Pressing Into Jesus: A Call to Radical Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Pressing into Jesus

Description: The act of pressing into Jesus is a deliberate and intentional effort to draw closer to Him. This involves both physical and spiritual actions, such as personal devotion, prayer, and corporate worship. The crowd's eagerness to hear Jesus and the woman's determination to touch His garment are powerful illustrations of this concept. They show that seeking Jesus requires effort and a deep desire to be in His presence. By pressing into Jesus, we open ourselves to His teachings, His healing, and His transformative power. [47:45]

Luke 8:43-44 (ESV): "And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to press into Jesus more intentionally? Consider setting aside dedicated time for prayer or reading Scripture.

Day 2: Obedience in the Deep

Description: Peter's willingness to cast his nets into the deep water, despite his initial reluctance, teaches us the importance of obedience. Trusting Jesus often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and into deeper waters of faith, where His provision and miracles await. Peter's obedience, even when it seemed irrational, led to an abundant catch of fish, symbolizing the blessings that come from trusting and obeying Jesus. This story encourages us to listen to Jesus' commands and act on them, even when they challenge our understanding or comfort. [54:10]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where Jesus is calling you to step out in faith and obedience? What would it look like to trust Him in that area today?

Day 3: From Master to Lord

Description: Peter's transformation from addressing Jesus as "Master" to "Lord" signifies a deeper recognition of Jesus' divine authority. Initially, Peter saw Jesus as a respected teacher and leader, but the miraculous catch of fish led him to a profound realization of Jesus' divinity. This shift is essential for us as well, moving from mere acknowledgment of Jesus' leadership to complete submission to His lordship in our lives. Recognizing Jesus as Lord means surrendering every aspect of our lives to His control and trusting in His divine wisdom and authority. [59:57]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Do you see Him merely as a teacher, or have you fully submitted to Him as Lord? What changes can you make to deepen your submission to His lordship?

Day 4: Radical Discipleship

Description: Jesus' call to Peter to leave everything and follow Him is a call to radical discipleship. It challenges us to forsake our former lives and prioritize our mission to capture lives for Christ. This involves a total commitment to serving Him in every aspect of our lives. Radical discipleship means putting Jesus first, even above our careers, relationships, and personal ambitions. It requires a willingness to sacrifice and a dedication to living out His teachings daily. By embracing this call, we become true followers of Christ, dedicated to His mission and purpose. [12:39]

Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you need to renounce or reprioritize to follow Jesus more radically? How can you take a step towards that today?

Day 5: Living for His Glory

Description: Our careers, education, and daily activities should all be avenues through which we serve Jesus and shine His light. By making Him the center of our lives, we become effective witnesses, capturing lives for His kingdom and fulfilling our purpose as His disciples. Living for His glory means integrating our faith into every aspect of our lives, allowing His love and truth to guide our actions and decisions. It involves being intentional about how we use our time, talents, and resources to honor Him and advance His kingdom. [01:16:06]

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Reflection: How can you integrate your faith into your daily activities and responsibilities? What specific actions can you take to ensure that you are living for God's glory in every area of your life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. It's a joy to see you all here to worship the Lord. We have a busy schedule ahead, including a District 8 rally tonight at Fairview Church in Houston. We also have several upcoming events: a Girls Retreat, a youth service, a women's paint party, a night of worship, and our annual picnic. Additionally, we are preparing a special presentation with 1200 Israeli flags to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragic events in Israel. Volunteers are needed for this, and we encourage everyone to participate.

Today, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke, focusing on Luke chapter 5. Luke, the only Gentile writer in the New Testament, offers a unique perspective, often incorporating medical references due to his background as a physician. This chapter begins with Jesus teaching from Simon Peter's boat, symbolizing His control over chaos and His ability to amplify His message.

The narrative highlights the importance of pressing into Jesus, both physically and spiritually. The crowd's eagerness to hear the Word of God and the woman's determination to touch Jesus' garment illustrate the need for us to exert effort to draw closer to Him. Jesus' choice to use Peter's boat signifies His desire to step into our ordinary lives and use what we have for His greater purpose.

