"The First Choosing"- Part 1

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Do you feel like Christianity is just a system of rules and regulations, I can do this but I can't do that do you feel like your efforts to reach God find God and please God. If you do you feel like your faith is dead or alive today. Pastor Russ Andrews will walk us through Scripture to answer these questions join us on finding purpose, glorifying God by helping men find their purpose for living.

For more information and to connect with Russ Andrews and finding purpose could visit us online@findingpurpose.net or connect with us on Facebook. Now let's listen to Russ Andrews as he teaches us how to be a Christian without being religious. If you will take your Bibles and open up to Luke chapter 5 tonight.

I just want to cover verses one through 11, and I won't answer this question in a room what you got to think about this long and hard. What is it mean to be a true follower of Jesus Christ thought about that. Is it just belonging to a church. Is it simply reciting a prayer walking down the aisle at the Billy Graham Crusade say in the sinners prayer the way you claim to believe in Jesus follow him in the same way that the first disciples did in the first century, in his book Salomé by David Platt, don't read it unless you want your life to be changed. He writes consider a recent study.

This study was done back in 2011, which which found that 4/5 Americans. I'm not sure this is the case today identify themselves as Christians in this group of self-proclaimed Christians, less than half of them actually believe the Bible is accurate and I will a majority of them don't have a biblical view of the world around them. The posters went even deeper than to identify men and women who are described as born-again Christians according to the research, almost half of Americans claim to be born-again Christians, but out of this group of so-called not really a process a call born-again Christians. Researchers found that their beliefs and lifestyles of virtually indistinguishable from the rest the world around them. Many of these born-again Christians believe that their works can earn them a place in heaven. Others think that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

Some believe Jesus seen while he was on earth and an ever increasing number described themselves as only marginally committed to Jesus. This is all done by the Barna research group back in 2011 plaque is on writing this book. I think the one thing is abundantly clear from the statistics is that there are a whole lot of people in the world who think they are Christians but are not there a whole lot of people who think that they been born again, but they are dangerously deceived Lemanski as you deceived yourself or your Christian in name only or your true follower of Jesus as Christians were to follow Jesus to the first century to this. The question that you really need to think about this and you're ready to be sure of your answer because it is so easy to masquerade particular in this country is someone who is not what he claims to be that you sent me.

Platt says on a Philemon pretty safe ground and assuming that once people truly come face-to-face with Jesus, the God of the universe in the flesh, and Jesus reaches down into the depths of their hearts saves their souls from the clutches of sin and transform their lives to follow him there going to look different very different people who claim to be Christians. What allows look no different from the rest of the world are clearly not Christians a listen.

These are not my words to his doctoral degree with someone wants it. If you will put on trial for for being a Christian with the be enough evidence to convict you that bridges the Luke chapter 5 verses one through 11, where Jesus calls his first disciples, because in it he says come holiday. By the way. A disciple is simply someone who does one follows Jesus as a disciple is he's a follower of Jesus.

Are you truly a disciple of Christ everybody found somebody who you follow will not following so let's look at a verse one, and I briefly eat the English standard version translation I'm going back and forth between that of the NRA because they're both so good, but sometimes the in the ESV will get a word a little bit that I think is more accurate than the NIV. Not that I'm some expert but I got a look to the experts and I look at the worst of the been used here is an accurate translation of the original Greek.

That's what you want to make sure of. That's why I don't recommend the NIV is produced after 1985 by the way, I asked my daughter in law Juliann thought, she's my daughter if she had a Bible that she really liked. She said yes it will do you have a look at some of you know only get one. She said what should I guess it what you want to get the something big podcast. She said yelling to get that Sarah ordered she is not listening and mud daughter-in-law up in Charlottesville to NIV Bible studies that are there from 1985. You can Google that you can find one out there. He is usually used in in that you can pay about 100 bucks for a 50 year there are different prices and the quality and get one to get one stick NIV study Bible is the one that I started with the BSF in 1981, remember the store about eight years ago was up in Charlottesville and my briefcase got stolen in this sheriff Bible of mine and rebounded.

