Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. vs4-6
If we fish the right way, then we will catch fish.
First, it is impossible to be barren with Christ. We must bear fruit, if we do it right, and here is the way. (A) We need obedience to God. Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side. We must live to glorify Christ. If you want this, then you’re under grace, if you do it right. (B) We must trust the blood of Christ. There’s no fruit bearing without access to the Father. (C) We must rely on the Holy Spirit. In ourselves, we can do nothing. We must preach the deep things of the Spirit, because we’ve received the revelation from God. This is not human understanding or human strength; it is power given from on high. CT Studd said,
"Don't go into the study to prepare a sermon -- that's nonsense. Go into your study to God and get so fiery that your tongue is like a burning coal and you have got to speak."
Let us understand his meaning. God must talk to me, rather than me simply explaining texts. He must do it. Eph 1:18, “The eyes or your heart being enlightened; that you may know [by experience] what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Secondly, if we fish the right way, then we shall find. “You will find some.” We’ll bear the fruit of joy and peace [Rom 15:13]. We’ll lead others to Christ, as we preach from experience. This won’t be dry head to head formality. We’ll be talking about the Christ that we know. We’ll have something to give, because we have the Holy Spirit ourselves. Therefore, we must find.
There will be joy and mourning, but there’ll be joy in the comfort of Christ. We’ll weep over men in anger and vexation, but we’ll be refreshed by Christ. We’ll obey the gospel ourselves and walk in peace [Colossians 3:15]. We’ll have power if we live right. Luke 24:49 "And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”
The gospel is not a fairy tale! It’s not something of word only but of power, if we choose to experience it! If we limit ourselves with the swine’s husk, then that’s all that we’ll get. If we press on to know God and get comforted, then we will be full, no matter the circumstance or difficulty, because He’ll draw near us. He has power that we can’t imagine. Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Thirdly, we must see the Lord’s goodness. “The multitude of fish.” Our lives are empty and vain without Him. We have no hope, no joy, and no peace. “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” Everything else is hypocrisy and the empty shell of religion - criticizing others and gossip. We must get something that gives life, or what’s the point of living?
Our lives are empty because we don’t fish the right way; it is not because there’s no comfort. He is able and willing. Are you? Do you want to be made whole, which is obedient, by the Blood and the Spirit? Do you want to walk with God? John 5:6, "When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk!"
Finally, believe the promises, and you will catch fish!