SERVICES: SATURDAY 6PM | SUNDAY 9AM & 10:45AM. 

We Livestream at www.FaithFellowshipWeb.com/livestream, through the FFC App, and YouTube.

Into the Deepwater

Into the Deepwater

Words of Faith 4-2-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

 

Luke 5

     [4] When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

   [5] 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."

   [6] When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. [7] 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.

   [8] When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" [9] For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, [10] 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." [11] So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

 

   It may not seem like such a big deal to us but for Simon this was the big breakthrough into his world. Heal my mother-in-law? Well, she might have gotten better anyway. But for a Galilean fisherman this was just the thing he needed. Simon Peter KNEW that there were no fish in those waters at that time of day. He fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 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 was one of those life-changing moments not only for Peter but those who looked to Peter's lead. Three fishermen-- Peter and his partners James, and John-- began the greatest adventure of their lives. This is more than just a fish story. Luke wants us to understand what it means to be called to Discipleship. We are going to explore that.

     What is this call to discipleship?

     It starts with an invitation to the deepwater. "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."   We would like to think that the deepwater of the spirit is where the signs and wonders are—actually, that is the shallow water. Signs and wonders are for the crowds. The deepwater is where we actually follow Jesus in obedience. So far, Jesus had asked for very little but He had given very much. The deepwater of discipleship has to do with commitment.

       In the call to discipleship, Jesus made it clear that there is a difference between standing in the crowd "ooh-ing and ah-ing," and being a committed disciple. There is a difference between receiving blessing and becoming a channel of blessing. There is a difference between being a fish "hooked on Jesus" and becoming a "fisher of men" who is committed to the Gospel of Jesus. The call of Jesus to discipleship is a call to be more than a taker. It is the call to become a giver, a channel of blessing who is ready and available.

       Discipleship calls us to a step of faith. Remember how 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."

       Peter might have just laughed. What do you, a carpenter from Nazareth, know about fishing? Sometimes the Lord calls us to do the most unlikely of things. Peter knew that Jesus should not know anything about fishing but he obeyed anyway.

       Jesus will ask things of us that seem ridiculous. He calls us to walk by faith, trusting in what we cannot see. He call us to not neglect the tithe in order that we might trust Him rather than what we have in our hands (Matthew 23:23). He calls us to let down our nets in places that make no sense to us. He calls us to labor in places where we have already exhausted ourselves. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, He will probably call you to fish in some unlikely places, places that make no sense at all to us or that we are sure are fished out or just plain empty. That's the deepwater.

       In the world of the church there have been many times when people have said, "That person will NEVER be reached" or "That person will never come to know Jesus." A disciple accepts the call of Jesus to such people and places. It is a step of faith.

       The call of discipleship is almost always an invitation beyond our comfort zone. Heading back into the deepwater after a night of fishing and cleaning the nets was definitely out of the comfort zone. If we are "comfortable" in our faith and walk with God, perhaps we are not listening carefully enough for the invitation.

         Are you hearing the call to discipleship? Are you hearing the call of Jesus to be more than an observer? Are you hearing the call to seek Jesus for more than just a way He can bless you personally? Are you hearing the invitation put out into the deepwater. It will take a step of faith. Trusting and obeying.

 

 Father God, I give thanks to You for Your patience in waiting. Call me into the deepwater. I don't know all of what it will entail but I am ready to go deeper. Show me how it is that You want to me to serve and be a conduit of blessings. In Jesus' name.