Recently my Father in Law Harry spoke to us at Harvest about faith. He demonstrated from Scripture how there are five steps a person takes towards realizing faith and walking in it. It was a fantastic, challenging, yet encouraging message. Audio of it is available on our website.
Harry used Luke 5 as his text in that message and he spoke with regard to Peter launching out to the deep to let down his nets for a catch. Peter did so on faith based on the word of Jesus. I want to pick up on the conclusion of that story and apply to our lives in the area of Knowing God.
Luke 5:6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
Harry spoke of how there will always be evident those five steps taken towards and in faith and he described how that played out for Peter here. I want you to see how faith produced activity and activity procused a result that led to a greater revelation of two very important things.
But, first let’s see the outcome of Peter’s obedience and it’s effect on others.
You cannot gloss over the statement in the text we read that said, “and when they had done this.” If they had not acted nothing would have happened. The set up was not that fish would jump into the boat while they sat lifeless and bored in the safety of the ship. They needed to act ont he word they received.
Faith is not abstract. Logic said they had already tried this with no result, ("Lord, we toiled all night, but nevertheless at Your word"). Faith said the Master knows what he is talking about so lets do what he says.
It was when they did something!
What are you doing in faith just because Jesus said do it?
Stay tuned into this blog for more on this topic of Knowing God. The adventure is just beginning!
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
