Milagros De Jesus, Septiembre 06, 2026

(speaking in foreign language) Good morning, church. (speaking in foreign language) How good it is to be with you guys this morning. (speaking in foreign language) We're so happy that we are able to get together every Sunday and celebrate God's work. (speaking in foreign language) And if you're watching online, we're also happy that you guys are here with us today. (speaking in foreign language) Nowfully, you have the opportunity to come one day and experience this community that we have here. (speaking in foreign language) And for those that don't know me, my name is Alfredo Suniga. (speaking in foreign language) I am the Español Campus Pastor here. (speaking in foreign language) And I like to take the time to remind you that we are one church in various locations. (speaking in foreign language) And so there are seven places today that fellowship is meeting. (speaking in foreign language) And we have the privilege and the blessing to be one of those. (speaking in foreign language) To remind you, we'd like to tell you that we are the bilingual campus,

even though we say we're Español. (speaking in foreign language) For those that speak English, can I own a little bit of Spanish? (speaking in foreign language) And for those that speak Spanish, could learn a little bit of English. (speaking in foreign language) So welcome this morning. (speaking in foreign language) And so I like to tell you that we're, I'm very excited about this new initiative that we're doing as a church this year. (speaking in foreign language) And it's the scripture memorization initiative. (speaking in foreign language) Because we have a need to be able to fill our hearts with the word of God. (speaking in foreign language) And so this month we started with Psalm 86 verse 11. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth, unite my heart to fear your name. (speaking in foreign language) We've been practicing so we can lead by example. (speaking in foreign language) My hope is that over the next few weeks, we'll have it memorized.

(speaking in foreign language) Now you can practice it in your family devotionals and in your D groups. (speaking in foreign language) Because only the word of God has the power to transform our lives. (speaking in foreign language) And I never reminded me that we're handing these a small little cards this Sunday in the next few Sundays. (speaking in foreign language) This will help us memorize the verse. (speaking in foreign language) Even though it is only in English. (speaking in foreign language) But if you turn it around, you'll see a QR code and you can actually see it in Spanish there as well. (speaking in foreign language) And if scripture memorization is hard, this QR code would also show you some tips to be able to memorize these verses. (speaking in foreign language) Let's be a church that is full of the word of God. (speaking in foreign language) With that in mind, let's open our Bibles to chapter five of Luke. (speaking in foreign language) And we're continuing our series of the miracles of Jesus. (speaking in foreign language) And I was just reflecting how nowadays our lives is just full of chores that we do on a routine basis

that even may seem repetitive. (speaking in foreign language) And sometimes those chores may seem boring. (speaking in foreign language) And especially if what we're doing isn't going the way we want it to go. (speaking in foreign language) So the infrastrations mount up. (speaking in foreign language) The problems come, (speaking in foreign language) And generally, we are so accustomed. (speaking in foreign language) - And we're so wrapped up in what is going on in these chores, on these earthly things that we forget what God is doing in these heavenly realms. - (speaks in foreign language) - But even if those situations in our lives may seem hard. - (speaks in foreign language) - But for God there are opportunities. - (speaks in foreign language) (speaks in foreign language) - Opportunities to show his power and his glory in the midst of our circumstances. - (speaks in foreign language) - And it's precisely in this situation that we see the disciples of Peter in this chapter. - (speaks in foreign language) - In the middle of these common problems that a fisherman may face.

- (speaks in foreign language) - Well we see how Jesus changes their perspective from the earthly things to the celestial things. - (speaks in foreign language) - And that's the topic that we're gonna be studying. - (speaks in foreign language) - From the earthly to the celestial. - (speaks in foreign language) - Before we begin, let's pray together. - (speaks in foreign language) - Heavenly Father, we come before you. - (speaks in foreign language) - Recognize in how difficult it may be to see your glory in the midst of our circumstances. - (speaks in foreign language) - Not that it isn't a clear and evident Lord. - (speaks in foreign language) - But that we are blinded to your majesty. - (speaks in foreign language) - Lord, we ask that through your word today, you open our spiritual eyes. - (speaks in foreign language) - And that we see the various circumstances of our lives. - (speaks in foreign language) - As an opportunity where your glory may be manifesting. - (speaks in foreign language) - In the name of Jesus, we pray. - Amen. - Amen. - (speaks in foreign language) - Verse one through three says this.

