Good morning!

Today, Let's dig right in! Have you spent time in prayer and worship to the great God we've been talking about?!? I sure hope so...

Please read Luke 5:1-11

I love this. Just gotta say it.

Our Jesus was standing on the shore with people crowding around Him. The people wanted to hear the word of God!

Now get this.

Jesus looked for ways to effectively share the word of God. He would do the great work, but He looked for what would be offered to advance His kingdom. He saw some boats... and “He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put it out a little from the shore.” Then the boat became a pulpit! Simon was near. Even while he went about his everyday tasks. And He was available to Jesus. Simon purposefully made his everyday reality available as an offering to His Savior. Wouldn't you want it to be your boat that Jesus used?!?

Simon did well.

But we never really know what's coming next.

That's why it's so important to “Follow Him.” Stay close.

After sharing God's word with the crowd, Jesus turned His eyes and full attention on one of His best friends, Simon the fisherman. He asked Simon to do something that didn't make any sense at all.

Have you ever felt like God turned His gaze fully on you, and asked you to do something that didn't make sense?

Here we get to see Simon the fisherman dig his feet into the idea of being RESOLVED.
He called Jesus, “Master.” No. It didn't make sense. And Simon fully intended to remind Jesus of that. BUT He also spoke to Jesus in such a way that showed tremendous respect, and desire to “stick it out.” “You're my master.”

Can you relate to a conversation like this? “Ok God, You're my master. But I just really want to say that I haven't seen you all night long and during that time I've been working, and working and working and that's just not making any sense to me. (Just so you know...)” But then it was followed by a life-changing, line of resolve.

“But because you say so... I will...”

Are you willing to risk doing something that doesn't make sense for Christ? I mean, really? Are we willing to mention Him in public? Are we willing to do something unexpected? Have you made your boat ready like Simon, and then gotten nervous when Jesus asked something uncomfortable?!?! I mean really, who would stand proud and puffed up that the Jesus who drew crows wanted to sit and teach in YOUR BOAT. But when the gaze is turned on you and a question is asked, are you still a worshiper? Do you worship the idea... or the reality.... of God. OR do you worship the idea... or the reality... of your circumstances?

If we hope to go somewhere we've never gone before, it's only logical that we should try to do things that we haven't done before. And the beauty of it is, if He asks something of us, we're always.. only... following behind the victorious conqueror and held in His hands as we worship with our willingness!

And then what happened? A miracle. A miracle beyond comprehension.

Simon immediately realized His Master... was also LORD. (verse 8). He fell on his knees before his Jesus and was the first disciple recorded to confess his sinfulness. We are sometimes aware to do things that make sense because we want all the answers and all the assurance FIRST. But... the work is to... that's right. Believe. When Simon was willing to obey even when it wasn't comfortable, he was blessed with such an overwhelming awareness of the reality of his God (as was every other person nearby!!!) that he fell to his knees and was afraid to even be near Jesus. But Jesus, in His incomprehensible love said... “Don't be afraid: From now on you will catch men.” I JUST LOVE THIS!!!!

Jesus asked Simon to do something that didn't make sense.

Simon said, “Master... because you say so... I will.”

Then, and only then, Jesus revealed the next step.

And what did Simon, along with all of the other witnesses do? Please read Luke 5:11.

For discussion: Have you wondered about how you can effectively, and truly be a “fisher of men?” I know I have. And I know I've been discouraged. But let's stop and think. Have we obeyed Jesus and shown willingness to obey, even when it doesn't make sense? Have we responded to uncertainty... with worship? Let's talk. What are some ways that we can live a life-style of worship? And just what is... a reasonable way to worship... a Savior?