Fishers of People - Darren Rowse
Welcome back to the One Church blog! This post is inspired by a message from Darren Rowse, part of our "Telling Others" series. Today, we're diving into the incredible story from Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus calls his first disciples, and discovering what it means for us to share our faith in our everyday lives. We'll explore how Jesus' call to "fish for people" applies to us today, and offer some questions for reflection and discussion.
You can listen to or watch the full sermon below - we’ve also included some questions for reflection and small group discussion at the end of this article.
Understanding the Message: Fishing with Jesus
Have you ever imagined what it was like to be there when Jesus called his first disciples? It’s a moment steeped in history, but also bursting with timeless truth. In Luke 5:1-11, we find Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, surrounded by crowds eager to hear him speak. He spots two fishing boats, with fishermen washing their nets after a long, fruitless night. He steps into Simon's boat and asks him to push out a little from the shore, then teaches the eager crowd from there.
Once he's finished, Jesus tells Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Now, imagine Simon's face. He's a seasoned fisherman, he's just worked all night, and he's caught absolutely nothing. It would be easy to be sceptical, right? But despite his weariness and perhaps a touch of doubt, Simon replies, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
What happens next is truly miraculous! They catch such an enormous amount of fish that their nets begin to break, and they have to signal their partners in another boat to come and help. Both boats become so full they start to sink! Overwhelmed, Simon Peter falls to his knees, recognising Jesus' divine power and his own unworthiness. But Jesus, in his gentle wisdom, tells Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." And just like that, Simon, James, and John leave everything and follow him.
This isn't just a story about a great catch; it's a powerful picture of how Jesus calls us into a new purpose. As Darren highlighted in his sermon, "Our relationships are a net." It's a beautiful way to understand that sharing our faith isn't always about a solitary, one-on-one effort, like fishing with a rod and line. Instead, it often looks more like a net, designed to catch schools of fish and requiring a team of people to operate.
Connecting to Our Lives: Living as a Community on Mission
So, how does this ancient fishing story connect with our lives here in Blackburn, Victoria, today? Darren shared some truly inspiring real-life examples from Leah and Stelios, members of our own One Church family, who are "fishing for people" in their everyday worlds.
Leah shared a beautiful story of how her family consistently loved and served their neighbours in Ringwood over three years. From bringing them cookies on the first day to providing groceries, opening their home as a safe space, and even receiving a child with a serious injury in the middle of the night, their actions flowed from their faith. These practical acts of love opened doors for conversations about their values and the source of that love – Jesus.
Stellios, working at the Starlight Children's Foundation, shared how a simple conversation about church at Bunnings led to a colleague not only attending church but bringing his mum and sister too! And then there was the podcast, where a casual question about Christianity turned into over an hour of Stellios sharing his testimony with hundreds, if not thousands, of listeners in the Melbourne theatre community.
What these stories show us, just like Jesus' call to the fishermen, is that God often works through our existing relationships and communities. It's not about being a theological expert or having all the answers; it’s about being ourselves and letting Jesus’ love shine through.
More Than Just "Me and Jesus"
Darren really hit home with this point: "What's stopping us from letting our worlds collide a little?" Often, we might think of sharing our faith as a purely individual task, a "one-on-one" effort. And while those moments are certainly powerful and biblical, Jesus' method here was different. He called fishermen who used nets, and nets are all about groups!
Consider your own small group, your family, your sporting team, or your workplace. These are your "nets." What if, instead of keeping our "church world" completely separate from our "friend world," we intentionally allowed them to overlap? Imagine inviting a friend to a casual church social event, a Men's Monday barbecue, or an Encore group walk. They wouldn't be walking into a formal sermon but into a warm, genuine community where they can observe and experience Jesus' love through you and others.
This communal approach is biblical and powerful. The early church, as described in Acts, was devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. And what was the result? "The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). Their vibrant, loving community was a magnet, drawing people to Jesus.
This sermon reminds us that sharing our faith isn't just for a select few; it's a collective adventure we embark on as a church family. It's about living out our values, loving our neighbours, and being open to the opportunities God places in front of us, whether it's through a shared meal, a supportive presence, or a simple conversation. We don't need to have all the answers, but we do need to be present, be loving, and be willing to let our lives speak of the difference Jesus makes.
One Way to Live it Out this Week
This week, take a moment to consider one "net" (a group of people you're part of – family, friends, colleagues, a sports team) that you can intentionally introduce to the One Church community. Perhaps it's inviting someone to a casual church event, a small group gathering, or simply praying for that group by name.
A Short Prayer for Your Week
Lord God, thank you for inviting us to be part of your mission to "fish for people." Soften our hearts and open our eyes to the opportunities you place before us each day. Give us courage and wisdom to share your love, grace, and the story of how you've changed our lives. May we, as One Church, work together to expand your family, for your glory. Amen.
Reflection and Discussion Questions
For Personal Reflection:
Reflecting on Stelios and Leah’s stories, what's one practical way you've seen God open an unexpected door for you to share your faith, or how do you hope He might do so in the coming week?
The sermon suggested that evangelism isn't always a "one-on-one hook" but often a "net" that brings in groups. What "nets" (friend groups, family, workplaces, communities) are you a part of, and how might you be more intentional about inviting others into that community to experience Jesus?
For Small Group Discussion:
To kick things off, what was one thing from Darren's sermon or the interviews with Leah and Stelios that particularly resonated with you or surprised you?
Read Luke 5:1-11. What does this story reveal about Jesus' approach to calling people and about the character of Simon Peter?
Leah's story highlighted consistent acts of love and meeting practical needs before deeper conversations about faith happened. How important do you think consistent, practical love is in creating openness for spiritual conversations? Can you share an example from your own life or observation?
Stelios shared stories showed that you don't need to be a theological expert to share your faith; often, sharing your personal testimony is powerful. How comfortable do you feel sharing your own story of how Jesus has impacted your life? What makes it easy or difficult?
Darren emphasized that "nets are designed to be used by groups of people." In what ways does our small group (or our broader church community) act as a "net" in inviting people to discover Jesus?
Darren challenged us to let our "worlds collide" by inviting friends to more casual church events or small group gatherings. What's one practical step our small group could take this month to create a more inviting "net" for people outside the church?
As a group, what are some of the common fears or hesitations we might have when it comes to "fishing for people"? How can we encourage and support each other in overcoming these?
Take a moment to pray for one another, specifically asking God to provide opportunities this week for each of you to intentionally invite someone into your "net" or share a glimpse of Jesus' love with them.