Obedience, Calling & the Power of Jesus
Pastor Todd Blansit
New Life Church
April 6, 2025

This story isn’t just about fish, it’s about trust, obedience, and calling. It’s about what happens when Jesus meets us in the middle of our normal lives and asks us to go a little deeper.

Jesus meets Simon in the ordinary, not the extraordinary. He steps into Simon’s workplace, into his failure, and uses what Simon already has. This is how God often begins with what’s already in your hands. Your job. Your home. Your time. Your story.

7 miles by 13 miles. 140 feet deep fished at night, no fish in the deep their nets could reach.

The command doesn’t make sense. But if you want me to I will
18 of 33 miracles happened by the Sea of Galilea
God does not work with things we will not let go of!

This is the moment of crisis in Peter’s life. Here is the pivotal decision, would he trust Jesus
Even though his friends would not be pleased to clean the net again?
Even though it didn’t make any sense to Him?
Even though it went against everything he had ever been taught?
Even though it was going to mean more work for him?
Even though it would make him look foolish in front of his friends?
Peter passed the test.

Don’t miss an important principle: The life-changing moments come when we show genuine love for Jesust by trusting Him even though we don’t see any possibility for a payoff.

Obedience isn’t always about understanding. It’s about who’s giving the command. Simon didn’t suddenly believe the fish would show up. He just chose to trust the One asking.

The miracle came not when they believed in the result, but when they obeyed the command. Simon obeyed because Jesus said so and God answered that obedience with abundance.

The same nets that were empty hours before are now full. Same lake. Same skills. Different outcome. Why? Because Jesus was in the process.

So here is the question. Have you ever had a life changing experience with Jesus?

The Clarity of the Encounter will lead us to see Jesus for who He is and make us see ourselves as those who clearly need Him.

Peter doesn’t just see a boat full of fish he sees Jesus for who He really is. The miracle exposes Peter’s own heart. He realizes he’s in the presence of something holy, and suddenly, the catch doesn’t matter. The fish aren’t the point the Fisher of men is.

This is what happens when we truly encounter Jesus. We’re confronted not just with power, but with holiness. And that can be uncomfortable. It pulls us out of self-reliance and into surrender.

Peter’s reaction is raw and honest: “I’m not worthy.” And Jesus doesn’t deny it but He doesn’t walk away either. He calls Peter anyway.
Real worship isn’t about feeling worthy it’s about recognizing who Jesus is and responding. When you see Jesus clearly, you see yourself clearly. But grace steps in and says, “Still, I choose you.”

Jesus doesn’t just restore Peter, He repurposes him. He gives him a new identity. This is vocation in the biblical sense, not just what you do for a living, but what you’re called to for God’s kingdom.

The boats are full. The catch is historic. But Peter walks away from it all. Why? Because when you see Jesus for who He really is, nothing else holds the same weight. Even your greatest earthly success becomes something you're willing to leave behind.

This is radical discipleship. It’s the cost of following Christ. But it’s also the joy. As Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” Die to self, to security, to your former way of life and rise into a new one.

Where is Jesus stepping into your boat today? What part of your life is He asking to enter maybe the part that feels fruitless, routine, or disappointing?

Where is He asking you to go deeper? Maybe it’s a deeper prayer life. Maybe it’s a step of faith you’ve resisted.
Can you say, “Because You say so…” even when it’s inconvenient or doesn’t make sense?