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Welcome to Day 2819 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. Putnam Church Message – 02/15/2026 Luke's Account of the Good News - “What It's Like to Fish With Jesus.”    Last week, we continued our study of the ministry of Jesus Christ with a message titled “Ministry at the Grassroots Level,” where we learned what true ministry included. Today, we continue with the twelfth message in Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ in a message titled “What It's Like to Fish With Jesus.” Our Core verses for this week are Luke 5:1-11, found on page 1597 of your Pew Bibles. Follow along as I read. Introduction: When You've Fished All Night and Caught Nothing There are moments in life when effort and outcome simply don't line up. You did everything right. / You prepared. / You stayed up late. / You worked hard. You relied on your experience and training.  / And still—nothing. That's where Luke places us at the beginning of chapter five. Not at the height of excitement. Not at a revival service. Not at a mountaintop moment. But at the shoreline…early in the morning…with tired, smelly men washing empty nets. Luke has already shown us Jesus preaching with authority, confronting evil, healing the sick, and drawing crowds. But now, the story slows down. The camera zooms in. And instead of crowds, we find fishermen—ordinary men—at the end of a long, disappointing night. This is not accidental. Because this is where discipleship begins. Main Point 1: Jesus Meets Us in the Weariness of Our Ordinary Work (Luke 5:1–3) “One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.” (Luke 5:1–2, NLT) The Scene Luke Wants Us to See Luke is a careful storyteller. He wants us to notice details. It's morning. The fishermen are done. The nets are empty. The boats are idle. These men—Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John—are not amateurs. Fishing is their livelihood. Their families depend on it. Their reputations are tied to it. In the first century, fishing on the Sea of Galilee was serious business. Night fishing was the norm because fish stayed near the surface in cooler temperatures. To come back empty after an entire night wasn't just frustrating—it was financially dangerous. And now, exhausted and discouraged, they are washing nets they barely used. That's when Jesus steps into the picture. Not with fireworks. Not with angels. Not with thunder. But by asking for a boat. Jesus Steps into Simon's Boat “Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.” (Luke 5:3, NLT) Jesus doesn't interrupt their work to scold them. He doesn't explain anything. He doesn't promise a miracle. He simply asks Simon to let Him use what he already has. A boat. A place of work. A familiar setting. Object Lesson #1: The Boat Hold up my iPhone: “This boat and my iPhone represent the ordinary places of our lives—our work, our routines, our responsibilities. Jesus doesn't wait for us to be rested, inspired, or successful. He steps right into the middle of our exhaustion.” Simon's boat had just failed him as a fishing platform. But it becomes a pulpit for the Son of God. What Simon thought was an instrument of disappointment became a platform for divine teaching. Ancient Perspective: God Has Always Worked This Way This moment fits a familiar biblical pattern. God met Moses while he was tending sheep (Exodus 3). God called Gideon while he was hiding in a winepress (Judges 6). God spoke to Elijah not in fire or wind, but in a whisper (1 Kings 19). God consistently enters lives at the point of ordinary obedience—not spiritual readiness. The fishermen weren't praying. They weren't seeking guidance. They weren't expecting a call. They were cleaning up after failure. Modern Analogy: The Office, the Kitchen, the Garage Most people don't encounter God in dramatic settings. They encounter Him: At a desk, staring at an unfinished project. At a kitchen sink, washing dishes again. In a hospital hallway, waiting for news. In a garage, fixing something broken—again. Jesus still steps into boats like that. And often, He does not explain what He's about to do. He simply asks, “Can I use this?” Why This Matters Simon lets Jesus use the boat—but notice something important. / Simon is still tired. / Still discouraged. / Still empty-handed. Yet he makes space for Jesus anyway. / That's the first step of discipleship. / Not confidence. / Not clarity. / But availability. Summary of Main Point 1 Jesus does not wait for us to be strong before calling us. He does not require success before involvement. He meets us in weariness and uses what feels inadequate. Discipleship begins when we allow Jesus into the ordinary places of our lives—especially when we are tired, discouraged, and empty-handed. __________________________________________________________________ Main Point 2 - When Jesus Asks Us to Try Again Where We Already Failed (Luke 5:4–7) The Most Irritating Command Jesus Could Have Given “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.'” (Luke 5:4, NLT) This is the moment where the story shifts from calm to uncomfortable. / Up to now, Simon has been polite. / He let Jesus use the boat. / He listened while cleaning nets. / He stayed out of the way. But now Jesus crosses a line. / Jesus stops preaching…turns to a professional fisherman… and tells him how to do his job. / Not only that—Jesus tells him to do it wrong. / Fish at the wrong time. / In the wrong place. / After the wrong result. And not just a net— “let down your nets.” Plural. Simon's Response: Respectful, Honest, and Reluctant “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again.” (Luke 5:5, NLT) This may be one of the most relatable verses in all of Scripture.  / Simon doesn't argue—but he doesn't pretend either. / You can almost hear the tone: “Jesus… I respect You.  / But just so we're clear— we already tried this.” / This is not blind enthusiasm. / This is exhausted obedience. / And that's important. Ancient Perspective: This Was a Professional Embarrassment In first-century Jewish culture, /skill and experience mattered deeply. A craftsman's honor was tied to competence. Simon wasn't just tired—his identity was wrapped up in his ability to provide. Fishing again wasn't just inconvenient. / It risked public humiliation. / Crowds were watching. / Other fishermen were nearby. / Everyone could see empty nets. Failure in private is painful. / Failure in public is devastating. / And Jesus tells Simon to go back into the very waters that already told him “no.” Object Lesson #2: The Empty Net Hold up an empty net— “This net represents the places where we already tried: The prayers we prayed. / The efforts we made. / The conversations we had. / And nothing happened.” / Jesus doesn't ask Simon to fish somewhere new. / He sends him back to the place of disappointment. Why Jesus Does This Because dependence cannot grow where confidence still reigns. / As long as Simon believed success came from his experience, strength, and strategy, he could never learn what it meant to follow Jesus. Jesus isn't testing Simon's fishing ability. He's testing his trust. The Miracle Happens Suddenly—and Overwhelmingly “And this time their nets were so full of fish they...

