WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.200 How are we all? Nice and dry. Must be new wine starting. It's just starting to rain. 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:09.640 Must be Christian festival time. 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:19.039 If your phone rings when you leave church and you've got this message, how would you respond? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.640 How would you respond? Would you answer straight away? 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:45.659 Hi Jesus, great to hear from you. I'm here now. I'm ready to do whatever you're asking. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:53.179 Or, oh, surely this can't be for me. It must be for somebody else. 00:00:54.100 --> 00:01:02.019 Or, maybe let it go to messaging, see what he wants first, and then I'll reply. 00:01:03.019 --> 00:01:07.780 Or, sadly, just ignore the call. 00:01:09.299 --> 00:01:16.460 Like many of us, I know a thing or two about God's call on each and every one of our lives, because we are all called. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:22.039 Vocation is a word that sadly became linked with ordination. That's not true. 00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:31.160 Vocation, nothing could be further from the truth, because we are all called into relationship with Jesus in our calling. 00:01:31.520 --> 00:01:35.460 And the word vocation comes from the Latin word, which actually means calling. 00:01:36.260 --> 00:01:41.680 And so, for the Christian, a vocation is not just something that God calls us to do. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:45.580 It is also the person God calls us to be. 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:47.980 That's what he's calling us into. 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:57.359 Every baptized Christian shares in this universal call to holiness and to be like and more like our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:05.280 So, clearly, this call of God on our lives isn't an exclusive thing for just a few people. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:10.000 It is for each and every one of us and how we respond. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:21.979 And maybe you recall a time in your life when you sensed that call or have sensed that call again and again and again in different areas of your life and on your life. 00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:24.840 Times may be when we were younger. 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:27.500 Times may be when we were towards middle ages. 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:31.819 Time now, as I move rapidly towards the new adventure. 00:02:31.819 --> 00:03:01.799 Times may be when we were younger. 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:02.699 In your life? 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:10.859 People telling you, maybe giving you words, Bible verses, nudging you, maybe reading something, Bible verses. 00:03:11.079 --> 00:03:12.340 Did you respond willingly? 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:15.219 Or did you put it on hold? 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:21.379 Was that call for you life-changing and life-giving? 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:27.400 And what difference did that call make to you and those around you? 00:03:27.740 --> 00:03:31.359 How did you quantify that call that God gave you? 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:35.560 Did your pulse race with zeal and passion when you heard that? 00:03:35.700 --> 00:03:37.380 Yes, Lord, this is it. 00:03:37.440 --> 00:03:38.200 I am off. 00:03:39.420 --> 00:03:41.720 Or was it more like submission? 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:48.480 In many cases, we become very humble with God's call. 00:03:49.140 --> 00:03:50.540 You know, why me? 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:50.620 Why me? 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:53.859 I think probably that was my response. 00:03:54.739 --> 00:03:55.780 Why me, Lord? 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:56.639 Why me? 00:03:57.419 --> 00:04:00.000 And suddenly you get that response back, don't you? 00:04:00.079 --> 00:04:01.060 Well, why not you? 00:04:02.859 --> 00:04:03.879 Why not you? 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:06.639 Because I know what you're capable of. 00:04:07.019 --> 00:04:10.799 Because I'll empower you, encourage you, enthuse you to do with what I'm asking. 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:23.639 You know, maybe we can understand more fully how these disciples that we've heard about in Scripture this morning, how they responded. 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:36.039 Because here they were, maybe just doing their everyday job to step, being called to step out of the boat into an adventure that they were being offered. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:42.120 Holy, trusting in Jesus, not knowing what the future has in common. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:46.720 And yet for our calling, so oftenly, we want it laid out in parchment, don't we? 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:48.899 This is what it's going to look like. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:50.280 This is what it's going to be. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:51.800 This is how it's going to work. 00:04:51.899 --> 00:04:53.879 No, they didn't know. 00:04:54.639 --> 00:05:03.319 These young fishermen on this day, Jesus has just come from being tempted in the desert, 40 days in the wilderness. 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:06.340 He is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:12.199 He is fired and fuelled for mission in the power that he is experiencing. 00:05:12.619 --> 00:05:19.279 He knows what this power-filled point in the world is, what is going to happen, and he starts gathering people. 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:28.219 And he gathers people, and there is Simon, Andrew, James, and John doing what they do in the everyday, fishing, 00:05:28.539 --> 00:05:34.179 when Jesus comes and changes the direction of their everyday life. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:38.079 He calls them into a new purpose. 00:05:39.100 --> 00:05:41.439 Come and follow me. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:46.340 Do people know our calling? 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:52.019 Do people know that calling on our lives, people around us? 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:56.660 Do they know that we've received that call to follow Jesus? 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:58.740 And what does that look like? 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:02.420 Have we told them, have we told the people we know and meet every day, 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:08.900 that moment in our life where we dropped our net, whatever that may look like, 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:15.060 to follow Jesus, to drop our security and follow him? 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:20.879 There was so much security wrapped up in what they did, in their roles and in their jobs. 