JESUS AND MISSION – OUR CALLING Penge Baptist Church 23rd January 2011

Luke 5:1-11 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 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. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 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.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled 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. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 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.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Three gifts we can give back Our lives – surrender. Our possessions – stewardship Our time and talents – service A key part of service is “mission”

What is mission? Something we are sent to do, as Jesus was Jesus’ mission was evangelism ““Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom….” (Matthew 4:23) But it was also meeting people in their need “…and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” PROCLAMATION and PRESENCE

The essence of Jesus’ mission…. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18-19) PROCLAMATION and PRESENCE

….and ours Jesus is calling us to the same mission as himself “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) As in the Great Commission: “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) And as his ambassadors: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20) PROCLAMATION and PRESENCE

Proclamation without presence “I was hungry and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health I was homeless and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of your God I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me You seem so holy, so close to God – but I am still very hungry and lonely and cold”

Our mission “The Spirit of the Lord is on us, because he has anointed us to preach good news to the poor. He has sent us to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (from Luke 4:18-19) Being salt and light in the world PROCLAMATION and PRESENCE

Calling the disciples “two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets….” “…..they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him” Focus of the disciples’ lives changed completely, from their concerns for themselves and their families to Jesus’ concerns for others And so must ours as we undertake his mission

Stumbling blocks to mission Not doing what he says “he got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore Not co-operating for the kingdom “they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled 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” Not having confidence in Jesus “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Thinking we are of no use to Jesus “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Fear “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Following Jesus’ call to mission