This is the message this week from Pastor John Wright.
Key Verse: Luke 5:1-7
Here are five points that I see from this passage of Scripture:
1. God speaks to us
As spirit-filled believers God speaks to us in many different ways, it may not be an audible voice but God does speak to us. We have to live our lives so that when God speaks we pick it up and recognise that it is God speaking to us. In the key passage verse 1 it says that the people were listening to the Word of God. Jesus was teaching the Word of God.
2. God challenges us
Firstly God will speak and then there is usually a challenge put to us. In verses 3 and 4 Jesus was talking to the fishermen and then challenged them to put down the nets for a catch. Jesus was saying that if you take hold of this challenge then you will get a catch. The fishermen had to have the faith that they would catch something where they had not caught anything all night. God is saying if you do what I say you will get a catch.
Sometimes the challenges that God gives us do not make sense, but God is in the spiritual realm, He is a God of miracles and possibilities. If God says something to you, it can be a miracle. We have to allow that the challenges that God gives us can be beyond our logic and reason.
3. We must respond to God’s challenge
It is easy for us to tell God all the reasons why we can’t respond to the challenge, but we must remember that God will never ask us to do something that is beyond our ability. In Luke 5:5-6 Simon responds to the challenge by saying that because you, Jesus, say to put down the nets I will do it. And when they had let down the nets, they caught a large number of fish. When we respond to God it can be a magnificent result, but if we don’t respond then nothing can happen. How does God speak to you? In my life I hear the most from God when I read the Bible. He shows me things that I haven’t seen before.
4. God moves
In verse 6 the fishermen caught so many fish that the nets began to break. The fishermen were not inadequate at their craft in fact it was God that caused those fish to swim into their nets. When we respond to God it gives God the chance to do something in our lives. When God has the intention of doing a miracle in our life then He can do the miracle, but He can’t do it if we don’t respond. If we don’t go where He wants us to go, act how He wants us to act, and do the things that God wants us to do then God won’t do the miracle. God wants to see our faith in action, we have to do something to show God that we have faith in Him then God will do the miracle. When God moves He does not work in half measures, He always gives us more than we need.
5. Changes occur
If God moves in our life, the negative circumstances or situations in our life will change to a positive outcome. The lives of these fishermen were changed dramatically and they became fishers of men. What changed for them: firstly they had fish, secondly they had fish for everyone not only themselves, and thirdly it changed their lives from that day forward to become fishers of men. If God is on your side you can do anything.
This is basic teaching of a spirit-filled believer that when God speaks to you, there will be a challenge, if you respond to the challenge, then you give God the opportunity to move in your life. We can always test if what you hear is from the God by the Spirit through prayer, if you have peace, does it line up with the Word of God.
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If you would like to accept Jesus into your heart please pray the following prayer.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.”
If you have just prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! We invite you to contact us as we would love to pray a blessing over your life and help guide you on your journey.
The next step. As a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.
- Get baptised as commanded by Christ.
- Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
- Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
- Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
- Find a local church where you can worship God.
God bless you.