[Congregants] From Empty Nets to a Full Life – (10.18.26 – Lk. 5

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Dear St. Paul family,

 

Sermon-From Empty Nets to a Full Life

Cornerstone-Different Ways #2 - Contemplative Pathway

 

 

The gospel is from Lk. 5:1-11, the great catch of Peter.

 

Have you ever exerted great effort for something, and then having nothing to show for it? Studied hard, but received a bad grade. Work hard, but no promotion. Helped someone, but no change. Tried hard to change your habits, but no luck. Tried strenuously to stop a sin, but it is still there. Tried to have a regular time with God, but it only lasts a few days.

 

That is how Peter felt. He fished all night and caught nothing.

 

“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.” (Luke 5:3)

 

Everything changed when:

 

1) Receive

o   When Peter received Christ on his boat.

o   We too should invite Christ into our daily life, struggles, relationships, and dreams.

o   Be willing to yield to a different way, Christ’s way.

o   Understand that have a different result, I need Him to abide in me.

 

2) Respond

o   We need to obey His words and commandments.

o   Let down the net, even if I tried – respond with obedience.

o   We are not crushed, nor in despair, nor forsaken, nor destroyed.

 

3) Repent

o   Admit our sin to Him.

o   Be transformed, have Him change your heart, and your life.

o   Peter went from being a fisherman, to a fisher of men, a new calling, new life.

 

Let us stop exerting great effort on our own, and let us start to receive Christ and invite Him into our lives and struggles, respond to Him with full obedience not falling into despair, and repent, admit our sinfulness, shortcomings, and allow Him to transform our hearts, and our lives.

 

Fr. James

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