Eagle Mountain Assembly of God

Sermon Outline -07/11/10

THE ROAD TO CHANGE:  LUKE 5:1-11

God is in the business of changing YOU and I! - Don'ttake that the wrong way -  

the truth is, Weneed to be changed!

"If you continue to do what you have always done, youwill continue to be what

you have always been"

If you are tired of being or doing the "same old,same old," then this message is

for you

The changes that Jesus wants to make in us willalways be to move us forward in

ministry or service to other people

Our text is the account of how Jesus began the changeprocess for 4 fishermen who were destined to become world changers . . .

There are 4 STAGES in thispassage that are a part of the process by which

Jesus brings change in ourlives:  Frustration, Faith, Fear, andFollowing

1. THE FRUSTRATION STAGE  (5:5)  There has got to be more!

Our four fishermen were frustrated in their business,and Jesus the carpenter

told them howto fish!   They are unhappy with theirpresent situation!

It is very possible that the source of frustration inyour life today is from Jesus - 

you mayhave "caught nothing" by divine intent

This is a hard season - we fight the devil, try topray through, read books, talk

to people - we wonder "How can I get my peaceback?" 

Understand that it can be good to be frustratedbecause then you are more open

to catching a vision for change in your life

The road to change typically begins with some form ofpain - it may be a clue

that God wants to get your attention

2. THE FAITH STAGE  (5:5)  This is exciting!

Despite his frustration, Peter the boat owner made anincredible statement in v.5 . . .

Did Peter think he would catch fish?  Not really, but he believed it was

importantto listen to Jesus, so he put out into the deeper water, and dropped

his net!

Faith is defined by obedience - simply doing whatJesus says, despite how we

feel about it

When frustrated we are more apt to risk a step offaith that seems unreasonable,

and when we do, Jesus rewards that faith 

In this faith stage God stirs us, expands ourhorizon, sends people our way who

don't even know that they are God's voice tous - it gets exciting and hope rises

in us . . .

3. THE FEAR STAGE  (5:8,9)  I could never do this!

After the miracle catch you can almost hear Petersay: "Wow, this is big!"  

At the faith stage we are searching for what Godmight be doing in our lives, but

in this fear stage we begin to see what God isup to - reality sets it - "this will

change my life!"

We also find that our flesh begins to cry out becausechange bumps our comfort

zone - What about this? and this!?

What if it doesn't work?   What if I fail?  Whatwill other people think?  Do I

reallyhave the time?   Can I afford to doit?   These are all "giants" we must

defeat if we are to occupy new territory (go on the missions trip, start that

business, revitalize your marriage, etc.)

It boils down to this - Whose voice will webelieve?  Jesus - who says come

followme?  Or our flesh and its fears with 101reasons why we cannot change?

4. THE FOLLOWING STAGE  (5:10,11)     I'm going to do it!

We begin in frustration, move to faith, wrestle withfear, and hopefully finish by

following

Those boats and nets represented security, income,and identity, but the

fishermen changed course and priorities and started fishingfor men with Jesus -

and changed the world!

God doesn't change us for change's sake - He alwaysredirects us to the same

place - loving people, building relationships, andpursuing the Dream He has

put inside us!  

We need to understand that this is a repetitiveprocess - stepping out to follow

Jesus may produce frustration again - itdoesn't go like you thought it should!

Sometimes we bounce between faith andfear

This life is from "faith to faith" - ever growing,always changing, moving

forward in Jesus

Conclusion:

Our destiny in Jesus is to serve people onearth.  If you are not doing that to the

extent that God intends for you, you are probably experiencing frustration

If so, it is time to move to faith - "God what are you doing in my life? I'm ready

for change"

You may be in the fear stage - you know change is what you need, but you are

facingmany giants who tell you it isn't going to happen - whose voice will you

listento?

If you are in the following stage today, then rejoice but understand you may

stillbattle frustration and fear - don't lose sight of your dream!

The Take Home: 

Change is not easy, but it is better than living infrustration and out of God's

will.  Willyou allow God to speak to you about areas of your life that need to

bechanged?  He has a plan for you!