The Gospel Project: Obedience to the Messiah

Intro Option 2: The professionals

Name profession with on the job training

Connect w/ Jesus

Main Point: Disciples faithfully follow Jesus.

3 things Jesus does for His disciples

Jesus teaches His disciples

Luke 5:1–7 (ESV)

1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

Jesus’ teaching splits people into three main groups:

The curious crowds

The resistant religious leaders

The devoted disciples

What is a disciple?

A disciple is a lifelong learner, doer, and teacher of the words and ways of Jesus. Disciples give up being their bosses of their own lives to make Jesus their Master (see Matt. 19:27). Disciples seek to think, empathize, talk, and act like Jesus (see Acts 4:13). Disciples give their all to follow Jesus and call on others to do the same (See Matt. 28:19-20). Disciples live to make disciples of Jesus Christ in every tribe, tongue, and nation on earth (see Matt. 24:14).

Living and learning like Jesus set them apart

Jesus’s request to Peter

Ask: Why did Jesus choose to teach them in the boat?

Relating to them

Get their attention

Teaching crowd > teaching disciples

Catching fish

Ask: What was Jesus trying to teach the disciples through this miraculous catch of fish?

Jesus & increasing dependence

Listening and applying

Jesus teaches His disciples

Jesus cleanses His disciples

Luke 5:8–10 (ESV)

8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

Peter realized that his relationship with Jesus wasn’t going to work

Recognize sinfulness in the presence of Jesus’s power

But Jesus not intimated (do not be afraid)

Ask: Why isn’t Jesus intimidated by our sinfulness? What is he capable of doing with our lives?

Every disciple starts as a sinner

In need of rescue

Jesus’ grace

Receiving cleansing and forgiveness

There is no limit to our potential in Christ

He changes us

Ask: How does Jesus change us over time as we allow Him to cleanse us when we sin?

One step at a time

Looking back over who you used to be

Jesus teaches His disciples

Jesus cleanses His disciples

Jesus leads His disciples

Luke 5:11 (ESV)

11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Curious crowd > devoted disciples

Knowing > Walking

“Left everything.”

“Left” = forsake, leave behind, give something up

Ask: What kinds of things must we be willing to give up to follow Jesus’s plans for us? Explain.

Video games, sports, dating relationship, etc.

“Left everything.”

Living with Jesus

Lifelong commitment

No time limit

Changing lives

Unique

Ask: How is being a disciple of Jesus different from any other kind of living?

Bigger than us

Christ Connection:

When Pewter spent time around Jesus, he recognized his own sinfulness and unworthiness to be with Him. Because of sin, no one is worthy to stand before a holy God. However, all who trust in Jesus receive forgiveness and His righteousness and enjoy a relationship with God forever.

Head: Why is it important for disciples of Jesus to know the word of God?

Priority = learning the Word

Every nation, job market, school system, and sports field

Learning and applying takes time

Committed to life-long learning

Heart: What should motivate us to follow Jesus over a lifetime?

Offering out lives as worshipful sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2)

What He has done for us

The response: love and gratitude

Hands: What did Jesus mean when He told Peter He’d be catching people? How can we “catch people” in our spheres of influence?

God building forever family

“Catching people” and the “net”

Casting the net of the gospel