Everywhere that Jesus went there were throngs of people who went around him. His name and actions were circulating and people wanted to hear him and see for themselves. Who is this Jesus? And where does he get such teachings.

So Jesus walks up along the shoreline and comes across these two empty boats. The fisherman were gone, they were finished fishing and were preparing their nets for their next catch. The nets and the boats were empty.

The scripture says that Peter says, “We have worked all night and have caught nothing.” I know that Peter and the others must have been frustrated. I know any of you who are in a position where you make your money from commission must know the feeling quite well. This is their livelihood. This is how they make a living and to have a day of work yield nothing would be a problem. All of you get that. Working for nothing. Peter has every right to be frustrated. And if this would keep up his situation may become hopeless.

JOKE:
Two men were walking through the woods when then encountered a huge grizzly bear. Immediately, they ran for cover in different directions. One climbed a big tree, the other sought refuge in a cave. The bear stood waiting, halfway between the tree and the cave. Suddenly the man in the cave emerged, running at top speed toward the tree. But as he grew close to the menacing bear, he stopped short, turned around, and ran back into the cave. Seconds later, he did it again. Then a third time. “For heaven’s sake,” the man in the tree cried out to him, “Why don’t you stay in the cave?” “There’s another bear in there,” the other man answered.

WORLD FULL OF HOPELESSNESS
The world today must feel hopeless. The world today must be frustrated. We can understand that as right here in Elkhart County we held the highest unemployment in the country. What was the rate something like 15%. I can see how people become hopeless. They worked in these factories their entire lives and know nothing else. They made a good living, raised a family and were headed toward retirement. And out dropped the bottom and many people who may be middle age are out pounding the pavement with thousands of others trying to find something comparable. It is frustrating and hopeless as the months go by and the end of unemployment grows near. Like the boats and the nets are lives seem empty.

Our lives feel empty as our joblessness and financial difficulty lead to broken marriages, failed businesses, health problems as many people do not have health insurance. Many people have broken spirits and heartache. Many of you are suffering right now from something that may give you a feeling of hopelessness.

ILLUSTRATION: GAYLE HAGGARD
Just recently I saw an interview with Gayle Haggard. You might need reminded of who she is as her husband, Ted Haggard the former leader of the Evangelical Association and pastor of a large church out in Colorado was caught in a homosexual affair.

She has just written a book called “Why I Didn’t Leave.” I was thinking of her as she must have faced a hopelessness in her situation as they lost everything. They lost their church and their position and something more difficult to lose is their identity. I imagine she may have been hopeless.

I know many of you can’t relate to that story but you can imagine if it were you being betrayed and the emotions and feelings that may go along with it.

But there is hope as I want you to hear what Jesus says in Eugene Peterson’s words in The Message.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

JESUS CALLS US OUT INTO THE DEEP
Jesus says, Get away with me, I will show how to take a real rest, keep company with me and you will have a freedom. Isn’t that beautiful!

You know we need a real rest in the midst of the hardest things in our lives. We need someone to say, “Come away with me and you’ll recover your life.” I imagine all of you here today can relate to that. I know there are just seasons in your lives that you would like to forget.

Jesus asks Peter to put off from the shore and Jesus sits down and begins to teach the crowd and Peter is in the boat. Jesus then asks him to put out into the deep.

DEEP ILLUSTRATION:
You know there is something peaceful and calming about the deep water. Any of you who put out into a lake in a boat or swim know that there is something serene about the deep. It is a place where we let ourselves go and just float along enjoying the relaxation with the water supporting us. We don’t have to do anything if we don’t want to. We can float in our boat or on our backs.

Jesus calls Peter out into the deep. There is something here that Jesus wants to teach us. Jesus calls us out into the deep to learn and grow. Jesus calls out into the deep to find peace and rest and calm assurance that He is with us through our problems.

HAGGARD IN THE DEEP ILLUSTRATION
I guarantee Gayle Haggard must have gone out into the deep with Christ to enter into the place of forgiveness and restoration in her marriage. There was so much at stake.

