More on Simon's "Undercover Boss" Moment

As I usually do when I prepare and study for Sunday morning, I come up with much more material than I have time to deliver.  Today, the message was "Who is this Jesus? Our Best Look at God."  We started with John 10:25-30 and ended up looking at Luke 5:1-11, examining the moment when Simon realized that Jesus was more than just a teacher - he was God.


As I look at Simon's experience, I discover six things that accepting Jesus as God means.


To accept Jesus as God means. . . 


. . . to obey him even when it doesn't make sense.  


Remember, Simon had been fishing all night long (verse 5).  I don't think it was an accident that Jesus picked Simon's boat as a preaching platform.  And I don't think it was an accident that Simon hadn't caught anything all night.  Sometimes Jesus uses circumstances to get our attention.  But what would have happened if Simon didn't cast his net - just one more time?  After all, it didn't really make sense, did it?  


What has God been asking you to do?  Why are you hesitating?  Are you resisting that call to pray for something you've been praying for years?  After all, what will one more prayer time do?  Are you struggling to shake a habit - you know it's wrong but what difference will full obedience mean?


When we know Jesus as God, we are inspired to obey him even when it doesn't make sense.  That's what faith is all about.



. . . To be overwhelmed from time to time with God’s blessing.


Take a look at Simon's catch - the one Jesus told him to cast for.  The nets were so full they were breaking (verse 6).  They were so heavy Simon needed help lifting them (verse 7).  The boats were so full they were sinking (verse 7).  When we finally acknowledge Jesus as God, we see him as the one who can meet our needs.  When God answers prayer or he blesses me out of left field, sometimes I feel ashamed at being so surprised.  After all, didn't I believe God would come through for me?  


But then I think of how delighted I am when I can surprise my kids with a Christmas present.  It's a lot of fun, isn't it?  I think God takes a great deal of pleasure in surprising us.  


Yes, I think our faith needs to grow bit by bit so that we can pray bigger prayers.  A growing faith unlocks God's goodness and power in a more dramatic way.  But acknowledging Jesus as God means that we will be overwhelmed from time to time with his blessing.


. . . To partner with others


When the big catch came in, Simon needed help, and he called out for others.  And they came to help (verse 7)


When you accept Jesus as God, you suddenly become part of a team - a family of brothers and sisters who help you along the way.  Have you considered joining a Bible study or small group?  Being a part of a group of believers means that you will spend time who have been through what you're going through.  They understand.  You're going to gain from the wisdom of others, and they can gain from  (verse 7)


. . . To see yourself inadequate and insufficient without him


When Simon finally realized who Jesus was, he suddenly saw himself for who he was - a spiritually needy Simon.  (verse 8)  It was like being a toddler on the field of an NFL game - the comparison is dramatic and overwhelming. 


When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we see ourselves as inadequate and insufficient.  The best news is that Jesus accepts us as we are.  He forgives us and gives us a fresh start in life.  


. . . To accept a new priority for your life


One Simon "got it," Jesus gave him a new priority - taking the fishing skills Simon already knew: patience, determination and strength; and putting them to practice in winning people to Jesus.  (verse 10)


I get the sense that God is calling our congregation to conduct a fishing expedition - to cast the nets one more time.  There is a neighborhood just west and north-west of the corps building that God is calling us to reach for his kingdom.  On Saturday, March 31, we will be taking a "prayer walk," going door-to-door, asking for prayer requests.  Let's acknowledge Jesus as God by going out into our neighborhood - reaching out with God's love for others.


. . . To live your life by a new pattern


At the end of this chapter of Simon's life, he begins a new one - he starts following Jesus.  (verse 11)  He wants to spend time with Jesus, learn from him, and pay attention to how Jesus does life.


When we acknowledge Jesus as God, we start following him.  Try reading a little bit of the Gospels every day to see how Jesus lived, and then put what you learn into practice. 


------------------------


So, how will you live this out?  Are you ready to accept Jesus as God?  If so, fasten your seatbelt, because there are going to be big changes in your life.

