Luke 5:4
The sermon emphasizes the importance of serving the Lord with directed service and obedience, as seen in Peter's experience with Jesus.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of being directed by God in our service to Him, highlighting that the desire to serve is inherent in every believer. He warns against non-directed service, where individuals rely on their own ideas rather than God's guidance, and stresses that love should be the primary motivation for serving. Through the story of Peter's obedience to Jesus' command to 'launch out,' Smith illustrates that true success in service comes from following God's direction, even when it contradicts our own understanding. The sermon concludes with the transformative effect of this obedience on Peter, leading him to humility and a commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Text
"DIRECTED SERVICE"
Intro: It is important that we all serve the Lord. It is equally important that He direct us
in our service.
I. THE DESIRE TO SERVE THE LORD.
A. Planted in the heart of every true child of God.
1. That's what the title of Lord implies.
2. We have all been called of God to serve.
B. Dangers to watch for.
1. Non-directed service. (Fishing all night for nothing.
a. Doing things my way.
1. Problems with committees, a task needs to be accomplished,
let's figure out best way.
2. Too often we look to our own ideas rather than the Lord.
3. Many churches going broke trying to perpetuate someone's
great idea.
b. Going where I am not called.
1. Some so anxious to serve, just start out on own. Ahimaaz'
desire to run.
2. Too often we seek the counsel of men over the guidance from
God.
2. Serving from wrong motivations.
a. The desire for men's approval. Jesus warns against this in Sermon
on the Mount.
b. Serving for personal rewards.
1. If we should offer $100 for every guest you brought to
church tonight.
c. Love is the only accepted motive.
1. For the love of Christ constraineth me.
2. Though I sell all my goods...
II. THE COMMAND OF JESUS TO SIMON, "LAUNCH OUT..."
A. Notice how Jesus is directing his service.
1. It is contrary to Peter's good judgment as an experienced fisherman.
a. He was discouraged because of his lack of success.
b. Ready to hang it up for the day, try another time
c. The best time for fishing over.
d. If in the best time caught nothing, how foolish to try now.
e. He was probably also weary. Up all night, casting out nets and
rowing.
2. Peter's obedience, "Nevertheless, at Thy Word I will let down the net."
a. I've been doing this all night, once more.
1. How often have we quit, discouraged one net short of a
draught.
b. In the same area where he drew up empty nets, the nets are now full.
1. So full they begin to break.
2. What's the secret? Obedience!
c. Doing God's will may not always produce phenominal results.
1. God calls some to plant.
2. Others to water.
3. Never measure success by numbers, but by obedience.
Am I doing what God wants me to do?
Am I doing all God wants me to do?
III. THE EFFECTS OF THE SUCCESS ON PETER.
A. Did not start success seminars for all the Galilean fishermen.
B. It humbled him. "Fell at Jesus knees."
1. He knew that Jesus, not him, was the one responsible for success
2. He was ready to quit accepting failure.
C. He left it all to follow Jesus.
1. The ships weighted to the gunnels with fish are rowed to shore, the geight
of success in chosen profession.
Sermon Outline
- The Desire to Serve the Lord
- The Command of Jesus to Simon, 'Launch Out...'
- The Effects of the Success on Peter
- Did not start success seminars
- It humbled him
- Non-directed service
- Serving from wrong motivations
- He left it all to follow Jesus
Key Quotes
“For the love of Christ constraineth me.” — Chuck Smith
“Though I sell all my goods...” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should seek God's guidance before taking action, rather than doing things our own way.
- Obedience is more important than success or results.
- We should measure our success by our obedience to God, not by numbers or achievements.