Transforming Ordinary Lives Through God's Extraordinary Call

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Calls Ordinary People to Extraordinary Purpose

Jesus invites ordinary people, like Peter, to leave behind their familiar lives and follow Him into a life of greater meaning and purpose. When Jesus approached Peter and Andrew at their fishing boats, He called them not just to a new job, but to a new identity—one that would impact others for eternity. This invitation was not based on their qualifications or perfection, but on Jesus’ desire to use them for something bigger than themselves. The same call echoes today: Jesus meets us where we are and invites us to step into His story, offering us a life of significance and purpose beyond what we could imagine. [38:41]

Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV)
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense Jesus inviting you to step out of your comfort zone and follow Him into something new or unfamiliar this week?

Day 2: Obedience Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Peter’s willingness to obey Jesus’ instructions, even when they seemed illogical or inconvenient, opened the door for a miracle and a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. After a long, fruitless night of fishing, Peter could have easily dismissed Jesus’ suggestion to try again. Yet, out of respect and trust, he chose to obey—and witnessed an overwhelming catch of fish that revealed Jesus’ power and care. Sometimes, God’s direction may not align with our experience or logic, but choosing to obey can lead to unexpected blessings and a stronger faith. [46:20]

Luke 5:4-7 (ESV)
“And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”

Reflection: Is there a specific area where God is prompting you to obey Him, even though it doesn’t make sense to you right now? What would it look like to say, “Because you say so, I will” this week?

Day 3: God Uses Imperfect People

God consistently chooses to use imperfect, flawed people to accomplish His purposes, as seen in Peter’s story and throughout Scripture. Peter’s journey was marked by moments of doubt, failure, and returning to old habits, yet Jesus continued to call him and entrust him with meaningful work. Our past mistakes or feelings of inadequacy do not disqualify us from being used by God; rather, God delights in meeting us in our weakness and showing His strength through us. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, God’s invitation to “come, follow me” still stands, and He desires to use your life for His glory. [43:59]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel unworthy or disqualified? How might God be inviting you to trust Him to use you, imperfections and all, for His purposes?

Day 4: When Our Story Intersects with God’s Story

When our lives intersect with God’s story, everything changes—our identity, our purpose, and our direction are transformed by His presence and calling. Peter’s encounters with Jesus shifted him from an ordinary fisherman to a key leader in God’s unfolding plan. Each of us is invited to allow God’s story to shape our own, moving from self-focused living to a life that is part of something much greater. This intersection is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey of surrender, discovery, and growth as we follow Jesus. [54:02]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Reflection: How has your story changed since encountering Jesus, and what is one way you can intentionally align your life with God’s story this week?

Day 5: God Meets Us Where We Are and Draws Us Back

No matter how many times we drift, return to old habits, or feel distant from God, He continues to pursue us, meet us where we are, and invite us back into relationship and purpose. Just as Peter returned to fishing when he felt unworthy, yet Jesus sought him out again, God knows our struggles and never gives up on us. Whether you are seeking, returning, or growing, God’s heart is to reveal Himself to you, heal your brokenness, and draw you into a life of meaning and hope. [56:10]

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Reflection: If you sense God drawing you back to Himself, what is one step you can take today to respond to His invitation and open your heart to Him anew?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we explored the beginning of Peter’s journey with Jesus, focusing on what happens when our ordinary lives intersect with God’s extraordinary story. Peter, a fisherman by trade, was first called by Jesus to leave behind his nets and follow Him, embarking on a path that would ultimately change the course of his life. Like many of us, Peter’s story was not a straight line—he experienced moments of excitement and hope, but also times of doubt, failure, and a tendency to return to what was familiar when he felt unworthy or discouraged.

We looked at Peter’s initial encounters with Jesus, first in Matthew 4, where he and his brother Andrew responded to Jesus’ invitation to “fish for people.” This call was not just about leaving a job, but about stepping into a life of deeper purpose and meaning. Yet, even after this powerful invitation, Peter found himself back at his old trade, fishing, when things got tough. This pattern of returning to comfort zones in the face of failure or shame is something many of us can relate to.

