<TITLE>05. Par 17-19</TITLE>L-17 My, I like to have heard Him speak, wouldn't you? He spoke not like one of the scribes. He spoke with authority. And He begin to speak and tell the people, not what somebody else, but what "I." Now.
Now. And I can hear Simon say, "You know, there's something about that Man's speech that seems a little... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] I like Him. I like the way He delivers that message." I can see him walk up a little closer. Then after Jesus had got through speaking, He was in Simon's boat. I can hear Him say, "Now, Simon..." Oh, my. I wonder what he thought. "Simon, thrust out now, into the deep. Launch out into the deep, and let down for the draught."
Now, that was kinda peculiar. "Go out there in the deep and let down for the draught? Why--why, look. We're--we're fishermen. Now, we're just not somebody that has a--a--a line stretched on the banks...?... we--we fish. We know what kind of... How the signs are to catch fish. And we fished right through here all night long, and we haven't taken a thing. Just think, all night and haven't taken nothing."
Well now--now Peter... Now, watch. Here's a test of faith. Now, I believe that God always puts people through a test of faith. Prove him first. Prove all things. And a real Christian enjoys a test of faith. [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] I don't...?... He takes his...?...

L-18 Then when he come out here to the side of the mount... [Blank.spot.on.tape--Ed.] Isn't that something? I believe the apostle said that our trials are better than gold to us. Think of it. God might've let you get sick, in order that you might be a testimony, that He might heal you, that you can stand on His Word. Then when you reach the opposition, you can say, "I know." Beyond any shadow of doubt, you're... Oh, my. Witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria. A witness is somebody who's really done something, been somewhere, and seen something. Is that right?
Now, remember. A witness has to be a witness, eye witness to know what they're speaking of. It can't be secondarily. If you go down here at the courthouse and say, "I seen a wreck on the streets," and you looked at it through a window glass, you could not be a witness. Got to be right there personally. You can't double see things, you've got to be a correct witness.
Now, isn't that a thought to think of now, sister, you setting there with the blinded eyes, with the glasses on: probably bad eyes or you wouldn't even have the glasses. Now, isn't that something, to know that God let that sight get in that condition, that He might give a testimony? Isn't it wonderful? That we would know that He come up...

L-19 "Why is he blind?" and they said, "Who sinned, he or his father?"
Said, "This case, neither; but that the works of God might be done." God wanted some witnesses. Now, He sent His gift of healing to heal you, that you would go out and be a witness, then stand the test of faith. Walk out and claim your God given privilege. Sure. That's right.
Now. Then I can see as He said, "Now, thrust out into the deep, or launch out into the deep, and let down for the draught." Now, He was educating that man, so that he would know just how to... After while, he had a great trial, remember, many of them. But he had to be educated.


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