Responding to Jesus' Call: Faith, Obedience, and Mission

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound calling of the first disciples as depicted in Luke 5. This narrative is not just a historical account but a living invitation for us to examine our own lives and our response to Jesus' call. We began by acknowledging the importance of covenant vows, especially in the context of community and family, emphasizing the need for vigilance and care for our children. This serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to nurture and protect the young ones among us.

As we delved into the scripture, we saw Jesus calling Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who were professional fishermen. Despite their expertise, they had caught nothing all night. Yet, at Jesus' command, they let down their nets once more and were overwhelmed by the catch. This miraculous event is a powerful metaphor for obedience and trust in God's word, even when it defies our understanding or experience. It challenges us to let God's word permeate every aspect of our lives, not just the areas where we feel inadequate but also where we feel competent.

The sermon also highlighted the dangers of intellectual pride and the importance of aligning our actions with our faith. Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees serves as a warning against valuing knowledge over genuine transformation and obedience. True discipleship requires a readiness to heed Jesus' call, forsaking all else to follow Him. This involves a total reordering of our priorities and an unreserved commitment to His teachings.

Furthermore, we reflected on the nature of God's providence, recognizing that even in hard times, there is a divine purpose. Our response to these challenges should be one of faith and obedience, trusting that God is working for our good. The call to be "fishers of men" is a reminder of our mission to share the gospel and draw others into the kingdom of God.

Finally, we were reminded of the importance of confession and absolution, understanding that forgiveness is not just for our comfort but to equip us for the work God has prepared for us. As we partake in the sacraments, we are united with Christ and empowered to live out our faith in every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Covenant Responsibility: Our covenant vows are not mere formalities but commitments to actively care for and protect our community, especially our children. This requires vigilance and a willingness to step up and serve, reflecting our love for one another. [07:28]

- Obedience and Trust: Like Peter, we must be willing to obey God's word even when it contradicts our experience or understanding. True faith is demonstrated through action, trusting that God's wisdom surpasses our own. [47:38]

- Intellectual Humility: Knowledge alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by a transformed heart and life. Jesus warns against the pride of the Pharisees, urging us to prioritize genuine obedience over mere intellectual assent. [44:34]

- Divine Providence: In times of difficulty, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that He is working for our good. Our response should be one of faith and obedience, seeking to align our lives with His will. [59:59]

- Commission and Confession: Forgiveness is not just for our comfort but to equip us for the mission God has given us. We are called to be "fishers of men," sharing the gospel and drawing others into the kingdom of God. [01:03:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:28] - Covenant Responsibility
- [08:58] - Parental Overwatch
- [41:36] - Jesus' Opponents
- [42:38] - Warning Against Pride
- [44:34] - Intellectual Humility
- [45:23] - Actions Reflect Faith
- [46:26] - Obedience to God's Word
- [47:38] - Trust in God's Wisdom
- [48:33] - The First Disciples
- [49:21] - Jesus' Methodology
- [54:52] - Hearing and Doing
- [55:56] - Salvation and Good Works
- [59:59] - Divine Providence
- [01:03:11] - Commission to Fishers of Men
- [01:10:27] - Responding to Hard Providences
- [01:11:19] - Purpose of Forgiveness
- [01:11:59] - Avoiding Distractions
- [01:13:10] - Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 5:1-11
- Matthew 23:25-28
- Ephesians 2:8-10

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 5:1-11, what was the initial reaction of Simon Peter and the other fishermen to Jesus' instruction to let down their nets again? How did their response change after the miraculous catch? [46:26]

2. According to the sermon, what are the two main groups that opposed Jesus during His ministry, and how did He address them? [41:36]

3. What does Ephesians 2:8-10 say about the relationship between faith, works, and salvation? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on obedience and action? [55:56]

4. How does Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:25-28 illustrate the danger of intellectual pride? [42:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5 serve as a metaphor for obedience and trust in God's word, even when it contradicts our understanding or experience? [47:38]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that intellectual pride can hinder genuine transformation and obedience to God? How can this be seen in the behavior of the Pharisees? [44:34]

3. How does the concept of divine providence, as discussed in the sermon, challenge believers to respond to difficult circumstances with faith and obedience? [59:59]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the purpose of forgiveness and how it equips believers for their mission as "fishers of men"? [01:03:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or unsure in a particular area of your life. How did you respond to God's call or guidance during that time? How might you respond differently now, knowing the story of the first disciples? [47:38]

2. The sermon warns against intellectual pride. Are there areas in your life where you might be valuing knowledge over genuine transformation? How can you shift your focus to align more closely with Jesus' teachings? [44:34]

