BLHMinistryOrg.,Ministry Site, Sermon 16, ' Launch Out Into The Deep '

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=40 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="22464643.jpg"> <div> <I><B> <STYLE>  </STYLE>     <script type="text/javascript">    </script>  </B></I></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=440 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="22264643.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="22703c40.jpg" border=0 width="3" height="2500" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="22803c40.jpg" border=0 width="3" height="2500" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> <IMG SRC="22538440.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="68" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2234d890.jpg" border=0 width="589" height="393" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="229a63a0.jpg" border=0 width="166" height="58" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>'  Launch Out Into The Deep '</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="22a543e0.jpg" border=0 width="340" height="62" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> You may be single, seeing no way through for your self;</div> <div>  or you may be married, feeling all alone with an unsaved partner.</div> <div> You may be a sold-out child of God that is seeking Him and His plan for your life; </div> <div> or, you may feel you have no purpose whatsoever in this life.</div> <div> Whatever your circumstances are at this present time,</div> <div>  this message is for <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>you</I></FONT> to cheer, uplift, encourage and strengthen you.</div> <div> <I>God has a plan for you </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" >and your life.</FONT></div> <div> Give <I>Him </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" >you</FONT>!...and your time.</div> <div> In this Sermon's lead Scripture, we see how <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>Jesus has a special way of  coming on the scene, on time.</I></FONT></div> <div> So, sit back, relax, and think on and feel what you are about to read.</div> <bR> <div> There was a man named Simon, later called by Jesus Christ, Simon Peter.  An ordinary person with what was then an ordinary trade.  A fisherman.  He depended on this vocation to support himself and his family. As far as he was concerned, this was the way he'd make his living. He was married, and a hard dependable worker. </div> <bR> <div> One day, after he'd been fishing all night long in the elements of the weather, caught nothing, weary and disappointed,he returned to dock.  No doubt, to eat and then go to sleep after such a night.  He, along with some of the other fishermen, were washing their nets in preparation for their next trip out to catch fish.  The thing was, that if he (they) caught nothing, there would be no monies to sustain their daily monetary needs for home, family, food, etc.  You know, the basic essentials we each need supplied to live.  That isn't much to ask, and we are most thankful just to have <I>those</I> provided for us.  Thankful to God and to one another.  These said as a preface, let's walk together through their story to take out of it for our selves, the gold nuggets of wisdom. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Luke 5: 1 ~ 11</div> <div> And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him (Jesus) to hear the Word of God, He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed (asked)  him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.  Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (catch)</div> <div> And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that <I>they</I> should come and help them. And <I>they </I>came, and<I> filled both the ships, so that they began to sink</I>.</div> <div> When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.  And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="22a543e0.jpg" border=0 width="340" height="62" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> ...'the people pressed upon Him to hear the Word of God,...'   Don't you just love seeing that?  Just like Mary at His feet, they chose, wanted, 'the weightier matter', what is vital and Eternally important to know.  How else can we prepare to meet Him one day, if not daily at His feet learning His Word?  We cannot do what we do not know, and we cannot know His views and feelings unless we read His Word.  Hallelujah!  So we see, the people wanted to hear His Word because .... of how much faith they had in Him.  This laid the groundwork for what they would do and receive.</div> <bR> <div> There Jesus was, standing next to the lake noticing two empty boats in the water.  His pulpit was awaiting Him.  Simon, (called by Jesus Simon Peter at a later time) and the other fishermen were washing their nets.  </div> <div> One thing at a time,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > Jesus would ask something of Simon.  </FONT></div> <div> The <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" >1st one</FONT> was to use his boat.  He did.  </div> <div> The<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" > 2nd one</FONT> was to go out a tad from shore, so He could preach and teach the people from this 'pulpit'.  He did.  Simon stayed, although weary in body and no doubt hungry too.  He stayed and listened. (key)</div> <div> The <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" >3rd thing</FONT>.  Jesus asked him to launch out into the deep to catch fish.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" >How precious is Simon's heart shown in his reply to the Lord.  We see no impatience, unbelief, no attitude and no rebellion in this man.  Rather, past his 5 senses and what his own experience had been all night long ... catching nothing....zilch!  Notta!....we see him believing that Jesus knows what HE is talking about, and he says and responds accordingly:  (Luke 5: 5 And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: </FONT><I>nevertheless </I><I>at Thy word</I><I> </I><I>I will</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > let down the net.)  After the obedience of  he and the other fishermen with him in his boat, there were so many fish caught that their nets broke.  Needing help and loving their neighbor as their self, they called over their fishermen partners out in their boats.  They too, filled their ships to overflowing.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>It was after Simon saw the wonderful works of God</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > and His blessed abundance, that</FONT><I> he came</I><I> in touch </I><I>with the Glory of the Lord. </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > So doing, he saw what and who he was in comparison to God's Divinity....and repented.  Romans 2: 4 ' </FONT>Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that <I>the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance</I>?'</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  </div> <div> Luke 6: 38 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" >(Jesus said....Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  And, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I say these things because many think that this implies just our giving and sharing of our finances to others in need. Nonetheless, like anything in our 'relationship' with Jesus Christ, we grow in a loving and giving heart to meet the need, to share, to uplift, encourage, strengthen, and provide for one another.  </div> <div> The 2nd Great Commandment Jesus gave us is, 'Love your neighbor as your self.' (what<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > you.