Because You Say So

Introduction

We’ll spend time in Acts in fall & parables in Spring

Introduce series name

Called to salvation, cleansed of sin, commissioned for service

Lord to follow, life to leave behind, job to do

Luke 5:1-11, v. 1-3 give context

“pressing in to hear the Word of God”

Explanation

Verses 4-7

Fishing was actually better at night and in shallow water

“Because you say so”

Even with their partners they struggle to bring it in

When it comes to following Jesus, you don’t have to understand how it’s good to understand that it’s good. (v. 4-7)

The stats don’t lie

Harvard’s School of Public Health created the “Human Flourishing Index” to measure well-being including (happiness and life satisfaction, mental/physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships, financial and material stability). A 2023 study found that people highly engaged with Scripture consistently showed to be the most flourishing

Last year, WSJ published an article entitled “The Mental Health Benefits Linked to Going to Church”

The problem is we want 90% of God’s commands

Real-life examples

When you feel like the body God gave you isn’t right

When you say “no” to addiction and you don’t feel a reward

When your forgiveness leaves you hurting and the other person still hurting others

When you’re not following Jesus but you don’t feel like something is missing (Nick)

They weren’t prepared for their partners to be ready to help. So Peter obeyed even in spite of some doubt (v. 7)

How is Peter able to trust Jesus when it doesn’t make sense?

Is it desperation? Maybe the answer is in verse 5

I think the answer is in verse 8

Verses 8-9

Our response to Jesus’ holiness ought to be a recognition of our sinfulness

Peter already saw Jesus heal his MIL

He calls him “Master” and himself “a sinner”

When it comes to following Jesus, you need to know who Jesus is and who you aren’t. (v. 8-9)

It’s less about God’s wisdom v. my wisdom and more about God’s holiness v. my holiness (the former is downstream from the latter; it’s my lack of holiness that clouds my vision of what’s best for me; cf. Matt. 5:8)

Verse 10-11

When it comes to following Jesus, you have to make a choice between your old life and your new life. (v. 10-11)

Exhortation

For the non-Christian — Wrestle with this question: Is his really “Lord” (v. 8)?

He’s not a good teacher. He’s a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of all creation. — CS Lewis

For the unbaptized — Choose by being baptized into Christ

For the disciple — The next time you’re tempted/doubting, look to the goodness of Jesus