(2Tm.1:1-3,6-12;   Ps.123:1-2;   Mk.12:18-27) "He has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the Gospel." It is this Gospel which Paul exhorts his "dear child" Timothy to serve, to preach and to teach "with the strength which comes from God, bear[ing] [his] share of the hardship which the Gospel entails."  Paul has suffered for the sake of the Gospel – and suffers "present hardships" till the end – and he would see his favored disciple carry on in his way.  And so he encourages him: "The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit but rather one that makes us strong, loving, and wise."  For of the life Christ brings the world must know, and who shall preach it if we don't?  And so, through his letter Paul calls us all to be as he is, "an apostle of Christ Jesus sent to proclaim the promise of life in Him." Does Jesus not bear well His hardships today in our gospel?  Does He not stand strong and speak of life everlasting even before those who "hold there is no resurrection"?  The Sadducees question Him: "At the resurrection, when they all come back to life, whose wife will she be" – she who has married so many?  Again a trap is laid, and again it is shown so futile, for what word can stand before the word of God.  And that Word answers simply and directly: "When people rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but live like angels in heaven."  These Sadducees "fail to understand Scripture or the power of God," and so they are terribly blind in their mistaken thinking, which sees nothing beyond the present time.  (Yet the present, too, they do not understand, for they do not recognize Him who stands before them.) Brothers and sisters, we are called to live like the angels of heaven, and not only to live such, but to preach this life as our Savior has done, as Paul has done, as Timothy.  We must keep "our eyes on the Lord, our God," "confident that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to [us] until that Day" when we join Him who is "enthroned in heaven."  And so let us "stir into flame the gift of God"; let us speak His Word of life without fear for the hardships the Gospel entails.  The Light that lasts forever has come into our midst, and before Him death has no dominion. ******* O LORD, through all the trials of this world, bring us to the light of Heaven. YHWH, God of the living, let our eyes be ever upon you, let us ever remember you whom we serve… and let us ever serve you with strength and dedication, knowing it is through you we are brought to new birth and made immortal as you.  O let us live with you now and forever! Why should we be afraid, LORD, of any challenge to our faith?  Why should we turn away from our call to worship in your NAME?  Why should we hesitate to proclaim your glory and the grace you bring us by your Son's death and resurrection?  His sacrifice means life to us, and to turn from His Cross would spell our death.  May we serve Him and His Gospel in confidence all our days and so come to the place He prepares for us in Heaven. All your angels and saints live forever in your holy presence, their eyes ever upon you and their voices ever praising your NAME.  May we share with them in your holy life even as we toil for you on this plane.

