MAY I USE YOUR BOAT?
Luke 5:1-11
INTRODUCTION: At times we don’t know what the Lord would have us do. However, at other times we know exactly what our Lord would have us do but we either hesitate or say right out “Lord I am not going to do that!” Sometimes it is because we fear in carrying out our Lord’s command to us. God does not want His children living in fear afraid to even try to do His will: 2 Timothy 1:7. Even strong leaders sometimes act out of fear instead of power: Exodus 3:10-11; Exodus 4:1; Exodus 4:10-13. Another reason we do not respond to God’s call on our lives is we do not wish to give up control of our own lives to another even if that other is the Lord Himself: Many of us can quote 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Romans 12:1-2 but it is hard to put those verses into action in our lives.
I. WALKING BY FAITH!
It is always difficult to give up your control of your life to the Lord. That is why Abraham is given so much press in the Word of God: Hebrews 11:8-10. The apostle Peter made a great boast about his faith in the Lord but the Lord called his hand: John 13:36-38. We are often afraid to follow our Lord’s call on our lives because we are afraid of His requirements. Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:8-9. Sadly many when they count the costs of total surrender to God find those costs just to high! At other times God’s requirements to walk with Him seem not to be reasonable to us: 2 Chronicles 16:9. We are called to walk by faith not by sight as we surrender to God’s will for our lives.
II. PETER’S EXAMPLE OF LIVING BY FAITH!
Luke 5:1-11: When Peter chose to submit to Jesus leading he learned that Jesus was very wise. That Jesus was very knowledgeable about the right fishing spot. Peter saw a miracle because he acknowledged Jesus as Lord: 1 Peter 3:15. If we follow the world and its ways we will never follow Christ and His ways. Jesus’ way is often 180 degrees opposite to what is normal for mankind.
III. GOD’S BLESSINGS COME TO THOSE WHO LIVE BY FAITH!
Sadly we miss God’s greatest blessings in our lives because we have never learned to live by faith. John 10:10. After Peter chose to obey the Lord Jesus he got his blessing: Luke 5:4-11. When will we grow in our faith and chose to leave everything to follow our Lord Jesus? It is when we chose to trust God with what we cannot yet see but have been told to trust in by faith. 2 Chronicles 16:9 only comes true for those who by faith are fully committed to him! Is the Lord asking you to cast out into the deep? Are you afraid? What do you suppose God might be wanting to bless your life with if only you would trust Him? Jonah 2:8. Peter’s life was changed by his obedience even when it did not make sense to him. Do you want to be amazed by God? Peter’s obedience didn’t only bless him but all those around him and even on to us today. Can Jesus use your boat now?