By Michael Hernandez
OXNARD—”A record catch” came to Jesus disciples while fishing at Lake Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee) said New Life Pastor Steve Abraham at Sunday’s live stream church service. Jesus took them through three separate experiences in Luke 5:1-11.
- The Frustration: “Are you frustrated by the quarantine, by the lockdown, by injustice, by political fighting: You are on the edge of something big, God is going to do. God is doing a powerful work in your life. Don’t give up. God is coming through.”
Pastor Abraham explained that many of Jesus disciples were fishermen and they knew their trade. Yet, they were frustrated by a night of fishing without a catch and now were being told by a carpenter how to fish. Simon responded to Jesus’ request to let down the boat’s nets by saying: “…nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5). The result: “they caught a great number of fish and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.” (Luke 5:6-7).
- The Partnership: “Jesus just climbed into (Simon’s) boat. I want to use your boat. Can Jesus use your boat? Can he use your weakness? My boat is dirty and not attractive but God can use your past, present, and future. The goal of the enemy is to convince you that because of your past; you are insignificant to God.
“I see two extremes in the church:
–Those who say it is all God; and
–Those who say it all self. I am going to make it happen.
“Jesus will use something you have; to give you something you need.”
- The Miracle: When we are not available, “Jesus will find someone else to use.”
Simon had “such a large catch of fish (that) it filled up his friend’s boat. God can do more than you imagine. God will do a miracle that blesses you and the people around you.
Pastor Abraham challenged the congregation to make a list: on the left put what you need; and on the right what you have. “Ask Jesus to leverage what you have to meet the need.”
Prayer:
“A miracle is coming, a blessing is coming, breakthrough is coming as we turn to you, Lord and run after you. Will you fill us, heal us, deliver us. We give it all to you God.”
Michael Hernandez, Co-Founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service; editor of the History Makers Report and founder of History Makers International—a community nonprofit serving youth and families in Ventura County, is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. He worked 25 years as a middle school teacher in Monrovia and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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