(speaks in foreign language) - On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Ganeserit. (speaks in foreign language) - And he saw two boats, by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. - (speaks in foreign language) - Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put it out a little from the land and he sat down and taught the people from the boat. - (speaks in foreign language) - This story happens at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. (speaks in foreign language) - Jesus has had a couple of circumstances or opportunities with the disciples, but they're still not really following. (speaks in foreign language) - We were reminded of when John the Baptist introduces Jesus saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God." (speaks in foreign language) (speaks in foreign language) - And in that moment, some of his disciples go and see, out of curiosity, who is this Jesus? (speaks in foreign language) - And you'll see that most of the interactions, the term that they use for those interactions is rabbi or teacher. (speaks in foreign language)

- It was probably, and during that time, in that moment, most of the disciples saw Jesus as a rabbi or a teacher. (speaks in foreign language) - And as time goes on and they start seeing these miracles and the relationship that they have with Jesus, they start seeing him, and he is not just any rabbi or teacher. (speaks in foreign language) - And you'll see, when we started this series at the beginning, it said, "Yes, teacher." (speaks in foreign language) - And you'll see at the end of the... that magnificent. What is divine nature? What does this story take place? It says that it is the lake of Ganesirath. But it's also in the Sea of Galilee. This is the name of Tigris. It's another name for the same place. And this was a center of commerce and a place where a lot of the water supply came from. It was a very important place. And this is where we find our story. And so the first thing that we learned this morning, that Jesus meets us and works in the midst of our circumstances. Sometimes we think that Jesus might just meet us at the top of the mountain. Or in something extraordinary in our lives. But it is in these simple things where Jesus meets us. And it would say that the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God. And Jesus sees these boats and says, wow, there's an opportunity here. And I can just imagine Peter just working these nets and just tired over just a long night of working and ready to go home. But for Jesus it was an opportunity.

And so that's why he says to Peter, go out a little on the lake so I can teach this word. There were parts in Galilee where setting was very strategic to be able to preach. And you can kind of see how the topography of the area works almost like an amphitheater. So you can see that how as Jesus' voice traveled into the topography of the land, it kind of worked like an echo so people can hear. Later in the disciples, you just simply where they brought out their boats. But for Jesus it was a strategic place so people can hear the word of God. And in the midst of Peter's activities. And while he's working, he's doing all these things, Jesus asked Peter to stop washing his nets and take the boat out. Let's be honest, if we were Peter, what would we be thinking in these moments? Master, I didn't get any fish. And you don't know how hard it is to clean these nets. And now you're moving me and putting me somewhere else so these people can listen. Hey, I'm tired. I've been here all night. The sun has just came out. The sun is just blaring on me. And even I also think. And as Jesus a few days earlier had actually healed Peter's mother-in-law. And maybe Peter was saying, I can return the favor here. But I don't know, but Peter responds in obedience. (speaking in foreign language) - For Jesus it was a strategic place. - For Peter was a empty boat. - Jesus used it to preach the gospel. - And a tired fisherman that just simply followed an order. - Was an instrument so that people would be blessed by Jesus. - And you see how many times in the middle of our problems and our circumstances. - We only think about the earthly things. - Just worried about all the stuff that is happening to us. - God is doing great things around us.

- But we're not able to see it. - What is your boat? - What are those nets that you've spent all day cleaning? - What are the situations, the circumstances that you keep doing and that you're doing over and over again. - That may be a difference when Jesus comes into the scene. - That may seem without importance. - But when they're being used by the power of God, it brings glory to God. - And it says that Jesus finishes teaching the multitude. - He doesn't say how long he spent teaching the multitude. - But in this moment he directs to Peter. - But it's interesting that he uses the name Simon. - And if you remember, he had an interaction with Peter and said that your name is Simon, but I'm going to change it to Cephas. - But this is important because throughout the whole Gospel. - And you see this transformation of Peter from a very emotional, immature person to this very solid, firm person. - And so those are the experiences of life. - With the power of God in our lives. - That do these transformations. - God is patient. - Uses him, even him being Simon. - So what happens? - When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. - And Simon answered, "Master, we told all night and took nothing." - But at your word, I will let down the nets. - And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish in their nets or breaking. - They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so that they began to sink.