3. Consider a recent challenge or difficult situation you faced. How did you see God's providence at work, and how did you respond? What might it look like to trust in God's sovereignty more fully in future challenges? [59:59]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of confession and absolution. How do you currently practice confession in your spiritual life, and how does it prepare you for the mission God has given you? [01:03:11]

5. Think about your role in your community and family. How can you actively fulfill your covenant responsibility to care for and protect those around you, especially the young ones? [07:28]

6. Identify an area of your life where you feel competent and successful. How can you invite God's word to permeate that area, ensuring that your actions and attitudes align with His teachings? [48:33]

7. Reflect on the call to be "fishers of men." Who in your life might God be calling you to reach out to with the gospel, and what steps can you take this week to engage them in a spiritual conversation? [01:03:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Covenant Responsibility in Community
Our covenant vows are not mere formalities but commitments to actively care for and protect our community, especially our children. This requires vigilance and a willingness to step up and serve, reflecting our love for one another. In the context of community and family, these vows remind us of our collective responsibility to nurture and protect the young ones among us. It is a call to be vigilant, ensuring that we are actively involved in the lives of those around us, particularly the vulnerable. This responsibility is not just about physical protection but also about spiritual and emotional nurturing, guiding them in the ways of faith and love. [07:28]

"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children." (Deuteronomy 4:9, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community or family can you reach out to today to offer support or guidance, especially among the younger generation?


Day 2: Obedience and Trust Beyond Understanding
Like Peter, we must be willing to obey God's word even when it contradicts our experience or understanding. True faith is demonstrated through action, trusting that God's wisdom surpasses our own. The story of the first disciples, who were professional fishermen, illustrates this beautifully. Despite their expertise and a night of fruitless labor, they obeyed Jesus' command to let down their nets once more. Their obedience led to an overwhelming catch, symbolizing the blessings that come from trusting God's word. This challenges us to let God's word permeate every aspect of our lives, not just where we feel inadequate but also where we feel competent. [47:38]

"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 of your life where you struggle to trust God's wisdom over your own understanding? How can you take a step of obedience today?


Day 3: Intellectual Humility and Genuine Transformation
Knowledge alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by a transformed heart and life. Jesus warns against the pride of the Pharisees, urging us to prioritize genuine obedience over mere intellectual assent. Intellectual pride can be a barrier to true discipleship, as it values knowledge over transformation. Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees serves as a warning to us, highlighting the importance of aligning our actions with our faith. True discipleship requires a readiness to heed Jesus' call, forsaking all else to follow Him. This involves a total reordering of our priorities and an unreserved commitment to His teachings. [44:34]

"For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor." (Galatians 6:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might intellectual pride be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you cultivate a heart of humility and genuine transformation?


Day 4: Trusting in Divine Providence
In times of difficulty, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that He is working for our good. Our response should be one of faith and obedience, seeking to align our lives with His will. The nature of God's providence assures us that even in hard times, there is a divine purpose. This understanding calls us to respond with faith, trusting that God is orchestrating events for our ultimate good. It is a reminder that our trials are not without meaning, and our faithfulness in these moments can lead to growth and deeper reliance on God. [59:59]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively trust in God's providence in a current challenge you are facing? What steps can you take to align your response with His will?


Day 5: Commission and Confession for Kingdom Work
Forgiveness is not just for our comfort but to equip us for the mission God has given us. We are called to be "fishers of men," sharing the gospel and drawing others into the kingdom of God. The importance of confession and absolution is highlighted, as it prepares us for the work God has set before us. As we partake in the sacraments, we are united with Christ and empowered to live out our faith in every area of our lives. This commission to be "fishers of men" is a reminder of our mission to share the gospel and draw others into the kingdom of God. [01:03:11]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you share the message of the gospel with today? How can you prepare yourself spiritually to be an effective witness for Christ?

