Faith that Matters (1) - Life-Changing Faith - Luke 5:1-11 and Matthew 4 - January 14, 2024

 

Faith that Matters (1) - Life-Changing Faith – January 14, 2024

Faith begins with a call to follow JESUS.

Our focus scripture is Luke 5:1-11. Matthew 4.

What’s a road less traveled that you’re glad you took?

Life is full of choices, both good and bad. Some choices are life changing and again some work out well and others are very bad. Often, it is a matter of in whom do we place our trust.

In our Bible Study this week, we look at the lives of some of JESUS’ disciples at the moment JESUS called them to walk with HIM.

Do you recall that GOD called to Moses out of a burning bush and Moses responded. Moses accepted GOD’S call, but it had its challenges, through which GOD revealed Himself in a mighty way.

How have you experienced GOD/JESUS in a mighty way as you have walked with HIM?

JESUS was beginning HIS earthly ministry. John the Baptist/Baptizer had already started his ministry as the herald announcing the coming of the promised Messiah.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Luke 5:1-3:

As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret.^[a] 2 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.

What a beautiful picture. JESUS was preaching and the crowd was pressing in very close to HIM to hear what HE was saying. JESUS knew it was important for the people hear what HE had to say to them. So, HE looked around and spotted two boats. Resourceful!

The fishermen who had been using the boats were done fishing for the day. How do we know that? They were cleaning their nets.

JESUS got into Simon Peter’s boat and asked Simon Peter to push HIM out a little from the shore. Peter complied, which showed that Simon consented for JESUS to use his boat. JESUS began teaching the people. This was an excellent backdrop to help project the voice of JESUS to those on shore. Simon was likely listening intently to what JESUS was saying.

When JESUS completed HIS message to the people, HE had an especially important message for Peter and some of Peter’s fishing buddies to hear.

Keep in mind that Peter’s fishing team had fished all night and had caught nothing. They were likely ready to go home. They had cleaned their fishing nets.

JESUS wanted them to know who HE really was by asking Peter to do one more thing.

What would I have likely said? Oh gee, JESUS, I am dog tired, I have been fishing all night, my nets have been cleaned and I need to get to bed. My fishing team and I have done everything thing we know to do to catch fish. Plus, you are a preacher, what do you know about fishing, but I will do as you instruct me. Obedience is a unique quality; JESUS looks for the moment when HE calls HIS followers to drop what they think is important to follow HIS instructions.

So, what does Peter do? Let us read on ----

Let’s read Luke 5:4-7:

⁴ When he (JESUS) had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.”[b]

This is so vital! If YOU say so! These words are so vital. When our Master, JESUS calls, that is HIS invitation for us to join HIM in HIS work, which is GOD’S work in the Kingdom. Will it be easy? Not necessarily but when GOD calls, HE equips you with what HE knows you will need to accomplish what HE has called you to do in HIS Kingdom.

⁶ When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets^[c] began to tear. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Who were they? In Matthew 4:18-22, we have a condensed version and focus of the beginning of the ministry of JESUS: ¹⁸ As he (JESUS) was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for^[i] people.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew tells us that they were “casting a net into the sea.” The question is were they fishing or cleaning their net? In Luke’s version, he stated that the fishing net was clean.

²¹ Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew reveals to us that JESUS knew that John the Baptist had been arrested and was in prison. This was a clear message to JESUS, that it was it was time for HIM to launch HIS earthly ministry.

WOW!!! What an amazing catch of fish. They had to call in additional help. Success physically often prepares the path ahead Spiritually. The key is obedience to GOD. When HE calls, HE wants us to answer trusting HIM to prepare the path ahead of us, as HE leads HIS followers.

When Simon Peter saw truth, he went from doubt to “Now, I see.”  How do we see? In the eyes of our heart is where truth resides.

Let’s read Luke 5:8-11:

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” ⁹ For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners.

“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” ¹¹ Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.

When JESUS calls us, HE expects us to respond at that moment with a YES in our hearts. The key is that GOD knows how to equip us for the journey ahead.

Since the Passion of JESUS and Pentecost, the Holy Spirit immediately comes into our lives the instant we accept JESUS as our Savior. Not everyone has the same experience. We see in our scripture that when JESUS called, they responded immediately to follow HIM. They were just beginning their journey to get to know JESUS personally.

Once we, who accept JESUS as our Savior, begin a lifelong journey of building the right relationship with JESUS and GOD.

Every person, Spirit-born into GOD’S Kingdom, experiences Spiritual birth in different ways. All are born-again, have eternal life and are eternally a family member of GOD’S eternal Family.

To some salvation is dramatic, spectacular and to others it is like the rising of the sun in the morning. Each moment in time reveals more as we get the full and complete light of the sun. Being Spirit-born into GOD’S Family is similar to being born a human. The newborn must have appropriate care.

When a human child is born, He/she must be cared for, loved, fed and cared for. We do not bring the baby home, toss the baby in the crib, and say the diapers are in the closet and the food is in the frig. Have a happy life. What would happen? The child would die!

This is why, once a person receives JESUS as his/her Savior, he/she needs Spiritual nourishment, training, nurturing, encouraging and Spiritual care. By reading and studying the Bible and putting into practice what is revealed is essential for Spiritual growth. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct your path.

Blessings!!!