1. Today’s Scripture: Morning Meditation: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
“Bring In Others”

2. Luke 5: 1 – 11 “Bring in Others”
One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. 2 Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he finished speaking to the crowds, he said to Simon, “Row out farther, into the deep water, and drop your nets for a catch.”
5 Simon replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets.”

3. Luke 5: 1 – 11 “Bring in Others”
6 So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. 7 They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Leave me, Lord, for I’m a sinner!” 9 Peter and those with him were overcome with amazement because of the number of fish they caught.10 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, were Simon’s partners and they were amazed too.
Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be fishing for people.” 11 As soon as they brought the boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Jesus. CEB

4. “I will make you fishers of men”

6. Has Jesus come to you?
Has Jesus entered your everyday life?
Have you felt that Jesus is your Master so that you kneel before him?
Do you know that Jesus accepts you even though you feel unworthy?
Have you begun a new life that leaves the old life behind?
Do you see first hand that Jesus is Good News from God?

13. “America’s Four Gods.”
31.4% believe in The Authoritarian God. God is involved in the world but God is mostly angry about human sin and ready to pass judgment on sinners.
24.4% believe in The Distant God. God is the cosmic force that launched the world but God doesn’t pay attention any more. The world is on its own.
23% believe in The Benevolent God. God has standards for people to follow but God is mostly forgiving and wants us to care for each other.
16% believe in The Critical God. God does not like what’s happening in the world but God will not get involved. God will not help and God will not judge.

14. What can we do?
Pay attention to your experience of God so you are ready to tell your story.
Let the Bible Story help you.
In our culture, it’s best to start by first taking an interest in what the other person believes.
Ask, “What do you think about God? How is God part of your life?”
Take care to listen. Don’t worry about correcting the other person’s ideas.
Listen and pray. Remember, God is already at work drawing people.
Don’t contradict the other person’s belief.
When the time is right ask, “Would you like to know what I believe?”
Don’t teach doctrine. Talk about your experience. Don’t try to prove anything. Don’t come off as an expert.