The Call of Jesus to be Fishers of Men

The Crowds Pressing in to Hear the Word of God

Well, good morning beloved, please turn to the gospel of Luke chapter 5 this morning as we'll be reading and preaching from Chapter 5 of Luke verses 1 through 11 when you have that please do stand for the reading of God's Word again.

Luke chapter 5. Starting in verse 1. Hear ye this morning the word of the Lord. On one occasion while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the Word of God He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.

He saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's he asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the people from the boat when he had finished speaking.

He said to Simon put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch and Simon answered master. We told all night and took nothing but at your word. I will let down the nets. When they had done when they had done this they enclosed a large number of fish and their nets were breaking.

They signaled to their partners and the other boat to come and to help them and they came and filled both the boats So that they began to sink. But Simon Peter saw it and fell down at Jesus knees saying depart from me for I'm a sinful man.

Oh Lord. For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that had they had just taken and also and so also were James and John the sons of Zebedee who were partners of Simon and Jesus said to Simon do not be afraid.

From now on you will be catching men and when they had brought their boats to land You left everything and followed him. This is the Word of God. You may be seated. Let us pray father. We do come before you In the name of Jesus Christ our beloved Savior.

Asking Lord that you'd work in us that which is pleasing your sight edify us built us up in the inner man Lord help us to turn our hearts our attention to Jesus this morning. Lay aside every sin. Every high and lofty thing that may so easily entangle us and to keep us from thy sovereign grace and will.

From hearing that which you've laid before us in your Word and father We do ask that you now give us the power by your Spirit to not just be hearers of your Word But also doers that we too can respond to the call of Jesus Christ To be fishers of men unto the glory of the one true and trium God Father Son and Spirit.

Amen. Well church here we are in a gospel of Luke chapter 5 and in this gospel narrative of Luke we're learning more and more how Jesus is the center of Redemptive history that at the heart of Jesus message is God's kingdom breaking into the world.

Through his life and his ministry his eventual death his burial and his resurrection. That God is breaking into humanity. God is breaking into the world with a new thing with his kingdom and Now at this junction of Jesus's life He is now calling others to participate with him in this kingdom work of catching souls men women and children for the kingdom of God on This occasion it says in verse 1 while the crowd was pressing in on him.

Why were they pressing in on Jesus? Because at this point Jesus had already begun his miraculous ministry. He was healing the sick. He was beginning to relieve those who were oppressed by demons. His ministry was catching much fervor in the land of Israel.

And at this junction people were pressing in on him because they wanted to hear the Word of God that he preached. So once you're following in today's notes in the insert this morning early in the ministry of Jesus the crowds pressed on him to hear the Word of God.

Can you imagine for a moment what it looks like to be part of a great movement? Maybe some of you are young or old enough to have maybe gone to a campus crusade for Christ. Maybe you went to a Billy Graham rally.

Maybe you've gone to another preachers rally where hundreds or thousands of people gather to hear this one preacher preach. I Imagine the excitement that would have been surrounding this man Jesus of Nazareth as people are hearing about the miraculous works.

See his works and they want to hear him preach the Word of God and so much other there. They're pressing in on him. The crowds are gathering around him and the masses are coming to because they want to see what he can do.

They want to hear his words and they're standing by this lake. And it says that he it says in verse 2 and he saw the two boats by the lake. But the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.

Jesus Turns from the Crowd to the Fishermen

Jesus early in this ministry is preaching God's Word. But Jesus turned his attention from the crowd to the fishermen. Once you notice that I want you to write that in notes as well. If you're following along Jesus turned his attention from the crowd to the fishermen.

Why does Jesus turn his attention from the masses to the few. Why does he turn his attention to to to those who are pressing in on him to hear the Word of God to the lowly? Fishermen Is because Jesus knew this in order to best serve the many he must first serve the few.

In Order to serve the many one must first serve the few. Jesus understood that in order to have a movement that would be successful that will take over the world as it has today. You need to focus not just on the masses, but on the few who are willing to work.

To the few who are willing to press in and share this good news with others. Jesus knew that in order for this movement to survive in order for the masses to be well served He must first make disciples.

He must first make disciples. Think about him for a moment about what that word means disciple. It means a learner pupil someone who sits at the feet of a teacher or a master and Jesus knew that though the crowds were clamoring to hear him.

