It’s been really hot in Vannes this week, above 30°. At those sorts of temperatures, even our apartment which is made from stone gets quite warm.
Josh is with us and has been completing some important jobs including painting the apartment and doing some demolition work in preparation for the kitchen which is ordered for installation in September. The week has had its trials with the toilet infeed pipe breaking and flooding the bathroom, quite stressful but Josh was able to find a new and better replacement connection, so we thanked the Lord he was with us when that happened.
Very nearby to us though is Lac Étang au Duc, a peaceful place to go and walk or sit. A breeze blows across the lake, and in the shade of the trees, it’s a very pleasant place to be on a hot summers day. We were astonished to see a creature a little bit bigger than a cat that looked like a beaver sitting cleaning itself on a rock. Mhairi found it was in fact a muskrat. Also in the lake are many different types of fish including rainbow trout and pike as well as eels. You can fish there but we haven’t seen anyone doing that, the fishing is better in the Golfe de Morbihan. And if there are other people talking on the other side of the lake, their voices are magnified across the water.
I hope you enjoyed Matariki holiday last weekend. Today we will continue our series at the point where Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him. If you remember last time, Jesus had been in Capernaum preaching, healing the sick and casting out demons. He had said that he needed to move on from Capernaum around Galilee « to preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. » The disciple Peter’s family originally came from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), but during this early period of Jesus’ ministry, Peter was known as Simon and living in Capernaum where he and his brother Andrew were in partnership with two other fishermen, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist so he heard John preaching to prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. And last time you will remember that Simon had witnessed Jesus heal his Mother-in-law of a fever. Simon would have already been interested in what Jesus was saying and doing as many others were. He was probably one of those who didn’t want Jesus to leave Capernaum. But Simon’s life was changing, and he would not be the same person anymore. Even his name would be changed to Peter!
Luke 5:1-3
So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
Can I borrow your boat? It started off something small, but did Simon realise what he was letting himself in for. That’s the way things often start with the Lord. He wants to see if we are willing to help, to go out of our normal way. I’m sure that after a long night's fishing, Simon was ready to rest for the day, but the Lord asked Simon to take him out a little way from the land. That required an extra effort, some overtime, one last push for the day. Simon said YES. He was available to do what the Lord asked him to. It was a sliding doors moment. Jesus went out to speak to the multitudes in Simon’s boat on the water. Sound travels very well on water. Sound moves at a faster speed in water (1500 meters/sec) than in air (about 340 meters/sec) because the mechanical properties of water differ from air. Temperature also affects the speed of sound (e.g. sound travels faster in warm water than in cold water). So, Jesus speaking using the natural amplification of the water could be heard very clearly by the multitudes. They were so interested to hear what he had to say, things that they had not heard from the other teachers in the synagogue. Not new things but a clear explanation of the Word of God. It is easy for a teacher to say what a crowd wants to hear but Jesus didn’t teach like that. He often said challenging, difficult things but the people were amazed. Yes, many on the crowd were there for the miracles only but many were there with their ears open, ready to learn.
Luke 5:4-5
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus told Simon to go further out into the deep and let down his nets there. Literally go to the deep end. We don’t know if Simon was afraid to go out there that late in the day. He just seemed to think it was a waste of time.
Experienced fisherman know the best places to go and at the best time of day. When you’ve been doing something for a very long time, you gain the experience of what to expect in any situation. Red at night, shepherd’s delight, red in the morning shepherd’s warning. Often, we settle into a life where we know what to expect. We get comfortable. Sometimes we get a surprise that shakes our world. So, you’re going to be taken by surprise when things suddenly change and you’re most likely not going to be prepared for it.
Luke 5:6-9
And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;
When they listened and obeyed what Jesus said they got a big surprise. The net was so full of fish it was breaking, and they immediately needed help to haul in the catch.
Simon realized what a miracle this was and was astonished. At the same time, in the light of the holiness of Jesus, Simon was suddenly confronted with his own weaknesses and shortcomings. What he thought he knew, he didn’t. He was shaken. It was terrifying to be out of control. He had no experience in managing such a large catch. He had to quickly adapt to the new situation. He did what he knew. He called on his fishing partners to help him. I think the miracle was personal for Simon. Jesus reached Simon with something that would be meaningful for a fisherman. the new situation called for a complete change of his life not a makeover.