In Luke 5, we saw a pivotal moment where Jesus met Peter right in the midst of his ordinary, weary routine. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus instructed Peter to cast his nets once more. Despite his doubts, Peter obeyed, resulting in a miraculous catch that overwhelmed both his nets and his understanding. In that moment, Peter recognized his own unworthiness and Jesus’ divinity, but rather than disqualifying him, Jesus reaffirmed His call: “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” This encounter marked a turning point—Peter’s story was now inseparably woven into God’s story.

No matter where we find ourselves—whether we’re seasoned in faith, returning after a time away, or just beginning to explore who Jesus is—God meets us where we are. He calls imperfect people, not because of their qualifications, but because of His love and purpose for them. The invitation to follow Jesus is ongoing, and every encounter with Him has the potential to reshape our lives, giving us meaning, hope, and a mission beyond ourselves.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s story intersects with ordinary lives, inviting us into something greater. Peter was a regular fisherman, yet Jesus called him to a life of purpose that far exceeded his own plans. When God steps into our story, He doesn’t erase our past but transforms our future, offering us a role in His redemptive work. [33:09]
2. Obedience often precedes understanding. Peter’s willingness to obey Jesus’ seemingly illogical instruction to cast his nets again, even after a night of failure, opened the door to a miracle. Sometimes, God asks us to trust Him beyond our expertise or comfort, and it’s in those moments of humble obedience that we experience His power most profoundly. [46:20]
3. Feelings of unworthiness do not disqualify us from God’s call. Peter’s instinct was to push Jesus away, overwhelmed by his own sinfulness. Yet, Jesus responded not with condemnation, but with reassurance and a renewed invitation. God delights in using imperfect people, and our weaknesses become the very places where His grace is most evident. [50:34]
4. Returning to old patterns is a common struggle, but God’s invitation remains. Peter’s tendency to go back to fishing when discouraged mirrors our own pull toward comfort and familiarity. Yet, Jesus persistently calls us forward, meeting us in our setbacks and inviting us to step into the new life He offers, again and again. [43:59]
5. Every stage of faith is valuable to God. Whether we are exploring, returning, or growing deeper, God meets us with patience and purpose. He invites us to seek Him honestly, promises to reveal Himself, and desires to weave our unique stories into His greater narrative of redemption and hope. [59:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Announcements & Thrive Groups
[04:30] - Night of Worship & Membership Info
[07:00] - Connection Cards & Quick Connect
[09:20] - Opening Prayer
[11:00] - Value of God’s Word at Thrive
[12:30] - Introduction to the Peter Series
[15:00] - Peter’s Story Mirrors Our Own
[18:00] - The Disciples’ Backgrounds
[20:00] - Jesus Calls Ordinary People
[22:00] - Peter’s First Encounter with Jesus
[25:00] - The Call to Fish for People
[28:00] - The Search for Purpose
[31:00] - Peter’s Pattern: Returning to Fishing
[35:00] - God Uses Imperfect People
[37:18] - Peter’s Second Encounter: The Miraculous Catch
[46:20] - Obedience and the Miracle
[50:34] - Peter’s Response and Jesus’ Reassurance
[54:02] - Where Are You in the Story?
[59:55] - Prayer for God’s Revelation
[69:47] - Closing & Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV) — > While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Luke 5:1-11 (ESV) — > On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Observation Questions

In Matthew 4, what did Jesus invite Peter and Andrew to do, and how did they respond?
According to Luke 5, what was Peter’s initial reaction when Jesus told him to let down the nets after a night of catching nothing?
What was Peter’s response after the miraculous catch of fish, and how did Jesus reply to him?
What pattern do we see in Peter’s life after his first encounter with Jesus, and how does this relate to his return to fishing?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Peter was willing to leave his nets and follow Jesus immediately, even though he didn’t know him personally yet?
What does Peter’s willingness to obey Jesus’ instruction to cast the nets again, despite his doubts and exhaustion, reveal about his relationship with Jesus?
When Peter felt unworthy and sinful after the miracle, why do you think Jesus responded with reassurance and a renewed invitation instead of condemnation?
The sermon mentioned that Peter had a tendency to return to what was familiar when he felt discouraged or unworthy. Why do you think people, even after experiencing God, sometimes go back to old patterns?

