Luke 5:4-11
4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 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 But 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 that they had taken, 10 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 now on you will be catching men.”[a] 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Don’t underestimate the power of your “Yes.”
God never intended for us to stay in the shallow waters of faith. He calls us to launch out into the deep, where our faith is stretched, our limitations are exposed, and our influence is expanded.
1. God Challenges Us to Step Beyond Our Comfort Zone.
The greatest hinderance for you going deeper is your defense to justify where you currently are.
Romans 8:31-39
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[i] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[j] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He calls us deeper into things, not because he knows we can handle it, but because he wants us to grow in our faith so we can see greater things.
2. God Pushes Us Past Our Limitations.
Our limitations—whether they are fear, insecurity, past failures, or lack of resources—do not limit God.
1 Corinthians 1:27-31
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[a] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[b] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
The very place of Peter’s frustration becomes the place of his greatest blessing.
3. God Expands Our Influence for His Kingdom Purpose.
In our moments of little faith, Jesus doesn’t scold us but calls us to something greater.
Instead of pushing Peter away, Jesus calls him to something greater: “Do not be afraid. From now on, you will catch men.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Think back to the first time God called you? What were you doing? How did His call change your life?
What is one limit that you have put on yourself, or someone else has put on you? How have these limits defined you?
What are some areas in your faith that you have played it safe in? Are there areas in your life, that Jesus is calling you to go deeper in?
Read Romans 8:31-32. How can this verse help us have the right overcoming mindset?