</FONT>...would...that others do unto you....do that...to them).  Herein is the golden rule.  We see this exhibited in this text with the closeness of a loving bond between the fishermen.  I love their consideration of one another that produced their team endeavor.  All .... were blessed from it. No one was being a hog or selfish.  Love's fruit. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="22538440.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="68" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> John 15: 9 ~ 14  Jesus says to us:</div> <div> As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved <I>you</I>: <I>continue ye</I> in My love.  If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.  These things have I spoken unto you, <I>that My joy might remain in you</I>, and that your joy might be full.  This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.</div> <bR> <div> One cannot help but wonder if Simon and those in his boat fishing all night, had prayed to God.  I should think they did, because of Simon's willingness to do what<I>ever</I> the Lord asked of him.  He was definitely in that place of obedience where God <I>could </I>bless him.  Did Jesus go there, ask of Simon to use his boat to preach to the people in, ask him to take it a bit from shore for it; and, then ask him to 'launch out into the deep for a catch', so He could reveal to Simon what HIS plans were for his life? Did he get more...than he'd asked God for ... possibly....in prayer, as this text says? ...:</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="22538440.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="68" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Ephesians 3: 17 ~ 20 </div> <div> ' That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; <I>that ye</I>, being rooted and grounded in love,  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  <I>And to know the love of Christ</I>, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Now unto <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, </I></FONT>according to the power that worketh in us,..' (we surely see His abundant blessings upon them showing His love for them all, in Luke 5 and their catch).</div> <bR> <div> Jesus asked such ordinary, simple things.  Sometimes, it could seem mundane and too easy, what Jesus asks of us.  Sometimes, it is indeed a hard thing that we are unable to do on our own steam, needing...to lean on Him heavily in trust, as we proceed forward doing whatever He asks.  And, He always asks of us things that will agree with His Word and go with His own nature.  This is how you....will know....His leading, in accord with His Holy Word.</div> <bR> <div> Just think<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" >.....if Simon had done what we tend to do sometimes, going by his own agenda, druthers, feelings, his experience all night, his own body's strength.....he would not have obeyed. </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT><I>He would have missed it!  </I></div> <div> Just think<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" >.....if Simon had insisted on knowing the 'whole picture ahead of time' before he acted upon what Jesus asked of him, </FONT><I>he would have missed it!</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>This is so like God.  He gives us direction, and when we give our self over into doing it, </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>then</I></FONT><I>, we find out why, and reap the benefits of obeying Him.  If you truly want blessed.....this is the path to it.  If you truly want the anointing of the Holy Ghost upon and through you to souls, this is the pathway to it.</I></div> <bR> <div> The dear Lord always gives us one step at a time to do.  As we do that, things start to unfold. Eventually then, we will see the entire picture that He sees.  Learning to follow Jesus step by step, we each will find <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>His purpose for our </I></FONT>life.  I've often thought of Simon's heart  of faith that prompted his obedience to <I>whatever </I>Jesus asked of him.  All the while, he was showing Jesus where his heart was and how very much.  His faith in Him.  His wish to follow Him. He could be 'trusted to obey' Him.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>NOW the result of doing what Jesus asked, step by step?</I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" >The 4th thing </FONT>was about to come forth to Simon, that <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>had he not obeyed,</I></FONT> he would still be fishing for <I>fish</I>.</div> <div> Now, He gave to Simon that precious and sacred mandate.  </div> <div> Now, Simon found out his God-given purpose for his life on earth.</div> <div> He hadn't gone by sight, or his negative feelings and thoughts in weariness.  </div> <div> Rather, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" >he sowed</FONT> his seeds in obedience, </div> <div> planting something that <I>GOD could </I>grow into like Harvest,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" > as this closing text says....:</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Ecclesiates 11: 4 ~ 7</div> <div> ' He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.</div> <div>  As thou knowest not what is the way of the Spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: </div> <div> even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.</div> <div>  In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: </div> <div> for thou knowest not whether (which) shall prosper,</div> <div>  either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.</div> <div>  Truly the Light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sun:...'</div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#A6CAF0" FACE="Times New Roman" >Luke 5: 10, 11</FONT></div> <div> ' And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from now on, you shall catch <I>men</I>. (souls into His Eternal Kingdom)  </div> <div> And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.</div> <div> <I> <STYLE>  </STYLE>     <script type="text/javascript">    </script>      <embed src="HTMLobj-565/GodWillMakeaway__YES_.mid" autostart="true" loop="true" hidden="true">    <style>  </style>  </I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2321ebf0.jpg" border=0 width="286" height="191" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Launch Out Into The Deep, Dear Heart!</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="for_love_of_you__jesus16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BLHMinistryOrg., Ministry Site, Sermon 1"><U><IMG SRC="22fb35e0.jpg" border=0 width="179" height="94" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="for_love_of_you__jesus18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BLHMinistryOrg.,Ministry Site, Sermon 17"><U><IMG SRC="237b35e0.jpg" border=0 width="179" height="94" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="for_love_of_you__jesus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BLHMinistryOrg., Ministry Site Map and W"><U><IMG SRC="230b35e0.jpg" border=0 width="179" height="94" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.michaelcox.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.michaelcox.com/"><U><IMG SRC="22ee42d0.jpg" border=0 width="228" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://birgittasplace.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://birgittasplace.com/"><U><IMG SRC="22dfa280.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="40" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> I Thank Each Of You For This Lovely Set</div> <div> The Pretty Music Playing Today is Entitled, God Will Make A Way</div> </td> </tr></table></body>