACCOUNTS IN THE SNYOPTIC GOSPELS SHOW DIFFERENT PICTURES OF THE SAME EVENT

1. Luke obtained his from being Paul's associate, interviewing Jesus' Relatives-
2. Mark was Peter's associate, sometimes called Peter's gospel- records Peter's memory
3. Matthew- may have been led to compile his from several documents- reports- all God's Word!

B.- JESUS SPOKE TO SIMON PETER, AND TOLD HIM WHAT HE HAD IN MIND, THEN CALLED HIM-

1. Perhaps in the boat- at Simon's fears- Jesus told him- v.10-"Fear not; thou shalt catch men"
2. Then as they were casting, cleaning their nets, he gave them the call - Mark 1:16-18
3. They knew the meaning of the call- and left their nets and followed Jesus- Disciples- Apostles

C.- A LITTLE FARTHER HE FOUND JAMES AND JOHN WITH THEIR FATHER, MENDING NETS - Matt 4:21

1. These had already been His disciples- met Jesus earlier, followed Him part way, learned-
2. But now something different- while at work- (remember broken net?) He called them!
3. Don't worry about Zebedee sinking- Mark 1:20- he had hired servants- but they forsook all and followed Jesus- to follow Jesus until their deaths! Disciples, Apostles, Preachers

JESUS TODAY IS SEEKING WILLING HEARTS TO OBEY HIS CALL, TO FOLLOW HIM ALL THE WAY!

1. Everyone- to receive Him as savior- be a full time Christian- & involves being taught!
2. Some to a special ministry- missionaries, evangelists, pastors, to live by Gospel!
3. Some to the special call to martyrdom - and many have died during the past year! -But again - EVERY CHRISTIAN to a full surrender, Spirit-led, holy life!