- But when Simon, Peter, saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." - And the second thing that we learned is that Jesus reveals his glory to us when we least expect it. "Give me to eat," despite it being a famine, (speaking in foreign language) - And the widow says, "Well, this is all I have "to be able to feed me and my family, otherwise I die." (speaking in foreign language) - But the prophet says, "It's okay. "Just give me to eat, and the Lord will bless you." (speaking in foreign language) - This lesson isn't for you to give the pastor food. (speaking in foreign language) - The teaching here is that God was gonna take care of the widow. (speaking in foreign language) - And the Lord was seeking was that the widow renounced all these things and just trust the Lord with what she had. (speaking in foreign language) - Peter had a problem here. He didn't have any fish to bring home. (speaking in foreign language) - But Jesus asked him to use his boat to do the, what, for the Jesus, for Jesus' ministry first. (speaking in foreign language) - It isn't that he is forgotten about the need, the Peter's need. (speaking in foreign language)

- But he says, "Go out a little." (speaking in foreign language) - I'm not a fisherman. (speaking in foreign language) - I have stories with my father-in-law going out to fish out in the sea and in the lakes here. (speaking in foreign language) - And they know that the best time to fish. (speaking in foreign language) - It's when the water is a little warm and that the fishes can go out. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) - That the temperature is kind of cold for the fish to go up. (speaking in foreign language) - So, 'cause when the sun is bearing down, they tend to go deeper. (speaking in foreign language) - 'Cause it's too hot up there. (speaking in foreign language) - And I can tell that my father-in-law is very proud of me for knowing this today. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) - And so that's why they were fishing all night. (speaking in foreign language) - When the climate was cold. (speaking in foreign language) - And when Jesus is telling Peter,

go out and take the boat out there to the deep end, he's saying, "Why are you saying that to me? I'm the fisherman, you're the carpenter." (speaking in foreign language) - But he doesn't start fighting with Jesus. (speaking in foreign language) - He does what Jesus asks him to do. (speaking in foreign language) - Sometimes the being obedient to God kind of challenges our logic. (speaking in foreign language) - Because we say, "Well, if I obey you in this way, Lord, how is it gonna work?" (speaking in foreign language) - Or we say, "Lord, we already tried this." (speaking in foreign language) - And then most of us are still giving Jesus excuses of why we don't obey him. (speaking in foreign language) - You're bringing logic to Jesus and not just obeying what Jesus is asking you to do. (speaking in foreign language) - Just obey. (speaking in foreign language) - The simple faith is what brings the blessing. (speaking in foreign language) - It doesn't necessarily, you don't need faith to know about God. (speaking in foreign language) - You don't need faith to know things about the Bible.

(speaking in foreign language) - You need faith to obey the word of God. (speaking in foreign language) - What are you doing you today? (speaking in foreign language) - It's that the Lord has asked you to stop doing. (speaking in foreign language) - But you're still resisting and obeying him. (speaking in foreign language) - It's what has your life stuck in the same cycle. (speaking in foreign language) - It's the same thing that has your life without any fruit. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) - And how beautiful it would be if our response was similar to people. - But since you said it, I'm going to go do it. - I just pray that my response would be the same, very simple response. - As the church, we can say that I may not understand this, Lord, but since you say it... - I'm going to do what you asked me to do. - And he says, "When he throws out the net, it feels so much with fishes." - And this question came to mind. - You know that my mind is just full of questions. - How many pounds would it take? - How many pounds would it take to sink a boat that they were using? Yeah. How many pounds would it take? - To sink that boat? - I don't know.

- But nowadays, these boats have a load capacity. - And I just imagine how many fish were doing it? - Just imagine how many fish were actually in these nets? - And the point wasn't just to simply give Peter food. - But to show him what we've been saying throughout this series. - That God is able to do more than we can think or imagine. - Even nonetheless, if Jesus would just have blessed him with a little bit for his family, it would have still been a blessing. - But when he was trying to show Peter that he is the owner of the gold in the silver. - That he is sovereign over all creation. - That he is sovereign over all creation. - That there is no circumstances that are out of his control. - Because my responsibility isn't to question his sovereignty. - But it's to trust in his provision and his character. - And so that white Peter calls his associates or his partners. - Because there was two ways of fishing. - And one way was to kind of throw this net that was about 15 feet long, and then with that same boat you would pull that net out. - But another way that they would fish would be they would partner with other boats or other people, and they would have a bigger net and they would throw out this bigger net and between those who would pull out these fish and fish more fish. - And what he's kind of showing us here is that they started doing it by themselves. - But that Jesus' response and his blessing was so big that he needed other people to help him. - And we'll see why in the calling. - But let's focus on the response by Peter. - It says depart from me, O Lord. - This is a very common response that we see throughout the Bible. - And from people that have an encounter with God. - Because of those that are confronted with the holiness of God. - The only thing that they can see is their sinfulness.

