Status Quo: Drawn Deeper

 

Status Quo – Sermon Notes Pastor Brad Myers

Drawn Deeper April 27, 2025

2-week Series Title: “Status Quo”

The status quo in Scripture refers to going through the motions without any movement. It’s a spiritual routine; a posture of passivity that misses God’s new direction. Just because we may be doing something for God doesn’t mean there’s not something new or different He wants for us.

Examples:

• Israel in the Wilderness: Back to Egypt:
  • Unknown felt riskier than their old routine (Num. 14:3-4).
• The Pharisees: Clung to their religious routines so tightly that they missed the Messiah standing in front of them (Mark 7:8-9).
• Laodicea: “neither hot nor cold” lukewarm
  • Status quo; spiritually indifferent and self-satisfied.

The status quo is when you live on autopilot; spiritually indifferent and self-satisfied.

• We tend to think sin is the only thing that that kills spiritual hunger; but actually it’s settling.

God doesn’t just call us out of what feels routine—He calls us to confront what has become common.

Growth demands discomfort, but revival demands disruption.

God is stirring His people to go deeper, live bolder, and expect more than just “church as usual.” That’s the focus of this short series!

About us as people and our church!

Today: Drawn Into the Deep Go Deeper!!

Ezekiel 47:1-6 (NIV) The River From the Temple

• Ezekiel is shown a vision of water flowing from the temple.
• Symbolic of the presence and power of God.
• First, the water is ankle-deep. Then knee-deep. Then waist-deep. Until eventually, it becomes a river too deep to stand in—You must swim in it.

Observation: God leads Ezekiel step-by-step into deeper waters. Notice, it’s an invitation, not a shove.

• Some have been ankle-deep just enough to be saved but not deep enough to take any chances for God.
• Others are knee-deep—praying occasionally, attending church, but holding back. God is saying, “Come in deeper.”
• Deep places are where healing flows, life is experienced, & power thrives!

The key is not to camp in the shallow end; we need to go deeper, seek more, and expect no less!

• We’re not meant to just float in the shallows.
• More of God to experience, more purpose to walk in, more power to live by
• I believe God’s calling us to step forward and draw deeper.

Q: Can you recognize the shallow end?

Luke 5:4 (NIV)

“Put out into the water and let down the nets for a catch.”

• Peter and his crew had spent all night fishing in familiar waters. They knew the trade, they had the right tools, they followed the usual patterns — and yet, they caught nothing. They were in the status quo.

Q) Did you notice the scripture is missing a word?

Luke 5:4 (NIV)

“Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

• Sin didn’t keep their nets empty. It was routine.

This isn’t just about geography… it’s prophetic. The word “deep” is rich with biblical, spiritual, and symbolic weight, and it’s no accident Jesus used it here.

“Deep” Greek Word: “Bathos”

Means:

1. Depth
2. Something profound is coming
3. Unfathomable or immeasurable
4. Deep things, mysteries, things not yet revealed

This “Deep” is the opposite

• The Familiar: shallow water where Peter was used to working
• The Failed: Peter had fished all night with nothing to show
• The Safe: shallow is easy to control; the deep requires full dependence

Jesus says, “Put out into the deep,”

• Inviting Peter into more than deeper water.
• Calling him: A deeper revelation, deeper encounter, a deeper surrender.

When talking Geography Deeper

Luke 5:6 (NIV)

• People/churches talk geography all the time.
• Programs, outreach, classes, etc,. etc.

When we talk Supernatural Deeper

Luke 5:11 (NIV)

Jesus is breaking the status quo in Peter’s life — calling him from routine into revelation.

• Jesus didn’t leave Peter in the shallow.
• He gave a word: “Put out into the deep.”

The shallow waters of spiritual life are calm; safe and predictable. But nothing really happens there.

God is not stirring His church just to sing louder or jump higher. He’s stirring us to recognize that we’ve been playing it safe for too long.

The shallow waters represent a mindset:

• “I go to church, — that’s enough?”
• “I read a quick verse — that should cover it.”
• “I’m tired, I’ll pray later…”

Recognizing the shallow is the first step to breaking the status quo.

Ask yourself

• Where in your life have you settled for just enough?
• What area of your life feels safe, but routine?

The Shallow is important!

If we don’t first recognize the shallow places, we’ll never hear God’s invitation to go deeper.

• It’s not about doing more… it’s about your willingness to go deeper!

The “deep” is a recurring image in Scripture:

1. The place where God begins to move

Genesis 1:2 (NIV)

“The Spirit of God hovered over the deep”

2. A place of spiritual depth, longing, and a God encounter

Psalm 42:7 (NIV)

the Deep calls to the deep

3. place of transformation and surrender

Jonah 2:3 (NIV)

“You hurled me into the deep”

Back to Peter

Luke 5:4 (NIV)

“Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

• Does it look different now?

Jesus wasn’t just asking Peter to go farther out — He was asking him to go further in.

What Next? Respond with Action!

Peter: Decision Time!!

• Geography: Fish!! Means provision, money, and meals!! You can see it!!!
• Supernatural: “Followed!” Dive in and trust!

The supernatural starts with obedience — but it’s completed by action.

• Jesus: “Put out into the deep water”
• Peter: “because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
• Peter responded, not with emotion, but with action.
  • “Because You say so, I will…”
  • Not “I’ll pray about it.” Not “I’ll think on it.”
  • I will!! That’s the turning point.
  • Spiritual Hunger pushes past routine and hesitation.

That’s what separates the spiritually hungry from the spiritually routine. The hungry take action. Faith without works is dead — and so is hunger without response.

• There’s a reason Jesus gave an instruction and not a lecture.
• He didn’t ask Peter how he felt. He gave him something to do.
• + Click to add your own note

Q) What action has God been prompting you to take?

The stirring of the Spirit is never just about feeling something new — it’s about doing something different. When we respond with action, we position ourselves for power.

• The story didn’t end with fish — it ended with followship.
• “Put out into the deep water” not just “in the water”