In Obedience

Introduction

Junior Church Dismissed

Happy New Year

We are 5 days into the new year now and I hope all of your goals or resolutions are in full swing.

Today I’m looking forward to bringing this first message of a series called Launch out.

We are going to be examining different areas of scripture as it relates to launching out into our community. It’s my prayer that our church is known for Loving God, Serving Others, and Making an Impact. The only way for that to happen is for us to get outside our walls and bring Jesus to those who need Him.

We have to Launch out. We have to launch out in obedience, we have to launch out in Love, we have to launch out with purpose, and we must launch out of our world...

Today, the first message of this new year, I want us to see what can happen when we launch out in obedience to the commands of Christ.

We pick up the biblical narrative in the life of Christ today in on the Sea of Galillie, specifically at a place called Gennesaret.

The first 4 chapters of Luke Jesus has expereinced birth, being left at a a temple by his parents, 40 days of fasting in the desert and the temptation of Satan, Preaching in a Synagogue, and healing Simon Peter’s, one of the soon to be Apostle’s, Mother in law.

Now we find Jesus being pressed by crowd who wants to hear what He has to say.

Follow along with me as I read

Luke 5:1–11 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

PRAY

Have you ever walked down a street and seen signs for missing animals? I heard a story one time of a man who went for a walk and saw a missing animals poster on every lightpole.

In his neighborhood, on almost every light pole, there are signs for lost dogs or cats. When he first noticed these signs, he felt a tinge of sympathy. … But nothing seemed to happen. The seasons changed. The pictures grew faded because of the weather. And yet, many of the signs are still up today. He couldn’t help but wonder: is anyone actually looking for these animals? Do they expect me to do all the work? Did the owners just put up signs and assume the pets would read them, realize they’re missing, and saunter on home? This is not the way God seeks. The shepherd doesn’t just put up a sign that says, ‘Hey, I lost a sheep.’ He leaves the 99 behind and goes after the one who is missing”

As believers, we need to be reminded that we were once the one who was lost, and God came in pursuit of us to save us by his grace. When we remember our own desperate need for grace, we will be more likely to extend it to others. We will also be more likely to launch out of our comfortable “holy huddle” at church, surrounded by people who already know Jesus, and will want to cooperate with the Father in pursuing the lost and sharing God’s love with them.

As believers, we need to be reminded that we were once the one who was lost, and God came in pursuit of us to save us by his grace. When we remember our own desperate need for grace, we will be more likely to extend it to others. We will also be more likely to break out of our comfortable “holy huddle” at church, surrounded by people who already know Jesus, and will want to cooperate with the Father in pursuing the lost and sharing God’s love with them.

That only comes from faithful obedience to the Lord. Notice that it all starts with the Lord’s Simple Requests

I. The Lord’s Simple Requests

You know it’s falsely claimed sometimes that the Lord would not require of us more than we can handle. I vehemently disagree with that statement.

God will ask you to give and do more than you believe you can handle, because it’s in those moments you have to live by faith and trust him to do it.

However, there are times when the requests of the Lord are simple in our lives. For instance, notice the question here.

A. Can I use your boat?

Here is Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee with many people coming out to here him. He walks by these fishermen and sees them cleaning their nets. He knows they have had a long and fruitless night. They are not in the best of moods. They are ready to close up shop.

However Jesus is in need of something they have. He is seeking to preach the gospel to a group of people that need to hear it but doesn’t have a great way for the people to be able to see and hear him.

So he turned to Simon Peter, whose mother in law He had just healed days prior and says “Can I use your boat?”

Now Peter would have an idea of how Jesus is at this moment. He had entered his house to perform that miracle healing. However based upon his response to the miracle we are about to see I’d be willing to guess Peter wasn’t completely sold on what Jesus was saying and doing just yet.

Imagine Peter’s response for a moment. He’s cleaning his nets and tired, upset over a wasted night. Then here is this guy who wants to use his boat...

I wander if Peter had thoughts about his boat like “this little thing?” I wander if in that moment he didn’t look at his boat through the lens of his previous nights failure. He saw the boat as useless, He saw the boat as a trifle object that needed to be replaced because it was good for nothing.