- I don't know if you guys experienced this. - One of me and Kate had this experience one time. - My beautiful wife. - We invite us to this dinner between married couples. - And so we go to Walmart there in Honduras. - We have this idea. Let's go to the dinner that they invited us there at church. - And we were coming from Walmart, so we had a T-shirt, we had jeans, and then when we get to the church and we open the doors, we see all these people dressed to the nines. (speaking in foreign language) - And so we look around, we find the table that is probably furthest away from everybody in a little corner with no light, and around some people that I may know, so they won't see us. (speaking in foreign language) - Yeah, because when there is some contrast where you're not really truly prepared for the situation, there can bring up a little bit of shame there for you. (speaking in foreign language) - Imagine this was just a simple dinner with people, you know, normal people. (speaking in foreign language) - But imagine when you are confronted with the King of Kings, the creator of the universe, the Lord of Lords. (speaking in foreign language) - He needs to remind you that he is different from you.

(speaking in foreign language) - You need to be convinced of his glory and how great he is. (speaking in foreign language) - You need to be convinced of your sin. (speaking in foreign language) - But because if you're not, then you're gonna minimize the glory of God. (speaking in foreign language) - And you're gonna minimize the gravity of your sin. (speaking in foreign language) - But Jesus shows him who he is. (speaking in foreign language) - And then how does Peter refer to Jesus after this moment? (speaking in foreign language) - What is the word that he uses? (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) - He no longer is a teacher, he is now Lord. (speaking in foreign language) - And does the exact same thing that Isaiah says, "I am not worthy to be in your presence." (speaking in foreign language) - I am a sinful man. (speaking in foreign language) - That if you, when you are confronted with Jesus, you don't feel that same weight. (speaking in foreign language) - Then probably you're not seeing clearly his glory. (speaking in foreign language)

- And so what comes about this experience with the disciples? (speaking in foreign language) - Let's go to verses nine to 11. (speaking in foreign language) - For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken. (speaking in foreign language) - And so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. "From now on you will be catching men." (speaking in foreign language) And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (speaking in foreign language) - And the last thing that we learned. (speaking in foreign language) - That Jesus gives us a calling greater than any other. (speaking in foreign language) - Think about this. Peter was thinking about the fish. (speaking in foreign language) - Jesus is thinking about these people. (speaking in foreign language) - Jesus shows him how he can provide for his nets. (speaking in foreign language) - And shows him what more that he can actually do for his namesake. (speaking in foreign language) - Let's not overlook one of the most beautiful phrases

that we can hear as people. (speaking in foreign language) - Do not be afraid. (speaking in foreign language) - And so this context is don't be afraid of the future. (speaking in foreign language) - It's not that. (speaking in foreign language) - It's saying do not be afraid of me. (speaking in foreign language) - What does that phrase mean? (speaking in foreign language) - The least that a sinful man can feel in front of a holy God is fear. (speaking in foreign language) - Because we deserve punishment. We deserve the wrath of God. - But when Jesus is saying to him, do not be afraid, he is offering that beautiful grace. (speaking in foreign language) - The reason why we can be before a holy God, without any fear. (speaking in foreign language) - It was because someone paid that punishment, that punishment that I deserved. (speaking in foreign language) - That Jesus takes on the wrath of God on the cross at Calvary. (speaking in foreign language) - What beautiful words.