Quotes


And so there's a couple of things that we are basically saying as part of your covenant vows, step up. Right? Between Sunday school and church, we need some parents to help be upstairs. Sign up on the Realm. Or you'll get it in an email form. You know, we're calling it parental overwatch. When church services come in. It's over. We need a couple of adults to be upstairs to watch our children. Right? What are the worst things that can happen? Right? Injury. Right? [00:06:52]

I'm just, I'm laying it on for you here. That's how serious this is. Please, if you have children, right, 12 and under, sign up. Love the other families in here. Take your covenant vows serious. It isn't just about calling your buddy up on the phone and saying, hey, I think you need to look at your child. Be active in it. Be active in it when we're here. The second announcement. Right? In keeping with trying to keep our children and so parents know where their children are, that back door upstairs that leads to the playground area is moving to an emergency exit only. [00:07:42]

as is in keeping we will be preaching our gospel reading today and I want to point out if you've been paying attention last week we heard of Jeremiah's called in our Old Testament reading this week we heard of Isaiah's call to preach the word to bring God's Word and today we are going to hear of Jesus calling of the first disciples let us look at Luke chapter 5 beginning in verse 1 that reads as follows so it was as the multitude pressed about him to hear the word of God that he stood by Lake Jenner set and saw two boats standing by the lake but the fishermen had gone from them and they were washing their nets then he got into one of the boats which was Simon's and the Antichrist's and the Antichrist's and the Antichrist's and the Antichrist's he asked him to put out a little from the land and he sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat when he had stopped speaking he said to Simon launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch but Simon answered and said to him master we have toiled all night and caught nothing nevertheless at your word I will let down my net and when they had done this they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great number of fish and they caught a great who were partners with Simon. [00:39:23]

Second, we see Jesus confronting those who prided themselves in their intellectual account. We hear that reference in Revelations 2 and 3. And so they belong to the synagogue of Satan. Jesus early in his ministry preaches the Sermon on the Mount, not to abolish the law, but to return the law to its intent, separated from all the additions made by those who thought they knew more than God. [00:42:48]

Jesus is clear that throughout his ministry that actions and lifestyle priorities demonstrate the new heart. Jesus declares that the poor in spirit will inherit the earth, as we read in Psalm 2, so that the nations and the ends of the earth... belong to him. In other words, our actions, our priorities should be in keeping with the fact that Jesus is, in fact, Lord. [00:45:15]

Today we will see the calling of the first disciples. And we will become acutely aware of the necessity to obey Jesus, the Logos, the actual very word of God. We need to understand that the omniscient, that's all -knowing, omnipotent, all -powerful, and sovereign God, keeps his word, and we must trust and obey his word in every area of our lives. [00:46:28]

For many, the areas of our competency are left out of the space in which we turn to God's word for direction. There are times where we fail to ask if we are conforming to Jesus. We need to be like the Apostle Peter and say, Nevertheless, at your word. I'm going to try to emphasize this to you right now. [00:47:38]

The question then is... Do we, as Jesus' disciples, humble ourselves, live repentant lives, and following him? And do we conform to him? [00:48:52]

People of God when difficulties present itself to you during your day something becomes hard say hey God is sovereign he's I'm trusting him I'm gonna be faithful to him in spite of the hard providence now Jesus imparts instruction in doctrine by expounding the Word of God those hearing the words of Jesus [00:54:11]

You see, the Jews at that time would have known that hearing is not just an intellectual exercise. They would have been instructed from Deuteronomy 5, beginning in verse 1, that says this, And Moses called all of Israel and said to them, To hear in this context means to hear and to do. [00:54:52]

Salvation is not just about being forgiven and going to heaven. Ephesians 2 teaches us in the context of salvation is not simply by works, but it is this we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works in other words you're not saved by the good works you do but once you are saved God has prepared good works for you to do God prepared him beforehand that we should walk in them that is good works as Christians in God's sovereign providence we are new creatures to walk in good works and this is important as defined by God and not ourselves and certainly not how we interpret our own experiences now Jesus when he finishes preaching turns to Peter and says launch out into the deep waters and let down your nets into those waters now Peter here answers Jesus with two statements one master right he is acknowledging him as a person of authority we've toiled all night and caught nothing right and second nevertheless at your word i will let down the net peter looks to jesus and he calls a master teacher and this is what he's thinking it's the wrong time of day and we're the professionals who labored all night we know the places to go we know the right time to do it and we didn't catch anything this is like saying my prior experience and success says that this instruction is a waste of time what does god know of my industry the question here is does god give his people ethics and wisdom concerning our businesses our personal families and our church family what about our conduct with those outside the faith does god's word fit in all of these things all of these areas when we are confronted with the word of god do we conform ourselves to christ jesus or do we hear in faith and therefore believe and put it into practice [00:56:28]

Jesus assures Peter and all of them by saying, and this seems like a strange assurance, do not be afraid. Now Peter, he's afraid. He's like, Lord, I'm a sinful man. I don't understand what's going on here. I like the blessing part, but I don't understand what's going on here. And Jesus says, do not be afraid. [01:02:53]

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Transcript
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