1. Following Jesus… in Luke’s gospel True conversion Love for Jesus The power of faith The cost of discipleship Easter Sunday: He’s alive! The road to Emmaus Dealing with our doubts

3. We all love a good story Main character: Cinderella A problem: unkind family Potential solution: fairy Godmother & handsome guy Crisis: clock strikes midnight Ending: they lived happily ever after! We are wired for a happy ending; wired for hope.

4. God’s story. This is HIS-story. History! The divine rhythm of life. Main character: Mankind A problem: Separation from God Potential solution: Jesus, God’s son Crisis: Crucifixion Ending: Resurrection life

5. Luke 5: 1 - 11 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 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.

6. Luke 5: 1 - 11 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 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.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

7. Luke 5: 1 - 11 7 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. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken 10 and so were James and John,

8. Luke 5: 1 - 11 the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

9. Here we see Jesus impacting the lives of a bunch of guys. Let’s assume Peter was flattered when Jesus got in the boat. But as the day went on…

10. Put into deep water and let down your nets for a catch. v4 Peter has every reason to say no. He’s a fisherman; an expert. He’s been fishing all night – and they aren’t biting You don’t catch fish in the day!

11. True conversion? We can get stuck here… Pride – I’m an expert at my own life. Self sufficiency – I can manage thank you. Despondency – I’ve tried but nothing works. Apathy – why should today be any different.

12. What does it take for us to stop and let Jesus be the expert? There’s a difference between saying we trust God and actually letting him be expert. Things to hang on to… Jesus isn’t trying to make us look foolish. He’s not trying to catch us out. He really has stopped and noticed. He does follow through

13. So Peter takes a risk. It’s the ordinariness of his working day. He’s worked hard all night. There is no crisis. But because you say so… v5 Peter has seen Jesus at work; heard his teaching – but now this is personal.

14. Jesus will come in the storms. But he longs to come into our ordinary. True conversion? When we allow Jesus into our work, our schools, our family, our leisure. He comes into the ordinary of our life – the flat calm – and makes waves!

15. True conversion… Notice who throws the net over. Jesus works the miracle through Peter’s hands. Not just let go and let God but partnering with Jesus. Peter has invested in this. Different level of commitment.

16. There is a public aspect to this investment. His choice is noticed by his mates! True conversion is both a private and public thing.

17. True conversion… Peter’s relationship with Jesus changed. From v3 teacher to v8 Lord A significant change. Go away from me Lord: I am a sinful man. v8 Our closer proximity to Jesus is our closer proximity to God.

18. Acknowledgement of sin. A sense of unworthiness. A response of submission – he kneels. v8 Astonishment – as God’s Kingdom collides with our world. v9 Fear – the presence of God brings awe. v10 Jesus isn’t simply trying to catch our attention. He’s wanting to grow a deeper relationship.

19. This deeper relationship is signified by the place Jesus has in our lives. More than a good man More than a smart teacher More than our Saviour Jesus as our Lord: His authority higher than our own or any other.

20. And so we have a picture of the Kingdom of God. Abundance for him and his friends. Making something out of nothing. Jesus’ LORDSHIP at the centre.

21. True conversion… Follow me… v10 Peter leaves his past behind. A turning from one life to another. A new focus. A new path. A new purpose.

22. True conversion – a spiritual response. Knowledge continues to grow – Mark 8:32 We may still have questions - John 21 Jesus is ever present.