The sermon series continued on the text from Matthew 14: 22-33 where Jesus walked on water. In these few verses, Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water toward Jesus, began to sink into the water, and was saved by Jesus. As we discussed the sermon in our Wednesday evening class, we focused on the power that we experience when we "get out of the boat" and join Jesus in service, caring, and glorifying God. Having faith alone does not allow us to experience the power that Jesus supplies when we take those steps in serving Him.
When we step out as servants, we soon discover that we do not have the power, the gifts, to succeed on our own...we need the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. When we experience His presence and His power with us as we step out, it is exhilarating and rewarding.
One sermon question we focused on was "Is it worth the risk to get out of the boat?" What is the risk when we step out for Christ. When Peter stepped out, we discover that he was not really at risk. Even when he was sinking, Jesus was there to "immediately reach out His hand and catch him..." vs31. That is the reality of serving Christ...stepping into His mission field; we are not at risk. Far too often we are afraid that we are not equipped, knowledgeable, gifted enough to accomplish what He calls us to do so we stay in the security of the boat and miss the exhilaration of experiencing Him with all His Power and Love.
Instead of looking at the risk of getting out of the boat, we should look at the risk of not getting out of the boat. If Peter had stayed in the boat he would not have experienced the saving hand of Jesus. The other disciples, safely in the boat, would not have witnessed the power of Peter's faith (his first successful steps) nor the result of taking his eyes off Jesus (Peter sinking), and the love of Jesus. Verse 33 reveals the reward of responding to Jesus and serving in His Spirit; "And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying "Truly you are the Son of God" Witnessing and experiencing Jesus is how we grow in Him and Him in us.
We get out of the boat so that God will be glorified. We don't do it for our own glory or for our own sense of accomplishment. We do it so the world will see the glory of Jesus, the power of the Spirit, and the Love of God.
Discover and Proclaim the Truth of The Bible which is: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." (John 3:16 NRSV). Jesus came to humanity to proclaim and give evidence to that love and He has commanded us to do the same. We, who believe, must not merely be followers, but we must be proclaimers of the Gospel Message and we can only do that by being filled with the love of God.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Sunday Aug. 14, 2011..."Are You A Boat Potato?"
Wednesday evening in our Sermon Replay study we discussed the sermon series based on Matthew 14: 22-33 (Jesus walks on water). Pastor Rawls highlighted three principles in his sermon, that are relevant when we get out of the boat and use the gifts that Jesus gives us as we serve Him.
Principle #1: Jesus is Lord of the gifts. 1 Corinthians 12: 11...All these (gifts) are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. God distributes the spiritual gifts and equips us and directs us in sharing these gifts. They are not to be put on a shelf or claimed as our own, they are God's gifts to be used for His glory. We asked ourselves what gifts God has given us and it was difficult for many to identify them. We too often fail to recognize that talents and personality traits are gifts that God uses to reveal His goodness. Compassion for others is a gift from God. Praying for others is a gift granted by His Spirit. Hospitality, healing, administration, teaching, preaching, reading and sharing Bible teachings are all gifts that we need to recognize and use in service to Him.
Principle #2: Jesus is Lord of the settled accounts. As we share God's gifts, it is His will that will be done, not our will. Failing to accept this or trust in this is one reason we fail to exercise His gifts. We want to see results in our timing and according to our expectations, but God's plans are perfect and always at the right time. As we use the gifts for Him we must be aware that it is for His glory and for His purposes.
Principle #3: Jesus is Lord of the reward. As we serve Him and use His gifts in our daily walk we will grow more aware of His love for us, our faith will grow, and our trust in Him will become stronger. If we are to be the light of the world, we need to enjoy Him and be at peace in the turmoils of this world. We will enjoy the fruits of the Spirit...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Principle #1: Jesus is Lord of the gifts. 1 Corinthians 12: 11...All these (gifts) are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. God distributes the spiritual gifts and equips us and directs us in sharing these gifts. They are not to be put on a shelf or claimed as our own, they are God's gifts to be used for His glory. We asked ourselves what gifts God has given us and it was difficult for many to identify them. We too often fail to recognize that talents and personality traits are gifts that God uses to reveal His goodness. Compassion for others is a gift from God. Praying for others is a gift granted by His Spirit. Hospitality, healing, administration, teaching, preaching, reading and sharing Bible teachings are all gifts that we need to recognize and use in service to Him.
Principle #2: Jesus is Lord of the settled accounts. As we share God's gifts, it is His will that will be done, not our will. Failing to accept this or trust in this is one reason we fail to exercise His gifts. We want to see results in our timing and according to our expectations, but God's plans are perfect and always at the right time. As we use the gifts for Him we must be aware that it is for His glory and for His purposes.
Principle #3: Jesus is Lord of the reward. As we serve Him and use His gifts in our daily walk we will grow more aware of His love for us, our faith will grow, and our trust in Him will become stronger. If we are to be the light of the world, we need to enjoy Him and be at peace in the turmoils of this world. We will enjoy the fruits of the Spirit...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
July 31, 2011...Sermon: "Staying In Love With God"
One of my favorite verses in the Bible was referred to in the message this week, Romans 12: 2..."Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God...what is good and acceptable and perfect."
To love and to stay in love with God is to experience Him and we do that by staying in His will, which takes effort. Loving and staying in love with anyone takes effort and desire and that is what Paul is asking us to do with God. If we conform to the world, we will always be giving up on love., giving up on God and people. We lose patience. We lose trust. We lose desire. The bottom line is, if we conform to the world...WE LOSE!
By renewing our minds and being transformed, we will always be discovering and seeing things and people in new ways and if God is doing the transforming, we will see in good and perfect ways. God wants to be the transforming power in our lives and by the Holy Spirit he renews our minds and transforms us by His Word (The Bible), Prayer, Service To Others, Worship, Giving, and Christian Fellowship. It takes effort but the reward is the transformation that opens up a life of experiencing God himself and experiencing what is good and acceptable and perfect.
To love and to stay in love with God is to experience Him and we do that by staying in His will, which takes effort. Loving and staying in love with anyone takes effort and desire and that is what Paul is asking us to do with God. If we conform to the world, we will always be giving up on love., giving up on God and people. We lose patience. We lose trust. We lose desire. The bottom line is, if we conform to the world...WE LOSE!
By renewing our minds and being transformed, we will always be discovering and seeing things and people in new ways and if God is doing the transforming, we will see in good and perfect ways. God wants to be the transforming power in our lives and by the Holy Spirit he renews our minds and transforms us by His Word (The Bible), Prayer, Service To Others, Worship, Giving, and Christian Fellowship. It takes effort but the reward is the transformation that opens up a life of experiencing God himself and experiencing what is good and acceptable and perfect.
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