Seems the most natural thing in the world. Getting even. Someone offends me, I have the right (maybe even the obligation) to get back at them. I may think that my self-respect depends on evening up the score, otherwise I’m some kind of wimp. While my parents strictly had ordered me not to fight, I was given permission to hit back the bullies. That seemed so right. Jesus once again is counter-intuitive. It’s pretty hard to let thing go and wish our tormentor well. But that’s the Jesus way. When you read the Gospels, can you find anywhere where Jesus hit someone? Or where Jesus called down a foul curse on those who opposed Him? At the same time, He was no wimp. His immense divine power and prerogative was always under the control of the Father’s will, even to the point where He could say about those nailing Him to the cross, “Father, forgive them.”

(2Tm.1:1-3,6-12;   Ps.123:1-2;   Mk.12:18-27) “He has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the Gospel.” It is this Gospel which Paul exhorts his “dear child” Timothy to serve, to preach and to teach “with the strength which comes from God, bear[ing] [his] share of the hardship which the Gospel entails.”  Paul has suffered for the sake of the Gospel – and suffers “present hardships” till the end – and he would see his favored disciple carry on in his way.  And so he encourages him: “The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit but rather one that makes us strong, loving, and wise.”  For of the life Christ brings the world must know, and who shall preach it if we don't?  And so, through his letter Paul calls us all to be as he is, “an apostle of Christ Jesus sent to proclaim the promise of life in Him.” Does Jesus not bear well His hardships today in our gospel?  Does He not stand strong and speak of life everlasting even before those who “hold there is no resurrection”?  The Sadducees question Him: “At the resurrection, when they all come back to life, whose wife will she be” – she who has married so many?  Again a trap is laid, and again it is shown so futile, for what word can stand before the word of God.  And that Word answers simply and directly: “When people rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but live like angels in heaven.”  These Sadducees “fail to understand Scripture or the power of God,” and so they are terribly blind in their mistaken thinking, which sees nothing beyond the present time.  (Yet the present, too, they do not understand, for they do not recognize Him who stands before them.) Brothers and sisters, we are called to live like the angels of heaven, and not only to live such, but to preach this life as our Savior has done, as Paul has done, as Timothy.  We must keep “our eyes on the Lord, our God,” “confident that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to [us] until that Day” when we join Him who is “enthroned in heaven.”  And so let us “stir into flame the gift of God”; let us speak His Word of life without fear for the hardships the Gospel entails.  The Light that lasts forever has come into our midst, and before Him death has no dominion. ******* O LORD, through all the trials of this world, bring us to the light of Heaven. YHWH, God of the living, let our eyes be ever upon you, let us ever remember you whom we serve… and let us ever serve you with strength and dedication, knowing it is through you we are brought to new birth and made immortal as you.  O let us live with you now and forever! Why should we be afraid, LORD, of any challenge to our faith?  Why should we turn away from our call to worship in your NAME?  Why should we hesitate to proclaim your glory and the grace you bring us by your Son's death and resurrection?  His sacrifice means life to us, and to turn from His Cross would spell our death.  May we serve Him and His Gospel in confidence all our days and so come to the place He prepares for us in Heaven. All your angels and saints live forever in your holy presence, their eyes ever upon you and their voices ever praising your NAME.  May we share with them in your holy life even as we toil for you on this plane.