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:28.620 Often it may mean having to leave something in dropping our net in order to follow Jesus, 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:30.540 whatever that might look like. 00:06:31.280 --> 00:06:35.819 As the hymn writer says, sometimes it means leaving all I once held dear, 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:39.819 built my life upon, all this world reveres in wars to own. 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:45.780 All I once thought gain, I have counted lost, spent and worthless now compared to this. 00:06:46.780 --> 00:06:51.879 Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you, there is no greater thing. 00:06:51.879 --> 00:06:56.240 There is something powerful when that call comes. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:07:01.800 Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:05.399 And if you notice the scripture, it didn't say, 00:07:05.819 --> 00:07:09.120 oh hang on a minute, I will think about this for a few weeks, 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:11.800 we will ponder, I will talk about it in my home group, 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:14.319 I will get some wisdom, I will do it. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:20.540 Immediately, straight away, they dropped their net and followed him. 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:23.000 What was in their mind at that point? 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:29.120 You know, I guess that thing must be, here I am, I'm an ordinary fisherman. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:30.040 What, me? 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:32.100 You want me, Jesus? 00:07:32.840 --> 00:07:34.120 To follow you? 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:35.700 Me? 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:39.800 You know, maybe, what did they sense? 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:45.080 But why did you call me to this thing that you're asking me to do, Jesus? 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:46.000 Well, why not? 00:07:46.340 --> 00:07:46.980 Follow me. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:49.000 Because I've chosen you, I want you. 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:53.140 These rough and ready fishermen knew how to fish. 00:07:53.460 --> 00:07:56.420 They knew in all winds and weathers, they'd been out there. 00:07:56.760 --> 00:07:59.980 They were not the top academics of the day. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:01.220 Be encouraged. 00:08:02.960 --> 00:08:04.000 Be encouraged. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:07.520 They were not the cream of the rabbinic society. 00:08:08.520 --> 00:08:09.400 Be encouraged. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:15.239 But what they were, is they were a committed part of the family business. 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:18.419 They were hardworking. 00:08:19.079 --> 00:08:20.019 They were loyal. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:21.599 They were responsive. 00:08:22.099 --> 00:08:23.219 They knew their God. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:25.839 Most raised in a Jewish household. 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:28.019 They were salt of the earth. 00:08:28.719 --> 00:08:29.179 Literally. 00:08:29.180 --> 00:08:34.240 Jesus called them with a purpose in mind. 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:37.279 As he calls each and every one of us. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:40.360 Have you asked him what that purpose is in your life recently? 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:48.240 has that been your daily prayer lord i know you've called me but what's my purpose 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:54.320 would you show me would you show me lord would you make it really really clear what are you 00:08:54.320 --> 00:09:01.800 asking me of me jesus has he revealed that to you and if so and he shows you are you ready to 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:11.219 respond to that call or as some people refer to it as the nudge of god and sometimes it is quite a 00:09:11.219 --> 00:09:17.539 significant nudge i can tell you for those of us who know that and many of us will in many parts of 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:23.759 our lives i guess there is no greater call in life than jesus to say come come and follow me 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:30.719 let's go on an adventure together have you heard that call are you hearing it now and if you haven't 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:37.100 are you listening and are you open to it the savior's call that steps out of the old life 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:45.540 into the new adventure and for many it is a new adventure trust me with your life rely on me know 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:51.560 my purposes for you take up your cross accept the sacrifice and there will be sacrifices 00:09:51.560 --> 00:10:00.700 because that's what following me brings and with the joy of all that experience that will not only 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:07.340 transform your life here in an eternity but will transform those around you if you choose 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:17.740 when we look in the bible we talk about the story of jonah i love the story of jonah jonah is there and 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:24.340 just park the whale for a little while could we just park the whale and just rewind a bit before 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:30.240 because there's jonah and he talks to all his people and he's in a certain community and he gives 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:35.160 them messages and he gives them lots of messages and he's happy to do that he's hearing from god all 00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:43.920 the time and then god says oh by the way i've got a job for you oh yes lord whatever it is i want you to go 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:54.719 to nineveh now nineveh in the time is the most godless city you could ever think of these people had no 00:10:54.719 --> 00:11:02.719 qualms at all of what they did how they did it and so jonah says 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:16.340 no where do we draw the line with god nineveh is where i draw the line said noah sorry jonah and you 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:24.259 see this thing with then jonah tries to run but i don't know there's a thing maybe that you've found 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:31.180 in your life it's that old quote you can run but you can't hide you can run but you can't hide from 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:38.359 the lord if he's got a specific job for you to do or a role and so he takes him and strangely enough 00:11:38.359 --> 00:11:49.359 as we get back to the whale this stinking smelling prophet of god sees a whole community come to know god 00:11:49.359 --> 00:11:53.359 and he's still not happy 00:11:53.360 --> 00:12:02.320 you know sometimes god will ask us to do things that are way way way out of our comfort zone 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:06.259 