Just Walk Across the Room 4– Grander Vision Living

Three Seasons Community Church– 9-28-08

The greatest moments of our lives are when we have an eternal impact on people. We must always be ready, waiting and watching for those moments-- that’s "Grander Vision Living"

Luke 5:1-11 [Msg]

Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. [2] He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. [3] He climbed into the boat that was Simon's and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd. [4] When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch." [5] Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." [6] It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. [7] They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

[8] Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I'm a sinner and can't handle this holiness. Leave me to myself." [9] When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. [10] It was the same with James and John, Zebedee's sons, coworkers with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." [11] They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

What was Jesus trying to get the would be disciples to see?

Become fishers of men and women. Instead of investing your precious time and energy in catching six-inch fish, let’s go after the six-footers! I’m asking you to give up everything you have and everything you are for the sake of people’s souls. Come with me, and you’ll see what real living is all about!"

Was that invitation just for the Disciples?

Are you going to throw your one and only life into pursuing small fish, or will you risk tossing your nets out there in anticipation of catching the human-sized ones?

Are you going to dive headlong into the "Grander Vision", or will you be the type who settles for the lesser one?

In Grander Vision Living, the priority is always PEOPLE.

Matthew 5:16 [Niv] In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

The question is not does our light shine! The question is– In what direction does your light shine? Does your life glorify God or yourself?

Does living your life help point others to Jesus?

Why is Jesus so convinced that living the "Grander Vision" is the better option? This is the way his kingdom gets built!

The simple reality is that WE are a Christ Follower today because someone showed us Jesus love and kindness in practical ways!

The way you treat people will serve either as a magnet that draws them to God … or a deterrent to them ever coming to know him.

Jesus knew that if you and I would build a lifestyle around accepting people, getting to know people, caring for people, serving people, listening to people, embracing people, befriending people, exposing people to spiritual things … prioritizing people, we would never crave our old ways again. Simple as that.

Jesus always saw past what people displayed on the outside and saw the potential within!

What did following Jesus mean to Matthew? For starters, walking away from his business, his identity, his comfortable routine … not to mention his financial security. It meant that Matthew would be prizing—and prioritizing—the people he once swindled. He’d be looking for the potential good in them, rather than the potential vulnerability that he could exploit. Tax-collectors weren’t the kindest, most respected lot in those days. Much would be shifting for young Matthew now that Christ was in his life … much more than even he could imagine!

Luke 5:27-32

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, [28] and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. [29] Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. [30] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" [31] Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Temporary. Temporary. Temporary. Temporary. Temporary. Temporary. Temporary. Temporary...

"There is only one thing in this room that is not temporary, no earthly commodity is going to make it from this world into the next. Not land, not homes, not bank accounts, not titles, not achievements. Only souls..."

Don’t settle for just what you can see on the surface of your life. There is a whole, spirit-led universe of activity going on all around you … that you can tap into right now … today!

As we live our lives... where is our light shining? Are we pointing others do Christ through our simple mundane actions of living life? Or are we living for ourselves.

Can others see God in us? Do others praise God because of how we live our life?

Matthew 5:16 [Niv] In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.