AVAILABLE FOR JESUS. [The Ministry of Availability] Every Christian has a MINISTRY TO SERVE the Lord. Tanong: Available ka ba sa Kanya? kapag TINAWAG ka ba ni Lord, available ka ba? Ano ang sasabihin mo? “Yes, Lord! Available na available ako.” Luke 5:1-11 "Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him." Problem to many Christians today are their AVAILABILITY to God. Do you not know that the most important ingredient of Success in Christian life is becoming available to God? I know everyone of us is aiming for the success! Let’s see here how Peter became successful in life because of his availability for Him. I. PETER’S BOAT WAS AVAILABLE FOR JESUS (vs.2-4) “He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake, …And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ’Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’" Jesus used Simon’s boat… Why? Because it was AVAILABLE! It was ready for the Master’s use. Simon was willing to give of what he had for the Lord! Note: Boat may represents all what we own: Our Abilities, Talents and Possessions/ Resources "God does not ask your ability or your inability. He asks only your availability." WHAT IS THE KEY TO PETER’S SUCCESS? He’s just got make his boat AVAILABLE. He just lend what he has, then, God helped him to "go deeper and further with Him." What he did FIRST is, he let his small gifts make available for Jesus. Are you available for Jesus? I mean, are your willing to let your gifts and possessions available for the Master’s use? First, Peter’s boat is available, then- II. PETER’S NETS WAS AVAILABLE FOR JESUS (vs. 4-6) “When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered and said, ‘Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.’" What else Peter has and available? The NETS! Jesus didn’t tell him to use what he didn’t have. SO, Jesus tells him, “Put what you have and available for use.” note: The NETS represent our source of living, our businesses, jobs, and our careers. -Maybe you don’t have very much. God is just asking for whatever available, whether small or big for his use. KUNG ANO MERON SA IYO! Example: BUSINESS -If you have business, let your business available for Jesus. Don’t let it hinders your ministry. Don’t make it an excuse not to serve God! Remember, Peter lets his boat use by Jesus to preach the Word! But make our business an opportunity to share the Good News of salvation. Example: WORK -If you’re working and you are always tired and busy. Don’t make it an excuse to become unavailable for Jesus. The Lord will not bless you. Instead use your job/work as an opportunity to serve Jesus. First, Peter’s boat, then, Peter nets and then- III. PETER’S LIFE WAS AVAILABLE FOR JESUS (v.11) - LIFE represents of our SERVICE TO GOD. "When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him." Now, notice the story. Peter understands that when his boat and nets have been available for Jesus some miraculous things happened. He then thought that what is more if his very own life has been available for Him! So, with this experience Peter humbled down to Jesus!(verse 8). He found out that if he gives to God all what he had, including himself and make it available for Him, Jesus will bless him more and more! - napag-isip-isip niya, kung ibinigay niya ang Bangka at lambat…hindi mabilang na isda ang dumating. Eh paano pa kaya kung ibigay niya ang kanyang buhay kay Jesus…baka MAS MATINDI pa dito ang dumating na BLESSINGS! Jesus give Peter a good and much stable job and a bright future. Jeremiah said: `For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, `plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (29:11) Peter now has a new career, he will be catching men rather than catching Fish! Jesus wanted him to go from the LITTLE things to the BIGGER things: to be AVAILABLE IN SERVING GOD! PROMOTED! Look at what happened to Peter: PETER, on the Day of Pentecost, 3000 souls saved. He became a true fisher of MAN! He became successful in his new career. Previously he was failure, but because he became AVAILABLE, he finds success in life. He became the GREATEST WORKER and APOSTLE of the Lord! CONCLUSION: We can learn some valuable lessons in this story: • When the Lord asked your boat, make it available for Him. • When the Lord asked your net, make it available for Him. • When the Lord ask your service, be available for Him. ............And he will bless you more! I repeat: “God does not ask your ability or your inability. He asks only your availability.”
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 23:03:13 +0000
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