Application Questions

The sermon talked about how God’s story intersects with our ordinary lives and invites us into something greater. Can you think of a time when you sensed God inviting you to step out of your comfort zone? What was that like for you?
Peter obeyed Jesus even when it didn’t make sense to him. Is there an area in your life right now where God might be asking you to trust Him beyond your own understanding or expertise? What would it look like to take a step of obedience this week?
Peter’s feelings of unworthiness didn’t disqualify him from God’s call. Are there areas in your life where you feel unworthy or disqualified? How might God want to use you in those very places?
The sermon highlighted that returning to old patterns is a common struggle. What are some “nets” or comfort zones you tend to go back to when you feel discouraged or distant from God? What would it look like to let go of those this week?
Every stage of faith is valuable to God—whether you’re exploring, returning, or growing deeper. Where do you see yourself in your faith journey right now? What is one next step you can take to respond to Jesus’ ongoing invitation to follow Him?
The message said that God meets us where we are, not because of our qualifications, but because of His love and purpose. How does this truth challenge or encourage you in your current season of life?
Think about someone in your life who might be exploring faith or returning after a time away. How can you encourage or walk alongside them this week as they take steps toward Jesus?

Sermon Clips

All of these men lived lives prior to engaging with Jesus, prior to Jesus coming and meeting them where they're at. They were normal people going about their normal everyday lives, just like you and me. And then God's story intersects with their story, and everything changes. [00:35:06] (18 seconds) #GodIntersectsOurStories

He's asking them to live a life greater than themselves with purpose and meaning. And this drew them to Jesus because they wanted to live a life more purposeful and more significant than where they were, and they knew it deep down. And if we're being honest, this is the same invitation that Jesus still gives today. This is the same one. [00:39:56] (25 seconds) #LivingWithPurpose

And just like Peter and Andrew, God is calling out to people, not from the shores of the Sea of Galilee, but from the shores of our schools, from the shores of our workplaces and our communities. And people are responding to the call because they're hoping that the things they've heard about Jesus is true and that he's willing to meet them where they're at and invite them to something greater. [00:41:48] (23 seconds) #ReturningToOldWays

Maybe you feel the same way. Maybe you have felt that whether Jesus is your savior or not, you felt not good enough to be used by God. Maybe you, because of the things you've done in your life, you felt like you're not worthy of the love that God has to offer. Maybe you feel like the things that you've done in your past disqualify you not only from the love of God but certainly from being used by God to do big things and impact a lot of people but I'm here to share a profound truth with you that we see all throughout scripture and we see it in Peter's life as well and that is this, God uses imperfect people and he does it on the regular basis. [00:43:59] (44 seconds) #ObedienceLeadsToAbundance

So if you're struggling with shame or you've doubted that God wants to use you, if you've asked Jesus to save you from your sins but you've fallen back into some bad habits that are pulling you away from God's plan for your life, this next part of Peter's life is gonna be an encouragement to you. [00:44:45] (16 seconds) #TransformationThroughJesus

Peter obeys because he knows Jesus. And check out what happens next. It says, when they had done so, when they had thrown the nets out again, like Jesus said, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats so full that it began began to sink. [00:51:13] (23 seconds) #GodKnowsOurJourney

When Peter's story became part of God's story, he understood that his life could no longer look the way that it did before. Jesus met Peter where he was at. In all his faults, in all of his mistakes, in all of his going back to fishing because he feels inadequate, Jesus entered Peter's world and showed him that he was who he says he was. And even though Peter was an imperfect person, Jesus tells him, I still want to use you. I still want to use you. And he calls him once again to come follow me. Fish for people. And this time, things were different. This time, Peter didn't go right back to fishing. Because when Peter's story became part of God's story, things would never be the same again. [00:53:20] (48 seconds) #ChoosingPurposeToday

God knew you were going to be where you are. He knew you were going to go back to where you were. He knew Peter was going to go back to fishing. He knows that we're imperfect people, but in spite of all that, in spite of all that, he continues to say, come follow me. Come follow me. Come follow me. I want you to know my heart, God says. I want you to lean on me. I'm here to heal your brokenness. I'm here to give you meaning and purpose and value. I want you to find those things in me, and maybe today, after being called back, is the day that you allow your story to become God's story. [00:56:42] (42 seconds) #WrestlingWithFaith

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