“Have You Caught Anything Lately?”

Our Text: John 21:5-6

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

The One That Got Away

If you ever want to catch someone in a lie, ask him about his fishing expedition.   Everyone has a story about the one that got away.  They were gone all day and the only thing in the cooler is a small fish that they should have put back into the pond.   Why is it that only the big ones get away?  Fishermen must not only deal with exaggeration but also coming home with nothing.  The plight of a fisherman is a parallel to our plight in life.

• We live life seeking a big catch
• We plan, prepare, and practice as if expecting a return
• We are disappointed when our results are small
• We are depressed when our results are nothing
• We want blessings
  • We want growth
  • We want a better life
  • We want a better marriage
  • We want a better career
  • We want a better relationship
  • We want better health
  • We want a better world

Test-a-lying

We try to act as if we have it all together, even when we do not.  We put on our best smile, our best clothes, and drive our best car to make people think that things are going well when they are not.  That's "test-a-lying," not testifying.

You don't have to test a lie.  You don't have to live a lie.  You don't have to exaggerate the truth.  You don't have to go home empty handed.  This is because the God we serve has resurrection power and can turn your life around.

• You can be broke one day and prosperous the next day
• You can be without blessings one day and have your cup running over the next day
• You can be in heartbreak hotel one day and be on Blessing Boulevard the next day

Our text tells us how to become an effective fisherman. 

Point #1

There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.  (John 21:2-3)

This is weeks after Jesus' resurrection.  He had been seen by many.  Thomas placed his hand in His side.  They went fishing and caught nothing.  In life, we can search and seek something better and come up empty-handed.  They had been fishing all night long.  They had been going at it a long time.  Yet, they caught nothing.  This is a sad refrain, a disheartening remark.  You can strive and strive and end up where you began.  In the darkest hour, when you have nothing in your hand, that is when Jesus steps in on the scene.

• When we are down and out, Jesus has a way of just showing up
• When you were sinking deep in sin, Jesus showed up
• When you were stuck in the muck and the mire, Jesus showed up
• When you were lost in darkness and needed light, Jesus became the Light of the world 

You don't have to turn to anybody.  Jesus will show up right on time. 

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.  (John 21:5)

"Have you any meat?"  Did you catch anything?  The disgusted disciples answered, "No."  Peter probably said "<BLANK> NO!"  But Jesus takes the next step.  He goes beyond just showing up, He helps them out and says, "Cast your nets on the RIGHT side and you WILL find fish."

Point #2

When Jesus gives us advice, He is always right.  If you do what Jesus says to do, if you fish on the RIGHT side, you will be blessed.  Sometimes, we turn to the wrong people and get the wrong answers.  Some people say, "One monkey don't stop no show."  However, they don't know that it is not their monkey.   Don't go to people for advice.  Go to the Lord.  Jesus is a mighty good Counselor.  Jesus is a reliable Counselor.  You can lean on His advice.

Point # 3

They obeyed the Lord.  They didn't just listen to what Jesus said, they did it.   When they obeyed, the nets became full of fish.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  (Matthew 7:24)

You want to build your life on the firm foundation.  Do what God says to do.   Obey God's word.  Then, you can say, "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."  Obeying God will lengthen your days.   If you want a long life, obey the Lord.  God will walk with you... goodness on one side and mercy on the other side.

Obeying God will make you healthy.  You won't eat what is bad for you.   Obeying God will give you success.  You will catch fish.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  (Joshua 1:8)

• When we obey the Lord, our cup runs over
• When we obey the Lord, our storehouses are full
• When we obey the Lord, He does exceedingly and abundantly above all that we could ask or think
• When we obey the Lord, our needs are met
• When we obey the Lord, our wants are satisfied

God is able

God is still in the blessing business.  If you call on Him, He is able.  You can catch your blessing if you do what the old folks used to say.  Trust and obey.   Stop fishing on the left side and get out on the right side.  Live fully in the plan of God.  Get on God's right side and you can reach up and catch the blessing.

Reach up.  Reach up and catch your blessing.