2021.09.05 What Does Usefulness Look Like

Text: Luke 5:1-11 Opening Statement: Everyone wants to be useful - to be helpful, to make a difference, to make an impact, to leave the world better than we find it. No one wants to squander their life. To waste it in foolish and trivial pursuits. We want to make that investment that will make an eternal difference. To champion a cause. To bring a little kindness. To promote a needed change. Even if it is only one person at a time, we want to make a difference. I) A Journey to Usefulness Begin with an Act of Obedience (5:5) As Simon sat there spell bound, Jesus quickly brought his lesson to a stirring conclusion and said to Simon, "Let's go fishing. Launch out into the deep and let down the nets." Notice that Jesus is not suggesting obedience; he is demanding it. "Jesus," Simon hesitated, "we've been fishing all night. But, because you say so, I will do it." Now before you say in your head that was great for Peter but what does that have to do with me? I say, everything, God wants all of us to be useful right where we are. The question to ask is do I want to be useful and what does it look like for my life? II) Moving Yourself Beyond Wastefulness to Usefulness (5:11) Found in this story are some truths and insights that will help us to move beyond wastefulness (everyday living) to usefulness (life more abundant), to make a difference in our world. The key is obedience. A) Obedience leads to true freedom For the Christian, freedom comes through yielding our will to God and obeying a set of rules. Jesus stated it clearly, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). B) Obedience demands that we take action We must always remember that hearing is not the same as action. Peter had heard the message of Jesus. He was a captive audience. But Jesus as with all of his listeners desired for him to do more than simply listen. He wanted him to act. Someone has well said, "What I believe I do, and the rest is just religious talk." C) Obedience causes us to move out of our comfort zone (5:8) God's call to obedi