Peter's initial reluctance to cast his nets into the deep water, despite having fished all night without success, transforms into obedience when he addresses Jesus as "Master." This term reflects a growing recognition of Jesus' authority. The miraculous catch of fish that follows symbolizes the abundance that comes from trusting and obeying Jesus, even when it seems irrational.

Peter's response to the miracle is profound. He falls at Jesus' feet, acknowledging his own sinfulness and addressing Jesus as "Lord," signifying a deeper recognition of Jesus' divine authority. This transformation from seeing Jesus as a leader to recognizing Him as Lord is crucial for all of us. It calls us to move beyond mere acknowledgment of Jesus' authority to a complete submission to His lordship in our lives.

Jesus' call to Peter to become a "fisher of men" extends to us as well. We are called to capture lives for Christ, to be His witnesses in our workplaces, schools, and communities. This requires us to prioritize our relationship with Him, making Him the center of our lives and allowing Him to use us for His glory.

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Key Takeaways

1. Pressing into Jesus: Just as the crowd pressed in to hear Jesus and the woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd to touch Him, we must exert effort to draw closer to Jesus. This involves a commitment to being in His presence, both in personal devotion and corporate worship. [47:45]
2. Obedience in the Deep: Peter's willingness to cast his nets into the deep water, despite his initial reluctance, teaches us the importance of obedience. Trusting Jesus often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and into deeper waters of faith, where His provision and miracles await. [54:10]
3. From Master to Lord: Peter's transformation from addressing Jesus as "Master" to "Lord" signifies a deeper recognition of Jesus' divine authority. This shift is essential for us as well, moving from mere acknowledgment of Jesus' leadership to complete submission to His lordship in our lives. [59:57]
4. Radical Discipleship: Jesus' call to Peter to leave everything and follow Him is a call to radical discipleship. It challenges us to forsake our former lives and prioritize our mission to capture lives for Christ. This involves a total commitment to serving Him in every aspect of our lives. [12:39]
5. Living for His Glory: Our careers, education, and daily activities should all be avenues through which we serve Jesus and shine His light. By making Him the center of our lives, we become effective witnesses, capturing lives for His kingdom and fulfilling our purpose as His disciples. [01:16:06]
### [76:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:41] - Upcoming Events
[10:15] - Presentation for Israel
[11:25] - Prayer Requests
[13:06] - Opening Prayer
[13:44] - Worship and Offering
[38:52] - Testimonies of Healing
[39:54] - Importance of Prayer
[40:37] - Introduction to Luke 5
[42:07] - Luke's Unique Perspective
[44:16] - Youth Aspirations and God's Plan
[45:28] - Commitment to Community
[46:19] - Jesus Teaching from the Boat
[47:45] - Pressing into Jesus
[49:01] - Jesus' Authority Over Chaos
[51:13] - Symbolism of the Boat
[54:10] - Obedience in the Deep
[59:57] - From Master to Lord
[64:40] - Abundance of the Catch
[72:39] - Radical Discipleship
[76:06] - Living for His Glory
[80:12] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[86:18] - Final Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the crowd's reaction to Jesus' teaching by the Lake of Gennesaret? ([46:19])
How did Peter initially respond to Jesus' instruction to cast the nets into deep water? ([53:34])
What was Peter's reaction after witnessing the miraculous catch of fish? ([01:05:59])
What did Jesus call Peter to do after the miraculous catch? ([01:12:04])

