Sermon – God Calls Us in Our Imperfectness Rev. Sandy Lacey February 09, 2025
When one of our sons was very small – a toddler and a little older – he would insist upon doing things his way: walking to the car, rather than being carried, even in the pouring rain; picking out and putting on horribly mismatched clothing and shoes, etc. His mantra at this age was, “I do it!” and it was usually followed by some exasperation on my part (because, of course, it was never convenient for me.) Some of you know exactly what I am talking about because I have seen your kids and grandkids do the same. We have independence streaks a mile wide in us and our culture encourages it with our can-do and “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” attitude. As adults, however, we hopefully learn to temper our independent streaks with recognition that we (all people) are in this life together and that we are actually, not independent, but interdependent with one another. We have learned that there are things we just cannot do on our own and for which we need help. Sometimes I wonder, with our current culture, if many of us are stuck in the toddler stage and expect to do everything on our own, accompanied by the demand that everyone else do the same. Yes, it is a toddler expectation that we can do anything we want to all on our own and let’s just let everyone else fend for themselves. As I have mentioned before, the South African Ubuntu philosophy teaches something entirely different. In effect, the philosophy says that when one person is suffering, we all suffer. Likewise, when we build up the person who is suffering, it will affect not only that person, but the whole population. And when we degrade one person or segment of the population, the entire population will suffer.[1] In that culture independence is not a virtue and a person’s limitations are not considered faults. Conversely, in our culture, we really struggle when we come face-to-face with our limitations (because we know that our culture places value on strength, wealth, ability, and independence.) When a segment of our population requires help or becomes less able to do things they have always done, the culture tends to disenfranchise them and they often become depressed and worry that they have no purpose any more. Self-sufficiency is a great thing to help motivate you to reach your potential, it seems. But it is a sin to give it more value than what God intends. Yes, we are encouraged to use our gifts, but they are given for a purpose (and the purpose is not to be self-sufficient.) Gifts are given to be a blessing to others. Wealth and privilege are not all about you and yours; wealth and privilege are about what you can do for others. Yes, I know that is not popular these days, but Jesus never asked us to be popular, only faithful. In today’s story from Luke, we think Simon Peter had already met Jesus because in chapter 4 it says that Jesus went to his home and healed his mother-in-law. At any rate, we have the scene of Peter and his friends James and John cleaning their nets after an exasperating night of catching no fish. You can imagine how dejected these fishermen were. After all, fishing was their livelihood and they were going home empty handed. As part of the Hebrew culture, these fishermen were ones without status already. Jesus wanders onto the beach where the fishermen were cleaning their nets, and he brings with him a crowd who were pressing him to teach. Can you picture the scene as the crowd begins to envelop the fishermen and their menial, embarrassing task of cleaning their nets following a completely unproductive night? The story tells us that Jesus gets in Peter’s boat and asks him to go out in the sea a little way so that he can speak to the people. Peter obliges him and they go out a little ways into the Sea of Galilee while Jesus teaches from the boat. Following his talk, Jesus tells Peter to throw out his net into the deep. Peter reluctantly agrees (“yet if you say so”) because he is skeptical of anything happening to change things. Surprising, we hear of the extraordinary amount of grace that is given – the nets so full of fish that Peter thought it would sink his boat! So he calls for help from James and John and their boat. And the catch is so great it nearly sinks their boat too. Once the excitement is over and Peter realizes what has happened, we imagine that Peter turned to look with stunned amazement at Jesus, instantly recognizing there is something special about this man. It will be the first of many epiphanies for Peter. We learn that Peter’s stunned amazement slowly turns to recognition that the holy is right there with him and he becomes overwhelmed with his own sense of inadequacy and limitation. Has this ever happened to you, where you are confronted with the knowledge that you are completely inadequate for the job you need to do? Or perhaps you are confronted with the knowledge that you are doing the wrong thing and are in the wrong place? Or have you never been humbled? Jesus’ response to Peter’s worry is kind and compassionate. He gives Peter the most often repeated instruction in the entire New Testament: “do not be afraid.” And then he gives him a purpose, a job. He tells Peter to “follow me and catch people.” And Peter drops everything and follows Jesus.