Though the crowds were anxious to see what he could do hear his words in order to best serve them. He needed soldiers of his cause. He had fishers of men who would come and Teach the Word of God and able to catch the masses that were going to come to him which is why again we see in the in the in the scripture here in Verse 3 getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's he asked him to put out a little from the land.

He sat down and taught the people from the boat. So he takes the few. He takes the fishermen he says can I he allows them to. The fishermen allow him to commandeer his his boat so he can go and he can preach from the water to the masses.

And he's doing so he's doing this for a purpose. He's demonstrating something in verse 4 as we have finished speaking. He said to Simon put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch a Lot of times today preachers will use some Some improvs or some props in order to teach.

Jesus is like the master at this. Jesus not only teaches in parables. Which is a picture or a a way of of communicating that would be common to the people of their day. He also uses this this very powerful imagery of these boats on water.

He says I've got fishermen here, and I want to show the crowds how you fish. I'm not sure about you. I've never been fishing. I've lived in a fishing town before called surgeon Bay in Wisconsin very well-known fishing town.

And I've known a lot of fishers a lot of fishermen. But I myself have never actually fished and I could tell you right now if someone told me okay now put your nets out. I'd like oh, no. This is gonna be embarrassing.

How embarrassing is this gonna be that I'm gonna have to fish in front of this crowds in front of Jesus. Especially with what the disciples are just about to tell him it says in verse 5 Simon answered master we toiled all night and took nothing so what they're saying is like Jesus like we've already we've tried this already.

We've gone into the water. We we've been fishing all night. We've gotten you haven't catched anything so. You sure you want to do this? But they respond with this they say but at your word I will let down the nets.

Now Jesus we tried us ready we know we're not gonna catch anything. But if you say so if you command us if you want this we'll do it. Think about the faith that is required in this action. Here is the fisherman Jesus not a fisherman.

He's not a fisherman. He's probably comes from a household of carpenters and You've got the professionals on one side saying Jesus. We've tried this. You know we're the professionals we know what we're doing but If you say so if you command us if you called us, we'll do it.

We'll do it in life and in our circumstances. Sometimes we'll be confronted with similar situations where we think because of our position. Because of what we've done because of our experience we may know a little bit better than Jesus.

Like Lord, I know you want me to do this, but I've done this before and it hasn't worked. Or Lord. I know you you call us to do certain things in your word. But but I've been doing this and it has been working out for me.

Are you sure this is what you want? Are you sure this is your will? Beloved we will always constantly have this internal battle of Discerning for ourselves, what is God's will? And I've shared you before This secret to understanding God's will.

First and foremost it should be what does it remember? What should it be? Search of a bee. It should be biblical and These men these fishermen who are hearing Christ hearing his words and Jesus says do and they do what?

What he commanded it is always biblical to listen to hear and do the Word of God. Do the word do what the master requires of you and in that you will be in his will whether you Fail or whether you succeed you can be in God's will if you listen and you obey these fishermen listened and Obeyed the words of their Lord and Jesus commands Simon to cast his nets once you write this in the notes Jesus commands Simon to cast his nets though Simon spent all night with no reward he obeyed the word of the Lord.

You see Simon again was a professional fisherman. This was his trade. This was his job and Jesus. And this was not Jesus's world. This was not his his profession. This was not his trade. Simon though not fully understanding obeyed the word of the Lord and we must do likewise.

Obedience does not always call us to know what's on the other side. It doesn't always require us to know what's on the other side. Whether it's success or failure, but I promise you this beloved on the other side of obedience is always blessing.

I Want you to hear that again on the other side of obedience is always blessing. God always blesses those who obey. Now the blessing may look different for every person. The blessing may often even sometimes seem like a curse in the eyes of the world.

But God always promises blessing on the other side of obedience and obedience requires faith. More than it requires your understanding just because we may not understand. Just because we may not always comprehend does not mean that we should abandon faith.

But we hold on to faith. Even when times are difficult even when times are bad even though we've been laboring all day all night, and we have no Recollection or no idea how we're gonna get through the day or through the month or through the year.

But we trust we hold fast to that which God has said in his word. Trust in the Lord and as the proverb says lean not upon your own. What? Understanding. Because our understandings are they're limited.

We don't always see the full picture. Oftentimes we don't and neither will we maybe until the other side of eternity? But God being the sovereign God that he is knows all things from beginning to the end.

