As I usually do when I prepare and study for Sunday morning, I come up with much more material than I have time to deliver. Today, the message was "Who is this Jesus? Our Best Look at God." We started with John 10:25-30 and ended up looking at Luke 5:1-11, examining the moment when Simon realized that Jesus was more than just a teacher - he was God.
As I look at Simon's experience, I discover six things that accepting Jesus as God means.
To accept Jesus as God means. . .
. . . to obey him even when it doesn't make sense.
Remember, Simon had been fishing all night long (verse 5). I don't think it was an accident that Jesus picked Simon's boat as a preaching platform. And I don't think it was an accident that Simon hadn't caught anything all night. Sometimes Jesus uses circumstances to get our attention. But what would have happened if Simon didn't cast his net - just one more time? After all, it didn't really make sense, did it?
What has God been asking you to do? Why are you hesitating? Are you resisting that call to pray for something you've been praying for years? After all, what will one more prayer time do? Are you struggling to shake a habit - you know it's wrong but what difference will full obedience mean?
When we know Jesus as God, we are inspired to obey him even when it doesn't make sense. That's what faith is all about.
. . . To be overwhelmed from time to time with God’s blessing.
Take a look at Simon's catch - the one Jesus told him to cast for. The nets were so full they were breaking (verse 6). They were so heavy Simon needed help lifting them (verse 7). The boats were so full they were sinking (verse 7). When we finally acknowledge Jesus as God, we see him as the one who can meet our needs. When God answers prayer or he blesses me out of left field, sometimes I feel ashamed at being so surprised. After all, didn't I believe God would come through for me?
But then I think of how delighted I am when I can surprise my kids with a Christmas present. It's a lot of fun, isn't it? I think God takes a great deal of pleasure in surprising us.
Yes, I think our faith needs to grow bit by bit so that we can pray bigger prayers. A growing faith unlocks God's goodness and power in a more dramatic way. But acknowledging Jesus as God means that we will be overwhelmed from time to time with his blessing.
. . . To partner with others
When the big catch came in, Simon needed help, and he called out for others. And they came to help (verse 7)
When you accept Jesus as God, you suddenly become part of a team - a family of brothers and sisters who help you along the way. Have you considered joining a Bible study or small group? Being a part of a group of believers means that you will spend time who have been through what you're going through. They understand. You're going to gain from the wisdom of others, and they can gain from (verse 7)
. . . To see yourself inadequate and insufficient without him
When Simon finally realized who Jesus was, he suddenly saw himself for who he was - a spiritually needy Simon. (verse 8) It was like being a toddler on the field of an NFL game - the comparison is dramatic and overwhelming.
When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we see ourselves as inadequate and insufficient. The best news is that Jesus accepts us as we are. He forgives us and gives us a fresh start in life.
. . . To accept a new priority for your life
One Simon "got it," Jesus gave him a new priority - taking the fishing skills Simon already knew: patience, determination and strength; and putting them to practice in winning people to Jesus. (verse 10)
I get the sense that God is calling our congregation to conduct a fishing expedition - to cast the nets one more time. There is a neighborhood just west and north-west of the corps building that God is calling us to reach for his kingdom. On Saturday, March 31, we will be taking a "prayer walk," going door-to-door, asking for prayer requests. Let's acknowledge Jesus as God by going out into our neighborhood - reaching out with God's love for others.
. . . To live your life by a new pattern
At the end of this chapter of Simon's life, he begins a new one - he starts following Jesus. (verse 11) He wants to spend time with Jesus, learn from him, and pay attention to how Jesus does life.
When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we start following him. Try reading a little bit of the Gospels every day to see how Jesus lived, and then put what you learn into practice.
------------------------
So, how will you live this out? Are you ready to accept Jesus as God? If so, fasten your seatbelt, because there are going to be big changes in your life.
As I look at Simon's experience, I discover six things that accepting Jesus as God means.
To accept Jesus as God means. . .
. . . to obey him even when it doesn't make sense.
Remember, Simon had been fishing all night long (verse 5). I don't think it was an accident that Jesus picked Simon's boat as a preaching platform. And I don't think it was an accident that Simon hadn't caught anything all night. Sometimes Jesus uses circumstances to get our attention. But what would have happened if Simon didn't cast his net - just one more time? After all, it didn't really make sense, did it?
What has God been asking you to do? Why are you hesitating? Are you resisting that call to pray for something you've been praying for years? After all, what will one more prayer time do? Are you struggling to shake a habit - you know it's wrong but what difference will full obedience mean?
When we know Jesus as God, we are inspired to obey him even when it doesn't make sense. That's what faith is all about.
. . . To be overwhelmed from time to time with God’s blessing.
Take a look at Simon's catch - the one Jesus told him to cast for. The nets were so full they were breaking (verse 6). They were so heavy Simon needed help lifting them (verse 7). The boats were so full they were sinking (verse 7). When we finally acknowledge Jesus as God, we see him as the one who can meet our needs. When God answers prayer or he blesses me out of left field, sometimes I feel ashamed at being so surprised. After all, didn't I believe God would come through for me?
But then I think of how delighted I am when I can surprise my kids with a Christmas present. It's a lot of fun, isn't it? I think God takes a great deal of pleasure in surprising us.
Yes, I think our faith needs to grow bit by bit so that we can pray bigger prayers. A growing faith unlocks God's goodness and power in a more dramatic way. But acknowledging Jesus as God means that we will be overwhelmed from time to time with his blessing.
. . . To partner with others
When the big catch came in, Simon needed help, and he called out for others. And they came to help (verse 7)
When you accept Jesus as God, you suddenly become part of a team - a family of brothers and sisters who help you along the way. Have you considered joining a Bible study or small group? Being a part of a group of believers means that you will spend time who have been through what you're going through. They understand. You're going to gain from the wisdom of others, and they can gain from (verse 7)
. . . To see yourself inadequate and insufficient without him
When Simon finally realized who Jesus was, he suddenly saw himself for who he was - a spiritually needy Simon. (verse 8) It was like being a toddler on the field of an NFL game - the comparison is dramatic and overwhelming.
When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we see ourselves as inadequate and insufficient. The best news is that Jesus accepts us as we are. He forgives us and gives us a fresh start in life.
. . . To accept a new priority for your life
One Simon "got it," Jesus gave him a new priority - taking the fishing skills Simon already knew: patience, determination and strength; and putting them to practice in winning people to Jesus. (verse 10)
I get the sense that God is calling our congregation to conduct a fishing expedition - to cast the nets one more time. There is a neighborhood just west and north-west of the corps building that God is calling us to reach for his kingdom. On Saturday, March 31, we will be taking a "prayer walk," going door-to-door, asking for prayer requests. Let's acknowledge Jesus as God by going out into our neighborhood - reaching out with God's love for others.
. . . To live your life by a new pattern
At the end of this chapter of Simon's life, he begins a new one - he starts following Jesus. (verse 11) He wants to spend time with Jesus, learn from him, and pay attention to how Jesus does life.
When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we start following him. Try reading a little bit of the Gospels every day to see how Jesus lived, and then put what you learn into practice.
------------------------
So, how will you live this out? Are you ready to accept Jesus as God? If so, fasten your seatbelt, because there are going to be big changes in your life.
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