Sermon Title: L3: LEARN, LIVE, & LEAD LIKE JESUS

Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)​

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Over the years at Heritage Youth, we’ve built everything around this one truth: YOU ARE CREATED ON PURPOSE, FOR A PURPOSE, AND WITH A PURPOSE. That’s why we’ve focused on helping youth KNOW GOD, FIND FREEDOM, DISCOVER THEIR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE, & MAKE A DIFFERENCE, and to live each day with HONOR: HONORING UP, HONORING DOWN, & HONORING ALL AROUND.

 

BUT NOW… WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUTH NIGHTS AREN’T BUILT INTO YOUR SCHEDULE? WHEN NO ONE IS REMINDING YOU TO SHOW UP? WHEN LIFE CHANGES?

 

That’s the real question, and it’s not just for the graduates; it’s for everyone in this room. 

 

Following Jesus was never meant to depend on a schedule; it was meant to shape our entire lives. I want to present three ways of doing this today. Let’s look at Luke 5:1-11 NLT, where Jesus steps into an ordinary day of fishing, gives direction, and completely changes the lives of His first disciples, and how this applies to us all in the room.

 

THE NEXT STEP: L3: LEARN, LIVE, & LEAD

 

ONE | LEARN LIKE JESUS

 

Before Jesus ever called others, He was learning. At just 12 years old, He was in the temple asking questions, leaning in, listening, learning, and growing. (Luke 2:41-52) Then, from the age of 12 to 30, we don’t see or hear much about Him, but we know this: He grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people. 

 

In Luke 5, before the miracle ever happened, they listened. Jesus taught from their boat, and they gave Him space to speak into their lives. You can’t follow Jesus if you’re not learning from Him. That means opening your Bible without being told, praying without being prompted, and pursuing God when no one is watching.

 

You don’t graduate from ever learning from Jesus. You must continue to discover and deepen your relationship with Him. 

 

TWO | LIVE LIKE JESUS

 

In Luke 5, Jesus tells them, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish” (Luke 5:4 NLT). It didn’t make sense to them; they had fished all night, they were tired, and they were done. But Peter responds, “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again” (Luke 5:5 NLT). That’s what it means to live like Jesus: to simply trust Him and say yes. Living like Jesus means trusting when it doesn’t make sense, saying yes when it’s uncomfortable, and stepping into what God is calling you to do. 

 

Whether it’s at college, work, or the next season of life, it’s about being led by the Holy Spirit. The truth is, God will often call you into “deep water” moments, places where you have to trust and say yes to Him. 

 

THREE | LEAD LIKE JESUS

 

After the miracle, everything changes. Jesus tells them, “From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (Luke 5:10 NLT), and in that moment, their purpose shifts. They pull their boats to shore, leave everything, and follow Him. They didn’t just experience Jesus; they stepped into His mission. And that’s the same calling for us. 

 

We’re not called to save people; we’re called to lead people to Jesus. That’s how you make a difference, at college, in the workplace, on your team, wherever you are. 

 

SO, WHAT NOW?

 

Graduates: When no one is checking in on you, you still show up spiritually. When life gets busy, you stay connected to God. When opportunities come, you lead others to Jesus. 

 

Church: We don’t stop discipling or graduates, we stay connected, keep investing, and keep creating a place they can always come home to. Let’s keep being the church that seeks to help people discover and deepen their relationship with Jesus, while sharing His love with others. 

 

Parents: Well done. God is so proud of you. There’s no telling the sacrifice, prayers, and crazy moments it took to get to this point in your kids’ lives, but today we celebrate you & honor you as well.

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