All things are into his purview all things are within his sovereign hand all things are according to his deed and will. Therefore we can trust and faith is an action of trust. We are trusting in another just as these fishermen are.

Hearing Jesus saying do this and though they've been laboring all night, and they're the professionals. They think they have it all together. Jesus says do and he promises them blessing on the other side.

These disciples did just what the master required. See and know this beloved. Sometimes following Jesus doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Amen. Can I we just be real for a second. Sometimes following Jesus doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Delaying personal pleasures. Delaying personal profit. Delaying self-gratification. Sometimes doesn't feel good. Doing what God requires? Sometimes doesn't make me feel good or look good. Sometimes following God's Word and his law and his decree.

Doesn't always give us the results that we're looking for. Sometimes following Jesus Doesn't make a whole lot of sense because We cannot see past our previous outcomes. We can't see past our previous outcomes.

But where there is Jesus and where Jesus is there's always a new and a better way. Indeed this Jesus is our way maker. He's the way the truth in the life. If you have Jesus know this. That your outcome will ultimately always be blessed these men.

Who out of faith? Listen to the master although toiling all night and took nothing at his word. They let down their nets. Verse 6 says this and When they had done this they enclosed a large number of fish in their nets.

We're breaking. Now why is this a miracle? Why is Jesus using this as an example not just for those who are in the boats? But for those who are on the beach who are observing this Jesus is demonstrating Two things primarily one that he is Lord.

That he has supremacy over every area and aspect of life. Although he's not a fisherman he commands the fish amen. Though he's not a engineer. He commands the engineers though. He's not a a Professional architect he is the one in charge of all of architecture.

Jesus is in charge of everything and at his command at his decree all Things work according to good for those who are called according to his purposes and those who love God amen. He is ultimately working good, and he's also demonstrating this.

That at his command there is a plentiful harvest to be won at his command. When we listen to Jesus when we do what is required by faith? He will bless us with an abundance. Scary concept I know. Don't get confused as I often tell you with the abundance of Christ and the abundance that is supposedly preached by prosperity preachers.

This is two different concepts. Because true abundance isn't always material. True blessing isn't always that what you can have and fit in your back pocket. True blessing is the harvest of souls of men women and children for the kingdom of Christ.

That's the harvest. That's the blessing and Jesus is using this picture of the nets of these fishermen of these boats of the great harvest that is about to happen upon the face of the earth of Men women and children coming to know this Jesus and in inheriting eternal life through faith in his name.

Again verse 6 when they had done this they close a large number of fish. Simon caught a huge amount of fish demonstrating his call to be an evangelist. What you write down in notes. Simon caught a huge amount of fish.

Demonstrating his call to be an evangelist. In contrast Simon apart from the Lord was searching for a catch. In the darkness of night notice what he had said previously he had been toiling all night and took nothing yet under the light of day.

Under the light and the illumination of Jesus Christ his working which he was doing in vain. Ceaselessly had now brought fruit. Through the direction and faith in Jesus Christ. Again in contrast Simon apart from the Lord was searching for catch in the night in the darkness of night.

Reminding me of what John 9 4 says where Jesus says this I must work. The works of him that sent me while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work. Life apart from Jesus is indeed like living in the dark.

It's like living and toiling and working in the dark with no true light no true illumination. No true good outcome. We may get some things done, but ultimately it leads to darkness and separation. In Jesus we have light and illumination in Jesus our work has meaning our life has meaning all the things that we do that we suffer through that we toil for.

That we work for. Ultimately has true meaning and purpose apart from Jesus. Simon is in the dark of is in the night of dark working aimlessly. But in the light of Christ he receives a catch for the ages.

Simon then finds himself with more catch that he could dream of. Because of his obedience to the Lord while walking in the light of day. It's in walking in Jesus. Listening to the master doing as he commands that we will get the catch of our life.

That we will get the blessing the abundance that he promises us even here in this analogy of scripture. What does Peter do. What does Simon Peter say and do. Verse 7. They signal to their partners in the boat and the other boat to come and help them and they came and filled both the boats that They began to sink.

Not only was the catch big enough for Simon Peter. The catch was so big was so incredible was so bountiful. They need to get other boats alongside him so they can share in the catch brothers and sisters.

