Lessons taught from the Water

Title: Lessons taught from the water

Introduction: What will you do after you graduate the SWSBS?

We have all been here for almost two years getting to study under the feet of great Godly men who have been preaching the Gospel for many years.

- They have equipped us with many tools,

- taught us with much wisdom,

- and most importantly taught us the Word of God.

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- While here we have learned how to study the Bible more effectively,

- how to organize Bible classes,

- how to write sermons and look at context.

- We have all learned what expository preaching is and how powerful it is in teaching others but in our personal growth as well.

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- We have grown so much here spiritually, and I pray we will all continue to grow for the rest of our lives.

- But we need to take everything we have learned here and continue to teach others - - weather you will be a preacher a preacher’s wife, a Bible class teacher, a deacon, an elder one day. one- one- one Bible study.

- Everyone in this room has the talent, and the ability to be a great Gospel preacher.

- One Person we can all learn from when it comes to teaching others is Jesus Himself. By Looking at how he taught His first disciples.

- Now His very first disciples were good ol fisherman, they were not highly educated men, not graduates from a school of preaching or any high level of education they were just good ol fisherman.

- Jesus taught them to be some of the greatest teachers that ever lived.

- But He also led and taught by example.

- He also found dedicated men and taught them from the things they knew. His first disciples were fishermen, and Jesus did a lot of teaching from a boat or near a boat. We will look at three of these examples today.

- First, we will see Jesus Made Disciples from a Boat (Luke 5:1-11; Matt 13:1-9).

- Second, we will see Jesus Mentored Disciples from outside the Boat (Matthew 14:22-33).

- Finally, we will see Jesus Mended Disciples from the Bank (John 21:1-19).

Thesis: As Christians we have a Job to make disciples, to mentor disciples, and to mend disciples.

I. Jesus Made Disciples from a Boat (Luke 5:1-11; Matt 13:1-9).

i. Vs. 1-2 Jesus saw an opportunity to Teach.

1. In 4:38-41 Jesus showed compassion to All.

2. In 4:42-44 Jesus Preached in the synagogues.

3. “They don’t care how much you know till they see how much you care”?

4. We are trying to make Mature Disciples, we can only accomplish this if we are teaching by example. We must live according to our preaching and teachings!!

ii. Vs. 4-7 Jesus sits down and teaches.

1. Notice Jesus is not teaching them in the synagogue, he is at their job, on there boat.

2. He does not only teach them by speaking but also shows them a miracle of catching fish. Remember the audience!

3. Notice what Simon says: At thy Word will I let down thy net!!! Imagine how exhausted he was!!

4. The Greatest Catch ever witnessed!!!

iii. Vs. 8-11 Jesus shows them how to be successful.

1. We see Peters repentance- Depart from me for I am a sinful man. Phill 2:10, Rom 14:11

2. They were all astonished at the great catch.

3. Vs 10 “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men”

a. Matt 4:19; Mark 1:17

4. Vs 11 They forsook all and followed Him!

iv. Lessons we can learn-

1. First, we must be like Jesus and follow His pattern by show compassion.

2. we must be willing to get out into our communities and find ways we can relate to people; look at their jobs and hobbies and find ways to make spiritual conversations.

3. Invite people out to eat lunch, into your home and get to learn about them.

4. Get involved in people’s lives.

5. When the moment comes than ask them to have a Bible study, we must earn the Bible study. It is easier to tell a stranger NO; But much harder to tell a friend No.

6. Let the Word of God change people. Don’t debate them but be a shower!!!! Not just a teller!!!

7. John 1:1; Heb 4:12; Rom 1:16

d. Read- Matt 13:1-9 We see Another example of Jesus teaching on the boat.

i. Seed on wayside- Birds.

ii. Seed on stoney ground- because roots cannot get moist soil.

iii. Seed among thorns- stickers and weeds can choke out.

iv. Seed on good ground- fruitful.

v. Illustration of planting with tractor:

1. Fill the barrel on spreader. PTO

2. Like the Word we just spread it everywhere and to everyone. We are farmers just planting and watering.

vi. Vs 10-17 Purpose of the parable.

vii. Vs. 18-23 The Parable explained.

viii. Vs. 24-30 Parable of the tares.

ix. Lessons we can learn from these is:

1. We must always plant the Word; we cannot judge the soil because we don’t know the heart of man; but one thing we do know is the power of the Word.

2. It has changed every one of us in this room. And if it had not than you probably would not be here today!!

3. Some people will hear us- but their families and the world will pull them away.

4. Some will hear us with great joy, but if not grounded and rooted properly than when the storms of life come will take them away.

