Sunday Morning Podcast December 27, 2015. Bro. Dave Goble.
How are we to understand the language of heaven? How does God speak to us? There are certain things that help facilitate this to happen. Consider that languages are also affected by cultures. Being able to speak the the language of heaven, (the culture of holiness), means being fluent in God. This helps to locate where we are, and to help us to keep fluent in God.
TEXT:LUKE 5:1-11
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Jesus had entered Simon Peter’s boat to teach the people. When Jesus was done, he requested Peter to launch out into the deep, to let their net down for fish. Peter replied that even after all the night, they had not caught any. Yet when he obeyed Christ to let down the net from the other side, they caught so many fish, that the net broke. They then shared the load, between that boat, along with another of their partner’s, so much, that it began to sink them both. Peter then in fear, knelt down in worship, declaring his sinful condition, and that he was not worthy of the Lord’s presence. Jesus replied, to him, (along with the other soon to be disciples), to fear not, and that soon they would be fisher’s of men. Peter through this, was learning that even tho once sinful, it was possible to have his attention held by God, and “to learn His language.” This is Christ’s purpose, ..to save and satisfy the needs of souls.
But if a soul is satisfied in self, that one is really not in a position to listen and learn of salvation, to know the language of God. The language of God, is one that will draw souls to Him. The language of God, (or of heaven), will teach you the need to be saved out of sin. Just as with learning a foreign language, you must then study and also apply yourself to become fluent in God’s language. We first come to God acknowledging our lost condition. In these scriptures, God had been drawing on Peter heart, (and the others soon to be disciples), to make them aware of their sinful condition. Peter had been meditating on his soul’s need to change. Here was his opportunity to be fluent with God. Each of us come to the same place of self examination and must choose either to submit to God, or deny His invitation.
Has God also drawn upon your heart? Like Peter, a feeling of shame and fear will come first, when considering whether you are going to give your heart to God. Shame that you might be misunderstood in how to speak about God. Fear that you won’t be able to be saved. Shame that in sin, you are unworthy of God’s presence. But none of us, of itself, are worthy. All when honest, realize their lost condition without God. We are only made worthy when God offers to us the choice to be saved, and that we then choose to be fluent in Him. Jesus makes it possible for all to communicate and walk the paths of God. Romans 1:16 says For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Why would Paul say this? Because he had gotten past the shame, to then repent of sin, to speak the language of God. We must all move past the shame and fear, to embrace and become fluent in the language of God. This means we will desire and choose to be like those we see living like Jesus. Holy in the way we act, talk, dress, etc. Jesus is still calling sinners to leave all to follow Him. To become fluent in God, so that there’s nothing else you want to know.
We start out as nobody, but learn the language of God. To be fluent in God. What’s your desire?