7/1/2023 0 Comments Luke 11 1 13 sermon writer![]() ![]() First we obey in small things, and out of simple obedience, we discover a greater challenge. Jesus next challenges Peter to a much greater step of faith: READ Luke 5:4. That was fine with Peter who was busy cleaning his nets. Jesus first asked Peter for the use of his boat as a pulpit to address the crowds. If you dare to pray a prayer inviting Jesus do something different, this is all you need to do: when you wake up tomorrow go about your day, but be open for the Lord to give you an opportunity. ![]() It begins with a frustrated fisherman cleaning his nets after a long, hard night. Luke 5:1-11 tells us how Christ called Peter (also called Simon) and others to be his disciples. Pray for God to move you from where you are to where he wants you to be. When the Bible says Peter and the others were cleaning their nets, the long night was over, and they were preparing the nets to go fishing the next night. In the first century, fishermen went out on the Sea of Galilee at night, fishing all night with their nets, then coming back at daylight. Shake up my world so that your purposes will be accomplished.”Īmazing things happen in the course of daily obedience. ![]() I invite you to make a mess out of my order. But I’m inviting you to come into my world and rearrange anything you like if it will make me more effective for your Kingdom. Lord, I’ve got it all laid out neat and tidy. ![]() Here is my church, here are my friends, and here is all the stuff I own. Here is my wife/husband and here are my children/grandchildren. Invite the Lord to enter your world and shake it up as he chooses: “Lord, here’s my life. Some guys get an adrenaline rush from skiing, hunting, fast cars… that same adrenaline is yours when the Lord calls you to do something risky… “Do things I’m not used to, Lord.” Jesus is entering his public ministry ~ how encouraging to watch him enter the ordinary life of his first disciples. But if the Lord says quit washing your nets and push the boat into the deep, we need the grace and wisdom to be obedient. Sometimes I cannot change my plans, I got a call on my way to a funeral, impossible to be interrupted, and so I figure that is the Lord’s purpose for me that moment. I no longer try to be pro-active, but I try to have a balanced re-active agenda… I make plans all the time, but how often I am on my way to Sumas, the phone rings a couple of times, and suddenly my day is completely changed. I am so blessed by the gracious spirit of SACC that value our church making a difference to people in the community. There is nothing wrong with making plans, but if the Lord interrupts you and asks you to push your boat into the deep, let Jesus mess up your plans. Now that I am old, I say, balderdash! If Peter had lived the advice of this article, he would have told Jesus to get out of his boat, because he had to finish washing the nets so he could get home, grab a cold beer, put his feet up and settle down to watch Wheel of Fortune ~ the important things! That article made sense, so I spent years making plans, prioritizing, accomplishing great and wonderful things. The article emphasized the need for Pastors to be Pro-active ~ take charge, make plans, accomplish great and wonderful things, plan your sermons months in advance, and it will be amazing how much you accomplish. I read an article years ago that said Pastor’s have the problem of reacting to everything that comes along, crisis happens and the pastor is constantly putting out fires. ![]()
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