so where do you or where have you drawn the line with jesus 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:14.340 where have you drawn the line in that calling and said no no way i'm not going to do that i can't do that 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:23.980 and allowed god to actually encourage you and persuade you empower you enthuse you and excite you 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:30.899 into actually his purposes for that calling on your life maybe ask 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:38.940 i've often found really when you get that call for a specific thing we sort of barter with jesus don't 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:46.700 we really jesus have you thought of somebody else if you haven't i can give you a few names of people 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:52.860 because you know i've got a pretty good idea really you know that they're far more qualified than i am 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:59.040 to do this you know they've been around far more why don't you try them give them a call 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:04.959 they dropped their nets 00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:14.099 i suppose the basic question this morning is what's your net that you would drop if he asked you today 00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:20.959 what would be a net that you would struggle to drop if he asked you today to follow him 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:27.559 maybe it would be security maybe it would be money maybe it would be significance 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:33.099 maybe it might be status maybe it'd be a fear of looking foolish 00:13:33.099 --> 00:13:39.500 the first disciples and the followers didn't have a clue what each day would bring with jesus 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:45.879 they stepped out they dropped their nets and they went what jesus was about to do in them and through 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:52.459 them yet they stepped into a deeper relationship with jesus to experience the adventure are you up for that 00:13:52.460 --> 00:14:02.100 and to some it may seem foolishness scripture doesn't record the act the reaction of the fishermen's families 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:12.000 i wonder what that was you're going to do what you're going to leave the family business 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:15.159 to go and follow this itinerant preacher 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:17.539 you what 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:25.799 for many of our families who where we have experienced that call on our life we may have received that 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:31.240 we may have heard that but when the lord's call is that clear 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:37.919 i've put here maybe the fishermen's families um probably isn't in the bible because it probably 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:39.039 wasn't unprintable 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:46.159 but yeah like us these fishermen saw the attraction in becoming a follower of a jesus 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:52.000 and they followed an apprentice ready to roll up their sleeves ready to listen ready to learn 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:57.480 ready to proclaim ready to teach ready to support ready to encourage ready to empower 00:14:57.480 --> 00:15:04.980 ready to heal in the power of the holy spirit to be carriers of his message to see others becoming 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:13.180 followers and disciples there is no greater thing to make him known in their generation to show the love 00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:19.680 of god so many committed followers i meet are those who have had to leave something behind 00:15:19.680 --> 00:15:26.940 in order to fulfill the greatness and the richness the sacrifice in order to follow him and maybe 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.700 already you know the cost 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:33.640 many of you will have known the cost of what that is 00:15:33.640 --> 00:15:41.920 what the cost is of doing that and doing that and bless you if you have yet you will also know with 00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:50.460 that the power and presence of the holy spirit in that calling to enable you to do what he has asked 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:55.640 you to do to encourage and fulfill that calling and no one is excluded from this call 00:15:55.639 --> 00:16:03.360 nets are different for each and every one of us i'm going to end with a personal story and it is a very very 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:12.679 personal story when this white bit of plastic came out of the blue and we felt that nudge 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:20.679 mandy and i knew we had to sell our house as part of our call to ordain ministry it wasn't financial 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:28.939 but it was painful in our in our own eyes at the time nothing short of financial suicide 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:39.319 that's how it felt that house was our everything it was hard-earned it was our security our investment for our 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:48.439 children's future it was packed with memories yet jesus asked those first disciples to drop their nets and because we 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:57.120 know that when the going gets tough times there will be a temptation to go back to return to the old safe 00:16:57.120 --> 00:17:05.880 ways that we knew look in the scriptures the disciples did it for a short while i didn't know why jesus had 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:12.180 asked us to make this huge move to sell our house but i knew that it was part of the deal and it seemed like 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:17.220 total foolishness in human terms it's but it wasn't in god's economy 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:27.019 18 months later in my curacy i'd hit a bit of a disillusioned patch with the diocese's choice of a training incumbent 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:34.340 and i was on a training day in wales and i'd gone to have my lunch in the cathedral 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:46.459 whereupon stood next to me was a person who i had known extremely well in a previous career that i'm not allowed to mention here 00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:54.259 and he was stood beside me in the queue and i said um oh hello 00:17:54.259 --> 00:18:04.940 how are you what are you doing here he said oh i'm just passing through i said you're not you're not just passing through i said if i didn't know you better 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:12.259 you're here to bump me for a job aren't you he said i am you shouldn't leave your phone on we know where to find you all the time 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:15.819 and he offered me a job 