THE CALL TO OBEDIENCE: LEARNING FROM PETER.

THE CALL TO OBEDIENCE: LEARNING FROM PETER.

Our text is taking from Luke 5v4-5 ‘when he has finished speaking, he said to Simon, put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.  Simon answered “Master, we have worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the net.”

From the above text is an interaction or interface between the Lord and a man named Peter, whose occupation was fishing. The Lord has a need for a boat, to aid him in preaching the gospel, because the crowd was so much. So there is need to move further away from the sea-shore into the water. Reading from verse 1, we discovered that there are two boat, but why Peter’s?  Jesus who knows the end from the beginning knows whose heart that will yield to his calling. Verse 3 says ‘He got into one of the boat belonging to Simon that is grace. This is to tell us that until grace found one there is no ability to obey, or rather your obedience is like a filthy sacrifice before God!

Below are the lessons we can learn.

1.       There must be a willing heart. God is only interested to those whose hearts are willing to obey. From the onset the Lord discovered the willingness of Simon to partner in service. Remember, there are two boats. It is only when we are willing that our obedience to God will be acceptance, enabling to receive the reward that goes with obedience. From time immemorial men that God called to ministry are people whose hearts are willing to obey. Isaiah 1:19. Says if we are willing…

2.       There is a need. God does not call men into obedience if there is no need, for He is not a time waster. In this case there is a need, for the crowd was so much and there is need to preach the gospel. Thank God for a man like Peter who made himself available for the Master’s use. 2Tim2:21.

3.       Love and respect for his word. Peter had love and respect for the Master and his word. In call for obedience we must have love and respect for whom we believe. “…but at your word…”

4.       Trust. Is one thing to love someone is another thing to trust him. Peter trusted the infallibility of the master. “Master we have labor all night… but at your word…”

5.       Must lay down. It is true we may have some experiences; past or present, why it might not work, the report of the doctor, our qualification, culture and other imagination might state the reality..yes “we might have toy all night, without a caught, but like Peter we must learn how to respond and said before him “….at your word I will lay down the net”.