Sinners and Outcasts
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good morning CV First! As always, it is a privilege to stand before you and share the Word of God. I pray this morning is a time of great blessing as the Holy Spirit speaks to the hearts of His people.
If you would open up to Luke 5 and just hold that spot for a moment. I want to start things off a little different this morning.... instead of jumping right into our passage I’d like to take time some beginning with some stories of personal testimony.
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I have been blessed to go on many mission trips since committing my life to Christ. I have gone to some amazing places that God used myself and others in amazing ways- rural counties in Kentucky, big cities like New York City, Denver, Nashville, and even internationally in Costa Rica and though it wasn’t a mission trip, having the opportunity to share the gospel with others while in Ireland.
As we will see today God has called His people to “fish”.... for other people.
MEXICO-
I clearly remember my very first mission trip. I was a pretty new Christian, probably had been saved for about 6 months. I was 18 years old. We went to Saltillo, Mexico. This is a place that is surrounded by a mountain chain and is absolutely beautiful. But it was also filled with poverty and slums. We had two main objectives while there- building a church and putting on different VBS events throughout the week. We were broken into teams and each team did a few days of VBS.
The catch though was we had to walk around to get kids to come to the VBS. So, we walked up and down the dirt streets drumming up business for our VBS.
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We passed this one small home. The mother was outside and we talked with her. She invited our team inside which was a tight squeeze, even with just 3 of us. But we talked with her quite some time, met her children and learned about their family.
While there, I met her son, Pablo, who was probably around 8 years old. And over the next week I saw Pablo every day and built this wonderful relationship with him. Getting to talk about just about everything, especially baseball. But more than that, getting to talk about Jesus.
The last day of our trip, we went to our site and were saying goodbyes to everyone before we left. I remember looking frantically for his family but didn’t see them. Thankfully they rounded the corner....for the whole week, we had to wear these name tags. They were kinda of annoying....anyhow, after saying goodbye and lots of hugs. Pablo reached up, removed my name tag and put it on his shirt....It was one of the most emotional and rewarding moments in my life.
Picture of Pablo and I
BALTIMORE
Fast forward some years. I’m leading a mission trip to Baltimore, MD. This trip was laced with vans breaking down, chaining a trailer to a tree in a state park, the team having to walk on the side of the highway in the rain because of a broken down van. But God had a great reward in store as we reached our destination.
Our team was tasked with putting on a soccer camp through Upward sports. It’s basic stuff but laced with the Gospel.
We started the first day and our team was split working with different kids. I noticed a mother having a hard time getting her son, who was about 5 maybe 6, to stay and get involved. I approached them and after talking with him, he decided to stay and i promised he could hang with me.
So for the next week, I got to hang out with him, teach him a little soccer(very little) and show him the love of Jesus.
I’m not sure if I had much of an impact on him, but the impact he had on me was immense. His name.....was Ethan. If you don’t know, my oldest son is named Ethan really all because of his impact on me.
Picture of Ethan and I
I have so many other stories of how God worked in different situations....and to be clear, this isn’t a pat on my back. It’s not a situation of look at me, this about carrying out the mission of the cross, the sacrifice of Christ…as prompted, urged and guided by the Holy Spirit. Church, it’s always about Jesus.
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You may be wondering why I’m sharing these stories. These are not just fond memories or wonderful stories to pull at your heart strings. These are real life moments.....that were prompted by what our text speaks to today.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We are to go. This is an action word. No where in scripture do we find the instructions to “sit and wait for people”. We are supposed to go to them whether they are local or abroad.
We have a mission that was born from this moment in Luke 5 as Jesus calls the first disciples.
Stand for the reading of God’s Word.
Read Luke 5:1-16
Pray
Quick overview of the first narrative-
As we look here in verse 1 we immediately see and can recall from the moments leading up to this that Jesus had already been busy teaching and speaking to various groups. His ministry is picking up steam and people are recognizing Him.
So there is this moment where people were surrounding him to be taught. This was all taking place near the Sea of Galilee outside the city of Gennesaret.
The crowds are pressing him and Jesus see’s these fishing boats and approaches them. Quite recently we have learned that these boats were probably a pretty decent size. So if you are visualizing a little row boat, that’s not the case. These boats were probably at least 25 to 30 feet in length.
Helping you visualize what’s happening here. :)
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Jesus literally just walks up and jumps in the boat and gives some instructions to Simon Peter. Now this may seem really odd but it’s not all that weird. It’s not like they were strangers to each other.....
Recall they have met already as Jesus healed Peter’s mother in law in chapter 4 and Jesus had been making his way around the region teaching and healing. Simon Peter was well acquainted with him and most likely regarded him with much esteem. So, Jesus asked him to head out a bit and he follows the instructions.
