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•Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
• Luke 5:5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
• 2000 km above sea level is mt Hermon. There Jordan begins and ends in the dead sea. Shepherds bring their flock to drink at this river. But many sheep drown because of the force of the flow. So it's also called the river of death.
• Peter was fishing in the galilee, but he had nothing in his hands though he tried all night. At that moment, Jesus came searching for Simon and his boat.
• He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon agreed, though with some hesitation. He did not realize who was asking – the One who could create everything out of nothing.
• Peter got more than his net could actually handle. That's how great our God is.
• Even when Peter asked, Lord, leave me for I am a sinful man. Jesus did not come just to fill his boat, but to make you a fisher of men, I cam to catch you and take you with me.
• Unless our spiritual life is built up properly, our physical life cannot change.
• Jesus said – TODAY – "from now on you will fish for people." But we know Peter caught only people after 3 and 1/2 years in Acts 2. Why the delay? Not enough to hear the promise but to set foot into it. 5 reasons:
• 1st weakness. Instead of leaning on Jesus, he trusted in his own strength and qualities. Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Like Job who thought himself righteous in his own eyes and wondered why God punished him. But later, he realized he spoke against God. Real humility is what God desires, to humble ourselves under His mighty hand.
• Like David, though prosperous and blessed, knew his source was God. God Himself attested a man after my own heart. Paul says I do not consider myself to have attained but keep pushing on.
• 2nd weakness He fell asleep at the wrong times when Jesus expected otherwise. Luke 22:45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." They should have overcome the temptation to sleep by staying awake and praying. While many lost jobs and died from COVID, we are still alive – how can you sleep and not pray after all these blessings?
• 3rd weakness. Peter lost his vision. Jn 18:10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. Peter had initially received the revelation that Jesus was Christ the Son of God. But Peter forgot that same Jesus had said he who takes the sword shall die by it. Because he had fallen from prayer, the evil one was waiting behind him to cause him to stumble. Hold firmly to our vision. Do not trust in your skills or man, both fail.
• Do not be like Israel, who murmured when they got stuck between Pharoah's army and the red sea. But look beyond the sea, where the land flowing with milk and honey awaits.
• 4th weakness. Peter followed from a distance. Luke 22:54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. Peter used to walk close to Jesus, now when the time came – he kept a safe distance. Like Laban pursued Jacob and asked First you run away from my house, but why did you take my idols? When you set out to follow God, cast off the old habits.
• 5th. Peter sat with the wrong group. Luke 22:55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. Be careful who is in your friend circle. Especially avoid getting close to unbelievers during financial dealings. Whatever is not of God's will, let it go.
• All these caused him to deny Jesus thrice. But when Jesus looked him straight in the eye, he repented and cried for forgiveness. Unlike Judas Iscariot, who also cried, but did not repent or ask for forgiveness.
• Jesus asks Peter – Do you love Me more than these – three times. Peter recalled his threetime denial. Thus Jesus strengthened him again. This same Peter went on to preach mightily and heal the sick just as Jesus worked.