Luke 5:10-11
and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
The Lord’s plans are much greater than we think. And see they had to forsake all to follow him. They would not be able to continue to live the same old life as before. There was no other way of taking on the new life than to get rid of the old life entirely. That has been Jesus’s call to many people down through the ages. You can’t make both things work, leave your nets and follow me! We all have our safety nets. Could be a relationship. Could be money. Could be a job. Could be our ability to think on our feet. But Jesus calls us to leave our nets and follow him. Will we trust in ourselves or will we trust in Jesus. It’s as simple as that.
Life can change in a flash; there is no time for hesitating when Jesus calls you. Don’t miss the boat.
Here in Europe, they are worried about many things. About the economy, about their finances, about their health and now about World War III. People know the politicians don’t have the answer. There are many voices claiming they know the right way. But the Lord says to all of us, “This is my Beloved Son, listen to him” and “Leave your nets and follow me”.
There are more people willing to listen now than ever. If 100 extra people turned up at PCC on Sunday because Russia invaded Israel and World War III looked like it was going to break out in the Middle East, and then the Lord destroyed the Russian Army on the Mountains of Israel as prophesied in Ezekiel 38, we probably would not have enough Communion Juice and Coffee for morning tea let alone be ready to run evening services, kids and youth, home groups to teach them about End Times ! The real question is, would we be able to change tack, to use a boating term. Or would we say, sorry we’re just not geared up for this!
Sunday’s in Vannes are quiet except for the sound of Church bells. It’s quite a contrast to Saturday which is Market Day, the day for Rugby and Football matches and people staying up late on Saturday night at the many restaurants and bars in the town.
People don’t get up until quite late on Sunday morning, so the roads are quiet.
Almost all shops are closed except the supermarkets which close at lunchtime.
Sundays are always a proper rest day and family day. Do you remember when New Zealand was like that once upon a time?
I wonder how many people in Vannes appreciate or even know the meaning of Pentecost and the reason for a national holiday on Monday? It’s a hangover from when France was a Christian country even if most people aren’t aware of it. France has got this right and hopefully they will never go down the path New Zealand took. Peace and quiet on the Sabbath is part of God’s plan for us. These are the good days to worship the Lord.
Today we’re going to look at the next passage in our series from Luke 4:31-44 and consider one of the positive attributes of living in God’s Kingdom which contrasts starkly with our World today – Peace.
I came across this passage this week which speaks of The Peace of God’s Reign.
Isaiah 32:16-20
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, Though hail comes down on the forest, And the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
Righteousness brings peace, quietness and assurance but is righteousness reigning in New Zealand today? Not by God’s standards that’s for sure. If we asked a man in the street if he would even want to see righteousness reigning in New Zealand, what do you think his response would be?
A song we like to sing at PCC « Shout to the Lord » is based on the following verses in Psalm 98:4-9.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.
The Psalm says make a joyful noise to the Lord – shouting joyfully, singing, trumpets, horns, roaring, clapping. It is normal to make a noise when you are happy. So I don’t think a Church service should be like a library. It’s ok to make a noise but note it has to be joyful and it has to be to the Lord! I thought about Rock Music, it’s often very loud, and in some cases, plainly just a cacophony of guitar, drums and wailing. I could be proved wrong but I don’t think it’s possible to have Christian Heavy Metal.
This verse tells us that the seas roar, that the rivers clap their hands, the hills be joyful. Nature can be very beautiful even when it is loud. Musicians love to crank up the volume but when there is loud noise in a Church service, it needs to be;
In order
In harmony - the drummer can’t be doing their own thing
Joyful
To the Lord and not drawing attention to themselves.
Note one more thing in this Psalm. The Lord will judge the World with righteousness. And that righteousness will bring peace, quietness and assurance as we have already read earlier.
Luke 4:31-32
Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.
Following his rejection by his home town of Nazareth, Jesus took his ministry teaching to Capernaum, about a day’s walk away and began teaching there on the Sabbaths. Sabbaths were quiet with no distractions so a very good day to listen to the Lord. And when we really listen, we also can be astonished at what the Bible says. Things that we had not considered before. The Word of God is very deep if we make time to listen. A good preacher speaks with authority, with confidence and clarity because the Holy Spirit brings to mind scriptures as they speak. It’s exciting to hear truth revealed !
Luke 4:33-37
Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with aloud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
The man in the Capernaum synagogue had the spirit of an unclean demon and the demon was trying to disrupt the service with a loud voice. It exclaimed Jesus as the Son of God but it was very disturbing to the congregation. Jesus told the demon to be quiet. It was out of order and Jesus cast it out of the man.
