Sunday 7th November 2010
John Sweetman
*Andrew & Peter, John & James are fisherman
*It was their livelihood and passion
*Luke 5:1-11: One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Genesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began o break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
*Some of us might have been Christians in a short time but we won't leave our family, jobs, passion to follow Jesus like them
*Matthew, Mark and Luke are very similar gospels
*John is different- he fills the gaps explaining before this event
*John 1:35- there were 2 disciples
*John 1:40-Andrew, Simon Peter's brother was one of the two
*John 1:42-he brought him to Jesus
*What is their call? Not only to be followers of Christ
*Luke 5:10-11: and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
*It would be a call of vocational leadership but it was a call to spiritual leadership, to become fishes of people.
Spiritual Leadership
1. leave vocation - vocation would hold them back of spiritual leadership
Isaiah 58 True Fasting
2. through vocation- might be difficult, might be in the politics, make a difference for God, teach in bible school, healing people by being a doctor.
*However, these are not spiritual leadership, just influencing role
*You work for money to fulfill your needs
*eg: Paul was a tent-maker so that he don't have to ask people for money
*When he pursues spiritual leadership, there won't be people subordinating him
*It is not what we have to do, do we apply for all of these?
1. What is the fish all about?
*He might follow Jesus after a bad day in catching fish but he did the opposite
*It might be a trick
*But the real reason might be in Peter's reaction
*He knew it was fabulous controlling the world so much that He says to go away but Jesus ask Peter to come and follow him
*The call is offered by grace
*When we are unable and have no ability to do it, thats where we got it
*Jesus doesn't want superstars or the best
*Jesus can't use them because they will do things for themselves instead of God.
Luke 5:10- What did he mean by that?
*God calls us to various vocations
*Our jobs are significant for God to use us
*"The Light shines best in the darkness"
*Some vocation might be in the family or to help build the kingdom of God
*The call to the disciples is people
2. The call is to people
*Jeremiah 3:15: Then I will ive you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
*The whole idea of sheperding is functional for God's work
*Sheep are dumb animals
*It is therefore not an easy job to handle sheep= people
2. What happens from here?
*It eventually becomes their story after 2 and a half years but what happens in between?
*All the time their learning, reflecting with Jesus
*They are called to spiritual leadership but before that, the call of training
3. The call involves training
*If we want to lead people, we must know the Bible
*It is a growing process
4. The call will cost
*They didn't know anything besides fishing but they end up as leaders of the church.
*If we have the feeling that we are calling to take spiritual responsibility
1. Talk to spiritual leaders
2. Keep praying- a focus
3. Looking for training and experiences- serve more (it is a grace call!:)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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