Unity in Community

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“One day as Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God…”

Luke 5:1

This is an amazing scene in Scripture. Jesus, God in the flesh, is preaching a sermon as people are going about their daily business. Some are mending their nets getting ready to fish while others are bartering over the catch of the day. Mothers are carrying babies on their hips while hollering at the straggling toddler trailing behind enamored with this preacher.

What was Jesus preaching about? Luke never tells us. But the author does reveal it was a sermon getting people’s attention. They weren’t sitting in pews watching someone on a stage. They were being drawn in by this captivating word of truth. “The kingdom is near” is one of my favorite sermons Jesus preached. People were beginning to crowd closer and closer to this preacher. They were trying to hear what he was saying. Closer and closer the crowd drew, closer and closer to the water’s edge Jesus was pressed.

“[Jesus] 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.”

Luke 5:2-3 Unfortunately, Simon Peter’s boat was sitting unused. He and his crew had

“fished hard all night” with nothing to show for it. Yet had they still been out fishing, Simon Peter might have missed the most transformational experience of his life! It was a miraculous catch for the crew after the preacher finished his sermon.

Following Jesus requires being ready. When we are captivated by the world or reluctant over loss we stand to miss the opportunity to listen for the word of God. Make sure your boat is ready when the Master calls.

Jonathan Sullivan is the pastor at First Baptist Church, 1201 Western Circle Dr., in Dimmitt, Texas. Small groups meet on Sunday morning at 9:30 and Worship is at 10:30. Check us out at fbcdimmitt.com for more events and times. You belong at FBC.