There are several remarkable things about this story, I think. One is that even in the midst of Peter’s skepticism, he follows what he thinks is a ridiculous instruction from Jesus. It has been his experience, as borne out through the long night of not catching fish, that there were no fish in the area. So, his faith in Jesus’ instruction was hesitant and reluctant . . . and yet, he does it. Why? He has seen Jesus do something unexpected before, so maybe there might be something that he could do? Maybe he was at the end of his rope, so to speak, and he was ready to get some help from someone else. Self-sufficiency only goes so far, you see. He had seen or heard Jesus do healings and miracles and just maybe there was a tiny bit of hope that Jesus could make a difference in his life too. How about you? What moves you to take that leap of faith, however reluctant you are to take it? What finally pushes you to throw your net into the deep, not really sure if anything will change? The second remarkable thing about this story in Luke is Peter’s response to the grace that is given. Peter recognized his limitations and he repented. He changed course – that is what repent means. He became aware of just how far apart he was from where God intended him to be. This will not be the only time he finds this awareness; he will have many more opportunities to see where he falls short. Notice that the reluctant action came first; then, the awareness and repentance. Sometimes, the truth is that we need to act ourselves into awareness and belief. We have to take the leap of faith first before we have the recognition of just how limited we are by ourselves. It is rather like baptizing an infant or a child or even an adolescent. As an infant or a child, we might go through the motion of baptism with absolutely no recognition of our need for God. Later we come to realize how dependent we are upon the God who created us and sustains us; it is at that point that we confirm our faith and reconfirm it many more times during the course of our lives. We do not have to have things all figured out before we take leaps of faith. As the church, how often are we on our knees before God, asking for his help and acknowledging our complete dependence upon him? Like Peter, do we repent from our self-sufficiency and look with stunned amazement at Jesus when we are at the end of our rope? Are we even aware of the God we serve and the extraordinary things God has done and continues to do? A little bit of humbleness goes a long way. Acknowledging our complete dependence upon God is a good thing. Lastly, we are always reminded to not be afraid because well, apparently we forget. Fear nearly stopped Peter in his tracks and kept him a fisherman, rather than a disciple. We fear we are not good enough, do not have the right skills, that we will be alone, that we will do something wrong, or that the road ahead is too challenging. Fear keeps us doing the same thing over and over again or burying our head in the sand. Jesus says, don’t be afraid. You are not alone. I will give you the skills. Lean on me and I will help you imagine doing something different. You are good enough and you are likely to do something wrong, but I will still help you. You have a new purpose – follow me. Become my disciple. There is a new role for you to play and you will do great things as you depend upon me. As Howard Gregory states, it is clear that there is a cost to discipleship.[2] These fishermen gave up what was familiar and they left everything to follow Jesus. They were not forced to do so but they were compelled to do so. What is the difference between being forced and being compelled, you may wonder? One is like a puppet being controlled by a puppeteer and the other, well, is an awareness that something extraordinary is waiting for you. And you are drawn to it; you simply must move forward. It’s time, folks. It is time to cast our net into the deep, come hell or high water. Let’s do it together. AMEN.
[1] Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Believe: The Words and Inspiration of Desmond Tutu. (Boulder, Colorado: Blue Mountain Press, 2007.) p. 3. 2 Howard K. Gregory, “Pastoral Perspective” in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol. 1. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.) p. 336.
When one of our sons was very small – a toddler and a little older – he would insist upon doing things his way: walking to the car, rather than being carried, even in the pouring rain; picking out and putting on horribly mismatched clothing and shoes, etc. His mantra at this age was, “I do it!” and it was usually followed by some exasperation on my part (because, of course, it was never convenient for me.) Some of you know exactly what I am talking about because I have seen your kids and grandkids do the same. We have independence streaks a mile wide in us and our culture encourages it with our can-do and “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” attitude. As adults, however, we hopefully learn to temper our independent streaks with recognition that we (all people) are in this life together and that we are actually, not independent, but interdependent with one another. We have learned that there are things we just cannot do on our own and for which we need help. Sometimes I wonder, with our current culture, if many of us are stuck in the toddler stage and expect to do everything on our own, accompanied by the demand that everyone else do the same. Yes, it is a toddler expectation that we can do anything we want to all on our own and let’s just let everyone else fend for themselves. As I have mentioned before, the South African Ubuntu philosophy teaches something entirely different. In effect, the philosophy says that when one person is suffering, we all suffer. Likewise, when we build up the person who is suffering, it will affect not only that person, but the whole population. And when we degrade one person or segment of the population, the entire population will suffer.[1] In that culture independence is not a virtue and a person’s limitations are not considered faults. Conversely, in our culture, we really struggle when we come face-to-face with our limitations (because we know that our culture places value on strength, wealth, ability, and independence.) When a segment of our population requires help or becomes less able to do things they have always done, the culture tends to disenfranchise them and they often become depressed and worry that they have no purpose any more. Self-sufficiency is a great thing to help motivate you to reach your potential, it seems. But it is a sin to give it more value than what God intends. Yes, we are encouraged to use our gifts, but they are given for a purpose (and the purpose is not to be self-sufficient.) Gifts are given to be a blessing to others. Wealth and privilege are not all about you and yours; wealth and privilege are about what you can do for others. Yes, I know that is not popular these days, but Jesus never asked us to be popular, only faithful. In today’s story from Luke, we think Simon Peter had already met Jesus because in chapter 4 it says that Jesus went to his home and healed his mother-in-law. At any rate, we have the scene of Peter and his friends James and John cleaning their nets after an exasperating night of catching no fish. You can imagine how dejected these fishermen were. After all, fishing was their livelihood and they were going home empty handed. As part of the Hebrew culture, these fishermen were ones without status already. Jesus wanders onto the beach where the fishermen were cleaning their nets, and he brings with him a crowd who were pressing him to teach. Can you picture the scene as the crowd begins to envelop the fishermen and their menial, embarrassing task of cleaning their nets following a completely unproductive night? The story tells us that Jesus gets in Peter’s boat and asks him to go out in the sea a little way so that he can speak to the people. Peter obliges him and they go out a little ways into the Sea of Galilee while Jesus teaches from the boat. Following his talk, Jesus tells Peter to throw out his net into the deep. Peter reluctantly agrees (“yet if you say so”) because he is skeptical of anything happening to change things. Surprising, we hear of the extraordinary amount of grace that is given – the nets so full of fish that Peter thought it would sink his boat! So he calls for help from James and John and their boat. And the catch is so great it nearly sinks their boat too. Once the excitement is over and Peter realizes what has happened, we imagine that Peter turned to look with stunned amazement at Jesus, instantly recognizing there is something special about this man. It will be the first of many epiphanies for Peter. We learn that Peter’s stunned amazement slowly turns to recognition that the holy is right there with him and he becomes overwhelmed with his own sense of inadequacy and limitation. Has this ever happened to you, where you are confronted with the knowledge that you are completely inadequate for the job you need to do? Or perhaps you are confronted with the knowledge that you are doing the wrong thing and are in the wrong place? Or have you never been humbled? Jesus’ response to Peter’s worry is kind and compassionate. He gives Peter the most often repeated instruction in the entire New Testament: “do not be afraid.” And then he gives him a purpose, a job. He tells Peter to “follow me and catch people.” And Peter drops everything and follows Jesus.
