Mars Hill Baptist Church

Are you a thankful person? This month, many people are sharing with friends what they are most thankful for. I am thankful for a Savior that loves me, who gave his life for me. Be thankful for what God has done, and is continuing to do for you every day, not just this month. Put God first in your life, and you will never be last.

Our pastor, Bro. William Short, was out sick this Sunday, and we were glad to have his son-in-law, Bro. Tyson McClean stand in for him.

Bro. Tyson’s message was taken from Luke 5:1-11, a very familiar passage to most of us: Simon, James, John and Peter had been out fishing all night, and had not caught even one fish. They were cleaning their boats and nets, getting ready to call it a day; then Jesus asked them launch out into the deep and let down their nets. Simon told Jesus they had toiled all night, but nevertheless, at his word, he would let his net down. When Simon did as Jesus asked, his net was so full of fish, it started to break and the boat began to sink. He had to call upon friends in another boat to help him with the catch, it was so great! When Simon Peter saw the great catch, he fell down at Jesus’ feet saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Oh Lord.”

When we do what Jesus asks, it always works out just right. Wait on him, wait on his timing, be patient and do his will. The results will overflow your life with abundance! As a Baptist, we sometimes tend to put off till another day what Jesus would have us do today. If some of us had been out fishing all night and caught nothing; were dirty, tired and hungry, would we have told Jesus to wait till tomorrow? If we did, we would have missed a blessing.

There are consequences for not doing as Jesus asks: missed blessings, troubles in our family, job stress, etc. We are accountable for what we do, as well as what we don’t do, for Jesus. When we throw out our nets for Jesus, and give to him all the glory and praise, we reap blessings. The increase will be more than your boat can hold. So why aren’t we casting out our nets and bringing in the harvest? Mostly because we let ourselves get in the way. Most of us want recognition for what we do, a pat on the back, or an “atta boy” from our friends.  We think of ourselves as number one, putting ourselves above our Heavenly Father. But when we get things in order—God first, family second, other things third—and do things God’s way, the increase is so much it flows over to others. When things don’t work your way, try God’s way. God will help us do what he wants done.

We can do nothing without God. We are not the ones who deserve a pat on the back and recognition for a job well done, but God. To God be the glory, honor and praise! It is all about Jesus, and not about us. We should praise no man, because man will let you down. Do the right thing for the right reason, and give glory to God.

In verse 8, Simon told Jesus to depart from him. Simon felt unworthy to be in the presence of Jesus because he was a sinner, but Jesus didn’t leave when they reached land. He told them not to be afraid, and that from now on they would catch men, not fish. Simon, James, John and Simon Peter left everything they had and followed Jesus. Church, it’s time for us to cast out our nets and bring in the harvest; bring them in to Jesus. Amen.

Please pray for our pastor this week, that God will restore his health. Pray for our church, the sick, the lost, the hurting souls, our schools, our children, our troops and our government. God is good, all the time! Amen.