5. Some will receive the Word with joy but will fall away to caring more about this world and riches.

6. But most importantly some will receive the Word, and understand its power, they will obey it, and will be fruitful and make more disciples.

7. We are not going to convert everyone but we must continue to plant and water to find the few good ones.

8. We never known the power of one Bible study!!

9. We are farmers!! (1 Cor 3:6-9).

x. Once we make disciples, we must mentor them!!!!

II. Jesus Mentored Disciples from outside the Boat (Matthew 14:22-33).

a. Vs. 22-23 The Attitude- Jesus was a man of prayer!

b. Vs. 24 The Awareness- Mark 6:48- He saw them toiling against the wind!! He was aware of the great wind.

c. Vs. 25 The Approach- Mark 8:48- He would have passed by them, but He saw them troubled and afraid.

d. Vs. 26 The Alarm- They feared thinking He was a spirit, a ghost.

e. Vs. 27 The Assurance- Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.

f. Vs. 28-31 The Attempt-

i. Peter realizes it is Jesus and He is walking on water- we see people always trying to walk on water. Image Peter!!!

ii. We see Peters great faith; he asked if he could come to Him!!.

iii. Jesus tells him to “Come.”

iv. He does it he is walking on water!!!! 2 men in the world!!!

v. But he lost focus, he took his eyes off Jesus.

vi. He let the distraction get to him being the wind.

vii. He began to sink.

viii. His faith waivered (James 1:2-8).

1. Vs 6 Let him ask in faith.

a. He that wavereth is like a wave driven by the wind and tossed.

2. Vs 7 Let not the man (the one being tossed) think he shall receive anything of the Lord.

3. Vs 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

4. Someone who is asking God for something in prayer but doubts God will answer prayer will not have his prayer answered.

5. We don’t want to be a doble minded Christian. We ask things of God because we believe God answers prayers.

Back to Matt 14:32-33

g. Vs. 32-33 The Awe-

i. They get on boat.

ii. The wind ceased they worshipped Him as Son of God

h. Lesson we can learn:

i. We need to pay attention to other Christians especially those who are new in the faith.

ii. We will all face storms in our lives: maybe it is a death, someone spouse leaves them, the car breaks down, a natural disaster hits home, receiving bad news of cancer or other illness.

iii. All of these are real life situations of storms in people’s lives which can distract people.

iv. Which can cause us to take our focus off Jesus.

v. It is these times we need Jesus most in our lives, as long as we are following the Word and keeping our eyes focus, we can do as Paul says in Phil 4:13!!!!

vi. We need to mentor other Christians especially those young in the faith. So, the storms don’t uproot them!!

III. Jesus Mended Disciples from the Bank (John 21:1-19).

a. Vs. 1-2 We have time stamp and audience.

i. Between the resurrection and Ascension

ii. Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, the sons of Zebedee, two other disciples.

b. Vs. 3 Peter say “I'm going Fishing”- the other 7 disciples go with him.

c. Vs. vs. 4-5 Jesus calls to them.

d. Vs. 6 Jesus commands them.

e. Vs. vs. 7-8 Disciples come to Jesus.

f. Vs. 9-10 Jesus calls for their catch.

g. Vs. 11-13 Jesus calls them to come and dine.

h. Them going fishing can be looked at as positive or negative-

i. They could have lost focus and went back to what they knew which was fishing. At least 3 of these disciples were professional fishermen. They had spent two years every day with Jesus and now only see Him a few times before he will ascend into Heaven. This could of brought discouragement.

ii. They could have been just catching fish for food and possibly to sell for money.

iii. They were told by Jesus to go to Galilee where they should see Him - Mark 16:7, Matt 28:7,10

iv. Either way Jesus uses this opportunity as another teaching lesson. They fished all night and caught nothing.

v. They saw someone on bank but because of it being too dark or foggy could not tell it was Jesus.

vi. He asks them if they have any meat to get their attention.

vii. Then He tells them to throw on right side of boat to show His Power once again.

viii. They caught so many fish they could pull net in, so they drug it to shore and ended up being 153 fish. Like watching someone catch a big shark on Bob Hall, sometimes they will walk it to the bank if to big to pull up.