I had all my notes and from 20 years of BSF got stolen everything I got felony open of that briefcase nose up to about 2000 and is it that while no checkbook notepaper report. I purchased two bottles that I cherished and asked the Lord to have another wait for me when I get to heaven as I cherish it, but I wanted to follow found one exactly like it anyway tonight from the ESV on one occasion while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God. He got his Jesus was standing by the lake of Jenna Surette also knows the sea of what Galilee, he saw two boats by the lake, but officially going out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats which was Simons, also known as Peter, he asked him. Jesus asked him to put out a little from the land and then he sat down and taught the people from the boat by Webster drug on the shore were they probably pushed out from him is just a beautiful civilian. I'm just a provision to be there nor have y'all never been Israel years ago sometime Simon answered mass of the then and when you finish speaking, he said assignment put out into the deep and let you let nets down or catch Simon at submaster. We toured all night and took nothing but at your word. I will let down the nets when they had done this. They enclosed a you can see that near enclosing a large number of fish and officially came into the top internets were breaking so they signaled to their partners over and another boat to come and help them and they came in they feel both boats to the point where they began to think about the way these were not small boats. These were big bucks filled with fish that was thinking that when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus and the scene depart from me, sinful man, Lord, for he and he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they are taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon and Jesus said to Simon.

Do not be afraid from our own.

You will be catching man when they had brought their boats to land get this. The text says they left everything dropped their nets and followed him. Would you be willing to would be willing to do that. The way this story is not a great story just about a wonderful fishing experience is much more than that. You see is not the fish who got hooked but the fishermen Simon Peter, his brother Andrew and their partners, James and John, who also brought us are two sets of brothers Peter and Andrew and James and John for me. Let me ask your question would you like to get hook by the master fishermen the same way they did better when it's a good hook to get Calderon majority catch men for Christ. I could sit and tell you some stories about a few of my friends Bob Jenkins always comes to mind different amount of grace.

And he went to BSF with million will run that one night Georgetown Apartments in Houston or get out. Is it rough how much I'm saying is that you want to make sure you say Bobby said yes.

You don't get do is pray right now when they initially did the years when he discovered he had leukemia and he went to be with the Lord possibly wait for me in grade John is nothing better than to have that happen. You will that happen in your life you would have a man up there waiting for you when you come to their q. week tears to God. She usually to rescue me to catch me. That's what it's all about man of office in this Bible study is what like a what train headed wire Mike to heaven and it pulls in here every Tuesday night and that door opens and who standing there, Jesus, and what is he say all board if you want to follow Jesus because the three stages through which it was passed. You must hear Jesus calling you come and follow me here. Not in my name for the first time, come follow me.

Look at verses one through three again. On one occasion while the crown was pressing in on him to hear the word of God. He was standing by the lake of Jenna Surette.

Also the lake of yellow same thing like reality. He saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.

If you compare this text to the other three gospel accounts. Matthew, Mark and John a Matthew on Matthew, Mark, 18 through 20 skewed Matthew 418 to 22 Mark 116 through 20. In John 135 to 42. These texts are all giving you four accounts of the calling of the first disciples to come and follow him.

Have you need to understand their calling was progressive. It happened over at least a number of days if not a number of weeks and so this of this again in Luke is not Jesus first account with Peter, James and John. So if you look at all these Gospels together. Here's the here's what the progression of how it happened. Jesus first called them to follow him. The day after his baptism. In John chapter 1 we learned that both John and Andrew will follow Jesus and Jesus Turner and us that what he won't. They replied Rabbi where you going a sitcom in your sleep and then Andrew went out and got his brother name was his brother Peter, is it we have found the Messiah going until somebody that I found the Messiah the next day Jesus call Philip and Nathaniel so gradually over the course of time Jesus began to call the 12 to come and follow him. In Mark and Matthew regarded Jesus audit for special fishermen who are the Peter Andrew. The two brothers and James and John, his first call, which is simply a call to follow him and then in the Luke account after the performance is incredible miracle of the fish he calls a sport or leave everything and later in Matthew, we see Jesus called Levi also knows Matthew the tax collector to come and follow him and the other disciples, he called and we just have an account we just know that they called him and so when you only get the Luke chapter 6 verse 12 we see that Jesus will appoint these 12 to be as his apostles was the difference when an apostle and a disciple.

A disciple is simply a follower of Jesus and apostle is one who actually saw the risen Christ and he commissioned them personally to go out to these 12 disciples, with the exception of Judas were all apostles did one of them.and a man by the neighbor Matias was his name.

Matthias, thank you, Jeff. That's why we got Jeff in here the correct me and then who thus became an apostle Paul did he see the risen Christ. Okay so the unit as it goes are probably on an apostle of today, although I would argue other grant have debated this, that their people see in Jesus in person in Muslim countries is younger than ablated. Sophie if there see in him and he singing them just what they are modern-day apostles. The love is pubis. I am apostle did not. Apostles never seen the risen Christ yet of seeing the risen Christ and be commissioned by him to be an apostle, enough about that.