Then Jesus comes in and says “Hey, that boat right there…yea the small one with the patches on it, the one that you have been using…Can I use your boat?”

Peter says “sure” and allows him to use it. At that moment that boat went from being an object of failure to an object of great success. Why?

Did Jesus need the boat? We know that He can walk on water and calm the seas. Did He need Peter’s boat?

No. But He asked it of him. Why? The same reason Jesus asks you to give of what you have. Your finances, your talents, your time, you know all these things you may seem as insignificant or useless. When you turn it over to the Master of the Universe, He will use it for great things. What was the great thing it was used for here in our passage? Healing of the blind? Lepors healed? Lame made to walk?

Was it some visually remarkable sight that the boat was used for? No.

But it was used for something as equally as important…the preaching of the gospel.

I believe that if Jesus came to you and said “Hey can I use your house to begin my crusade of healing througout the nation...” we all would be on board.

But what about when Jesus comes and says “Hey, I’d like to use your money, I’d like to use your mouth, I’d like to use your time on Saturday or on an evening throghout the week…just to preach the gospel. Just to be my hands and feet so others may know me...” What would we say then?

It’s a simple requests our Lord puts to Peter…Can I use your boat?

Then when he is done, when Peter has been obedient in this area the Lord blesses Him greatly but that blessing begins with another simple request.

B. Will you use your boat?

Jesus finishes speaking and turns to Peter now. Peter having heard what was just proclaimed to the masses. Peter having just finished up washing his last net from his failed night looks to Jesus as he is getting out of the boat and Jesus says to him “Hey, Peter, launch out into the deep, and let down your net for another catch.”

Hey Peter, will you use your boat?

Will you take this boat and do something with it that seems unreasonable? Will you take this boat and go out to catch fish again?

Imagine how this sounded to Peter…a professional fisherman…how many of you guys want that as your job title?

Hey I know you already did this but do it again…in your boat…with those nets you just cleaned....

You see we may be willing to let Jesus take what we have and use it but are we willing to use what we have for Him? Are we willing to do something we might not be comfortable with? Are we willing to do something that might go against our grain?

Are we willing to obediently give to the Lord and be used of the Lord even when it’s something that seems crazy to us?

Peter sets an example for us here and I believe provides comfort to us

Notice the Apostle’s obedient resposne

II. The Apostle’s Obedient Response

Even though we can consider to be obedient in this moment it’s important to see his reluctant response

A. A Reluctant Response

Look at verse 5

Luke 5:5 KJV 1900

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

That first line…Master…we have toiled all the night.

We’ve done this already…During the times it was best....Why should we do this again?

Reluctance is sometimes viewed as a negative response to a request from someone?

Have you ever been reluctant to do something someone has asked you to do? Maybe you have som reservation in your voice?

It makes it seem like your not all in right?

It’s that hesitation the bunjee jumper has before they take that step off. Of course the bunjee will hold them and tehy will be fine but there is a slight hesitation

That’s where Peter is at right now…Lord we’ve already done this.

I don’t know about you but that’s encouraging to me.

What’s even more encouraging is the response from Jesus…Now, Luke didn’t record anything here nor is it recorded in other parts of scritpure, so what do we learn from that.

Peter’s response wasn’t one that needed to be corrected. Jesus didn’t look at Him with chastising eyes and say “Why didn’t you just do it rather than question me? Don’t you know who I am? Haven’t you seen what I can do?”

Reluctance is a perfectly normally response but it’s not a great place to stay.

What is Jesus calling you to do that your a little reluctant about? What in your life is Jesus wanted you to use for Him that your a little reluctant about handing over?

Are you concerned if you don’t keep up the tough exterior people will run over? Are you afraid if you hand over your life to Him He wont’ be able to use it? What is it?

Peter was reluctant and He wasn’t chastised for it....because He then gave a faithful response

B. A Faithful response

Notice the second part of verse 5 “Nevertheless at thy word...”

At thy word. Because you said so Jesus I will.

He was reluctant at first but then responded in faith because Jesus said so.

