Bible studies for February 2003
Study 3 THE RESPONSE OF FAITH
Luke 5:8-11
The
Saviour’s abundant provision
generated in Peter the response of faith. After a fruitless night of
toiling, Peter knew that the tremendous catch was nothing but a miracle. His
response of faith was two-fold - a saving faith followed by a serving faith.
He left sin with its ruin to follow the Saviour with His reward. He left his
search for fish to commence a seeking for men. Every christian is saved to
serve. May we never be like the man whose epitaph read “Saved but useless”.
May we be comforts in our neighbourhood; a refuge for the fearful; a comfort
to the sorrowing; a source of hope to the despairing; a balm for the
hurting; the Saviour’s hand of help to those around us. Luke 5:8-10; 18:13; Psalm 51:1-5; Romans 7:13-25; 5:1-8; 8:1; 10:9,10; 3:23; 6:23; John 8:1-11; Acts 9:6; 1 John 1:9
Every miracle experienced by the sinner
is a testimony to the Saviour’s love for the lost. However, its purpose is
to lead the sinner to repentance (Romans 2:4). Christ’s miracle in Peter’s
fishing outing produced the right result. We have taken God’s rich and
marvellous grace for granted over the years; today is the day we ought to
turn our lives over to Him (2 Corinthians 6:1,2). Let your cry to Him
tonight be “God be merciful to me a sinner”. THE COMPASSION OF THE SAVIOUR Luke 5:10,12,13; 7:11-15,36-50; 8:43-48; 13:11-16; Matthew 20:33,34; Mark 9:20-27; 10:46-49
Christ is mindful of our problems and surely will help us. He met every need He came across. There is no sin too heinous He cannot forgive, there is no transgression too big that His blood cannot cleanse. The religious Nicodemus needs His compassion (John 3:1-7; Isaiah 64:6); the morally upright Cornellius needs His compassion (Acts 10:1-6; Romans 3:9-12); the nameless adulteress needs His compassion too! (John 8:1-11). Nobody is too good not to need salvation and none is so bad that he/she is beyond redemption.
THE COMMITMENT OF THE SAVED Luke 5:11,27,28; 8:26-39; 9:1,2; 10:1,2,29-38; 24:46-53; John 1:40-51; 4:28-43; 20:21; Mark 10:46-52; 16:15-20; Matthew 20:30-34; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8
The only way we can show our appreciation to the Lord is by following Him. Is it too much to worship Him who has blessed us? Is it too much to serve Him who bears us on eagle’s wings? “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Tell your friends, colleagues and neighbours what great things the Lord has done for you (Mark 5:19,20). If you live in Liverpool, invite them to the Sunday Worship, the House Caring Fellowship and the Tuesday Bible Study. When you tell others what God has done for you, He will do yet more that you might glorify Him the more.
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