God wants to give us a
miraculous catch in waters we have already fished in. we do not put confidence
in the outcome but in God. We need to look at his face and not his hands.
Luke 5- Jesus was preaching
in the temple and read that famous passage from Is 61. Jesus was challenging
their views on the prophets.
Beginning something is very
difficult. Getting momentum is hard whether it’s a book, job, diet, etc.
Jesus was moving through
the land and see people being healed. Jesus
knew he was not a one man band and gathered people who will establish local
churches across the land.
Jesus knew what he was
doing and we see that in Luke 5. He did
not come to build the community out of the old one. He was challenging
their view of the prophets. This upset people. Just as they rejected the
prophets, they were rejecting him. There was no place for old wineskins. What was coming was far greater than what
was before. The kingdom of God is advancing and like a fermented wine.
This is a new dynamic time
and God is doing a growing fermentation. Don’t look back to the older days.
Don’t look back but look forward to what God is fermenting here. I’m not saying
the past is not important. Isaiah built memorials for God’s faithfulness. That
is not old wineskin but celebrating the future. It’s time to become flexible.
Luke 6: rock and sand. Hear
the word of the Lord. A new wineskin is
established in the word of the Lord. There is a historic document that must
be established. We don’t throw that out. Always establish on the word and not
on culture. Don’t try and be culturally relevant and lose out on the word. Don’t build on traditions or sentiment- get
caught up with things that are not important. The word of God stands for all
times.
Jesus came to some very
discouraged fishermen. That was his focus and not the crowds. Jesus knew what
he was about.
Jesus went out on the boat
with Peter. He wanted time with Peter. God knows each one of us. Jesus wanted
Peter to experience something great because he was going to do something great
with him.
God also breaks into our
ordinary life- into his boat- school, college, work, etc. That’s where God
breaks in. God has gifts to be used in the world place.
This was a prime moment for a miracle- when we have done
everything and want to give up. What happens when you run out of steam? It’s at
that point God says, “I have got you where I want you.”
This is the time God moves
in and breaks in. it’s better when we are weak, we get there quicker. When
Jesus asks Peter to put back out to sea. These men were alert for opportunity.
Be ready in season and out of season. They took their nets with them. They were
ready. Are you ready? Are you off somewhere else because you are tired of waiting?
Let God know where you are. Despondency
can lead you to retreat.
Peter was already marked
out. Wonder what conversation Jesus and Peter had.
The call of God does not
come in with a C.V. The call of God is defined by how you live your life.
The catch!
Jesus sends them back to
the same place. The strategy is right.
Let your nets down again. Do it. The breakthrough will come. Will you keep
fishing in the place God has called you? Jackie Pullings did not have fruit for
5 years and now 100s are getting saved.
God wants to partner with
this church for miracles. You will see great fruit. It’s time. Put your nets
down again. Notice Peter encountered God like Isaiah.
The sovereign power of God
convinces people. We should ask for an outpouring of His spirit. We need to spend more time praying that
strategizing.
Then the commission came- I will make you fishers of men. Later 3000 get saved. God is calling us to partner with him
for a day of power. Miracles to authenticate the preaching of the gospel.
Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again), Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment