Called to Deeper Waters: Transforming Lives for His Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Honoring Sacrifice and Service

In our lives, we often overlook the sacrifices made by others for our freedom and well-being. Veterans, through their courage and dedication, have given much for the liberties we enjoy today. This calls us to a posture of gratitude and prayer, not only for their physical and emotional well-being but also as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus for our spiritual freedom. As we honor those who serve selflessly, we are drawn to reflect on the depth of love and commitment that Jesus demonstrated on the cross. This reflection should inspire us to live lives marked by gratitude and service to others, recognizing the profound impact of sacrificial love. [38:18]

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life has made sacrifices for your well-being? How can you express gratitude to them today, and how does this reflect the gratitude you have for Jesus' sacrifice?

Day 2: Embracing the Transformative Promise

Jesus' call to His first disciples was not just an invitation to follow but a promise of transformation. He chose ordinary fishermen and promised to make them fishers of men, a profound shift in identity and purpose. This promise extends to us today; if we choose to follow Him, He will transform us into instruments for His kingdom. This transformation is not about becoming someone we are not but about becoming who we were always meant to be in Christ. It is a journey of faith, where we trust Jesus to mold and shape us for His glory and purposes. [45:54]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you sense Jesus calling you to transformation? How can you actively participate in this transformative process today?

Day 3: Faith in Obedience Leads to Miraculous Outcomes

The story of Peter casting his nets into deep waters at Jesus' command, despite his doubts, is a powerful example of faith in obedience. When God calls us to do something we don't understand, our response should be, "Because you say so." This act of faith, even when it defies logic or experience, opens the door to miraculous outcomes. It challenges us to trust God's wisdom and timing, knowing that His plans are far greater than our own. As we step out in faith, we position ourselves to witness the extraordinary work of God in our lives and the lives of others. [51:10]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you respond with obedience today, trusting in His promise?

Day 4: Called to Fish for People

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be fishers of people, reaching out to those who are lost and broken. This mission requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust God to use us in ways we never imagined. It is not about transferring believers from one church to another but about seeking those who are truly lost. This calling challenges us to engage with the world around us, to see people through the eyes of Jesus, and to extend His love and grace to those who need it most. It is a call to action, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world. [59:15]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is far from God and in need of His love? How can you reach out to them today, trusting God to work through you?

Day 5: Reaching the Lost in the Deep Sea of Life

The heart of our mission is to reach those who are lost in the deep sea of life. These are the ones Jesus came to set free, and we are encouraged to think of the most lost and broken person we know and to reach out to them, trusting God for a miraculous catch. Whether we feel lost ourselves or are called to reach others, Jesus is ready to transform and use us for His glory. This mission is not just about evangelism but about embodying the love and compassion of Christ in every interaction, trusting that He will guide us to those who need Him most. [01:08:14]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)

Reflection: Who is the most lost and broken person you know? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week, trusting God for a miraculous catch?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we took a moment to honor our veterans, recognizing their courage and dedication in serving our country. We prayed for their continued health and provision, acknowledging the sacrifices they have made for our freedom. As we transition into a time of giving, we reflected on our church's financial journey, celebrating the progress made in our capital campaign aimed at paying off our mortgage. This financial freedom will enable us to further our mission in the community.

We then delved into the story of Jesus calling His first disciples, focusing on the transformative promise He made to them. Jesus chose fishermen, ordinary people, and promised to make them fishers of men. This promise extends to us today: if we choose to follow Him, He will transform us into instruments for His kingdom. We explored the story in Luke 5, where Jesus instructs Simon Peter to cast his nets into deep waters, resulting in a miraculous catch. This act of faith by Peter, despite his doubts, serves as a powerful reminder of the blessings that come from obedience to God's call.

The narrative challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and trust Jesus as He calls us into deeper waters. Many of us may be playing it safe, standing on the shore, but Jesus invites us to venture into the deep, where the lost and broken reside. We are called to be fishers of people, reaching out to those who are far from God. This mission is not about transferring believers from one church to another but about seeking those who are truly lost.

As we conclude, we are reminded that those lost in the deep sea are the ones Jesus came to set free. We are encouraged to think of the most lost and broken person we know and to reach out to them, trusting God for a miraculous catch. Whether we feel lost ourselves or are called to reach others, Jesus is ready to transform and use us for His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. Honoring Sacrifice: We began by honoring our veterans, acknowledging their sacrifices for our freedom. This reminds us of the importance of gratitude and prayer for those who serve selflessly. As we pray for their well-being, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for our spiritual freedom. [38:18]
2. Transformative Promise: Jesus' call to His first disciples was a promise of transformation. He takes ordinary people and turns them into instruments for His kingdom. This promise is for us too; if we follow Him, He will make us into something we are not, using us for His glory. [45:54]
3. Faith in Obedience: Peter's response to Jesus' call to cast his nets into deep waters, despite his doubts, exemplifies faith in obedience. When God calls us to do something we don't understand, our response should be, "Because you say so." This faith leads to miraculous outcomes. [51:10]
4. Fishing for People: As followers of Jesus, we are called to fish for people, reaching out to those who are lost and broken. This mission requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust God to use us in ways we never imagined. [59:15]
5. Reaching the Lost: The heart of our mission is to reach those who are lost in the deep sea of life. These are the ones Jesus came to set free. We are encouraged to identify the most lost person we know and to reach out to them, trusting God for a miraculous catch. [01:08:14]
** [68:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[38:18] - Honoring Our Veterans
[44:53] - Introduction to the Message
[45:54] - Jesus Calls the Fishermen
[48:37] - The Miraculous Catch
[51:10] - Faith in Obedience
[52:22] - The Miracle Unfolds
[53:35] - Peter's Realization
[55:57] - Jesus' Mission for Sinners
[57:22] - The Call to Fish for People
[59:15] - Followers Fish
[61:24] - Deep Waters Rap
[66:45] - Fishing in Deep Waters
[68:14] - Reaching the Lost
[72:15] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[76:38] - Prayer and Closing Remarks

Sermon Clips

Here are the selected quotes with timestamps:

"Jesus told these first few disciples that if you follow me, I'm going to make you into something different. That's what Jesus promised them. Jesus says, if you follow me, I'm going to transform your life and I'm going to use you in a way that you've never been used before. If you follow me, I'm gonna take an everyday sinner and transform them as an instrument that God will use for his kingdom and for his glory." [00:46:49] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And that's the same promise that Jesus makes to you and I today if we choose to follow him. That if you choose to follow him, he will make you into something you're not." [00:47:48] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Simon answered in verse 5, Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. Jesus, I'm a fisherman. This is what I do. This is my trade. This is my profession. This is my livelihood. I fished all night. The fish aren't biting. We've cleaned up. I'm going home. But because you say so. Wow. What a response." [00:51:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Man, I wish that all of us would have faith like that. To say, Lord, I don't get it. Lord, I don't understand it. Lord, I'm a little bit afraid. Lord, I'm a little bit doubtful. But because you say so. Let's go. Let's go." [00:52:22] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"This catch is not an accident. This is an act of God. We would use the word miracle. This is a miraculous catch." [00:54:00] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Peter believed that there is no way this holy man would ever be associated with a sinner like me. There is no way. This holy man would bless a sinner like me. Because the thought process back then is that God would only bless the pious. God would only want to hang around and be around the righteous." [00:56:19] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And what Peter is about to discover, and the rest of his companions, is that is exactly who Jesus came for. That's good news for you and me, friends. These are the kind of people, fishermen, sinners. These are the kind of people that Jesus came to save." [00:57:23] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"From now on, I'm going to transform you into a vessel that God will use for his kingdom. From now on, I'm going to transform you to something that you're not. I'm going to take you from an everyday sinner to someone who God uses to rescue others, to catch men." [00:58:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Right. Hope. Finds. People. That the moment you begin to follow Jesus, his call on your life is to transform you into something you're not. He will transform you to someone that God uses for his kingdom to catch." [00:59:31] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"To follow Jesus is to fish for people. Right. That's what it means. When you say I'm a follower of Jesus, it means you fish for people. Right. To follow Jesus is to fish for people. I will make you into a fisher of men." [01:00:18] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Those lost in the deep sea are the ones that Jesus came to set free. Mic drop. Someone said mic drop. No, the mic's about to get dropped because let me tell you why. As I'm working on my message, this phrase just downloads from heaven into my mind, right?" [01:01:10] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Now, now let me just say this and I'm gonna just be as honest as possible right there's some of us in this room who are following jesus but we've been playing it safe there's some of us in the room that are followers of jesus we love jesus but we're still standing on the shore and i'm here to encourage your faith to say would you trust jesus today that as he calls you out to the deep waters you allow him to use you to catch those who are lost at sea because those are the ones he came to set free." [01:05:39] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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