This is the kingdom work of God. This is the kingdom of God in action that sometimes Walking in faith Requires us to get our nets ready. To prepare others also for the work to bring others alongside us.

So that we can partake in the greatest catch and the greatest harvest work in the history. That work of making disciples for Jesus Christ. I'm often reminded of this text of scripture in a song that is not song not sung in this church not sung in this tradition typically, but I went to an all predominantly black church at inner-city Hartford many many years ago and This church was a church.

That was so lively. Which was just just incredible and the song that they sung has always stuck with me. And it was a song called get ready for revival and it says open up your nets get ready for a catch.

Get ready for revival. And I loved that song and I love accompanying it with this Scripture because at the heart of what Jesus is talking about here is revival of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Infiltrating the hearts of humans.

Coming into people's lives Illuminating them with the light of the gospel of Christ so that lives are changed and transformed and as one life is changed and transformed. So another and so another and another until the whole world is filled with people who are praising the name of Jesus.

And that day is coming brothers and sisters. It's prophesied in Isaiah chapter 2 that the whole world Will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the water covers the very sea that the whole earth in unison will come under the dominion and knowledge and Lordship of Jesus Christ and all things will be under his dominion and power forever.

That day is coming soon brothers and sisters and today we are observers of that fact even later on as we observe a baptism again. Isn't it been isn't it been neat that almost it seems like week after week after week we've been seeing a baptism.

This is part of that catch. This is part of that revival this part of that work that Jesus was alluding to that We will have in latter days we will have in these days in which we're living in a time in which people will come to a knowledge of the Savior and be transformed and Washed not only outwardly with water but inwardly with the water of the Word of God that's the promise and That is what Peter was partaking in here when he was also bringing others into this catch so they even began to sink.

So much of a blessing that they begin to sink down reminds me of Psalm 23 that God's blessing is like a cup that is running Over and runneth over that's a spiritual blessing the spiritual abundance that comes with knowing Jesus Christ.

Peter's Confession of Sin Before the Holy Christ

And I love Peter's response in verse 8. Notice what he says. But when Simon Peter saw it He fell down at Jesus's knees saying depart from me from a sinful man. Oh Lord. You know what Peter's doing at this moment?

He's recognizing the lordship and the sovereignty of Jesus. He says this Jesus Though not a fisherman was able to command the seas themselves that they obeyed his command. And at his obedience and Simon's obedience He was able to reap the blessing of Christ's sovereignty of Christ's power working in nature in the lives of his people.

This Jesus is wonderful this Jesus is awesome, and he's also holy. Peter is struck by the holiness of Christ the separateness of Christ that he can command even nature itself. And he responds with this confession depart from me move away from me Jesus because I'm sinful I'm not worthy to be part of this work.

I'm not one counted as righteous enough to be in your presence. Oh Lord because he recognized Not only the holiness of Christ, but the holiness of the call of following Jesus Christ. He says depart from me echoing the very words of The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 6 where the prophet sees the Lord Seated on a throne on high Seeing the cherubim the seraphim singing holy holy holy is Yahweh Jehovah of hosts the whole earth is filled of his glory.

Then he and it's so much so impressed was the prophet in that moment. He says woe am I? For I am a sinner, and I live and I'm a man of unclean lips. I live amongst the people of unclean lips. He understood that at that moment.

He was faced with pure holiness. And at that moment the prophet understood that he was a sinner it was a atheist by the name of Christopher Hitchens. I got to meet him once when I worked in the at a forum called the Connecticut forum in 2009.

I think it was 2008 2009. I got to meet this this this famous speaker and I was one of the people who on the back end helped moderate a debate between him and a Jewish rabbi and a So-called Christian pastor he was not much of a Christian his theology was akin to that of a heretic.

But yet we were able to have this conversation with him and one of the things that Christopher Hitchens was known for saying Was that if God is real? And if I die and at this moment he had cancer and so he knew that his life was was short.

And Christopher Hitchens of you know side note the guy smoked like you would never believe. In between every break he'd be lighting up a cigarette which he dies later of cancer. And he says often and famously and especially in this debate in which I was a part of.

He says you know if God is real, and if I die and go to heaven so what? You know what I'm gonna. Tell God. I'm gonna say child cancer. I'm gonna bring up all these things that you have that God has Allowed to happen that God has permitted to happen.

