Indifference - May 28, 2017 sermon

By Pastor Greg

A Tale of Two Ships.  Once upon a time there two ships; big strong ships, not the little fishing boats that stayed close to shore.  These ships could travel far away from land … out into the deep water.  They were proud ships; strong ships, with mighty sails.  They both traveled on the same body of water; one was headed to Tarshish; the other was headed to Rome.  Both ships carried important passengers; Jewish men who were messengers of God. 

One day, as both ships were far away from land, they faced a violent storm.  The wind tore at the sails.  The waves washed over the decks.  So fierce were the storms that both ships were about to sink.  The crew of both ships was afraid; both crews felt they were going to die. However, on one ship, the Man of God was asleep; on the other, the Man of God spoke words of comfort and peace.

On the ship to Tarshish was a man named Jonah.  He was traveling to Spain to get away from God.  Tarshish was a long way from home; 2,500 miles from Joppa.  However, part way into their journey, they were struck by a violent storm.  The ship was about to break apart.  ⁵ Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep. ⁶ So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”

⁷ Each man said to his mate, “Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.  ⁸ Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”  ⁹ He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.”

¹⁰ Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. ¹¹ So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy.  ¹² He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.”  ¹³ However, the men rowed desperately to return to land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even stormier against them.  ¹⁴ Then they called on the Lord and said, “We earnestly pray, O Lord, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O Lord, have done as You have pleased.” 

¹⁵ So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging.  ¹⁶ Then the men feared the Lord greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows ^[1] (Jonah 1:5-16)

On the other ship was the Apostle Paul.  He was a prisoner on his way to Rome.  Now, although Paul’s story happened a long time after Jonah’s, the circumstances were the same; a Man of God is on a ship facing a violent storm.  But Paul reacted much differently; he called the crew together and encouraged them.  He told the crew, “Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, ²⁴ and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ ²⁵ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. ²⁶ But we will be shipwrecked on an island” ^[2] (Acts 27:23-26).

Which of these two men showed a genuine concern for the welfare of others?  Which of them was living in obedience?  Which individual displayed the heart of God through their actions?  Which of these two men do you see reflected in the Church today?

I believe the Church was the first organization to champion Social Justice issues.  In fact, one of the strongest testimonies of the early Church was the way they cared for one another (see Acts 4:32-37).  Jesus scolded the Religious Leaders for, “ignoring the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith” ^[3] (Matthew 23:23).  James insists that “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” ^[4] (James 1:27). 

Caring for those facing a crisis is something birthed in the heart of a Christian.  James reminded the Early Church to put faith into action.  “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” ^[5] (James 2:15-16).  The Apostle Paul also adds that our actions become an opportunity to talk about our faith (“how can they hear about [Jesus] unless someone tells them”^[6] - Romans 10:14).  So, it’s clear we have a responsibility to fix our eyes on those around us, caring for them and telling them about our Lord.  But sometimes it seems that Christians are on the wrong ship.

The Phoenician Sailors who tossed Jonah overboard became impressed with his God, but because of his disobedience, Jonah missed an opportunity to help these men get know his God.  Paul, on the other hand, is given several months to minister to the Gentile sailors and the Roman Soldiers shipwrecked with him on Malta (Acts 28:11).  Even though he was a prisoner, Paul genuinely cared about these men and ministered to them through the storm.  Jonah simply fell asleep.  And it seems that Jonah didn’t care.  He was indifferent – uninterested in the affairs of these men.

Sometimes I wonder if Organized Religion feels the same.

Oh, don’t get me wrong.  Many Churches are busy.  But they seem to be focused on themselves, not the world around them.  And a church that is only inward focused might as well be asleep.  These are the churches that have no idea what is happening right outside their wall.  They are clueless to the needs and hurts of those right outside the door.  They seem indifferent and uncaring; asleep.

