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To Become Like Jesus

As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret. He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him. Luke 5:1-11 CSB

Jesus invites everyone to…

See him. We become what we behold.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” Luke 5:8 CSB

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit 2 Corinthians 3:18 CSB

Be with him. We practice being two places at once.

Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. John 15:5-6 CSB

Live like him. We enjoy his life as we embrace his lifestyle.

“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him. Luke 5:10-11 CSB

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. John 14:27 CSB

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Step away from distractions and give God a few focused moments as you dive deeper into the weekend message. Notice in the Luke passage that Jesus asked the disciples to do something that did not make sense to them - and even though it didn’t make sense and may have even insulted their competency as fisherman, they obeyed him anyways. Where do you find yourself fighting against obeying God fully, using the rationale that what he’s asking of you doesn’t make sense? Culture or our own minds can tell us one thing while often God tells us the complete opposite. And yet, obedience is what God is after. What mindsets or motives make it difficult (or even impossible) to follow Jesus completely? What needs to change? Our desires? Our heart? Our discipline? Jesus enables us to become like him as we spend time in his truths, in his presence, and in practicing his ways. In Luke 5, as Peter’s nets were overflowing, he was confronted with his own sinfulness. How do you tend to respond when Jesus surprises you? What “fish” are you holding on to that inhibit the fullness of obedience to Christ? Spend time offering those to Jesus, asking him to change your desires so you can fully surrender to his call to follow him. Be intentional about abiding with him, particularly in the small things, practicing his presence with you throughout your week. Thank Jesus for being faithful to you, even when his call seems contrary to what makes sense.

Discussion Questions

  1. When you were a kid, who did you want to be like when you grew up? In what ways has that changed as you have gotten older?
  2. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What are some of the practical things you do to keep your eyes on Jesus so you can be more like him?
  3. Read John 15:5-6. What drives or motivates your desire to stay connected to Jesus?
  4. Read Luke 8:11-15. What do you find most often overpowers your desire to connect with Jesus and what practical steps can you take to overcome it?
  5. Read Luke 5:1-11. What are some of the things you have left behind to follow Jesus? What has clung onto you that you still need to leave behind?
  6. Read 1 Corinthians 11:1. Who can you invite more deeply into your life so you can show them who Jesus is by showing them how you live?