So, what was their mission going catch men. So we see that from these accounts. They will call progressively over the course of time and then listen.

Their total commitment evolved over the course of time as they begin to see Jesus for who he really is. If you sing for who he really is. If you read to these Gospels, Jesus been a whole lot of time around the Sea of Galilee.

You know why he was spending so much time there.

First of all weather cavalries blobs will give you the reason that I want to talk about this because he had his son, when is when he spent his early days there. We left on this place of the was hometown Nazareth. We left Nazareth, he went up north to the Sea of Galilee, a small town early because he had his eyes on some man some particular fishermen by the names of Peter, Andrew, James and John and one morning he sat walking along the beach and walk on the beach in early morning. This really nothing better is walking along you think you just at the first row.

We think he was on a mission. He sees these two boats saw Peter John washing their nets. They can fishing out night. The weather was fishing at night is a true deficient mice to the sound of fish the case of the nails with luckily it is a reason for that show the fishermen's and his family semiofficial light is easily said they could see the net best time to fish that make sense. See Jesus knew they were discouraged and tired, so the boats put up on the base so now there was a time for Jesus to fish for some Samantha. That's what he did he begin so we begin today begin to preach the word of God is a began to preach a huge crowd gathered. It became so huge that they begin to push them literally into the water as silly as plaintiff he could get his boat. He didn't PP push the boat a little from land. Peter did that and then you begin to teach the people from the boat near the Scripture doesn't tell us exactly what he preach, but I think we know what he preached. Remember when he went to his hometown in Nazareth and he sat down and remember this synagogue was one heat.

This is hometown church. This way grew up I'm recording Macbeth likes to hang out on the building on about the short steps.

It was like my home because I was there Wednesday night Sunday morning Sunday night Wednesday night was a night Sunday morning Sunday night and I just got used to the church is like home to me that my mother had me there. She drug me to church but I loved it with his what he said when he's in Nazareth either handed him the scroll is the scroll of which profit from the Old Testament Isaiah which chapter 61 he says the spirit of the Lord is only Chrissy's appointment to preach good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord labor. This had to be what he was preaching from the boat. The good news of the gospel people all her Jesus speaking the truth of God's word and guess it was in that boat, listening to every single word Peter can you imagine what it would be like to sit in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and her Jesus teach the word of God, believe that you would come listen to me ever again listen if you want to be a fisher of men is the deal guys you have to hear the voice of Jesus, you must hear them speaking to you idling audibly.

Have you ever heard his voice all you heard his voice, you have Revelation 320 Jesus here I am, this fellow is one of my favorite verses.

A young boy here I am still the door knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door was a promise today come in and eat with you have fellowship with you just want to do it. Every man on the planet every woman, every child he would have fellowship with us is why God created us to have fellowship with him, but you have to have a relationship with somebody to have fellowship with them as he's knocking on the door and so when I first read that verse outing. Here Jesus called down from heaven, Russ, but in my heart is like using Russ come and follow me and in my heart. Nora said yes I been phoning nervousness as a been a straight path. No. Is it take a lot of dips and turns and ins and outs. Yes, I could tell you about some of that angle doing have you heard the voice of Jesus: you to come and follow him. Maybe hearing for the first time tonight, you had God in arms length you may be a little bit of an agnostic unit was certain about this. Listen to him right now.

Are you hearing for the first time, follow me.

Perhaps befall Jesus from a distance and maybe tonight you thought was I really want to step up my game was not you're getting you to step it up. That is maybe right to get a little bit more into the in the book, maybe right to push it a little bit deeper that does that describe you describe the default.

You can step it up some more. Every hit got Ray Jahan what good are you will is the Lord Jesus here I am, send me yours I want to serve you the rest of my life no matter what is anything on this world can satisfy, I can answer that I'm not solver, but I tried a lot of things.

Nothing ever satisfies I'm a one time I took my family to us to on Grand Cayman Island in the silica great trip.

You grew up down there where St. Croix, St. Croix. You move there Think Different I thought this will be so much fun. We got done and the boys a fight about this. But that argument will delete all this mess and get back home. It is ridiculous. This never satisfies the rich and famous at doing what you vacation of Christmas where you where you will be what island are you going to. It never satisfies is like Candy will set Candy often you get the circus cotton candy just melts in your mouth and is gone. The sweet taste boom is gone.