I want to encourage you to not lose sight of this focus.  Many times throughout the year we put time and effort into caring for those outside of the church.  For example, we just finished a fundraiser to help people in our community with needs.  The children raised money to buy a cow for Heifer International.  In July, several members are traveling to West Virginia.  Last year, a member traveled to Peru.  Many of you offer prayer and a sympathetic ear to those facing a crisis.  But please, please don’t lose sight of this; don’t fall asleep.  Those living around us have needs.  They are facing a storm in their life.  And always remember: sometimes what the people around us need the most isn’t a stout ship traveling a calm sea, but a peaceful and calm heart that only comes from knowing the Lord.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ^[7] (Romans 10:17).  I pray that our neighbors may come to know the Lord through the words we speak; I pray that our actions during a storm might give us the opportunity to speak those words of faith.

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^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Jon 1:5–16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Ac 27:23–26). Carol Stream, IL.

^[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Mt 23:23). Carol Stream, IL.

^[4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Jas 1:27). Carol Stream, IL.

^[5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Jas 2:15–16). Carol Stream, IL.

^[6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Ro 10:14). Carol Stream, IL.

^[7] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Ro 10:17). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Fear - May 21, 2017 sermon

By Pastor Greg

They say people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of snakes.  But that statement doesn't seem to make sense to me.  I mean, you don't see someone walking around a church and suddenly shouting, "Watch out! A podium!"

Oh, ha, ha.  Amusing.  But we really are fearful people.  We’re afraid of so many things.  We are afraid of heights, afraid of mice, afraid of germs, afraid of getting sick, afraid of water, afraid of thunderstorms, afraid of clowns, dogs, lions, tigers, and bears.  Oh, and fear.  We are afraid of being afraid.  In 1933, President Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” … and spiders.  Don’t forget spiders. 

My worst fear is laughing at a joke I don’t understand, and then asking someone to explain it.

People will tell you that it is natural to be afraid.  Without healthy fear in our life, we would do dumb things, like stick paper clips into an electrical outlet or put our foot in a circular saw.  But see, that’s healthy fear; it keeps us safe.  However, there is a type of fear that separates us from God.  It’s the kind of fear that caused Adam and Eve to hide from God and caused Jonah to run from God.

Jonah was a man baptized by many different emotions: indifference, hatred, anger, and fear.  His life was immersed in many destructive emotions.  And what I man is that these emotions controlled his actions and behaviors.  For example, Jonah allowed fear to separated him from God.  (Jonah 1) The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: ² “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” ³ But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. ⁴ But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. ⁵ Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. ⁶ So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.” ⁷ Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. ⁸ “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?” ⁹ Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” ¹⁰ The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. ¹¹ And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” ¹² “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” ¹³ Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. ¹⁴ Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” ¹⁵ Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! ^[1]

I’ll be honest, part of me understands why Jonah ran from God (verse 3).  I’m not sure what I would have done if I were in his shoes.

Earlier in his life, Jonah had spoken a prophecy from God (2 Kings 14:25).  However, he delivered that prophecy from the comfort of home.  And his message was positive – a blessing from God.  But, this time God was sending Jonah into a foreign land … into the very heart of Assyria.  He was to go to Nineveh; a city filled with the vilest and cruelest people you will ever meet.  These heartless people would slaughter their victims, cut off their heads, and pile them outside the city.  Those who survived their attacks were burned alive or skinned alive.  Nineveh, a city first built by Nimrod (around 2,300 B.C.), has always been a city filled with warriors (see Genesis 10:8-11).

And God told Jonah to go and deliver a message of judgment.

I’ll admit, I’d be a little afraid as well.

Rather than obey, Jonah ran from God, as if there was some place a person could go to escape God (see Psalm 139:7).  Sure, he ran mostly because of hatred (see Jonah 4:2). However, it seems Jonah also ran because of fear.  It’s obvious Jonah did not trust that God could protect him in this foreign land or watch over him in his travels, and this lack of trust caused him to be afraid.

This hatred, combined with fear, kept Jonah from being obedient to the Lord, caused him to ignore God, and interrupted Jonah’s prayer life (in the middle of the storm, it was the sailors who called him to prayer - Jonah 1:6).  A lack of obedience to God, ignoring His calling, and a broken prayer life was caused by fear.  Do you think we are plagued by this today?  Absolutely.  I see it in my own life.  Maybe you see it in yours. 