Interpretation Questions

What does Peter's initial reluctance and subsequent obedience to Jesus' command reveal about his faith journey? ([54:10])
How does the transformation from calling Jesus "Master" to "Lord" signify a deeper recognition of Jesus' authority in Peter's life? ([01:07:08])
What does the miraculous catch of fish symbolize in terms of trusting and obeying Jesus, even when it seems irrational? ([01:05:14])
How does Jesus' call to Peter to become a "fisher of men" extend to us today in our daily lives and vocations? ([01:12:04])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to press into Jesus despite obstacles. How did that experience shape your faith? ([47:45])
Peter obeyed Jesus' command to cast the nets into deep water despite his initial reluctance. Is there an area in your life where you feel Jesus is calling you to step out in faith? How can you respond in obedience? ([54:10])
Peter's recognition of Jesus as "Lord" led to a profound transformation. What steps can you take to move from acknowledging Jesus as a leader to fully submitting to His lordship in your life? ([01:07:08])
Jesus used Peter's ordinary boat for His extraordinary purpose. What ordinary aspects of your life can you offer to Jesus for His greater purpose? ([51:55])
Jesus called Peter to be a "fisher of men." Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. How can you intentionally share your faith with them this week? ([01:12:04])
The sermon emphasized the importance of living for God's glory in all aspects of life. How can you make Jesus the center of your career, education, or daily activities? ([01:16:06])
Radical discipleship involves forsaking former lives to follow Jesus. What is one thing you need to let go of to prioritize your relationship with Jesus? ([01:12:39])

Sermon Clips

1. "When the church prayed, things happened. And I truly believe that when the church prays, things happen. And this is a house of prayer. And not of anything else. Prayer needs to be a priority in this place. And your home needs to become a house of prayer as well. And so I want to encourage you to pray for me this morning as I share the word of God." [39:54] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We need to be studying the word of God. We need to be joining in the community of believers as we work together as the church. So I want to encourage you this morning. Don't just be involved on a Sunday morning. Get involved in this church family and call them family. We eat together. We celebrate together. We cry together. We study the word of God together. We worship together. We become the family of God when we make the family a priority." [45:28] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "There needs to be some physical pressing in each and every one of us. To get us closer to the Lord. It's going to take us a commitment. It's going to take us some dedication. So that we can get closer to God. Amen. You and I have got to exert some physical effort. To be in the house of God. And to get into his presence this morning." [47:45] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Regardless of what we're doing, man, God has to come first in our lives. Brother Ferren was sharing that Wednesday night about how we need to be good. How we need to make God a priority. And how we need to keep him first in the things that we're doing. This life we're living this morning is about him. Not just on Sunday morning. But every day has to be about him. We have got to be found faithful and about the Father's business." [44:52] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We need to go further than a surface level. Experience with God. We need to go deeper. In our relationship with him. We've got to grow deeper. In our study of the word of God. We've got to grow deeper. In our prayer time. If you still pray in 5 minutes a day. It's time to bump it up to 10. If you still pray in 10 minutes a day. It's time to bump it up to 20. It's time for us to grow deeper. In our relationship with God." [55:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Faith begins where human possibilities end. When Christ calls us to deeper waters. It may seem irrational. Or how about it may seem ridiculous. Or challenging. But faith grows when we act in obedience. Like Peter we're called to trust Jesus' word. Even when our understanding. Tells us otherwise." [01:05:14] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The abundance of the catch reflects. Not just the physical provision of Christ. But his supernatural authority over creation. This miracle is not about the fish. But about trusting in. The word of God. If he said it. Y'all remember that? If he said it. You what? Believe it. He said it. And I believe it." [01:04:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Jesus calls us not to a life of comfort. But to one of mission. Like Peter. We are to leave behind the nets of our former lives. Follow Christ. Into the adventure of catching souls. For his kingdom. Peter's talents continued to be used. Throughout their ministry. To feed others. And to win the lost. How's your life being used to serve others. And to win the lost." [01:15:26] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Jesus is calling every single one of us. To a deeper relationship with him. Waters of trust. Faith. And mission. He desires to transform ordinary lives. Into vessels of extraordinary power. The question is. How do we respond. Do we walk out the doors this morning. To the same old life. The same old things. The same old way. We came this morning. Same person was here last Sunday. Man I want to be different. I want to be changed. Every day. I want my life to be full of experiences. Of the Holy Spirit. With authority." [01:17:19] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I don't care how many times you have failed. You get up. You dust yourself off. And you keep trying. Because this relationship with God. Is worth everything to us. And don't you ever stop. Serving him. Don't you ever quit. Making him first in your life." [01:20:12] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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