February 7 Jesus calls you to step out - venture in faith

Jesus is standing by the lakeside and a crowd is pressing in to hear him speak. At the shore of the lake he sees two boats – empty because the fishermen had left them to wash their nets. Jesus gets into one of the boats – the one belonging to Simon Peter – and asks him to push the boat away from the shore. There, a little distance from the press of the crowd, Jesus is able to teach them.

When Jesus finishes preaching, he decides to extend his lesson with a dramatic sermon illustration. He challenges Simon Peter, Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. Luke 5:4

Put out into the deep water, Jesus says – Not Let’s try here - it’s safe and shallow. Is he implying the real possibilities exists where life gets deep and risky? He invites us to venture out, take a chance – be active and adventurous.

Master, we have worked all night long and caught nothing, laments Simon Peter. He sounds like he wants to stay close to shore – safe and comfortable. Peter had fished all night and knew there were no fish to catch. Why put in that extra effort, “I can be just as unsuccessful close to shore as out in the deep.”

He’s discouraged, but he’s not stubborn about it. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets. 5:5

So it’s out into the deep water with Jesus.

The result? Simon Peter and Andrew catch so many fish that call their partners in the other boat to come and end up filling both boats with fish.

It’s an unexpected, amazing, and overwhelmingly abundant catch. All because they’re willing to follow Jesus words and set out into the deep. They heard his word – really didn’t completely agreed with it – but they did obey it despite their reservations. And with obedience came blessing.

Our annual congregational meeting is today after this service. Could the Lord be speaking to us today through this gospel?

Is the challenge for us today, as a congregation, to reach out beyond our comfort zones and put

out into the deep water. Maybe we’d be happy to just keep doing the same things we have been doing – sing the same hymns -- continue all of our ministries in 2010, just like 2009.

In other words, like Simon Peter, we’d like to stay close to the shore – safe and comfortable. But Jesus is calling us to be active and adventurous – to be willing to explore new waters – new ideas – new ways. Because as Jesus showed Simon Peter, that’s where the fish are – that’s where growth happens. And that’s where we can make surprising discoveries about ourselves and the world around us.

Now maybe you’re sitting back, thinking I’m just talking about the church – but not about you. But you are the church. As Paul put it You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

For the congregation to set out into deep water – to move beyond its comfort zone – the members have to be active and adventurous – and put out into the deep water in lives of Christian discipleship. You are the ones who will have the new ideas and develop them. You are the ones who will think of different ways of doing things and implement them.

As I mentioned a couple of times, You are gifted. You all have God given talents and abilities which could be used in ministry. Each of you has talents you have not yet activated – others that you haven’t discerned. The adventure – and your personal growth – will come as you try to discern your gifts and strengths – and then activate them by putting them into service. We’ll only be as creative and adventurous as you are.

You don’t judge the strength of an army by how many soldiers sit and eat in the mess hall, but by how they perform on the front line. Likewise, a church’s strength is not seen by how many show up, but by how many serve in ministry.

For example, venture out into the deep water and share your Christian faith with others. Jesus says Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people. 5:10

We are called by Jesus to catch people, and if we’re going to do that, we need to leave the safety of these waters behind. We need push out into the deep and dangerous waters of real life, where real people are to be found.

But how?

Relationships. Sharing with someone you know.

Sharing what?

Asking them if they want to get saved?

No. Sharing your experience.

I suppose to do that you have to ask yourself: “How has being a Christian made a difference in my life?”

Maybe it’s brought you peace of mind in the midst of troubles – Or comfort at a time of loss. Perhaps it gives your life meaning and direction – guidance when you’re uncertain. Something to fall back on.

I suspect you haven’t recently thought about how following Christ makes a difference. It’s worth reflecting on.

While you’re at it, also ask yourself “How has being a member of a church – this church – enriched your life?”

Maybe you are uplifted – encouraged - by the worship services. And you look forward to seeing your church friends once a week – you enjoy the fellowship – the sense of community.

Many find that opportunities to serve – to use their talents - are a source of personal satisfaction. Have you noticed that the tasks – the ministries that many undertake in the congregation have nothing to do with their day jobs? In other words they’ve discerned and apply talents and abilities that otherwise would go undeveloped – just lay dormant.

What does all that have to do with evangelism? With fishing for people?

I’m suggesting that one natural way to do that is with a friend and family member – and simply share your experience of being a follower of Jesus – of being a part of a church family.

You’re not trying to convert them or convince them = just sharing what you’ve experienced. If they’re interested, then invite them to come and see for themselves.

I suspect that talking with a friend about our faith makes you uncomfortable. You’d risk a bit of embarrassment for Jesus. Or like Peter, when Jesus asked him to venture out, you think Master, we have worked all night long and caught nothing, I tried that once and it didn’t work.

Sometimes we have to be prepared to do things which seem dumb, because we tried that last year and it didn't work. Maybe Jesus calls us to a small shift of position or timing before we let down our nets. Most folks don’t respond to the first or second or third invitation. But once the time is finally right, all we have to do is trust Jesus as Peter did that day, Yet if you say so, I will do it. . In other words, we simply need to be ourselves -- honest, loving, accepting, non-judgmental Christians. Jesus calls you to step beyond your comfort level - even to be adventurous - simply trusting in Him.

Let me say something to those of you who have only recently started attending Resurrection. This is easier for you because after you first visited you decided to return. Presumably you know why you’ve continued to worship with us - and that’s something you can share with somebody.

They had a traditional marriage. She stayed home to cook, clean, do the laundry, raise the children. He worked constantly to make ends meet.

One summer they decided that she and the kids should travel off to her parents home for a few weeks. So in preparation, she explains in detail to her husband where all the cooking utensils are, what she’s stocked up in the refrigerator and freezer for him. He assures her he knows how to cook.

Then she reviews the laundry procedures, the cleaning routine, and so on. At each task, he confidently responds, “I know how to do it.’

She replies crisply: “Honey, I don’t doubt your ability - I’m worried about your willingness.”

We are all called to witness and to service. The Lord still asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

Brothers and sisters, I don’t doubt your ability - I simply want to inquire concerning your willingness.

Will you accept Jesus’ challenge to venture out, to Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. Will you try a new area of service, accept the challenge of a different ministry -- or even start a new ministry? Will you take the next step in your personal faith journey, and increase your commitment to the Lord and His way?