You see we can only learn so much in the shallow. He calls us to know Him more. He calls us to go deeper.

This is where he teaches us where in our own devotion, we are relaxed He is speaking to us and we are responding in a way that calms us. Jesus calls us to teach us in the deep. Don’t give up. Rely on me. Trust me. We can’t always see the end. We can’t always see that the situation isn’t hopeless. That there is hope. We look at things from our own point of view and we see no hope.

God wants to reveal truth to you. God wants to show you His ways but Jesus calls us into the deep time with Him. Into solitude and prayer if that is where you hear from Him. You may find God deep in music or meditation. Spending time with Him is His call to us.

VERSE 5 - But we fished all night
I am sure that Gayle Haggard had a hard time making the decision to forgive and restore their marriage. In verse 5 Jesus asks Him to let down His nets because Jesus is about to fill them up but Peter answers but we fished all night.

I am sure as Peter was Gayle Haggard was frustrated and tired. I am sure as Peter was Gayle Haggard was defeated and negative. But Peter and Gayle Haggard go out into the deep and let down their nets and their nets filled with blessings.

No one really knows what Jesus has for us until we enter into a relationship with Him.

JOKE
A Zen master visiting New York City goes up to a hot dog vendor and says, "Make me one with everything." The hot dog vendor fixes a hot dog and hands it to the Zen master, who pays with a $20 bill. The vendor puts the bill in the cash box and closes it. "Excuse me, but where’s my change?" asks the Zen master. The vendor responds, "Change must come from within."

TRANSFORMATION
What happens is there is a transformation. Now I want you to notice that Peter calls Jesus Master in verse 5 and then He calls Him Lord in verse 8.

There is a transformation in the deep. Peter goes from calling Jesus Master, a more formal name to Lord a more personal name. Peter is transformed from just knowing Jesus as teacher but Jesus as Lord over him.

In verse 8 and 9 Peter rushes to the feet of Jesus and says Lord depart from me for I am sinful. It is here in the deep that Peter has seen the truth of who Jesus is. It is here that Peter’s life changes and his net is overflowing.

This is where Gayle Haggard states that she recognizes the weaknesses in her husband and in all humanity.

In the deep is where we recognize our own weaknesses and realize the greatness of Jesus. They come right up against each other and we are transformed. In this place right at this time, Peter is experiencing this very thing and He asks for mercy. He cries, Lord. Right here at this time, Peter’s relationship with Jesus becomes deeper. It becomes more intimate.

It is here where we enter the Holy of Holies, we come into the divine. We are in real worship and our lives are changed.

It is here that we are changed and that Jesus reveals truths that transforms us into the people He calls us to be. Like the nets our blessings overflow. Our marriages are better, our finances seem stable, our relationships begin to mend and we deal with our health problems. We recognize Jesus in the midst and He speaks to our need.

ILLUSTRATION: Gayle Haggard
When I was watching the Haggard interview, my husband ask me what I thought. I had to think about it for a few minutes and I said she has the glory of the Lord on her. She had this peace over her that we don’t see all the time. It is a peace that comes from being out in the deep with Jesus. It isn’t one of those things that just happens but it is to be sought after. It is seeking the glory of God.

The scripture says that they were amazed. I am sure Gayle Haggard is amazing people all over the country with her testimony. I was amazed in her glory.

It is truly amazing to see it as it is available for all who seek it.

CLOSING
DO NOT BE AFRAID
Our encounters with Jesus changes our lives. The scripture says Jesus tells them do not to be afraid for now on you will be catching people.

Once this change has occurred we are changed and our lives changed forever. It is a true witness to others. I always believe that to be an effective church we have to be a witness to the world. I believe that to grow physically we have to grow spiritually first.

When we go deep with Jesus, we wear the Lord’s charismata or charisma. We are excited and it becomes what is called contagious Christianity.

When we spend time in the deep with Christ, when we spend time in communion with Christ. We begin to change lives for Christ. Will you answer the call?