Now Is The Time To Fish Luke 5 1 11

The Fifth Sunday After Trinity                                     5-July-2026
Sermon Text: Luke 5:1-11
Sermon Theme: “Now Is The Time To Fish!” I. Jesus’ Still Small Voice Echos In The Nave! (Vs.1-3) II. Jesus’ Promise And Water Bring Forth Abundantly! (Vs.4-6) III. Jesus Absolves Sinners Sending Them Forth With The Gospel’s Net! (Vs.7-11) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert

I.N.R.I. What price was paid for you to freely attend church this morning? Celebrating our congregation’s 75th birthday we look back and see our forefathers freely giving of their time, talents, and treasures to build our beautiful sanctuary. We remember faithful Sunday school teachers, organists, elders, trustees, deacons, and even church basement ladies who spent their various talents on building our congregation’s children, caring for the hurting, maintaining the building, encouraging one another in trials, and striving to keep us faithful to Christ’s Word, Lutheran doctrine, and practice. You are here this morning because others sacrificed for you to hear Christ’s Word here at Emmanuel.
     Our constitution’s first amendment protects your liberty to gather here at Emmanuel every Sunday. It reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Every Sunday you stay home from church, every day you fear freely speaking of Christ Jesus to your neighbors or co-workers - you surrender this liberty bought with the blood of patriots. Yesterday our nation celebrated its 250th Independence Day. Liberty though granted by God and trumpeted in natural law - doesn’t break free from tyranny with out men willing to sacrifice all. History records that “fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty. At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Cornwallis had taken over Thomas Nelson's home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly ordered General George Washington to open fire on the Nelson home. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forest and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion.”Remember the price they paid for you to be here this morning.
     We can remember back 1, 776 years to German princes and laymen who willingly knelt down before Emperor Charles V to have their heads chopped off rather than to surrender Christian doctrinal truth - as they confessed the Augsburg Confession in 1530. Eventually many of them would lose their crowns, treasure, and even their lives - but the Word of our God endures forever. That’s the price that was paid for you to be here this morning.
    Going back another fourteen centuries and you’ll see all, but one of Jesus’ apostles martyred so that Christ Jesus’ Word and doctrine might be preached here this morning. To forsake hearing of God’s Word is to forget their sacrifice that the Gospel might go forth to the ends of the earth - yes even here to Tell City, Indiana.
    Take one step back further and you stand on the hill of Calvary outside of Jerusalem. The Innocent Man is dying FOR YOU! It cost Jesus - everything to buy you back from all your sins, death, and the power of the devil. He willingly paid the price to reconcile you to His God and your God, to His Father and your Father. Christian liberty is only bought with the blood of Jesus.
     St. Peter writes to Christians facing persecution. Rome outlawed Christianity. Romans were religious, but they could not tolerate narrow minded Christians who claimed there was only One Way, One Truth, and One Life - rejecting all of their many gods and diverse pathways. What does God the Holy Spirit tell the Church through Peter’s pen to do in dark days of persecution?1Pe 3:14-15 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, (15) but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
    As our congregation celebrates it’s 250th birthday and our congregation celebrates it’s 75th anniversary... “Now Is The Time To Fish!” I. Jesus’ Still Small Voice Echos In The Nave! (Vs.1-3) II. Jesus’ Promise And Water Bring Forth Abundantly! (Vs.4-6) III. Jesus Absolves Sinners Sending Them Forth With The Gospel’s Net! (Vs.7-11)
I. St. Luke records the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry when He was about 30 years old. Jesus is the Second Adam. Satan seeks to tempt Him, but Jesus stands firm on God’s Word defeating the evil one. Then He begins preaching in the Galilean synagogues. Coming to His hometown of Nazareth He is rejected. The townspeople hearing His sermon rise up in anger to throw Him off a cliff. He walks away from them without harm - it isn’t the time yet for His death for us.
     Returning to Capernaum Jesus frees a man from demon possession in the synagogue. He heals the sick and frees many from demons. To those who beg Him to stay in one place our Lord speaks, Luk 4:43 "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." He preaches throughout the other synagogues in Galilee.
     God’s Word cannot be contained or restrained - it breaks forth upon this world freeing it from darkness to walk in the light of life. (Vs.1) The crowds long to hear God’s Word. They crowd around Jesus until His back is to the Lake of Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee). Jesus is establishing His Church outside of the Jewish synagogues. The doors are open to all nations. What is the Church? We confess with Dr. Luther, “]Thank God, ‹today› a seven-year-old child knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd [John 10:11–16]. [3] For the children pray, “I believe in one holy Christian Church.” This holiness does not come from albs, tonsures, long gowns, and other ceremonies they made up without Holy Scripture, but from God’s Word and true faith.From "Article XII. The Church" in The Smalcald Articles, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Pocket Edition. © 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
   Listen closer! (Vs.1-3) Simon, Andrew, James, and John had finished their vocation as fishermen. In the sweat of their brow they labored through a fruitless night - they had caught nothing but seaweed. Still they faithfully fulfill their vocation to provide for their families and their neighbors. They work washing their nets, so they can go home, eat, rest, and prepare to get to work the next night again.