There are several remarkable things about this story, I think. One is that even in the midst of Peter’s skepticism, he follows what he thinks is a ridiculous instruction from Jesus. It has been his experience, as borne out through the long night of not catching fish, that there were no fish in the area. So, his faith in Jesus’ instruction was hesitant and reluctant . . . and yet, he does it. Why? He has seen Jesus do something unexpected before, so maybe there might be something that he could do? Maybe he was at the end of his rope, so to speak, and he was ready to get some help from someone else. Self-sufficiency only goes so far, you see. He had seen or heard Jesus do healings and miracles and just maybe there was a tiny bit of hope that Jesus could make a difference in his life too. How about you? What moves you to take that leap of faith, however reluctant you are to take it? What finally pushes you to throw your net into the deep, not really sure if anything will change? The second remarkable thing about this story in Luke is Peter’s response to the grace that is given. Peter recognized his limitations and he repented. He changed course – that is what repent means. He became aware of just how far apart he was from where God intended him to be. This will not be the only time he finds this awareness; he will have many more opportunities to see where he falls short. Notice that the reluctant action came first; then, the awareness and repentance. Sometimes, the truth is that we need to act ourselves into awareness and belief. We have to take the leap of faith first before we have the recognition of just how limited we are by ourselves. It is rather like baptizing an infant or a child or even an adolescent. As an infant or a child, we might go through the motion of baptism with absolutely no recognition of our need for God. Later we come to realize how dependent we are upon the God who created us and sustains us; it is at that point that we confirm our faith and reconfirm it many more times during the course of our lives. We do not have to have things all figured out before we take leaps of faith. As the church, how often are we on our knees before God, asking for his help and acknowledging our complete dependence upon him? Like Peter, do we repent from our self-sufficiency and look with stunned amazement at Jesus when we are at the end of our rope? Are we even aware of the God we serve and the extraordinary things God has done and continues to do? A little bit of humbleness goes a long way. Acknowledging our complete dependence upon God is a good thing. Lastly, we are always reminded to not be afraid because well, apparently we forget. Fear nearly stopped Peter in his tracks and kept him a fisherman, rather than a disciple. We fear we are not good enough, do not have the right skills, that we will be alone, that we will do something wrong, or that the road ahead is too challenging. Fear keeps us doing the same thing over and over again or burying our head in the sand. Jesus says, don’t be afraid. You are not alone. I will give you the skills. Lean on me and I will help you imagine doing something different. You are good enough and you are likely to do something wrong, but I will still help you. You have a new purpose – follow me. Become my disciple. There is a new role for you to play and you will do great things as you depend upon me. As Howard Gregory states, it is clear that there is a cost to discipleship.[2] These fishermen gave up what was familiar and they left everything to follow Jesus. They were not forced to do so but they were compelled to do so. What is the difference between being forced and being compelled, you may wonder? One is like a puppet being controlled by a puppeteer and the other, well, is an awareness that something extraordinary is waiting for you. And you are drawn to it; you simply must move forward. It’s time, folks. It is time to cast our net into the deep, come hell or high water. Let’s do it together. AMEN.
[1] Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Believe: The Words and Inspiration of Desmond Tutu. (Boulder, Colorado: Blue Mountain Press, 2007.) p. 3. 2 Howard K. Gregory, “Pastoral Perspective” in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol. 1. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.) p. 336.
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[1] Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Believe: The Words and Inspiration of Desmond Tutu. (Boulder, Colorado: Blue Mountain Press, 2007.) p. 3. [2] Howard K. Gregory, “Pastoral Perspective” in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol. 1. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.) p. 336.