LAUNCHING OUR FAITH

"Contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints" JUDE 1:3                       Edward Proffitt, Th.D. 

 

One day in ministry, Jesus solved a crowd problem -- He used Simon's boat as a pulpit. This separated Him from the people, placing Him high so all could see. With water and wind behind Him, an amphitheater effect was created carrying His voice to all the crowd.

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We do not know the subject of the sermon that day, but once He finished, Jesus quietly turned to the fishermen and said, "Launch out into the deep" (Luke 5:4).  Fascinating words aren't they! They have been quoted, preached, and used under varying circumstances.

 

The words "launch out into the deep" was a command that certainly sounded foolish to fishermen that had toiled all night at an occupation they were familiar with.  They were fishermen -- Jesus of Nazareth was a carpenter. The command seemed so foolish to Simon that he made excuses. He said, "Master we have toiled all night and have taken nothing" (Luke 5:5).

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It seems to me the nature of our generation is to make excuses. We see from human perspective, limited horizons and natural point of view; so, like Simon, we boldly tell the Master just what the facts are. How often have we all repeated the perfect excuse "Lord I tried". However, there is a bright spot in Simons' excuse, for he follows his doubt with faith.

 

It might have been diminished faith but there was something there that could be developed. Could it have been the Lord's presece on the boat that sparked faith? We don't really know, but what we do know is that Simon's faith came through. It came on the heels of doubt. it came in spite of doubt. It came unexpectedly as if forced from him by the very power of Jesus Christs presence, "Nevertheless, Lord, at your command, I will" (Luke 5:5).

 

To summarize what we have said;

1.God never makes foolish commands..

2. Humans are prone to make excuses.

3. Faith remains a possibility.

Faith can bring the unexpected miracle, if we pray make ourselves and our resources available and put our faith to action. Let's "launch out into the deep" for that miracle that God wants us to have.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    FROM THE PULPIT

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