Introduction: Ansel and Jennifer Rogers (a missionary couple supported at Wayside) are serving the Lord in Peru, where fishing is a major industry. In past years El Nino has made fishing bad, but recently it has improved. Fishing exports rose 105% last year. Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen, so it is not surprising that we have several stories in the Gospels about fishing. Here we read the account of Jesus calling Peter, James and John to be fishers of men, fishers for God. There are some great lessons for us here: What does Jesus want US to do?

I. To launch out into the deep water...

• 1. Fish may be found in many kinds of water: The shallows, in deep water, in weed beds, in coral formations, in fresh water, salt water, lakes, rivers and oceans.
  
• 2. There are people and nations all around the world, and we must go to all of them.
  
• 3. The disciples went to the deep water at Jesus' command. We must each be sensitive to Jesus' call to us as individuals. Has He called YOU to go to a foreign nation, or a special ministry?

II. To let down your nets for a catch...

• 1. Amateur fishermen fish for many reasons: to get away from home; to forget the cares of the working world; the enjoyment of the great outdoors; a fascination with equipment and lures, etc. etc.
  
• 2. Professional fishermen fish for one reason: to catch fish.
  
• 3. Jesus has called us to catch fish, not to play at missionary. We need to beware of falling in love with making nets and boats, mending nets, educating other fishermen, creating fishing-related businesses, etc., and losing sight of our real goal: catching men and women for Christ. Making converts and building churches.

III. To get ready for a big catch...

• 1. When you fish where Jesus sends you, expect a big catch (see also John 21:1-14).
  
• 2. Compared to the total number of fish in the Sea of Galilee, they probably caught a very small percentage. But still a large number of fish.
  
• 3. Compared to the total population of the world, the percentage of men we catch for Jesus is probably ver small. Jesus said it would be that way (Matthew 7:13-14).
  
• 4. But the number of converts we make should still be very large (Luke 10:2).
  
• 5. We need more people to haul up the nets, to gather the harvest (Luke 5:7). Missionaries need partners who will give and pray and support in many ways. And we need more missionaries.

IV. To put Jesus first...(Luke 5:11)

• 1. Churches do many good things: feed the poor; help one another with our spiritual problems; comfort the bereaved; encourage members to be salt and light in society.
  
• 2. But our main purpose is to "forsake all, and follow Him."
  
• 3. Jesus must come first. His priorities must be our priorities.
  
• 4. Jesus fed people, and healed people, but He did it for a higher purpose: to win people to faith in God. We may feed and heal and educate, but we must always remember that our real purpose is to find ways to win people to Christ. Our social outreach is a tool to allow us to evangelize and build churches, to lift up Jesus and to work for His Kingdom.
  
• 5. Just before He left this world, Jesus gave us our "marching orders:" Matthew 20:18-20 and Acts 1:7-8.

Conclusion: Pray for Ansel and Jennifer Rogers. Pray for Peru and the other nations of the world, where many have never even heard about Jesus. Pray for Wayside and for each of us, that we may keep our own personal priorities in tune with Jesus, and that we might be like the disciples, and "forsake all, and follow Him."