Palm Sunday: Captured Alive

Palm Sunday: Captured Alive

Pastor Brandon Berg

We are born fishers of earthly destinies, but we are re-born to fish for eternal destinies.

Luke 5:1-11

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."  But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing...

"Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat."

F. Scott Fitzgerald 

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."

Albert Einstein

"Don't give up! I believe in you all. A person's a person, no matter how small!"

Dr. Seuss

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."

Thomas Edison

...nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying,"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men."  So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

What is this story about?

1. God’s heart for lost humanity

2. God’s steadfast commitment to use us to bring others to salvation

3. A clear message that the mission is bigger than any one person

4. The enduring tension that we can’t, but God can, and He can through us

Discussion Questions:

1. What does this large haul of fish reveal to you about the heart of Jesus for people?

2. How did you come to faith? What was the name of the person who introduced you to Jesus? If you could describe that person in one word, what would it be?

3. Who are you praying for to come to a saving knowledge of, and relationship with Jesus in their life?

4. Is there someone you sense the Holy Spirit is nudging you to extend an invite to? Perhaps to an Easter service or Alpha?