Now here is the truly amazing thing in this moment…We may read through this quickly and think it was a way to get away from the crowd. But that’s not the case. Jesus is basically taking this moment to kill two birds with one stone. Because we can’t overlook the fact that Jesus was always looking to teach and that’s exactly what he does but also He has the intention of being very purposeful here in calling his first disciples.
So, Jesus teaches the people from the boat and when he finishes he just casually turns to Simon Peter and says lets fish some more. Now keep in mind when Jesus happens upon them, they had just finished for the day after being out all night.
Simon speaks up, which he is no stranger to, to let Jesus know we fished all night and got nothing.....But also I’m sure for Simon he is aware of Jesus and some of the things he has done and been teaching.......so he complies, ends up pulling in so much fish they could barely handle it.
Ok.....let’s pause here for a moment.... as we have seen the build up of events that lead to this climatic moment that happens in verse 8.
The events that follow this moment are so monumental.
It’s the type of moment that should call our attention back to the fact that we should be in awe of God.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
When is the last time you were truly in awe of God?
Have you allowed life’s circumstances to keep you from being in awe of Him?
Before moving on I want us to remember this:
Never lose sight through all of life’s ups and downs that God is still doing awe inspiring things....daily.
Never lose sight through all of life’s ups and downs that God is still doing awe inspiring things....daily.
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This fish moment is no different. And Simon Peter recognizes this. I mean these are accomplished fisherman who just prior to this had been out all night and pulled in nothing. Then Jesus, the carpenter, comes along and they pull in the biggest haul probably ever. This is not lost on Simon Peter that something is up.
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This first thing he does is fall to the ground and tell Jesus to leave him....Why? because he is an unworthy sinner.
At this point, Simon didn’t even realize fully who Jesus was, being God Himself but he did recognize the fact He was certainly from God.
When we are in awe of God and His marvelous deeds it highlights our sinfulness and need for him.
When we are in awe of God and His marvelous deeds it highlights our sinfulness and need for him.
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But here is the big moment in this passage- Jesus responding to Simon and John and James.....
Do not be afraid because from now on you will be fishers of men.
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This is a call to missions. This is a moment where God is calling the people to take His Word to others.
Missions is at the heart of who we have to be as believers.
Missions is at the heart of who we have to be as believers.
Whether that is going to other places or countries or locally right here in the bay area even in your neighborhood.
If you are not missionally minded with the Gospel, you aren’t focused on Christ.
F.A.I.T.H. Story
Door to Door ministry, visiting thousands of homes.
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This call to to the disciples wasn’t just for them but transcends time and generations.. all the way to us.
We too must be fisher’s of men.
My encounters with those boys doesn’t happen unless I’m willing to respond to and answer the call of God to go missionally. Giving up nearly every Monday night for close to six years and sharing the Gospel with hundreds of people doesn’t happen unless the call of God is answered. All praise and glory be given to God.
And as Simon shows us here, God uses sinful people for His service. If you are sitting there thinking I’m no good to God, I’ve done too much.
NO! For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That is why Jesus came. To redeem sinners like you and me, then to be used to advance that message of hope and grace.
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As much as this is a call for missions, it is just as much a call to servanthood.
Church, if we aren’t actively serving our Lord via His church, we are missing His call on our lives.
Overview of Narrative 2
In verses 12-16, we see Jesus’ interaction with a leper. Now, you have to remember the magnitude of this moment. Associating with a leper was pretty much forbidden. So this moment was huge.
Before we continue on, some of you might not know what leprosy even is-
Hansen’s Disease-
An infection caused by slow-growing bacteria that causes disfiguring sores. It can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose
And at this point in time leprosy was pretty much terminal and very rare that people were cured of it. Now, leprosy is very curable.
Jesus is in the city and there is a man with leprosy who approaches him. And this man’s first reaction was to fall at the feet of Jesus and beg Him to heal him.
Now, remember, Jesus is traveling around, healing people, teaching them…so word is getting around. The fact that this man has come to Jesus for this purpose tells us there is a basic level belief that he believes Jesus can do this for him.
So, Jesus touches him, agreeing to heal him.
And he’s healed....
Jesus then gives him some instruction to go to the priests per the levitical codes concerning leprosy. We won’t get into that today but if you want to read more about that, check out Lev. 13 and 14.
He even mentions to keep things quiet. Most likely to temper people solely seeking him to be healed physically more than the need to spiritually be healed and redeemed.
And then Jesus withdrew to pray.
The amazing thing about this story is Jesus’ attention to the situation. Lepers were considered the outcasts of society. No one wanted to associate with them for fear of contracting the disease as well as touching a leper would make that person ceremonially unclean.