We too have been baptized by fear.  We respond to God out of fear, not faith. We are afraid of what God might ask us to do, how He might ask us to change, or where He will tell us to go.  And when a Christian is filled with fear, they are no longer obedient to God, they ignore God, and their relationship with God is interrupted.  Yes, those words are a bit harsh, but you know they are true.  We’ve both lived them.  When this kind of fear takes control, a Christian finds it easier to blend in with society rather than following the Lord’s teachings.  When controlled by fear, a Christian seeks their own comfort and safety and disregards the needs of those around them.  When filled with fear, a Christian becomes distant to God.  They hold God at arm’s length, fearing what might happen if they get too close.  They practice religion but don’t have the relationship.  A Christian who is afraid of all the risks involved is a Christian who no longer trusts God; they don’t believe God can do what He has promised.

This is what fear produced in Jonah.  This is what it does to me.  Maybe fear is doing the same thing to you.

We are people naturally afraid, but we were not created that way.  It seems fear was a product of the Fall; the results of Adam and Eve’s sin (compare Genesis 3:10).  Since fear is the result of sin, then our fears reflect our sinfulness; when I am afraid to obey God, when I ignore God, or when I keep God distant on my life, I confirm that sin is part of my basic human nature.

Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to overcome this fear.  Because we are still sinful people, some of the things God asks us to do will cause us to be afraid.  Obeying the Lord will not be easy.  When God asks us to trust Him and be faithful, there will be moments of worry and fear.  Yes, there will be fear, but our trust in God must overcome that fear. 

It’s been my experience that the Lord does not eliminate the fear.  Instead He asks us to trust Him in spite of that fear.  And when God does as He has promised, the lesson is invaluable.  Fear is overcome through trust.  The more we trust God, the less we are handcuffed by fear. 

As Paul learned to trust God, he could eventually write, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.^[2]” (Romans 8:38-39).  You learn that when you learn to trust.

I find it interesting that God confronted Jonah’s fear by having him thrown overboard, and then be swallowed by a great fish. 

And to think, he was afraid of Nineveh. 

I wonder how God might confront our fears.

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^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Jon 1:1–15). Carol Stream, IL.

^[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Ro 8:38–39). Carol Stream, IL.

Fixing Their Eyes on Jesus - May 14, 2017; Mother’s Day sermon

By Pastor Greg

Little Johnny opened his birthday gift from Gramma.  It was a water pistol!  He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink.  His mother was not so pleased.  She turned to Gramma and said, "I'm surprised at you, getting him a water pistol!   Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with those?"  Gramma just smiled: "Yes...I remember."

Raising Children is not easy.  Any parent would make that confession.  And it doesn’t help when grandparents make it even harder.  In fact, according to recent statistics, it’s far more challenging to raise a child today than it was in the 70’s and the 80’s. [1]

          Things have changed.  The pressures facing today’s mother is nothing like what parents faced years ago.  Dr. Spock used to be THE prominent authority on raising children.  However, when he wrote his book back in 1946, had no idea what today’s mothers would be facing.  Back in 46, a mother wasn’t fighting alone.  Back in 1946, she had the school on her side, society on her side, and even the government on her side.  But today, if a mother, especially a Christian mother, is trying to raise her child with a sense of morals and decency, she usually is on her own.  Society, in general, is offering no help at all.  If anything, society seems to be working against mothers; trying to undo all that she has done; sometimes teaching her children the exact opposite of what she had been teaching at home.

          Now, these are not my opinions.  Many parents are feeling this frustration.  Today’s Parent asks, “Are we the worst generation of parents ever?”[2]  Now, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Thanks so much for sharing that Pastor Greg.  While you’re at it, why don’t you give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it”.  But believe me; I know these statistics are depressing.  They can leave a mother feeling worthless and hopeless.  But hopeless and depressed is not where I want to leave you this morning.