And I'm gonna shove it and rub it right in his face and say you can't hold me in accountable. I'm gonna hold you accountable. And the rabbi and the Christian didn't really have anything much to say to that and they didn't have a good response.

And in reality. Just as for a short few years later Christopher Hitchens dies of cancer and he faces his maker he faces his creator. And I bet you Before he could even get a word out He is met by pure Unadulterated holiness.

And it's at that moment of encountering true Powerful holiness that man can only respond with two things either complete silence or complete admission of their sinful fallen states and As the prophets and as Simon Peter encountered true holiness They counter with their mouths the true confession of who they are woeful Separated sinners how then Can sinners be made right with God?

How can sinners who are separated from this holy? Magnificent Creator God who is so transcendent so other worldly. How can we come and approach this God? The prophet Isaiah is example and Isaiah chapter 6 He needs an intermediary an angel the Lord comes to him.

Takes these tongs puts these coals of fire from the altar of God places it upon the unclean lips of the prophets and God through that instrument infuses holiness to the prophet Isaiah. So that the man of unclean lips can now speak clean holy words from God in the example of Simon Peter.

He is not he is one who acknowledges himself as a sinner before the Lord. And how does he now become an instrument to be used by the Lord to speak the true and holy words of God? Is because God's instrument in this instance is himself through Jesus Christ that Jesus can now come into the life and hearts of believers touch the very lips and the very heart of the sinner and make them holy.

Jesus Imputes his righteousness to you and to me and therefore men women and children of unclean lips and unclean hearts can be made clean and Speak the true words of God that is only possible through saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the only way but which we can be made right with God so that unclean people unclean lips can be made clean and Jesus Transforms the hearts of men and women such as Simon Peter. To now not just be a sinful man.

But a man who is used to catch other men women and children for the kingdom of Christ. This is good news. You're following the notes. Peter falls at the knees of Jesus acknowledging. He's a sinful man again.

Similar to the prophet Isaiah when he saw Jehovah of hosts in verse 9 of Luke chapter 5 It says for he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken and So also were James and John sons of Zebedee who were partners of Simon and Jesus said to Simon Do not be afraid.

Afraid. From now on you will be catching man. Notice the assurance that the Savior gives Simon Peter just gets a glimpse. Just a small glimpse of the glory majesty sovereignty of Christ. And at that that was enough that was sufficient to make Peter confess his sinfulness before him.

It also grow in fear because of the miraculous power of Christ, but Christ responds with these assuring words Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. Beloved. I don't know what you're going through in life.

I don't know what challenges you're facing right now, but I assume many of us have unknowns difficulties. Challenges things that must be overcome things that we don't know how we're going to resolve. But I want you to know that if you walk the Savior if you know Jesus Do not be afraid.

Don't be afraid. Trust in him know him rely on the power of his grace and the power of his resurrection. To bring even dead things back to life. That's the power of our Savior, that's who our Jesus is.

He's the God of revival. He's the God of all things that he is sovereign over all things. Therefore do not be afraid. Why. Because he's going to turn your despair into a mission. Your despair your challenges are going to be used for God's purposes.

To fulfill his purpose and to fulfill his mission for you. And for his kingdom the men were astonished not just by the huge catch. But but but of the clear divine call. I want you write this in the notes.

The men were astonished not just by the huge catch. But of the clear divine call Jesus had for them by saying do not be afraid. From now on you'll be catching men. That's the call. Jesus is not only quieting their hearts because of the of the miraculous nature of what had just taken place but because of also the immense enormity call of Ministry to be fishers of men.

He's saying don't be afraid. Because I'm gonna be with you. Last night Simon you were tolling all night. You were fishing all night, and you didn't get not even a single catch because apart from me you can do nothing.

But with me all things are possible. That's the call of the Savior. Trusted him know him walk in him and leave everything else to follow him. Notice the radical call discipleship the radical call of ministry here that is taking place.

These fishermen these men of Who have families who have businesses who have have things to take care of they're being called by Christ and There's Jesus says do not be afraid. If you were called outside of your vocation Outside of your comfort zone you'd likely have a lot of reason to be afraid.

But Jesus is calling. He's calling men women and children to be fishers. Fishers of men to be proclaimers of God's kingdom. Do you trust him? Can I tell you this church that you are also at this moment right now being called?

