Today we intend to learn about discipleship from the Bible story in Luke 5:1-11 which has to do with three things:

"Fishing Boat, Elephant Driver and Sinner Man."

I. The first understanding about "discipleship" is that disciples let Jesus utilize whatever it is that they have. In our story, Jesus used Peter's boat as a teaching platform. "He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat." (Verse 3)

Of course, when Jesus used Peter's boat, it was not the only time something simple was used of the Lord.

God used Moses' stick to show the superiority of God and to be an instrument of His power;

The widow's last handful of flour and a bit of oil were used to keep the prophet alive;

A little boy's lunch fed the multitudes; and

A lowly donkey was used to bring Jesus into Jerusalem.

Sometimes we think that God only uses the great and the famous, but let's never forget, He uses boats, sticks, flour, fish sandwiches and donkeys. (Remember how Samson used the jawbone of a donkeys as a weapon? I have a friend who used to frequently say, "If God can use the jawbone of an ass, perhaps he can use mine too!")

Note the result of Peter offering his boat - many people heard the Word. They heard for the first time some of the very things we read today in our Bibles. Thank God for Peter's marine pulpit!

Also, it's interesting that Peter's boat represented for him the instrument of his productivity, it was how he made his living. How is it that you make yours? Are you willing to have your "instrument of productivity" used by Jesus? Then, when the teaching was over, Peter's boat was returned to its normal use, it did not become a permanent pulpit.

Our question today is, "Can Jesus use your boat?" This is a discipleship issue, for true disciples put all their resources at His disposal.

II. The second "discipleship" issue is obedience. "Because you say so, I will let down the nets." (Verse 5)

When Jesus finished speaking to the crowds, He told Peter to move the boat out into the lake and let down the nets for a catch. In his response, the word Peter used in addressing Jesus was "Master." The Greek word (epistatas) means "overseer" or "superintendent." For example, it is used in the (LXX) Exodus story referring to the "task masters" who drove the Israelites into more brick making production. (Exodus 1:11) It is used again in regard to the building of Solomon's Temple - there were 150,000 workers under the leadership of 3,300 "supervisors." (I Kings 5:15,16) In the new Testament, the word is only found in Luke's Gospel, four other times as follows:

"Master, Master, we are going to drown." (Luke 8:24)

"Peter said, 'Master . . . the people are crowding. . . .'" (Luke 8:45)

It was also Peter who said, "It is good for us to be here." (Luke 9:33)

And the ten lepers cried out, "Master have pity on us." (Luke 17:13)

With this word is carried the emphasis on authority. We must never forget, that Jesus is much more than a helpless Babe in the Manger honored at Christmas - He is the Lord of all!

It is significant that it was Peter that used this title here and in most other places. We often are hard on Peter because of his harsh remarks and promises, his impulsive behavior, and his having denied Jesus. But Peter got it right this time, Jesus is Master.

According to available literature, in the secular Greek culture of the first century, the word "overseer" referred to such people as:

the one who watched over the herds,

the leader of the athletic society,

the leader in the pagan temple,

the president of a college, or

the governor of a city.

But the word was also used to identify the driver of an elephant. Please excuse me for referring to you this way, but if you're a Disciple of Jesus, you're the elephant, and He's the driver.

Notice in this story that even when the command Jesus gave made no sense to Peter, he was ready to obey, "because you said it. . . ."

One problem we have is that Jesus is not physically standing in our boat, and we might say, "If I could see Him right here, I certainly would obey Him." But let's not forget, we do have His Word which gives us some very clear and simple commands. For example:

"Pray."

"Bless those who curse you."

"Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together."

"Don't have sexual contact with someone who is not your wife or husband."

"Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

"Honor your mother and father."

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

"Preach the Gospel and make disciples."

Yes, Jesus is the elephant driver. Let's not be like Paul and keep kicking against the pricks, or like Jonah who fled to Tarshish. Disciples do not try to go their own way when He is calling them to go His.

III. The third "discipleship" issue is that disciples get in touch with His holiness. "Peter . . . fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!'" (Verse 8)

In the presence of God's power, there is always a sense of awe, like:

Moses taking off his shoes by the burning bush,

Isaiah who said, "I am a man of unclean lips,"

the three on the Mount of Transfiguration, or

John on the isle of Patmos who fell down as one dead before the Lord.

In our story, Peter fearfully recognized the power of His holiness. Jesus addressed Peter's fear as if to say, "Don't fear, the power is not for destructive purposes, but for enablement."

While it's appropriate for us to acknowledge our sinfulness, we should not go through life beating our chests in shame and woe. His power is given so that we will be enabled to catch men.

It's somewhat amazing that after the success reported later on in the story, they left their boats. They could have responded, "But look how much success we could realize if Jesus would work with us and direct each of our catches." But when they decided to follow Him, Jesus changed the context of the work - now they would catch men. This came to pass at Pentecost when Peter preached to the curious onlookers and 3,000 became followers of Jesus and were baptized.

So the final questions are these:

What is your fishing boat, and is it available to Jesus?

Is Jesus your driver?

Have you recognized your own sinfulness?

Only when you can answer all with a confident "Yes," can you claim to be a disciple of Jesus.

1. What are some of the common items God used as noted in the Bible?

2. What are some common things God may want to use today?

3. Why do you think Jesus wanted to use Peter's boat - why would it be useful to Jesus?

4. If in the secular Greek culture of the first century, the word "master" ("overseer") referred to such people as shepherd, leader in the pagan temple, the president of a college, or the governor of a city, what would be some contemporary positions that an "overseer" might hold?

5. What comparisons can be made between an elephant driver and Jesus?

6. What are the commands of Jesus which are the most difficult for us to obey?

7. Why do you think Peter associated the miracle catch with his being a "sinful man."

8. Who are some other Bible people who had an encounter with the holiness of God - can you tell their story?

9. Does God want us to fear Him? If so, in what way?

10. Experienced fishermen used their skills in their Gospel work. What parallels are there between fishing and preaching?

11. What then are the three lessons about "discipleship" we have learned from this story?