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:19.859 he offered me a job to leave what i was doing 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:24.460 to return to what i had done before in a different capacity 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:27.920 with an extremely nice package to go with it 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:34.160 it says in scripture that the devil chooses an opportune time 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.640 to come and tempt you 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:38.460 and it'll always be at your lowest point 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:42.360 sometimes we have to drop our nets 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:44.980 in order not to go back 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.519 but to keep going forward with jesus 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:50.200 because if that day 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.579 i'd had 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.880 the house 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:57.920 i hope it wouldn't have been a different story 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:00.700 but i dropped my net 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:02.799 and there was no going back 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:05.840 just want to ask you 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:07.000 this morning 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:10.460 as we think about that 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:15.940 you realize that there is something you have to drop 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.420 today 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:19.039 in order to fully follow jesus 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:22.559 maybe there is a tug of the old world on you 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:25.160 maybe 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:26.500 that is doubt 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:26.940 fear 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.660 cynicism 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.900 financial security 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:30.740 what others may think of you 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:33.220 whatever that is 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:35.720 ask the lord to give you strength 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:37.220 to follow that call 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:40.680 past issues may be with the church 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.579 church politics 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.720 or the national church 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:44.819 holding on to past tradition 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.720 i can't 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:47.079 i can't move from here lord 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.920 maybe 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.880 ask him 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:50.880 what net do you want me to drop 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.880 in order to fully follow you 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.240 follow me 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:56.279 and i will show you how to serve 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:59.220 i will show you that call on your life 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.779 i will show you life 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.720 in all its fullness 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.259 you see 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.960 jesus doesn't 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.500 just call the qualified 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:07.059 he qualifies the called 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:12.360 open your heart and your life 00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:13.980 trust in the lord with all your heart 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:15.960 and lean not on your own understanding 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:18.299 it's all part of dropping the net 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:21.180 where is he calling you into life 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.480 in all its fullness 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:25.559 if you had this message today 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:28.460 what would your response be 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:33.360 as jesus was walking by the sea of galilee 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.519 he saw two brothers 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:36.019 simon called peter 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.079 and his brother andrew 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:39.339 they were casting a net into the lake 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.160 for they were fishermen 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.460 come follow me jesus said 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:44.279 and i will make you 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.920 fishers of men 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.660 at once 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:50.120 they left their nets 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:51.720 and they followed him 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:58.299 i'm going to end with a prayer 00:20:58.299 --> 00:21:00.180 an ancient prayer 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:02.400 from 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:05.039 ignatius 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:11.539 maybe you'd like to pray this with me this morning 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:18.360 take lord and receive all my liberty 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:21.140 my memory my understanding 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.600 in my entire will 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:24.480 all i have 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.160 and call my own 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:29.920 for you have given all to me 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:31.580 to you lord 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:33.000 i return it 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.120 everything is yours 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:37.240 do with it what you will 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:39.640 give me only your love 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.960 in your grace 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.720 for that 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.600 is enough for me 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:47.759 amen 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:47.779 amen 00:21:47.859 --> 00:22:03.200 the