AfterGlow 7/18/10
God's command on the mountain.
Matthew 17:1-5 NIV84
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
The calling of Simon Peter
Luke 5:1-11 NIV84
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Examine the process of God's calling in the above scripture
1.The Setting- People crowding around Jesus and listening to the word of God.
2. Peter's obedience to Jesus' request.
3. Jesus's miraculous act of grace.
4. The conviction of Peter
5. The call from Jesus
6. The response
Is there any difference in the calling process of God in today's world - attentive listening, obedience, witnessing of God's acts of grace, conviction through the Holy Spirit, divine calling and your response?
Is the transforming light of Christ shining through you in the midst of the darkness of today's world?
Are you a listener AND a doer?