I Am a Sinful Man!
“God will bridge the gap between our ability and what is required to accomplish His goal.”
Luke 5:1-11 (NASB)
Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little distance from the land. And He sat down and continued teaching the crowds from the boat. Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and likewise also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
Reflection
It’s interesting to think about why Jesus performed this miracle for Peter. Was it to reward Peter’s obedience? Was it to reveal that Jesus was the Son of God? Whatever the reason, the miracle didn’t begin with Simon tossing his nets back into the water after he had spent all night fishing and then all morning cleaning and stowing them. No, Jesus’ test of Simon’s obedience began when He asked Simon to allow Him to teach from Simon’s boat. The crowd had grown large, and Jesus needed to get some distance so that everyone could hear his teaching. Imagine how tired Simon must have been after working all night. Even so, Simon obeyed. And it was this first act of obedience that led to Jesus performing the miracle that convinced Simon, John, and James to follow Him.
None of these men had any business starting ministries. Peter was an impulsive man who routinely had to be calmed down and reminded to love first. He would later lie out of fear about knowing Jesus. Even after becoming a great leader in the church, Peter had to be checked by Paul about his treatment of the Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-13). As Peter himself pointed out, “I am a sinful man!” (verse 8). If Peter had been acting on his own throughout his ministry, he would have never been able to spread the message of Christ effectively. It was God who made the difference in Peter’s life. Jesus taught Peter about the new covenant He was bringing and modeled for Peter how his life should change. Peter’s life was transformed through the work of Christ, then later through the presence of the Holy Spirit. God was with Peter to guide him and to correct him in his sin, just as the Holy Spirit does for us today.
God will bridge the gap between our ability and what is required to accomplish His goal. All He needs is for us to have faith in His abilities and a willingness to obey. When we walk in faith to answer God’s call, we allow Him to work through our lives.
Action Steps
Sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged by the sin in our lives. One way we can move away from sin and toward God is by simply obeying His words. Even though he was tired and didn’t think it would work, Peter obeyed Jesus’ words…and experienced a miracle. Today, let’s look to Peter’s example and obey what God may be asking us to do.
Think of a time when you felt led to do something. Did you follow through with faith? If so, how did God use you in that situation? If you didn’t follow through, how may God have used you if you had obeyed? Right now, ask God for the courage to obey His words.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I am humbled that You would use me in Your plan that extends beyond my own lifetime. I know in my heart that what You lead me toward is for good, but the decision to follow You is not always easy. God, please give me the courage to follow You and overcome my fear. My trust is in You, Lord, because I know what You call me to comes out of Your pure, unwavering love. Amen.
Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little distance from the land. And He sat down and continued teaching the crowds from the boat. Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and likewise also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
Reflection
It’s interesting to think about why Jesus performed this miracle for Peter. Was it to reward Peter’s obedience? Was it to reveal that Jesus was the Son of God? Whatever the reason, the miracle didn’t begin with Simon tossing his nets back into the water after he had spent all night fishing and then all morning cleaning and stowing them. No, Jesus’ test of Simon’s obedience began when He asked Simon to allow Him to teach from Simon’s boat. The crowd had grown large, and Jesus needed to get some distance so that everyone could hear his teaching. Imagine how tired Simon must have been after working all night. Even so, Simon obeyed. And it was this first act of obedience that led to Jesus performing the miracle that convinced Simon, John, and James to follow Him.
None of these men had any business starting ministries. Peter was an impulsive man who routinely had to be calmed down and reminded to love first. He would later lie out of fear about knowing Jesus. Even after becoming a great leader in the church, Peter had to be checked by Paul about his treatment of the Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-13). As Peter himself pointed out, “I am a sinful man!” (verse 8). If Peter had been acting on his own throughout his ministry, he would have never been able to spread the message of Christ effectively. It was God who made the difference in Peter’s life. Jesus taught Peter about the new covenant He was bringing and modeled for Peter how his life should change. Peter’s life was transformed through the work of Christ, then later through the presence of the Holy Spirit. God was with Peter to guide him and to correct him in his sin, just as the Holy Spirit does for us today.
God will bridge the gap between our ability and what is required to accomplish His goal. All He needs is for us to have faith in His abilities and a willingness to obey. When we walk in faith to answer God’s call, we allow Him to work through our lives.
Action Steps
Sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged by the sin in our lives. One way we can move away from sin and toward God is by simply obeying His words. Even though he was tired and didn’t think it would work, Peter obeyed Jesus’ words…and experienced a miracle. Today, let’s look to Peter’s example and obey what God may be asking us to do.
Think of a time when you felt led to do something. Did you follow through with faith? If so, how did God use you in that situation? If you didn’t follow through, how may God have used you if you had obeyed? Right now, ask God for the courage to obey His words.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I am humbled that You would use me in Your plan that extends beyond my own lifetime. I know in my heart that what You lead me toward is for good, but the decision to follow You is not always easy. God, please give me the courage to follow You and overcome my fear. My trust is in You, Lord, because I know what You call me to comes out of Your pure, unwavering love. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One Mission
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show Love
No Comments