(speaking in foreign language) - When God tells a human, do not be afraid. (speaking in foreign language) - Not because of your good works. (speaking in foreign language) - Not for anything that you may have done. (speaking in foreign language) - But because of the sacrifice on the cross. (speaking in foreign language) - And that forgiveness that he gives Peter. (speaking in foreign language) - And that forgiveness that he gives to those that submit to him. (speaking in foreign language) - Is intertwined also with the calling. (speaking in foreign language) - What is that calling? (speaking in foreign language) - That calling is from now on, you will be catching men. (speaking in foreign language) - That is the reason why God has left us in this earth and why he forgives us. (speaking in foreign language) - And it would be very easy for us as the moment we get baptized. You know, we go down and then we go straight to heaven. (speaking in foreign language) - And leave us there for a little bit and then we go to heaven. (speaking in foreign language)

- No, because he saves us to be fishermen of men. (speaking in foreign language) - Because if God gives you the love and the forgiveness of the gospel. (speaking in foreign language) - You can't just keep it to yourself. (speaking in foreign language) - And then just pay attention here. What do you, what the disciples do? (speaking in foreign language) - It's a secret, everything. (speaking in foreign language) - Let's stop there for a second. They have had the biggest catch of their lives. (speaking in foreign language) - And they leave that behind and then follow Jesus. (speaking in foreign language) - Many today. (speaking in foreign language) - Many today want that Jesus to fill your boats. (speaking in foreign language) - Just stay in these boats and just say thank you God for all this just full boat that you've given me. (speaking in foreign language) - But the disciples leave their boats that are full. (speaking in foreign language) - To follow Jesus. (speaking in foreign language) - Because when you understand the work of Jesus. (speaking in foreign language)

- When you understand the beauty of the calling that he's given us. (speaking in foreign language) - All these earthly things have no comparison, no value. (speaking in foreign language) - Can you see that? (speaking in foreign language) - Can you see how that perspective changes from the earthly to the heavenly? (speaking in foreign language) - And as the worship team comes up, I'd like to challenge you guys on something. (speaking in foreign language) - How are you looking, what is your perspective on the circumstances of your life? (speaking in foreign language) - How are you obeying Jesus in the circumstances of your life? (speaking in foreign language) - Because where Peter sees an empty boat. (speaking in foreign language) - Jesus sees a pulpit to preach. (speaking in foreign language) - Where Peter sees just a normal place. (speaking in foreign language) - Jesus sees an amphitheater so that the message can be heard. (speaking in foreign language) - Where Peter is washing nets. (speaking in foreign language)

- Oh, empty nets. (speaking in foreign language) - Jesus wants to fill those nets. (speaking in foreign language) - Do not let the circumstances of your life. (speaking in foreign language) - hinder you from seeing the greatness of God. (speaking in foreign language) - And everything that he wants to do in your life. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) - Yes, we are in difficult circumstances most of the time. (speaking in foreign language) - We may go through need. (speaking in foreign language) - Health is real. (speaking in foreign language) - Sickness is hard. (speaking in foreign language) - But God is working. (speaking in foreign language) - In the eternal is real. (speaking in foreign language) - That is why we put our gaze on the eternal. (speaking in foreign language) - That's why we bless the Lord when things go well. (speaking in foreign language) - And we can also bless the Lord when things aren't going well. (speaking in foreign language) - And that's why we may have that heart partial

when we may not understand. (speaking in foreign language) - And that's why we can go come before him when we do understand. (speaking in foreign language) - And that's why we can obey him when it may seem illogical. (speaking in foreign language) - Because we know that he's in control of all circumstances. (speaking in foreign language) - And in that same manner of church, let's sing to the Lord. (speaking in foreign language) - Let's stand up. (speaking in foreign language) - And let's pray. (gentle music) (speaking in foreign language) - Heavenly Father. (gentle music) (speaking in foreign language) - So we bring you all these things in our lives. (speaking in foreign language) - These simple chores. (speaking in foreign language) - These difficult circumstances. (speaking in foreign language) - These emptiness. (speaking in foreign language)

- So that you can use them, Lord. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) - That you can use our lives, Lord, so that you can, so other people can know your love. (speaking in foreign language) - Through the abundance. (speaking in foreign language) - Through the scarcity. (speaking in foreign language) - Through good health. (speaking in foreign language) - Through sickness. (speaking in foreign language) - And all things, Lord. (speaking in foreign language) - We wanna bless your name. (speaking in foreign language) - In a manner that everybody around you. (speaking in foreign language) - And see your glory. (speaking in foreign language) - In the name of Jesus we pray. (speaking in foreign language) - Amen. - Amen.