1. Not sure why 153 fish, but I know one thing is for sure a fisherman always knows how many fish he catches.

2. Illustration of casting net.

ix. Then Jesus tells them to come and dine. Jesus is getting Peter ready for a teaching lesson.

x. Nothing like eating food to get to known someone, plus it is comforting, that’s why they say the best place to have a Bible study is at the dinner table.

xi. Invite someone to your house have dinner and then say hey we going to have a Bible study tonight would you like to join us??

xii. Read: We see in vs 14-19 Jesus mending Peter.

i. Vs. 14-15 The first question

i. “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

1. This can be looked at in three ways:

a. The these could be more than he loves the other disciples.

b. or more than the fishing, the boat, and the nets,

c. or love Jesus more than other disciples love Him. Either way you take it the answer should be yes!!

ii. Peter says- “Yea, Lord; thou knowest I love thee>’

iii. Jesus commands- “Feed my lambs.” Lamb is young sheep.

j. Vs. 16 The second question?

i. “Simon, son of Jonas, Lovest thou me?

ii. Peter- Yea Lord; Thou knowest I love thee.

iii. Jesus commands Feed my sheep- older mature sheep.

k. Vs 17 The third question??

i. “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me????

ii. Peter- Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

iii. Jesus commands- Feed my sheep.

iv. 1stPeter 5:1-4

1. Peter talks about how he is an elder and exhorts other elders to Feed the flock of God.

2. whom they are overseers.

3. And to do it willingly with a ready mind

4. Also tells them to be an example.

5. That when the chief Shepherd shall arrive, ye will receive a crown of glory that shall not fade away.

6. Jesus is the chief Shepherd and He led by example!

l. Vs 18-19 Jesus tells him how he girded himself and went wherever he wanted as a youth.

m. But when he is old he will have his hands stretched out and another shall gird thee and carry him where he would not go before.

n. Many commentators agree with this is referring to him dying like Jesus with the crucifixion.

o. But the most important thing is vs 19 his death would glorify God, and Jesus tells him to follow Him.

p. We see Jesus tells him to follow Him in beginning of ministry, He tells Him to come to him while walking on water, and now telling him to follow Him after His Resurrection. Peter would follow Him all the way to His ascension.

q. Lessons we can learn:

r. We need to always mend other Christians- this is to improve, strengthen, to set right.

s. A lot of times people can stray off the narrow path, maybe it’s seeing them not getting involved with the Church. Weather not coming to the potlucks, not coming to Sunday evenings, not coming to Wednesday night Bible class, not coming to the Gospel meetings. Possibly missing Sunday mornings every now and then.

i. These are great opportunities that we need to reach out, not just by texting if everything is all right but by getting involved in their life.

1. Taking them to diner.

2. Inviting them to your house for supper.

3. Going and visiting them at their house unexpectedly

ii. We cannot get to known one another how we should in these walls, we must get involved in one another’s lives, after all we are a family.

iii. If we truly love one another, we will care about their spiritual life.

iv. You see Christianity is a life of thinking,

1. we have to change our way of thinking from worldly to spiritually.

2. The only way we can change our lives to being holy, and living sacrifices is if we change our perspective on the way we think.

3. We must realize like Peter teaches in 2 Peter ch 3 that the things of this world will be burned up.

4. If we can teach the importance of that to others it is a motivator to not live for the things of this world but seek things from above through the Word of God.

5. Matt 6:33

Conclusion: We have seen how Jesus taught His disciples by example.

He taught people in their own environment and found ways to relate to them better by using things they already knew.

- Like fishing,

- farming,

- food,

- water,

- all to teach spiritual lessons.

- We need to look for these opportunities.

He was one who showed compassion to all,

He showed people His power over creation, over nature, and over demons.

He also spent a lot of His time encouraging and edifying those close to Him who kept losing faith.

He spent a lot of time working with His disciples.

- knowing one would betray Him,

- knowing one would deny Him,

- knowing they all would doubt and lose faith at times.

But knowing their hearts He still worked with them patiently.

We today as Christians show that same power through His Word.

That very same power changed each and every one of us here today and can change others if we take them the Gospel.

Many have not heard the Gospel and you may be the only chance someone ever has at receiving the It.

I hope you're two years here at southwest will not be wasted after graduation.

Many people have sacrificed time, and funds for us to be here and they all saw something special in each and every one of us.

The teachers have spared a lot of time a red ink to help develop us into the men and woman we are today.

There is so much talent in this room right now, and I hope no one goes and buries their talent.

We saw how Jesus disciples were with Him for two years,

- and after the resurrection they are no longer with Him every day,

- and fixing to watch Him go to Heaven and not see Him till judgement.

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- We have all spent two years here under some Godly men who have

- - shared with us much wisdom

- and taught us so many things.

- But in 4 months we will no longer be with them every day.

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- What will you do???

- Will you go back to welding,

- coaching,

- working HEB,

- back to the cotton fields,

- back to southern Baptist preaching in Cali

- I hope and pray you will preach and teach Gods Word?

- Continue spreading the good news!!

- Continue to grow in your own faith.

First, we saw Jesus Made Disciples from a Boat.

Second, we saw Jesus Mentored Disciples from outside the Boat.

Finally, we saw Jesus Mended Disciples from the Bank.

- What are you going to do after graduation?