Jesus on the Lake
Welcome to our new sermon series as we explore Jesus on the Lake. This year, our overarching theme is “Into the Deep.” It’s taken from a moment where Jesus called Peter to push out his boat into a deeper place. Why did Jesus meet Peter on the shore? What was this place? Why did they go into the water? And for us, what are we doing here around Lake Chestermere, and what could Jesus be inviting US to do around this lake? Let’s explore…
Go Deeper: Resources
Our intention is to create or share resources to help people explore these topics in further depth. Here are a few resources you might find meaningful during this sermon series.
Link
Sermon Audio Files
1
In a world where weather can sink your boat, Jesus sleeps in the storm, walks on water, and calms the waves.
In a world where Romans ruled, Jesus taught a new way to relate to power.
In a world where new developments were popping up and new people were moving to town, all of them speaking other languages, Jesus said, love your neighbours.
Peter did not stay because he understood it all. In fact, he simply said, “where else would I go? you have the words of life?” Maybe that’s where we can sit, too.
Jesus, I’m hungry, I’ve tried it all. I’m still hungry. All I know is that you have life and I want your life in me, and I want to be in you, forever. Come, meet my hunger, meet my deep desire, meet my yearning and hope. I relinquish my control to meet this burning in my heart, will you please come and be the bread of my life today? I trust you, I know you know the way.
The Good News, Jesus is already here, meeting you, weaning you off your diet and putting a hunger in you for more of his life in you. May you allow the Good work of God to finish what Jesus started in you!
3
Our theme for the year has been, “Into the Deep.”
This phrase comes from a story in Luke 5. Jesus tells peter to push his boat out, further, deeper, away from the shore. The Greek is literally, “put out into the deep” It became a phrase for hundreds of years for Christians that captured more than a fishing boat, it was an invitation into the depths of God’s love, depths of God’s story, and depths of the interior life of the soul, with Jesus leading us on.
The shore is safe and familiar, the deep, oh my, this is a place of risk, calling, and meeting God. We are not in control, God is, and the deep is where we learn this in our soul.
4
Notice how Jesus enters the chaos? Do you know where Jesus is going in this story? It may surprise you, but Jesus is going to the hostile South East side of the lake when he falls asleep. (Mark 5) You think this water is the deep, oh it’s about to get deeper!
No, Jesus is going to the Ten Cities, the pagan, godless, murderous land of “those people.” I think the disciples may have been so mad about this. Imagine weathering a near-death storm only to go to some of the most filthy god-haters? That’s where they went. There he is greeted by a demon filled man, no less! Jesus heals him and puts fresh clothes on him. Jesus seems to move from chaos to chaos. I sometimes wonder if the clothes they put on the demon possessed man was still wet from their journey over to heal him. There’s a sermon in there somewhere…
Mothers Day
Guest Speaker