Life Swapping

Life Swapping

Luke 5:1—11

INTRODUCTION

The quarterback who has just guided his team to the National Championship, the CEO of a corporation who has just taken his company public with great fanfare, a Presidential candidate who has just been elected by a landslide, these are all modern examples of what took place in the life of those men involved in the miracle of the great catch of fish. Imagine being "at the top of your game" and giving it all up for a life of uncertainty. Jesus calls all men everywhere to repent and whether you are at the top of your game or hitting rock bottom, his way is the best way.

MAIN BODY

I. Fishing All Night (A Fruitless Life) (Luke 5:1—5a)

A. The "status quo" leads to empty nets.

B. A gentleman once wrote Marilyn Voss Savant with a question about life. Ms. Voss Savant is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records Hall of Fame for highest IQ, and has a regular column in Parade. This particular inquirer said his life was “more exhausting than he ever imagined” and wanted to know, “Is this normal?” Marilyn told him his life was indeed normal and then gave the following analogy about life. She said, “Much of the time, life is like going through the airport steering a loaded luggage cart with one bad wheel. Sometimes you just feel ridiculous, sometimes you actually look ridiculous, and sometimes all you can do is just try to push it in generally the right direction.” She’s right, life is often hard so don’t waste your time wondering if it’s that way for others, or wishing it wasn’t that way for you. Parade, Oct. 12, 1997, p. 8

C. 1 Peter 1:18—19

II. Working Smart (Luke 5:5b—10a)

A. The answer is not in working harder it is working smarter.

1. Sometimes we need to simply "do" and not question "why."

2. John 5:30

B. Don’t be afraid to admit you’ve been wrong.

III. Try the Other Side (Luke 5:10b—11)

A. Similarities between this and the post-resurrection occurrence.

1. The same group of fishermen

2. The same luck.

3. Cast your nets on the other side.

B. There is nothing to fear in following Jesus. (John 14:1—4, 27)

1. Ann Landers receives an average of ten thousand letters each month-nearly all of them from people with problems. She was asked if there was one predominant theme in the letters she receives. She said, "The one problem above all others seems to be fear. People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones. People are afraid of life itself."

C. Become a "Fisher of Men" (Mark 1:17)

Mitchell Skelton, Minister

Midway church of Christ

http://www.TheLordsWay.com/Midway