(2Tm.1:1-3,6-12;   Ps.123:1-2;   Mk.12:18-27) “He has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the Gospel.” It is this Gospel which Paul exhorts his “dear child” Timothy to serve, to preach and to teach “with the strength which comes from God, bear[ing] [his] share of the hardship which the Gospel entails.”  Paul has suffered for the sake of the Gospel – and suffers “present hardships” till the end – and he would see his favored disciple carry on in his way.  And so he encourages him: “The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit but rather one that makes us strong, loving, and wise.”  For of the life Christ brings the world must know, and who shall preach it if we don't?  And so, through his letter Paul calls us all to be as he is, “an apostle of Christ Jesus sent to proclaim the promise of life in Him.” Does Jesus not bear well His hardships today in our gospel?  Does He not stand strong and speak of life everlasting even before those who “hold there is no resurrection”?  The Sadducees question Him: “At the resurrection, when they all come back to life, whose wife will she be” – she who has married so many?  Again a trap is laid, and again it is shown so futile, for what word can stand before the word of God.  And that Word answers simply and directly: “When people rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but live like angels in heaven.”  These Sadducees “fail to understand Scripture or the power of God,” and so they are terribly blind in their mistaken thinking, which sees nothing beyond the present time.  (Yet the present, too, they do not understand, for they do not recognize Him who stands before them.) Brothers and sisters, we are called to live like the angels of heaven, and not only to live such, but to preach this life as our Savior has done, as Paul has done, as Timothy.  We must keep “our eyes on the Lord, our God,” “confident that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to [us] until that Day” when we join Him who is “enthroned in heaven.”  And so let us “stir into flame the gift of God”; let us speak His Word of life without fear for the hardships the Gospel entails.  The Light that lasts forever has come into our midst, and before Him death has no dominion. ******* O LORD, through all the trials of this world, bring us to the light of Heaven. YHWH, God of the living, let our eyes be ever upon you, let us ever remember you whom we serve… and let us ever serve you with strength and dedication, knowing it is through you we are brought to new birth and made immortal as you.  O let us live with you now and forever! Why should we be afraid, LORD, of any challenge to our faith?  Why should we turn away from our call to worship in your NAME?  Why should we hesitate to proclaim your glory and the grace you bring us by your Son's death and resurrection?  His sacrifice means life to us, and to turn from His Cross would spell our death.  May we serve Him and His Gospel in confidence all our days and so come to the place He prepares for us in Heaven. All your angels and saints live forever in your holy presence, their eyes ever upon you and their voices ever praising your NAME.  May we share with them in your holy life even as we toil for you on this plane.

Take A Back Seat - March 22nd, 2020 Luke  14: 1-11 Why are we obedient to God? To simply obey the rules? Do we expect God to show us more favor because we followed the rules?  At what point does our obedience become an act with a focus on us instead of Him? At what point are we just obedient to the rules to get something from God?    Follow us online! Instagram - @cbcportsmouthoh Facebook - Facebook.com/portsmouthcbc Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/beyond-church www.portsmouthcbc.org

Jesus prepares his disciples for His departure from this world. What does their future hold? How can they go forward without Him? At this point, he tries to make clear to them that they will be left behind, but not left alone. He promises a future with Him. “Trust in God, trust also in me.”

This podcast explores the differences between ideals and reality in a walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. When the rubber hits the road, we must ask the question is our commitment sound? Life has a way of weeding out our intentions and our undeniable actions. This is no difference in our relationships with God. Are we truly committed to Him or are we ideally committed to Him? At some point our ideals need to become our reality or we will never experience the depth of what it means to live in the Kingdom of God. His Kingdom has come but our commitment must be sure.

Do you know Him? At the end of your life looking back what will you see? What we do here on earth echos in eternity.Its easy to please God but He can't be fooled. He sees our true motives not just on the surface. God wants to build a history and a friendship with Him. Today know that His love is made complete among us.