09/27/2026
Follow Him, Be Cleansed, and Cast the Net
Sermon Brief - September 27, 2026
Luke 5:1–11; 2 Corinthians 6:16–18; 7:1
Introduction
In today’s Gospel, Simon Peter and the other fishermen have worked all night and caught nothing. Yet when Christ tells Peter to “launch out into the deep,” Peter responds, “At Your word I will let down the net.” The result is an overwhelming catch of fish. But the greater miracle is what happens next: Peter recognizes his own sinfulness, Christ calls him to a new life, and the disciples “leave everything and follow Him.”
Saint Paul gives us the other side of this calling when he reminds us: “You are the temple of the living God.” Because God dwells among us, we are called to repentance, purification, and holiness.
Together, the readings show us the pattern of Christian discipleship: Christ calls us to leave whatever keeps us from following Him, to cleanse ourselves so that we may truly become the temple of the living God, and then to cast the net of the Gospel into the world so that others may be gathered into the life of His Body.
1. Leave whatever keeps us from following Christ and follow Him
The disciples left their boats, their nets, and the security of the life they knew.
For us, following Christ may not require abandoning our homes or professions, but it does require us to let go of whatever keeps us from giving ourselves fully to Him: pride, resentment, fear, comfort, control, selfishness, or indifference.
This is the beginning of repentance. Repentance is more than regret; it is a change of direction. Peter sees the power of Christ and says, “I am a sinful man.” Christ does not reject him. Instead, He says, “Do not be afraid.”
Christ calls us as we are, but He does not call us to remain as we are.
If we want to build up the Church, the first question is not simply, “How do we bring in more people?” It is: “What do I need to leave behind so that I can follow Christ more faithfully?”
2. Cleanse ourselves and become the temple of the living God
Saint Paul tells us, “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
The Church is more than a building or institution. The Church is a people in whom God desires to dwell.
That means our witness in the world must begin with our own repentance. If we proclaim forgiveness while refusing to forgive, speak about love while treating others with bitterness, or speak of holiness while making peace with sin, our witness becomes weakened.
Paul’s words call us to examine the whole person—our actions, thoughts, motives, relationships, pride, anger, envy, greed, and unwillingness to forgive.
To build a church is therefore to build a holy people: a people who pray, repent, forgive, worship, serve, and seek continually to grow into the likeness of Christ.
3. Cast the net of the Gospel into the world
Christ tells Peter, “From now on you will catch men.”
Peter is not merely called away from something; he is called toward a mission.
The same is true for us. The Church does not exist only for those already inside it. Christ sends us into the world to fulfill the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
This work belongs to every member of the Church.
Some teach. Some welcome newcomers. Some serve. Some pray. Some invite a friend or neighbor. Some care for those who are struggling. Some simply say, “Come and see.”
We build the Church person by person, relationship by relationship, prayer by prayer, and act of love by act of love.
The purpose is not merely to increase membership. It is to bring people into communion with the living Christ—into forgiveness, healing, truth, holiness, and life.
Conclusion
Peter began the day with empty nets and ended it by leaving full nets behind.
Why?
Because he discovered that the greatest gift was not what Christ could put into his boat. The greatest gift was Christ Himself.
So the questions before us are simple and demanding:
What do I need to leave behind?
What needs to be cleansed in my life?
Where is Christ asking me to cast the net?
As we work to build the Church, may we remember that we are building more than a physical place. We are building a community where Christ can be encountered, sinners can repent, the wounded can be healed, children can grow in faith, seekers can discover the truth, and the Gospel can be carried into the world around us.
Christ still says to His Church:
Do not be afraid.
Follow Me.
Launch out into the deep.
Cast the net.