As we get into 2020 and I pray you are looking for ways for God to grow you and use you let me give you some things God has already called for us as Christians to do

He’s called us to tell others about Him

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

He’s called us to give to Him based upon what He has given to us. Giving back to the Lord isn’t about can or can’t it’s about will or wont. And it’s really not about will I give or wont’ I give it’s “Will I trust God by giving or will I not trust God by keeping.”

I wont’ stand up here and promise you great wealth because you give to the work of the Lord I can only testify of what God has done in my life and the lives of those I have seen decide to give faithfully and sacrificially to God. He has blessed them beyond financial measures.

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 KJV 1900

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

We are to pray for one another

James 5:17 KJV 1900

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

1 Timothy 2:1 KJV 1900

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

We are to serve others

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Jesus has simple requests for us to be obedient to. You don’t have to be looking for some great request from God. In fact you won’t get a great request from God if you can’t be faithful in the little requests of God.

Luke 16:10 KJV 1900

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

This leads us to the crux of the message. The purpose behind preaching through this text.

A Christian’s only reply

III. A Christians only reply

Luke 5:6-

Luke 5:6–8 KJV 1900

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

A. A Physical reply

When Peter responded in faith he had to act on it physically and not just in his heart. It wasn’t just a decision made it was a decision acted upon.

Too often we come to church and hear preaching or are moved by a song or a bible verse we are reading and think “I should do this or that”

Then we walk away and live our lives as normal yet we are not called to have good thoughts our feel good vibes. We are called to live by faith and that faith must result in action.

Whether it be as a church launching out into the community or as individuals launching out into new ways of living for the Lord. There must be a physical response to the word of God.

If all we do is sit back and think of how good a message sounded, or how funny the preacher is, and don’t seek to respond in faith to what the Lord calls us to then there is no point in us hearing the Words of the Lord.

Jesus preached to the people, then turned to Peter and gave him instruction.

As Jesus spoke to Peter we have the Holy Spirit who speaks to us and requires a reply from our hearts. It must be a physical reply and when we see what God will do…we will have a spiritual reply

B. A Spiritual reply

Peter obeyed God by faith and saw Him do a great and mighty work. He returned to the Lord realizing who he was in christ.

He found his identity in Jesus. When we find our identity in Christ we don’t find ourselves lifted up and prideful in all that we do…we find ourselves humbled by what God can use us to do.

Peter falls at the knees of Christ and proclaims “Leave me, I’m a sinful man.”

One common trait I have found in men and woman that have walked with the Lord for years. That have lived by faith and see God work is humility.

They know that without Christ, they are nothing. Just as Peter knew here, He wasn’t deserving of being used by Jesus in such a way. He wasn’t deserving of the blessing of God on his life, yet we find that the Lord still blessed.

Then what happens? What happens after Peter and the others find their identity in Christ? When they see themselves in light of Jesus?

They forseook all and followed him and Jesus made them fishers of men.

When they responded in the little things Jesus gave them big things to be responsible for.

Just as he promised.

Peter and the fishermen launched out in faithful obedience to Christ. Christ used them and blessed them. Christ hasn’t changed. God is still the same.

We must reply to his calling though. Will you?

Will you allow 2020 to be the year you decide to live by faith and launch out physically and spiritually allowing the Lord to guide you by faith?

Conclusion

Are you here this morning and don’t know Jesus? You can’t hear his voice if you don’t believe on Him.

Are you here and want to see your life changed from the inside out? You want 2020 to be a year that is blessed by God and see Him use you in a mighty way?

If you are here today and would like to know Jesus. You would like to know the peace that comes from knowing Him and being saved. I want to help you.

The Bible says in that God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for your sins. In that same verse Jesus said that whosoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.

It’s that simple. Believe on Jesus…have a relationship with Him.

Do you believe this morning? If you made the decision to trust in Jesus this morning I want to invite you to confirm that with prayer. The words of the prayer mean nothing if you don’t believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead.

If you want to make the decision to trust Jesus as your savior this morning please pray after me

“Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, I believe you came to die on the cross and rose from the dead. I put my faith right now in you and ask you to come into my life and change me from the inside out. Amen.”

Christians, What steps of faith do you need to take in 2020? Will you take them?

PRAY

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