Sermons About May-18
The Greater Vision
PRINT OUTLINE THE GREATER VISION Luke 5:1-11 The Greater Vision requires a shift in our thinking. Shift from _______________to __________________. Shift from ___________________ to _____________________. Shift from _______________ to _________________________. SCREEN OUTLINE THE GREATER VISION Luke 5:1-11 1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, [a]with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down[b] the nets for a catch." 5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Shift from possessions to people. Shift from temporary to eternal. Shift from comfort to cause. Craig’s MSS (so far) THE GREATER VISION Luke 5.1-11 My experience climbing, got to the top, thought it was the summit, it wasn’t – false summit. Interview teenagers Read text Easy to settle for lesser things Loose sight of the big picture Jesus story – retell I’ve got a bigger picture in mind for your life than just catching fish Instead of pouring your life out of a few dollars, how about pour your life out for a few destinies! Underneath this story – critical theme – are you chasing after big fish or small fish. Are you going to throw your one and only life into pursuing a small vision, or are you willing to take the risk, toss your net out in anticipation of capturing something that is bigger than you? Peter – life as he knew it, all about fishing, Jesus set his hair on fire for a greater vision. Chuck Colson – encounter with one man whose life was changed. That one moment validate his time on this planet. False Summits – My experience climbing, got to the top, thought it was the summit, it wasn’t – false summit. The shift – there is a shift that takes place when you begin to move from small fish to big fish. Shift from chasing false summits to the real summit! Hard shift – disciples meant an entire life change. Couple moved to china – did business over seas What does Greater Vision living look like? from possessions to people Jesus’ love for people – all kinds of people – Pharisees didn’t get it, missing the heart for people. Jesus people – greater vision people – shift to people priority. People matter to God. Imagine God using you to help someone live abundantly today and land in heaven tomorrow. Story about Dave from OKC Once you have landed a few big fish, you loose your taste for the small ones! What could be more important that helping someone come to Christ? What could be more important than seeing someone freshly redeemed come to know Jesus? When you are focused on small fish – settle for just living for yourself, what makes you happy. Selfish people are never happy? When you life is all wrapped up in your world, your wants, your accomplishments, your job, your recreation – you will never know the thrill of being used by God to change a destiny! That day, Jesus cast a vision for Peter, your life is bigger than what you do for a living! Your life has more meaning that just living for yourself, feeding your family, getting your kids through college, retiring well, playing golf, being secure. There is something bigger out there for you! From temporary to eternal That day Jesus pointed peter toward living for eternity and not just today. Liz’s granddad – I missed my opportunity. Time on this planet is short. We just have one shot to get this right! All the things you see are temporary – when you get to the end of your life, what do you want your life to be about? The only thing that will matter – not homes, businesses, cars, vacations, titles, back accounts – only souls! The people you live next to – office with – rub shoulders every day – under your roof – are going to spend eternity in one of two places – heaven or hell. And God has called you to a greater vision of pointing them in the direction of heaven and steering them far from hell. Peter stopped just living for the now – started living for eternity Problem with churches today – editorial Story of man – changed his name to “all nations” – prison to reach people for Jesus From comfort to cause Jesus called people to abandon his own comfort for a higher cause He left his nets behind – he saw that this Jesus was no ordinary man. Peter fell on his face, away from me – thought he wasn’t qualified to be used. Flaws and all – rough as he was – ill equipped as he appeared to be – Peter was just the kind of guy Jesus was looking for. Jesus is still hanging out in boats of people’s lives calling them to a greater cause. He calling you too – just the way you are! Peter had not idea that day what was ahead of him on this journey with Jesus. It was going to be anything but boring! But this greater vision was going to cost peter. It does every leader! Moses – traded the comforts of Egypt for the freedom of his people Abraham – traded comfort to birth a nation Paul traded comfort of a successful career to spread the gospel Peter had his own sacrifice – incredible highs! Three thousand saved at Pentecost, miracles – lows, denying Jesus – Peter’s vision at the end of his life. No regrets At the end of your life – did your live it with no regrets? Play it safe or do something great for the kingdom of God? Possessions, temporary stuff, comfort – this is what most people live for Jesus is calling you to live for people, eternal, a greater cause This is what we are called to be! This is what we are called to do!
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