Listen, there is no higher calling in the world than to be a follow-up to his younger young guys believe that is the truth. I'm telling him all I can tell you. Don't waste your time with all this in the mess got this not only hears voice but station number two when he caused to follow him. You have to trust you have to take a step of faith. Listen, every time you take a step of faith you founded the solid ground every time, never let you down. When Jesus finished speaking he looked at Peter and said put out into deep water. Let your net stand for catch and Simon answered master. We toured all night and took nothing but actual word. I will let down the nets. Don't you notice that Jesus is not given the suggested you might want to, you might want drop nets over there what he said given the command. Notice he did not say I want you to put your net stand and try to catch some fish.

He said I want you put your nets down for a catch of fish to the command came with what a promise you will catch fish. I was talking to a friend of mine who were his reason Aquinas seems real wealthy get all the world fish in the bin somewhere down there of South American the two digit junket of fishing.

There are several good fish like a catch and excuse me well follow Jesus and you will go catching you magical Peter was thinking, look he's been out all night.

He's tired ever coming from a fishing trip as well go short and malicious to tiring to get back you might not account anything you tired and then you got if you do catch a fish got a cleaned of suckers they go to think about you several bunch of money. Don't buy big boat. Nobody fishing clinic fish market it. One cost about $50 so somewhere filled out hunting. I went hunting him off. I'm way up to forget how neurotic I could remake all night.

I went hunting down in Arkansas with Joe McDaniel and I do like the little duck hunting but I don't like hunt in the woods. The ducks put me out there in a nice blind it's got heat and it really is a biscuit with some coffee and then to everyone you look let the ducks got enamel shoot a couple of patently dented Arkansas. I got on these waiters and we go walking down this field for about a mile Russ were in the wrong field is about you.

The sun hitting come up yet there we walked to another field and then we get into war. They stand him in war like this in the budget treasonous of Joe affordable, space heater adult with the trees right there and then I said hate a Joe witnesses give fun dear we got fun. We got back to Breakfast and I was having fun on I'm way off the subject here to Peter Sidney's been fishing all night and this carpenter tells him drop his nets you I would've said hate Jesus you know on the I know you know a lot of that carpentry on the fishermen. We fished all night. The eight none out there. What he did.

First of all Jesus.

But with what authority he also spoke in a voice that let Peter know you can trust me, that's the way Jesus speaks to us with authority and if he says it you can believe it, so he dropped his nets and the nets began to fill with fish immediately. Peter yelled over to his buddies a man bring about over here. They got too much over there their work in the Polish fish in there looking at you like. Can you believe this.

Who is this man did this usually happen to what we learn here will first of all, every miracle that you perform had a purpose in this one was no exception. So remember, Jesus was fishing for her fishermen men and who was his in his bull's-eye. Peter, while Peter he was the leader memories that Peter you are the rock upon this rock I want to build my church. Peter been listening to Jesus. Ever since Andrew came and said, which thing the Messiah and guess what, this is the way God works.

God rewards faith at some point site. Somebody once said, I do not seek to understand that I might believe, but I believe that I might understand. That's the way God has designed the world is not blind faith but you will get all your questions answered some point you gotta take a step of faith in the moment you do the list available for your eyes and you give you spiritual site.

This is what Paul is writing about second printing 350 61 he says even to this day, when Moses is read even today in Israel. When the ring most of the Old Testament avail covers our hearts.

Even today, when people sit in church and a conscript or a veil covers many hearts, but whenever anyone turned to the Lord. What happens to the veil is taken away. God lifts the veil and give you spiritual site. Peter turned to the Lord by faith and is the fight is that there was removed Peter spiritual eyes were so open that he could see Jesus in his glory, and power, and holiness.

What is clear that he felt on his knees is blown when he said, depart from me, sinful man, guys, if you never had a moment using a simple you off and I was so you have being a Christian is not about being religious but about having a dynamic alive relationship with Jesus Christ you been listening to finding purpose with pastor Russ Sanders glorifying God by helping men and their purpose for living. You can discover more about finding your purpose in life by checking out the resources finding purpose.net will connect to finding purpose on Facebook pastor Russ would also like to extend a special invitation for you to join him in over 300 other local men to study God's word together every Tuesday night at 7 PM in downtown Raleigh. Find out more finding purpose.net.

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