Fishers of Men

Picture the scene: Jesus standing on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the crowd pressing in, hungry to hear the Word of God. He steps into Peter’s boat, pushes out a bit, and from that humble fishing vessel preaches to the masses. Then, He tells Peter to do something absurd: “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter is tired. He’s fished all night and caught nothing. But something about Jesus compels trust: “At Your Word, I will let down the nets.”

And what happens next is nothing short of miraculous! They get a catch so great that their nets are breaking. Peter, stunned and humbled, falls at Jesus’ knees and says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” But Jesus replies, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

This is more than a story about fish. This is a story about the mission of the Church, a mission that begins with Jesus' Word, continues through the pastoral office, and involves every believer. Today, we’ll consider this calling to evangelize, that is, to share the Gospel in three parts:

1. The Word that Does the Work

2. The Call to the Pastoral Office

3. The Participation of the Laity

Find out more in this sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity from St. John's Lutheran Church of Oakes, ND!