PASSAGE:
Luke 5:1-11

MAIN POINT:
We are changed by Jesus, and we change the world with Jesus, when we say “Yes” to Jesus.

TEACHING POINTS:
Too often the Church is known for what it’s against, rather than what it’s for.

Safety, not fear, is the antithesis of faith.

Many generations of Christians have been sold the lie that the primary reason to be a Christian is to ensure our present and eternal safety.

Our need for safety lulls us into complacency.

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It’s been found difficult and left untried.” - G.K. Chesterton

“We Christians often slowly and unconsciously drift toward religious activities, even good ones. Because they’re relatively convenient and culturally acceptable forms of obedience. We live a faith we can schedule into our busy lives.” - Darren deGraff

A life of adventure awaits when we leave our “boats” in response to our primary call to "fish" for people.

“How did the early Christian church survive? Humanly speaking, the odds were stacked against it. It was unthinkable that a small, despised movement from a corner of Palestine could move out to become the dominant faith of the mighty Roman Empire, an empire steeped in fiercely defended pagan religions. The spread of the Christian church in its earliest centuries is one of the most amazing phenomena in all of human history. The church was considered an illegal and depraved religion. Wave after wave of persecution was unleashed to squash it. At least two of the persecutions were empire-wide and intended to destroy the church. And yet it grew. On the surface, the early Christians appeared powerless and weak, they were an easy target for scorn and ridicule. They had no great financial resources, no buildings, no social status, no government approval, no respect from the educators. And after they became separated from their early association with the Jewish synagogues, they lacked institutional backing and an ancient tradition to appeal to. And yet the church grew.” - Bruce Shelley

CHALLENGE:
Say “Yes” to Jesus

1. Start small

2. Do it immediately - Do the next thing you’re reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do, and do it within the next 10 seconds.

3. Remember your place - Philippians 2:12b-13