    Their necessary work is interrupted by the Preacher and the Church. Jesus asks Simon to take time for Church. To row Jesus a little out from land in his boat as Jesus sits in the pulpit to preach. Peter seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness - he leaves his necessary work to be in Church - to hear the Preacher in the boat.
      Now is the time for us to fish! The part of the congregation in which you sit is “the boat” in Latin “nave” from which English creates the word, “navy.” Jesus is still preaching in the boat - in the nave here at Emmanuel. Like Andrew tell others, as he told his brother Peter, “We have found the Messiah!” and bring them to hear Jesus really present here in our nave as the still small voice of God’s Word is preached. Don’t come to hear pastor, come to hear Jesus! Cast the net of this invitation out to all! Remember Jesus’ Word to the seventy two men He called and sent to preach the Kingdom of God? Luk 10:16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."
   We don’t need massive pyrotechnics as exploded across our skies in the last few days to gather the Church and save sinners. We don’t need rock tearing winds, thunderstorms, or mighty life destroying earthquakes - to sustain the Church. Video screens distract from the still small voice of Christ Jesus speaking His Word to comfort those worn out by life in a fallen world. All is not lost despairing Elijahs - the Lord Jesus still preserves 7,000 faithful ones in His Church who haven’t bent the knee to our modern idolatry. The still small voice of Jesus controls history - as His voice goes forth throughout this world in His Church’s pulpits as faithful pastors preach His Word. His cross and empty tomb alone! Repent of despair and open your ears to hear Him! II. Jesus’ sermon finally ends. It probably lasted for two to three hours. The sun was high in the sky, the heat of the day had arrived, so Jesus sends the crowds home. The hearers on the shores that day put us to shame. Our ears have grown so calloused that we can’t tolerate being in the boat with Jesus for over an hour - let alone have a pastor preach Jesus to us for three hours. Repent of growing dull of hearing the still small voice of God in His Word!
      Luke records, (vs.4) Finishing His sermon it is time for Simon to return to his vocation. The sermon is to be lived in our daily lives - it isn’t ear candy, but the living Word of Christ! Do you live the sermons you hear at Emmanuel or do you leave them in the pew? Do you apply the Word of God to your business? Our founding fathers did! The open Bible Luther gave planted the principle of liberty here in North America. Truth is that it is impossible to enslave a Bible reading, believing, and living people. If we leave the sermon at church - we surrender the liberties given us by our Creator and protected by the rule of Law in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Restrictions on the federal government’s power and authority.
     Listen and learn from Simon! (Vs.5) Seasoned fishermen knew when to fish the Galilee, a Preaching Carpenter from Nazareth lacked the experience and know how. Still Simon calls Jesus, “Master” after hearing Him preach God’s Word with authority, not as other men. He will follow Jesus’ Word, even though all other fishermen will laugh at him as a fool wasting time and energy to fish where and when catching is impossible. Still as Luke records the angel Gabriel’s word to the Virgin,Luk 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible." The Virgin Mary says, “Let it be to me according to your word.” and she is pregnant through her ears - the Life of the World is now growing in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit.  
       Likewise Simon lives the sermon! (Vs.6-7) Jesus’ Word and promise attached to water brings such a large catch of fish that nets are about to break. Signaling for help, both boats are filled to max capacity. Jesus attaches His promise to water - Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.” Why do you follow your sin darkened reason and your feelings? Why do you deny Jesus’ promise and power in baptism - water and His Word. It works for infants as well as elderly. Cast the net of His triumph of our sin upon the cross and over our death and the devil by His resurrection by baptizing and teaching all nations. You are not alone - just as He was with Simon the boat - He is with you in the Nave of the Church and walks with you into your daily calling. Now is the time to fish!
III. The devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. We struggle with our sin. When we fall - the unholy three accuse us of being unworthy to be in the boat of the Church with Jesus. Shut your ears to their accusing voice - listen only to Jesus! (Vs.8-10) Peter now knows that Jesus isn’t just a “Master” He is the “Lord” the God of creation tabernacling among us in flesh and blood. Jesus is Lord! He is Jehovah! He is Yahweh! He is the Son of God and the Son of Man! The Word of God made flesh to dwell among us - even us today here at Emmanuel!
     Peter wants to send Jesus away. Our Lord doesn’t leave despairing sinners, like Peter, like me, like you! He speaks good news, ‘Do not be afraid!” words spoken by Gabriel to the Virgin, by the preaching Angel on the night Jesus was born to cowering Bethlehem shepherds, by the tomb guarding angels to the fearful women - proclaiming Jesus risen! “Do not be afraid!” I forgive you of all your sins! Now go fish! Tell our sin captive world - true liberty if found in Jesus alone - in His Church as the Holy Spirit daily and richly forgives you all yours sins and the sins of all believers!
        Follow Him! (Vs11) Elijah was certain all was lost! God had it under His control. Peter assures Christians living in dark evil days of persecution to live the sermon by seeking peace and pursing it. To follow Jesus not our fallen crumbling culture. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to shore forsaking the treasure of two boat loads full of fish to follow Jesus. The treasure given to them by our Creator would provide for their families as they were taught by Jesus for three years to be His apostles - eyewitnesses of His preaching, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension.
        What does it cost you to sit here this morning? Everything forsake all and follow Jesus - you will lose nothing but your sin, despair, and death. Amen.