Vocation (2)

Context

Our current preaching theme: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” Seeing his glory, appreciating Jesus’ mission, and today: being personally called to follow.

Lesson from Luke chapter 5.

Although his hometown synagogue rejected him, as we read last week, Jesus’ mission was clear and powerful and he went about all the region preaching the Kingdom of God, working miracles, and driving out demons.

Jesus’ fame has been spreading. And a few disciples have been falling into orbit around him, such as Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, Philip and Nathaniel.

Great crowds have begun to follow him.

Scripture

Luke 5:1–11 NRSV

1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed 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. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Introduction

Today “vocation” can be used synonymously with “occupation.” Work. Something we choose for ourselves.

Traditional understanding was deeper. More than something we choose, a vocation was something for which we are chosen.

Vocation means calling. Latin root: “Voco” from which we get words like vocal. Voice. Vocabulary.

God calls people to do things.

Specifically in Christ.

Famous story of being called. Peter. 

Exegesis 1: Jesus invites Peter

Peter already knew Jesus.

From John the Baptist

Miracle of the wine

Exorcisms and healings while staying at Peter’s house.

But today a turning point.

Jesus comes to the shore with a great crowd. Needs somewhere to preach.

A boat would be perfect. Peter’s boat would be perfect. Intentional.

peter listens, proximity again, power, faith.

Put out to the deep for a catch.

Miracle time.

Often: A sign for everyone to believe in Jesus’ preaching.

All night…not catch.

Not embarrassment. Not a groan.

“Master…at your word.” Peter suspects that Jesus is going to work a miracle.

Playing into it. For the benefit of everyone.

Peter, let’s go out...I am going to do a miracle right here and now.  You can be a part of it. You, your teammates, your nets, your boats.  Are you in?

I’m in.

Here we see Peter’s characteristic strength, willingness.

Master = first time Jesus called this.

Guys, pack it all back in.  We’re going out. I believe in Jesus and we going to act on it.

APP1:  Jesus invites us

Most of us have known Jesus for some time.  Maybe even grew up with him.

All through our lives, Jesus has been special.

Every once in a while, he comes to us afresh with a new invitation.

Push off from shore, out into the deep.

A turning point.

Often at those points where our own efforts are showing limitation.

 In our work, in our marriage and family life, in our hearts....

The net are empty.

Not embarrassed.

Ready for more.

Jesus says, do you trust me? Are you in?  

Our deepest desire is to say yes.

To say: Master, at my own I’ve caught nothing, but at your word.

Switch from my work to your command. My choice to your call.

Exegesis 2: Peter is filled with awe

They set out into the water.

Peter’s boat lets down a net. Expect to work and catch a few fish maybe…all the fish are submerged away from the sun…

Fish begin to rush into the net!  As if every fish in the sea of Galilee just had to get into their nets.

They could not pull it in.  The nets are starting to break.

Second boat.   They start helping...fish everywhere.

So many fish that the boats begin to sink… Up to their knees, their thighs in fish..

Cf: 6 vats of water to wine!

Abundance of God

No one had ever seen anything like this...heard of anything like this.

James and John also astonished. Crowd too, they see the struggle.

The sign was AIMED at Peter. Jesus looking at Peter.

Presence of God in sharp relief.

Peter, depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!

Fear, awe, dread...woe is me of Isaiah; take off shoes hide face of Moses.

APP2:  we are awestruck at God’s blessing

When we let Jesus into our lives we invite God into our lives.

Those things that were empty before get filled to overflowing.

Marriage, work, school, ministry.

Life comes into them. All submerged blessings fled, suddenly comes up..

Ephesians 3:20–21 “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Marriages restored, families united, jobs turned around.

Salutary: all things possible with God.

Gabriel: nothing impossible for God

Jesus: what is impossible for man is possible with God.

Miracle = A message. Aimed at us.

I am here for you!

Ambivalence

Awestruck: God is near!

Fear: Depart I’m not worthy!

Realization that God is speaking to us.

We are unworthy but not about that as much as about willingness..

Vocation means calling. Christ invites us to become by grace/friendship more than we have been.

EX3:  Jesus assures Peter of vocation

Do not be afraid.

Not unfocused random power.

That I am calling you. Not to complete unknown, but deeper into what you are already seeking. Take you to the next level.

Kingdom of God is about people. Look at the shore. All those people. Bring them in.  

Smiling.

I want to bring them in. I need a fisherman. A spiritual fisherman. You.

Peter dropped the nets. And followed him.

And fisherman he became: most notably on Pentecost. People from all over rushed into kingdom of God.

Eternal significance. Fisherman for God. Deeepest truest calling.

APP3: we share in God’s ongoing ministry

Last week: Jesus’ mission: God active in history.  

Ongoing mission now.

Bringing people into kingdom of God.

We share in God’s mission

In our personal and particular way.

Now you will be fishing for people:

Examples of professionals who have transformed work into calling.

Funeral home director who takes care of the living.

CPA who helps people find peace of mind.

Mechanic or construction worker, helping people make a home.

Swim coach, first and foremost about values.

Employer, helping people make their lives possible.

Evangelism of the church by members working in the world.

This church is the boat. Bring them in.

Eternal significance.

I am what I am for God. Truest deepest self.

CONCLUSION

Vocation means calling.

Not just what we choose for ourselves.

Who God calling us to be.

Jesus calling us deeper. To follow him and share in the Kingdom of God with him and others.

And our greatest journey in life is to answer that call.