Goin' Fishin'

A Sermon delivered at All Saints Anglican Church, April 2, 2007, Year C, and based on John 21:1-14


They say that a bad day fishing is better than a good day in the office.

Apparently, Peter must have had the same philosophy, because shortly after the resurrection, he announces ( KJV) “ I go a-fishing.” Or, in the closely-linked Appalachian version” I’m a goin’ fishin’. His buddies Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John and two others quickly decide to join in. They climb in the boat, and head out to fish all night – and come up with nothin’. Zip, Zilch, Nada, Nothin’.

Now, it’s unlikely that Peter et al were going back to the fishing trade on a permanent basis, but they probably did need something to keep body and soul together. Jesus had Risen and appeared to them, but over a forty day period, these appearances were sporadic. So, whether out of boredom, or just simple financial need, they go back to the familiar trade for a night. What was really happening though was that Jesus was setting them up for a reprise of their initial call to become fishers of men.

God really does have a sense of humor – perhaps even verging on being a practical joker. Here these poor guys are out there all night, with nothing to show for their efforts – not even one little minnow! And Jesus tells them to let down their nets on the right side for a catch. This is an object lesson of the Christian faith.

To mix a metaphor, John 15: 1 ff tells us that Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches. If we stay connected to him, we bear much fruit, for apart from him, we can do nothing. (v.5). The disciples found out how this verse applies to fishing that night. We may understand that in their own wisdom and strength, they tried to do what they knew to do. It wasn’t sin, but it wasn’t the result of specifically abiding in the vine. As a result, there was no result. This is the way it is in the Christian life: You can take a notion to do something that seems right and reasonable, but if it’s not the result of being led by the Lord, you will have no fruit.

Instead, we are to ‘fish on the right side of the boat”. That is, we are to do what Jesus tells us. Remember the story of Mary asking Jesus for wine at the wedding of Cana – and how she tells the servants to “do whatever he tells you”… That’s a simple formula for leading a successful Christian life.

But we might quickly point out that in order to ‘do what he tells you’, you must be listening! And for all their lack of success fishing, the disciples were listening. We can only imagine what they must have been thinking as Jesus tells them to put down their nets on the other side of the boat. But they obeyed and as a result, they pulled up a multitude of fish – so much so that the boat was ready to capsize.
And in an odd detail, we are told that there are 153 fish to be precise. We accept this by faith, even though fishermen are known to exaggerate… Another allegorical note: the net held. Jesus intends for us to keep the fish we catch!

Now Peter realizes it is the Lord directing the catch, and he grabs his outer garment and plunges into the sea, swimming the 100 yards to shore. He finds Jesus making breakfast, fish and bread. Christ feeds the disciples and then he is suddenly gone.


This story illustrates graphically what we as the Lord’s disciples are to do: we are to be fishers of men, winners of souls, makers of disciples. We are to multiply our efforts! 2 Tim. 2:2 tells us the pattern: “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men [and women] who will be able to teach others also.”

Most churches in America today are not into addition, not multiplication. Most of the growth in churches comes from transfers, not from making new believers. That is not what Jesus told us to do! We are to win new believers and to make disciples, who will in turn go out and make new converts and disciples. If we were really being faithful to this pattern, we would grow geometrically, not just one by one.

Admittedly, this is a harder task than just transferring Christians from other churches. But it’s vital that we do so! There are still 75,000 people in the immediate area who are literally going to Hell in a handbasket without the Lord. If we don’t fish for them, part of the responsibility for their souls will rest on us.

But how do we win them? Largely through relationship building. While it’s true that many people are saved in revivals and evangelistic campaigns, it’s a demonstrated fact that most people come to church because they were invited by a friend – someone they have history with, someone whom they trust enough to respond to. Are we developing this type of relationship with any non-believers? Do we invite them to church or to small group? Do we pray with them, or have bible study with them? Do we believe what John wrote about his Gospel? – “these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (Jn. 20:31).

Friends, Jesus is Life. Without Jesus, there is no true Life. Let me urge you to meditate on this truth and to ask God to open up opportunities for you to share this life with your friends and loved ones. If we can get into a habit of thinking this way, we will grow – not just additively, but geometrically. Not just for the sake of having a big church, but for the sake of winning the world for Christ.

Let’s Pray: Father, we know that apart from you we can do nothing. We also know that in You is life and the Life is the Light of Men. Help us, O God, to be faithful witnesses of the Life. Please direct us to help those who do not know you to find you. Assist us with the power of your Holy Spirit to be your witnesses. Bring in new souls to your Kingdom through us for the Glory of your Name, and the life of the World. We ask it all through the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.