But Jesus didn’t concern himself with such things...
3 things we see here:
Jesus shows an immense level of compassion.
Jesus shows an immense level of compassion.
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Jesus welcomed and associated with societies outcasts.
Jesus welcomed and associated with societies outcasts.
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Jesus shows us the importance for moments of solitude to speak with God.
Jesus shows us the importance for moments of solitude to speak with God.
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We must ask ourselves:
1. are we willing to show compassion to others in need of it?
2. Do we welcome the outcasts of society with open arms? Or do we with strings attached?
Main Points
Main Points
So, what are our big take away from these passages?
First and foremost, we need to recognize that we are sinners. Like Peter, we need to find ourselves falling before a holy God, admitting our sin and committing ourselves to Him. That’s first.
But from there, there has to be response on our part, action steps.
We must be a people who are missional for the sake of the Gospel.
We must be a people who are missional for the sake of the Gospel.
Jesus calls out to his disciples here and makes it very clear what the expectation is. This really couldn’t be more clear.
What is our motivation? We can list all sorts of things, but if the Gospel isn’t on it. At least near the top of the list. If seeing people come to know the Lord isn’t on it, you have misplaced your priorities.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
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13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
We have to be Gospel focused. This message that we have is too important.
That is why Jesus called on His disciples and told them to sacrifice everything for this.
We have to be fishers of men!
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We must be a people who are obedient to serve our God.
We must be a people who are obedient to serve our God.
Like our need to be missional we must be obedient to God’s call.
4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.
The disciples are a prime example for us what we need to be. Jesus called on them, they responded.
Not only do we see from Simon Peter this moment where he falls before Jesus, acknowledging he is a sinner but he responds through actions.
In verse 11 it says as soon as they were on land they left everything and immediately followed him.
Our faith is action oriented and so is our service.
Church, each of you is needed and we have been called out.
Tom Foozer Story
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1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We heard this passage a few weeks ago. The big idea here though is we have been called to Christ. So, when we are in Him we must live a life worthy of that huge calling.
What is that huge calling?
We have been saved! What more is there to be amazed with and to want others to know about.
Our desire should be to proclaim the Gospel to others and to serve Him through His church. It’s an honor to serve God. Not a burden to our busy and hectic schedules.
It breaks me when I hear people talk about being too busy to serve. Why?
Because it’s not only commanded in Scripture, but because of God’s great sacrifice for us, why wouldn’t it be the thing we want to do more than anything else.
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Are you serving the Lord? Not just coming to church or Bible study....but serving?
Or are you just consuming the Lord?
Seth Analogy
We must be a people who pray.
We must be a people who pray.
As Jesus closed out these passages he withdraws to pray to His Father in heaven.
And we see this from Jesus often in scripture.
Oh, how we need this example in our lives.
Prayer is expected of us and it truly is essential for us as believers. It is how we communicate with God and Jesus’ example shows us how important it is:
Matthew 6:5- “And when you pray..”
Matthew 6:6- “but when you pray...”
Matthew 6:7- “And when you pray...”
Matthew 6:9- “This, then is how you should pray.”
Luke 18:1- “ He told his disciples to always pray.”
We must be a people of prayer.
Donald Whitney says this about it-
“One of the main reasons for a lack of Godliness is prayerlessness.”- Donald Whitney
If we seek to be more like Jesus. If we are truly on mission and serving Him, our life will be filled with prayer.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
Jesus right before he was arrested, just like many times before. Just like this moment in Luke 5. Jesus withdrew in the garden of Gethsemane, alone to pray.
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Times of prayer, alone, are essential to us as believers as we seek to follow God’s Will.
Closing
Closing
A main thing that brings these two passages together is an action.
We have the action to a call, we have obedience, we have prayer but in both instances we have men falling to their knees in the presence of the King.
I cannot stress this enough:
As believers, be in awe of our God.
As believers, be in awe of our God.
The same God who created and sustains everything around us, who literally breathed life into mankind, who performed miracle after miracle, Son coming to earth as human, who died and defeated death on our behalf so that we would be forgiven of our sin....
That is the same God who called You to Himself....who saved you and will save others.
That in itself is something to wake up every day and be awed by.
Church, do not miss moments to sit and reflect on the majesty, beauty and power of our God.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Because we have a mission....the same way Jesus called His disciples, we have been called to be fishers of men…to proclaim the Gospel to those around us, to the sinners and outcasts of society, as we serve Him faithfully and sacrificially.
Let us be people who are truly after God’s own heart. A people that seek to Proclaim His saving grace, a people that pray and a people that are forever in awe of God, who loves them more than they could ever fathom.