NOTES: On the Move, Part 5

Sermon: On the Move part 5- The Invitation

Text: Luke 5:1-11

Date: Sunday February 5, 2023

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, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 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. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 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. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 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.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Let’s Connect:

Consider what Jesus most did to “grow” or advance His message; from Israel to the world, from 30AD to 2023 AD.

Jesus invited people to follow: to follow Jesus into His life and mission, which will bring radical joy-filled transform.

Jesus said John 10:10 (ESV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

If we want our message to matter to others, to see our families, our neighbors, our city, our nation and world to be open to God’s saving grace, then our experience must be aligned to our message.

Our personal experience with the life of Christ communicates more loudly than our words.

This is also true for us as a church.

The more we experience the abundant life of Christ together, the greater our impact.

Ready to live an adventure rather than watch one on Netflix?

Text Explained:

Today we follow Jesus to the Sea of Galilee (after Egypt, Jordan, wilderness).

A Fishy invitation:

4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Consider Jesus’ words:

Consider Simon’s response:

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Let’s Relate:

Understanding the invitation to follow Jesus:

•    What you are doesn’t disqualify you, it’s who you’ll become.

•    Faith-filled obedience opens our life to limitless possibilities.

In Christ, our capacity can become our reality.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”

1 Peter 5:6 ESV

•    Breaking ties with the past and embracing a new identity and purpose.

Challenge- Our Commissioning:

What does that look like for us as a church community?

-      We are people of the invitation.

-      Hear the invitation today! “Follow me.”

-      Believing our capacity will become our reality.