Demons try to distract people from the Lord by making a noise and doing things out of order, creating a disturbance. When this happens during a church service as it did here in this passage, it is a deliberate attempt to prevent the people listening to the Lord. Distractions can come whenever we pick up the Bible to read it as well. The Devil hates us to hear from the Lord. Resistance through gathering together and through prayer will beat the Devil. It is disturbing to think there are people in church who have brought demons in with them but it was very common in Jesus’s day and do we think it’s any different today. It may be much worse.
How does that happen? There are many ways that a demon can enter someone and make them unclean. Through idol worship, through the occult, through drugs, through sexual sin, through unforgiveness that leads to hatred, even the love of money. Our eyes, our ears, our mouths even our heart are all doors so we need to guard what we let in. Every day we need to have our spiritual armour on, without it we are vulnerable because of our own weakness and the Devil is a roaring lion on the prowl on the lookout for the weak to prey on. What are we watching and listening to or tasting. It’s a serious question to ask what or who is the origin. There are people making music today that cast spells on their songs to bring them success. Be careful!
However, the good news is that as we can see here, a demon cannot continue to occupy a person in the presence of Jesus. Our prayer for every PCC service is that Jesus by the Holy Spirit is present to drive out evil. Come Holy Spirit!
See how excited the people were when the demon was cast out of the man. The good news travelled fast at what had happened. This is part of the Gospel, that Jesus has victory over the Devil. There is peace and security in the presence of Jesus. He is our righteousness that brings peace.
Luke 4:38-39
Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.
How we get physically sick is by bugs entering our bodies through our eyes, ears, mouth, any orifice to put it crudely. We know this from modern medicine. It is the exactly the same with spiritual sickness.
Jesus has authority over the bugs as well as the demons. When Jesus commanded the fever to leave Peter’s mother-in-law, immediately it did. Jesus has all authority not just spiritual authority. The Church must preach the full gospel. That’s why we pray for anyone who asks because Jesus has authority over both the physical and spiritual realms.
Luke 4:40-44
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ. Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
The next day after ministering to the crowds, Jesus headed for a deserted place, somewhere quiet. After ministering to people, you too will find you need time to rest and recuperate. Everyone in ministry needs to do that. It’s the same with our jobs. If we’re not taking rest on Sundays, we’ll soon burn out. As a nation, New Zealand is risking the health of it’s people by being open 24/7.
Finally, Jesus had to keep moving on from Capernaum to preach to the other cities as well because that was what the Father had asked him to do. Sometimes a congregation can get so comfortable with a good preacher. It’s human nature to do that. We don’t like change when things are going well as it was in Capernaum. I’m sure there were many people who questioned why Jesus was leaving. Why leave now when the ministry is going well and people are coming to to the Lord. No one wants a good thing to end. But the Lord wants to reach people in other places that haven’t heard his message. The mantle would be handed to those who had received his message in Capernaum and were called to carry it on there. The Lord is always looking for faithful people in a town to carry on the work that he started there.
It’s very easy to get comfortable listening to a good preacher, but the Lord wants us to practically apply the teaching in our lives.
James 1:22-25
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
They reckon that one of the best ways to learn is to teach others. That is especially true with the help of the Holy Spirit who the Jesus promised leads into all truth. In fact, when Jesus left the Earth, he said it was a good thing that he was going away because then the Holy Spirit would come. So, when the Lord entrusts us to carry on his message, he doesn’t leave us on our own, he sends the Holy Spirit. That is what Pentecost is all about and why it should be celebrated.
John 16:5-15
“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
It was natural that the disciples felt sad that Jesus was going away, just like the people of Capernaum were sad at him moving on to preach in other cities.
But Jesus sends us his Holy Spirit to help us. He doesn’t come to condemn but to convict the World of it’s sin. God is very gracious, he wants us to feel shame at our sin and to change our ways. He wants us to be convinced of his ways, of walking in righteousness which brings peace. He wants us to realise that judgement is coming if we will not repent. His conviction is to help us turn away from the path that leads to Hell. We don’t’ have to go there, where there is noise and no peace.
Jesus has a lot more he wants to tell us than we may be ready for now. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. That’s exciting! All we have to do is keep a humble heart and our ears open. There are many opposing voices in our World today but there is only one voice that we really need to listen to.
Luke 9:35
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
