FIRST GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Caring Church, Preparing the World by Sharing the Word

WEEKLY WORD

THE NECESSITY OF NOTHING

21 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.

John 21:1-3

The text introduces us to a dilemma of the disciples that had them fishing all night and catching nothing. The phrase “they caught nothing” seemingly feels like one of discouragement. When you have fished all night with an expectation of catching something but end up catching nothing can be frustrating. However, our perspective of “NOTHING” will inform us of its necessity that prepares us for our encounter with destiny.

First, the necessity of nothing means that when we are DOWN TO NOTHING that GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING. The disciples had been fishing all night and caught nothing but catching nothing allowed them to see something different. Jesus commanded them to cast their nets on the other side [right side] of the boat. Jesus was challenging the disciples to do something different. Many of miss our blessing because we dismiss what God is doing new to continue in the failures of the familiar.

In this season, this sermon is challenging those whose valiant attempt has resulted in nothing. When it comes to your relationship…nothing. When it comes to the work place…. nothing. When it comes to making health improvements…nothing. The necessity of nothing is to point us to God who wants us to do something different that will make the difference!

Sometimes our unwillingness to do something new will have us forfeiting our future and make us failures in our present because we are a slave of past decisions. The necessity of nothing should motivate us to do something new and different.

The necessity of nothing reminds us that when we are down to nothing, GOD HAS SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND THAT REQUIRES US TO RENEW AND NOT REDO!

Dr. James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor