YOUR NEXT LESSON OF FAITH

March 21, 2019

Jesus was (and is) always trying to teach us to trust Him more. Everything in His kingdom operates on faith. Therefore, expanded faith means that God is released in the sphere of our lives and ministry more. He is more greatly glorified as we are more greatly dependent.

In Luke 5 we have a perfect example. Notice the progression of this profound faith lesson for Peter.

THE WORD OF FAITH

"When He had finished speaking, He said to Sim, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4).

It seems that the point of this exercise was not to get some fish for dinner. It was to push Peter to trust Him even when it went contrary to his senses and experience. To believe that what God said was really true.

The Lord asked this professional fisherman to do something that made little sense for he had "worked hard all night and caught nothing" (vs. 5).

THE STEP OF FAITH

Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hared all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and led down the nets." (vs. 5)

We are always faced with a choice: will I believe what I think and live by human reasoning alone or will I believe that what God says is really true? The first word of Peter's response is telling: "Master." Peter had left everything to follow Christ and he was not about to turn back now.

At every turn of the common day we hare faced with this same test: Will I live by my thinking or God's leadership? Who is in charge? Who is the Master?

Faith always requires a step and that steps proves whether I'm trusting Christ or not.

THE REWARD OF FAITH

"When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break ... But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For amazement had seized him and all his companions ... And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (vs. 6-10)

God always rewards faith. Always. And Peter was no exception. This catch of faith yielded ...

1. A great catch. Christ was true to His word (as always) and gave them more than He promised.

2. A humbled believer. When Peter saw this fresh demonstration of Christ's power and faithfulness, it put him right where we should always be, ie., on His face before a mighty God.

3. An amazed crowd. Peter and everyone who witnessed this moment were seized with amazement. We don't see that much in our day of such an emotion. But when we trust God for what He's promised, it astounds a watching world.

4. A greater lesson. Christ didn't do this to get lunch, or set Peter up in the fishing business. He had a greater agenda. Peter was destined to fish for men. And Jesus showed him the principle upon this was to eternally operate.

Just as he had trusted and obeyed for fish, so he must trust and obey to make disciples of all nations.

YOUR NEXT FAITH LESSON

... is right around the seashore. Perhaps today. God is speaking if you will quiet your soul and listen, challenging you to believe him for more.

Will you doubt God and never see His greatness? Or believe and see the impossible?

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