Deep water is not a place where folks choose to venture. But God calls us out to it, to go over our heads, and discover. Isaiah's calling is way over his head, and Jesus tells Simon Peter to go deep and discover. What deep are you being called to?
It's fair to say that our nation is in the deep water these days, trying to figure out who we are and where we're going. It isn't the first time; remember the 60s and 70s? It's a process that takes time to sort out, but we don't like this place of deep water, the uncertainty, the lack of familiarity. We like our ruts and routines and are satisfied with the outcomes which they produce.
Isaiah's day in the Temple when he has this astounding vision of being confronted by God may have been like an ordinary Sunday at the church worship service, expecting the usual thing until it's (finally) time to go to brunch. Instead, God has Isaiah shaking in his boots, unsure about what's coming next, but pretty certain it isn't going to be good. He gets surprised and discovers something powerful about being in deep water with faith in God.
In Luke, we hear how Jesus is teaching, but we never learn what he is teaching. Jesus realizes that being in a boat just off-shore would be a better vantage point for communicating with the crowds. But none of that is the point - it's coming.
When he is finished, Jesus instructs Peter to go fishing in the deep water. Peter complains that he has already been fishing all night and there is nothing to be caught today. But Peter humors Jesus, gather his nets back up, and goes back to work. Out in the deep water, Peter makes a discovery similar to Isaiah.
Explore the deep water with the sermon video below and discover what it may offer you.
It's fair to say that our nation is in the deep water these days, trying to figure out who we are and where we're going. It isn't the first time; remember the 60s and 70s? It's a process that takes time to sort out, but we don't like this place of deep water, the uncertainty, the lack of familiarity. We like our ruts and routines and are satisfied with the outcomes which they produce.
Isaiah's day in the Temple when he has this astounding vision of being confronted by God may have been like an ordinary Sunday at the church worship service, expecting the usual thing until it's (finally) time to go to brunch. Instead, God has Isaiah shaking in his boots, unsure about what's coming next, but pretty certain it isn't going to be good. He gets surprised and discovers something powerful about being in deep water with faith in God.
In Luke, we hear how Jesus is teaching, but we never learn what he is teaching. Jesus realizes that being in a boat just off-shore would be a better vantage point for communicating with the crowds. But none of that is the point - it's coming.
When he is finished, Jesus instructs Peter to go fishing in the deep water. Peter complains that he has already been fishing all night and there is nothing to be caught today. But Peter humors Jesus, gather his nets back up, and goes back to work. Out in the deep water, Peter makes a discovery similar to Isaiah.
Explore the deep water with the sermon video below and discover what it may offer you.
| 02-10-19-sermon.mp3 |
| 02-10-19-ff-answers.pdf |
| 02-10-19-get_into_deep_water.pdf |