2006-10-14 - Deep Water Faith - Luke 5 1-11 S. Rawdon's breakfast

Message: Deep Water Faith Scr: Luke 5:1-11 Date: May 15/04 Men & Ladies Banquet

Intro: Promise Keepers – vision – growth – need a small group! Starting a small group – looked for it, wanted it, needed it… only one problem, I was terrified to do it. Finally God showed me he was calling me, so I asked who? Answers from people – too busy, no time, already in one, not interested… my response, I’m too busy too, but I know I need it. I had listened to sermons my whole life, but I found myself being asked to trust God and go out into deep water.

Explanation – Most of us like swimming, until the water gets to their neck. (Ocean swim – afraid to go further out) That’s what many of us are as Christians, we are ok with God’s word and instructions and call on our lives up until he reaches our neck. But the head is a real problem. None of us want to get in over our head, after all we might drown.

TS – And yet we find Jesus, saying to us as he said to the disciples, put out into deep water. Jesus asks us, he tests us, he commands us to follow him.

1) Jesus asks us (1-3) – Lake Gennesaret is also known as Galilee – Jesus was teaching.

a) To listen – people gathered around as he taught – Not all knew Jesus, but all seeking God and his word

b) To learn – the fishermen couldn’t help but hear – They already knew him, but were still doing the same old thing

c) To help – Jesus asked them to help him share the message – Keep working when already tired – change of direction

2) Jesus tests us (4-7)

a) For our Trust (deep water) – doesn’t make sense – carpenter from Galilee telling professional fishermen to fish in deep water in daylight when EVERYBODY knows that you fish in shallow water at night – but many things we are asked to do don’t make sense

i) Love your enemy – not attack or avoid

ii) Lead by serving – not for personal profit or gain, but to demonstrate God’s love as we have experienced it.

b) For our obedience (Because you say so, I will) – byssiw

i) Peter and the men were tired – up all night – fatigue in Peter’s voice.

ii) Peter and the men were discouraged – caught nothing

iii) But Peter and the men were willing – because the master asked, that was enough for them

c) For our Strength

i) They rowed out to deep water

ii) They let down the nets (already fishing all night – volleyball first time each season – aching muscles!)

iii) There was so much, that the nets began to break – are our nets breaking with the weight of God’s blessing?

(1) Why not? Have we failed to really trust? Why aren’t we in the deep water?

(2) We need to put out into deep water together and call in others to help us lift the nets

3) Jesus commands us (8-11) –

a) To recognize him (as Lord) – Peter fell at Jesus feet – recognized Jesus authority and his own unworthiness (vs8)

b) To recognize his power – They all were astonished at the size of the catch! (vs9-10a)

c) To accept his call – When we recognize Jesus and his power there is no more discussion

i) From now on! (10b)

ii) To catch people!

Conclusion –

· Jesus called His disciples to leave everything and follow Him permanently as His helpers.

· Fishermen know how to work together, they do not give up easily, they have courage, and they labor diligently.

· These are ideal qualities for disciples of Jesus Christ.

· fact that men were planning to go out again after washing nets is proof that they were not discouraged by night of failure.

· Peter was humbled, not by his night of failure but by his astounding success; this is a mark of real character.

· If success humbles you, then failure will build you up.

· If success puffs you up, then failure will destroy you.

· By faith, the men left all and followed Christ.

· They had been catching living fish and, when they caught them, the fish died.

· Now they would catch dead fish—sinners—and the fish would live!

Prayer –