Sunday 09 February 2025 is the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.

Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon uses the imagery of a boat at sea to illustrate the Christian journey.

The text draws parallels between biblical accounts of encounters with God – from Isaiah, Paul, and the disciples – and highlights a common pattern of epiphany, unworthiness, reassurance, commission, and obedience.

Geoff connects this pattern to the everyday lives of Christians, emphasising that faithfulness in your current life role – whatever that may be (and however “unworthy” it is, in your eyes) – is a form of service to God.

The architectural features of the church building itself—specifically, the boat-shaped nave—are used to reinforce this central metaphor.

Finally, the story of King Henry III of Bavaria is presented as an example of finding God’s will in unexpected places.

Today’s main scriptural reading from the Bible

Luke 5:1-11 (from “The Message” Translation of the Bible)
Push Out into Deep Water

5 1-3 Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

4 When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”

5-7 Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

8-10 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

10-11 Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

Video recording of today’s service

Today’s sermon begins in the recording at 28.17.

Resources

To accompany this week’s sermon, we have the following downloadable PDF resources to help you reflect upon and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the themes covered:

• Why your current role in life is where you should be serving God – Analysis / Briefing Note (PDF)
  
• Why your current role in life is where you should be serving God – Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  
• Why your current role in life is where you should be serving God – Study Guide (PDF)