Guest Post: Lay a Foundation (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

LAY A FOUNDATION
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verses: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6: 48-49)

The opening of a chess game can often make or break the final outcome. Your goal is to take control of the center of the board. The opening establishes your foundation. There are several general principles to follow. Try not to move a chess piece more than once in the opening. It helps to move your two center pawns out so your bishops, rooks and queen have a way to get into the game. Do not bring your queen out too soon.   
                                           
In our scripture we learn the importance of laying a good foundation (Luke 6: 47-49). As Christians we need to rely on the “rock of our salvation” and not on the world. How do we learn about that “rock”?  From the word of God!

My response: Lord, show me a scripture verse I can share to help provide a strong foundation to someone today.

Thought to Apply: We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by the inspiration of God and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice. (Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine)

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

Guest Post: The Ultimate Focus (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

THE ULTIMATE FOCUS
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verses: God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (I Timothy 6:15-16)

Chess is a fascinating game that has been around for at least 1,200 years.  Since the Medieval times, the pieces have taken on interesting symbolisms such as:

• the pawn – the foot soldier;
• the castle – a place of safety;
• the knight – a leader and protector;
• the bishop – a spiritual advisor;
• the queen – the most active and second in command;
  and of course the king – everything is centered on him. Losing the king is losing the game.

For a Christian, the ultimate focus is what is at the top of the king’s crown.  That is the cross. It is a symbol of sacrifice, of our salvation, and our promise of eternal life. All of this made possible by God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

My response: Lord, show me what I can do to lift up Christ and His sacrifice, to those I may talk to today.

Thought to Apply: As I consider my faith journey moves, may my ultimate focus be on the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

Where Suffering Doesn't Come From

There seem to be a lot of ideas running around about where suffering comes from.  Many of those ideas come from humanity's well-intentioned desire to come up with a logical explanation for everything.  In Bible study this week, we studied Luke 12 and 13, in which Jesus encourages his disciples to be ready and to concentrate on what is most important in their lives.

Here are the first five verses of Luke 13:

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.  Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.  Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

In these verses, Jesus attempts to get them to focus not on why others are suffering, but on their relationship with God.  According to Jesus, our relationship with God is more important than trying to find an explanation for everything.

Here is a list of conclusions people come to about suffering, and why they are wrong.

• You are suffering because you sinned.  While we know that driving 150 miles per hour in front of the police station has its consequences, most suffering comes because the world is broken because sin entered the world.  So if you have cancer, it's not because you didn't say your prayers every night as a child.  When the man who was born blind was presented to Jesus, the people wanted to know if his blindness was because of his sin or his parent's sin.  Jesus reminded them that they were missing the point and that God was going to get His glory through their friend.
• You don't have enough faith.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard this from people wanting to present a quick-fix for those who are suffering.  And at the same time, this is the last thing suffering people want to hear.  Didn't Job have faith?  Faith when he lost his family and all his possessions?  Sometimes bad things happen to people with big faith.  After all, even the most saintly people die eventually (unless Jesus comes first, that is).
• God is punishing you.  This was offered by some as an explanation for the recent Haiti earthquake and was met with strong rebuff.  This statement is absurd and tremendously hurtful.  First of all, God's judgment has not yet come - Jesus refers to the "Day of Judgment" as something that is later - not today.  Not to mention that without Jesus' salvation, we all deserve judgment and punishment anyway.  The "God is punishing you" write-off often masks a self-righteous attitude.  Except for God's forgiveness, none of us escape the judgment, and we should all be grateful that it hasn't happened yet.
• God causes suffering.  This is sometimes phrased as a question - "Why is God causing this suffering?"  While I believe that God does allow suffering into our lives to help us build character, He is not its source.  On the contrary, His prevenient grace protects us from a lot of suffering that would naturally come our way in this sinful world.

I know a lot of people who suffer in various ways.  Some are inspiring pictures of faith, relying on God to carry them through.  God has not promised that we would not suffer, but He did promise His presence to those who are suffering.

Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death,
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.  Psalm 23:4

So don't listen to those with bad theology.  Stay close to friends who will just be there and listen during your turmoil, and listen to God.  He will be with you.

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.