Luke 5:1-4 (NKJV): “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. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’”

I Want To Take Some Time This Morning To Repair and Prepare The Church For The Harvest. There are too many shallow folks out there, No depth to them whatsoever. They get Offended by everything, they don’t receive anything, they are cranky, crabby, mean and rude–no fruit. I don’t want to leave until you understand that we Must Go Deeper. “Deeper” is a Greater Depth from the Surface Area. 

Are You Available For The Master’s Use? Let Jesus Step Into Your Boat.

Ephesians 5:18 (NLT): “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 

Will You Follow the Master’s Instructions? Push Out Into The Water.

John 14:15 (NLT): “If you love me, obey my commandments.” 

Are You Willing To Launch Out Where It’s Deeper? – Let Down Your Nets.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NLT): “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us

that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.”

Luke 5:5-7 (NLT): “’Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.’ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, (and soon) both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.”  

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT): “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’” 

When You Go Through Deep Waters, I Will Be With You. —–> Internal

Depth: You Can Tell Depth through Dialogue, Luke 6:45 (NLT): “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” 

Pressure: Pressure Reveals What’s In The Package.

Distance: The Deeper You Go, The Less Shallow You Are. 

When You Go Through Rivers of Difficulty, You Will Not Drown. ——> External

Rivers – More Than One – Different Kinds of Difficulties

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT): “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” 2 Corinthians 4:18  (NLT): 

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 

When You Walk Through The Fire of Oppression, You Will Not Be Burned Up; the flames will not consume you. The Enemy Oppresses. Oppression is: prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control. We Will Not Burn Up and We Will Not Be Consumed!

In Closing: Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV): “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.” Therefore, if the Lord hates those things; He must love these things: a humble heart, an honest tongue, hands that help the innocent, a heart that plans good things, feet that run to do good, a true witness, and one who sows peace and unity among brethren.

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Rev. Bryan A. Tomes 

Crossroads Community Church 

www.crossroadsconnects.com