          Have you ever heard the story of Naomi?  She was a widow who lived a long time ago.  At one point, everything was going right in her life.  She was married and had two sons.  And even though the family had to move because of a shortage of food, her two boys met some lovely girls, and they were married.  Sure, they were miles from home, but it just seemed that God was watching over them.  Then tragedy struck the family.  Naomi’s husband dies.  Both her son’s die.  She is left alone.  With nowhere else to turn Naomi decides to go back home to Bethlehem.  The one daughter-in-law goes back to her own family, but the other, Ruth, decides to travel with her mother-in-law.  Ever hear this story?  It’s a remarkable testimony to Naomi’s godly influence.  While facing the death of her family, Naomi apparently demonstrated faith in God; a faith so real that Ruth exclaims “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. ¹⁷ Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”^[3] (Ruth 1:16-18).  “Your God will be my God.”  Amazing.  I believe Ruth was drawn to God because she saw the Lord living in the heart of Naomi.

          In the darkness, Ruth saw a beacon of light, and it changed her life forever.

          What is a mother to do in today’s society?  How can she overcome the negative influences that bombard her children day and night?  Although a mother does not have society on her side, she does have Christ.  And I believe that regardless of what problems a mother might face, with Christ she becomes a beacon of light.  I believe that a mother has a better chance with Christ in her life than without.  I am convinced of this; no child would be able to miss the stark contrast between a mother whose love reflects Christ and a society which reflects hopelessness, sinfulness, and pain.

          In the darkness, a child can see a beacon of light, and it can change their life forever.

          With Christ in her life, a mother can have a godly influence on her children’s lives.  With Christ, a mother can help her children see beyond this world.  With Christ in her life, a mother can help her children fix their eyes on Jesus and set their minds on the things of God.  If a mother want’s her children to overcome the influences of this world, then she must first “Set (her) mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” ^[4] (Colossians 3:2).  When a mother allows the life of Christ to fill her, her children will feel the gentle and loving Spirit of God in her embrace; in her tender kiss upon a bruised knee or her soft words spoken to a broken heart.  A mother, who is first filled with Christ, becomes a beacon of light that guides a child toward God, especially while living in a dark and sinful world.

          Is it harder to raise a child today than it was 20 or 30 years ago?  I think we would all agree that it is.  But in spite of this, I see an opportunity for a mother who has Christ in her life to really stand out in today’s society.  Godliness is much easier to see among sinfulness.  The light shines brightest in the darkness.

          To raise a godly child whose faith overcomes the world, a mother must first realize that she needs Jesus.  As John the Apostle reminds us, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” ^[5] (1 John 5:4-5).  Mother’s, you overcome the influences of this world when you express faith in Jesus Christ.  And you help your children to overcome this world when you assist them to fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author, and Perfecter of their faith.

Now, before I finish, there is something about those statistics that really bother me.  The research indicates that 66% of middle-aged women (age 50-64) say that today’s mothers are doing a worse job at raising children.  And more than two-thirds of white evangelical Christians (68%) say moms are doing a worse job today when compared with mothers 20 or 30 years ago.[6]  Now I’m not saying you are one of those critical middle-aged women who complain about young mothers.  But the research alarms me.  And it just seems to me that instead of sitting back and criticizing young mothers, perhaps a seasoned mother or grandmother could get involved in the lives of younger mothers.  Be an example and an encourager.

It really makes no sense to sit back and criticize.  That’s not what a Christian woman is supposed to do.  In Titus chapter two, Paul says, “teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. ⁴ These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵ to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.” ^[7] (Titus 2:3-5).  Did you hear that?  Paul says “Teach,” not “criticize.”  He tells the older women to be a beacon of light; to live in a way that honors God.  By doing this, an older woman might forever change the life of a younger woman.

          Mothers, I want to encourage you to not just raise good children, but raise godly children.  And to do this, you’re going to need Jesus.  There’s nothing wrong with admitting that.  Fix your eyes on Jesus first, and then you’ll be better equipped to help your children see Jesus.  And for the rest of us in this place, get involved and help.  Don’t merely criticize; offer helpful advice, godly counsel, and above all fix your eyes on Jesus.  This is the most important things young parents and young children today need from you; to look at you and see Jesus reflected in your words and in your deeds.