You're being called to obey him. You're being called to go out into the world and be a witness for Jesus Christ. Jesus says as he ascended to the Father, but you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem Judea and to the ends of the earth.

He wants you to be a witness of his death burial and resurrection. He wants you to be a witness of his kingdom. Will you answer the call? You say Pastor I'd like to. What does that mean for me? What does that entail?

How will that affect me? What would that mean for my life? Well, here's the call simply put God is calling you to be a disciple a learner. Who is now? Who in turn teaches others to be learners to be disciples?

Jesus wants you to be his hands and feet in this fallen and broken world and to share the light love the illumination of Christ gospel everywhere you go. Essentially what he's calling you to be is a preacher a herald of good news.

This world so desperately need good news. Amen. This world so desperately needs Good news because we turn on the TV and it's always bad news. Every time we look in social media more bad news every time we get a phone call, maybe bad news.

The world needs good news and guess who has it. You do. Every single one of you who treasures and has Jesus Christ reigning as Lord in your hearts. You bring with you good news, therefore. Don't take that treasure That light and put it under a basket so that no one sees it.

Put it at the highest pedestal of your life of your heart of your mind of your mind and let it come forth. So that others may hear and see the gospel in your life. Amen. Let it look at that light. Shine like that song says right this little light of mine.

I'm gonna what I'm gonna let it shine. I'm gonna let it shine. Let that light shine the light of the gospel of Christ. Let that light shine so that you too can be counted among those who are called fishers of men.

Leaving Everything to Follow Jesus

Notice how this verse and others this teaching ends here in verse 11 when they had brought their boats to land they left everything and followed. They left everything and followed. These men left behind their businesses or livelihoods worldly possessions relationships to follow after Jesus.

And what a shame. Because some of us today in a modern-day life and Christendom can't even get out of the couch or be bothered with kingdom businesses and. Yet there are those here in Scripture who gave up everything to follow him even still.

There are those today who have given up everything to follow him and yet many Christians can't even get off the couch. Can't get even getting be bothered to come to church. Can't even be bothered to share their faith and yet.

Here's the call brothers and sisters if you want to be a disciple of Jesus. If you want him in the blessings of abundance that comes of knowing him. Here's what it'll cost you. Everything it'll cost you everything it'll cost you everything.

That's exactly the call to John to Simon. To James this was the call to leave everything behind your profession your worldly passions all things that you have in life and come follow me a nomadic preacher.

Who has nothing to offer you physically, but has everything to give you spiritually and the promise of eternal life. That's true abundance. That's true blessing. And brothers and sisters let it be known That indeed it will cost you everything to be a disciple of Jesus.

It'll cost you sometimes. Opportunities at work. It'll cost you at times. Friendships, it'll cost you at times peace at home because the gospel at times is a sword which causes division even in homes.

It'll cost you at times. Advancements it'll cost you at times. Money, it'll cost you at times things that are precious to you. It will cost you. It's costly to follow Jesus, which is why I said at the beginning of the sermon sometimes.

It just doesn't make sense to follow Jesus from a worldly earthly perspective but in losing everything. We truly find all That we ever needed because Jesus is enough and Jesus Was enough for Simon Peter.

He was enough for James. He was enough for John. He was enough for the rest of the twelve. He was enough for the hundred and twenty that were converted at Pentecost. He was enough also for the three thousand that will later to come for the five thousand that were added and for every single Christian that has ever been born again and saved Jesus is enough.

Jesus is enough for you today. Regardless of your trials regardless of your outcome regardless of what you're going through. Can I tell you he's enough? Therefore. Somebody asked the question. Do we really need to leave all of our earthly possessions behind to follow Jesus?

And the answer is not always. But sometimes yes and be prepared for that be ready for that. It's been already two three times in our family life. Where we've answered the call and what did it cost us?

Everything. First time we were called to ministry in Canada. We can only fit that which we could fit in our little car at the time. It was a Ford Taurus. What we can fit in that car was what we took with us and we left behind earthly possessions.

Friends family went to a place that we knew no one. We had no friends no connections. And we went and we served the Lord there for four years. Served two churches. Baptized dozens of people has saw the Lord do Incredible things because we obeyed and it cost us everything.

But what did we get in return? Everything. Everything. Same time again, we left Canada back to the United States now moving from country to country isn't easy. And sometimes you leave things behind and again, we only were able to take now at this point.