Dear Christian friends:

The Bible speaks of a Christian as being a new creature or new man. He is born again of water and the Spirit. Paul says, "Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. We are buried with Christ by baptism into death that like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." And Jesus compared the Christian to a flourishing tree that bears much fruit.

So of course we Christians are different from unbelievers. Perhaps not so different in looks or occupations, but our attitudes and motives are different. The more Christ lives in us the more this will be apparent to ourselves and others. All that we do and say gives evidence of our faith in Christ. Also the way in which we do our daily work shows whether or not we are a genuine Christian.

In our text we observe Peter working. While he at this stage of his life was not yet the strong Christian of his later years, nevertheless his words and actions recorded in our text as he pursued his daily work will help to serve as a guide for us this morning as we consider that:

We note here that Peter didn't look upon daily work as the most important activity of his life. We notice that he left his work washing and mending nets so that he could assist Jesus to use his boat for a pulpit. He also remained while Jesus preached of the Kingdom of heaven.

While a Christian is diligent and responsible in his daily work, he does not allow his work to run him ragged. He doesn't become a slave to his work. He can drop it at the proper times to attend to other things which may often be more important civic and social duties and of course his church. He trusts in God primarily to sustain him, not in the money he earns by his daily work. It is so easy to neglect our family or church or neighbors and justify it by the excuse that we "have to work." The unbeliever we would expect to do this. The child of God does not reflect his faith when he does it.

We notice that Peter was very successful in his work, especially on this particular day. Yes, Jesus did perform a miracle so that he might be successful, but God does the same for us, too. We like to think that our success is due to our hard work and our brilliance, but most successful people, if they are honest will admit that they had some "lucky breaks." These "lucky breaks" a Christian credits to his God as Peter here did. He confessed that he was unworthy of so great a success. And so will you if you are a genuine Christian. The Bible says that "the goodness of God should lead you to repentance."

Peter shared his success with his friends James and John who were in the other boat. If we are genuine Christians, we, too, should be able to share some of the fruits of our labors with others who have not been so successful. God said to Abraham, "I will bless thee and thou shalt be a blessing."

When God blessed our work with success it should not be too difficult for us to share it with others. Of course, if we don't acknowledge God as the giver nor praise Him for it, we will not be able to share with a glad and generous spirit.

Peter worked this day because Jesus commanded him to work. Of course he did think of the profit motive, too, when Jesus told him to launch out into the deep for a catch, Peter replied, "Master, we have toiled all night and have taken nothing." He wasn't too eager to fish without some pay for his work. And this in itself is good. God expects us to earn our living by our work. But this to a Christian is not the primary reason for his working. There are better motives for him than for the non Christian.

The Christian, like Peter, works because his Lord and Master Jesus, wants him to work. Peter said, "At thy word I will let down the nets." For our Savior we should really be working no matter what we are doing. Our first goal is to serve God by our daily work. We should realize how important our work is and how it benefits our community and nation. With some work this is more obvious as when one is a doctor or nurse or policeman or fireman.

But also the fellow who drives a bread truck is doing great work God needs him and so does his community. The twelve year old boy delivering newspapers is serving his Lord and his neighbor. It is very important work.

So a Christian works as unto the Lord seeking God's honor and glory and good of his neighbor, city and nation. He is not a dropout. He considers his place in society as a child of God and as a helper to his neighbor - "No man is an island", song, "None of us lives unto himself" the Bible says.

So as we go about our daily tasks our faith is being tested. If we are letting Christ live in us, it will show by our attitudes regarding our work. Others will notice that we are indeed different, that we are Christians. We won't have to tell. Later on in life Peter wrote in one of his epistles: "Ye royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Jesus told Peter he would make him "a fisher of men." By this Jesus in no way disparages fishing for fish. When a Christian fishes for fish if this be his daily work other fisherman will notice that he is a Christian. We need fishers of fish and God is pleased with them and their work, especially if they do it with faith. Not only do they bring tuna to our tables, but they at the same time are fishing for men. Being a Christian on the job is a fine way to fish for men, one of the best.

Amen.