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[1] https://www.barna.com/research/6-tech-habits-changing-american-home/

[2] https://www.todaysparent.com/family/are-we-the-worst-generation-of-parents/

^[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Ru 1:16–18). Carol Stream, IL

^[4] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Col 3:2). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[5] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (1 Jn 5:4–5). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[6] http://www.people-press.org/2007/05/02/motherhood-today-tougher-challenges-less-success/

^[7] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. (3rd ed.) (Tt 2:3–5). Carol Stream, IL

Follow Me - April 30, 2017 sermon

By Pastor Greg

Some years ago, there was a Mensa convention in San Francisco. Mensa, as you know, is a national organization for people who have an IQ of 140 or higher. Several of the Mensa members went out for lunch at a local cafe. When they sat down, one of them discovered that their salt shaker contained pepper, and their pepper shaker was full of salt. How could they swap the contents of the two bottles, without spilling anything, using only the implements at hand? Clearly, this was a job for Mensa minds.

The group debated the problem and discussed ideas, but finally settled on an ingenious solution involving a napkin, a straw, and an empty saucer. They called the waitress over, ready to dazzle her with their brilliance.

"Ma'am," they said, "we couldn't help but notice that the pepper shaker contains salt and the salt shaker …" But before they could finish, the waitress interrupted; "Oh, sorry about that." She leaned over the table, unscrewed the caps of both bottles and switched them.

According to the Apostle Paul, God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish (1 Corinthians 1:20).  How true, how true.  He does it today, and He did it in the past.  God will continue to confound the wise.  God will continue to offer grace where we would not.  He will continue to bless where we would curse.  He will continue to use the weak while we search for the strong.

Consider the Apostle Peter.  Despite his failure during a crucial moment in Jesus’ life, the Lord still called Peter to “Feed My sheep”; He still insisted that Peter could do great things, even though his life was far from perfect.  And this is one of the last lessons John teaches in his Gospel; The Lord can do great things through broken and imperfect people.

(John 21:1-17)  Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. ² Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. ³ Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

⁴ At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. ⁵ He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. ⁶ Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. ⁷ Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. ⁸ The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. ⁹ When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

¹⁰ “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.  ¹² “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. ¹⁴ This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

¹⁵ After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. ¹⁶ Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. ¹⁷ A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Peter had a family to support.  Perhaps this is why he went back out on the lake.  However, I think it had more to do with his sense of failure than anything else.  I think Peter was still wrestling with guilt from his denial of Jesus back in Jerusalem.  But despite this denial, Jesus insists that Peter is still loved and still useful.  In fact, this whole lakeside fishing failure takes Peter back to the first time he was called by the Lord (Matthew 4:19).  Instead of fishing for fish, Jesus insists that Peter should continue to “Fish for Men.” 

Peter’s calling is our calling. 

We too may sin, yet that sin does not disqualify us for service.

The Wisdom of God confounds us.  It makes no sense to us (1 Corinthians 3:19).  You see, in our world, a person is unfit for service once they fail.  Actually, the world searches for failures in others.  It looks for weaknesses.  Yet those failures are why God calls.  God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. ²⁸ God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). 

According to the world’s wisdom, Peter should have been disqualified; his denial of Jesus made him unfit for duty.  Yet Jesus knew what this man could accomplish if only he would stop allowing his past to determine his future.

This failure would lead more than 3,000 people to Christ (Acts 2:41), heal the lame (Acts 3:7), and be one of the fist Apostles to take the Good News to the Gentiles (non-Jews who were despised by the Jewish people).  It was Peter who entered the home of Cornelius and brought an entire family to Christ.  It was Peter who said, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).  And considering that he experienced this along the shore of Galilee, who better to teach this than Peter? 

Yet the world would disqualify this man because of his sin. 

Just as the Lord stood before Peter, He stands before you and me.  The Lord stands before us, His followers, and encourages us to “Care for His sheep.”  But how will we respond?  Will we make excuses why we are disqualified; why we are unfit for duty?  In what ways do you feel unqualified to serve the Lord?  Have you refused to get involved with church work because you once did something wrong?  Have you allowed the world to determine your worth and value?  I tell you the truth, if your heart is broken because of what you did or said, the Lord can use that brokenness to bring wholeness into the life of someone else.  Just as Jesus knew what He was doing when He looked at Peter and said, “Follow Me,” He knew what He was doing when He said the same thing to you.