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Do You Love Me?

12
Feb
posted by MarkG               filed under General, Messages

Peter was a follower of Jesus and part of his most intimate group of followers. He was very confident in his commitment to Jesus and reassured him that he was ready to follow him to the death! The Lord told Peter that that wasn’t the case – and that very soon he would instead deny him. We see this exchange in John 13:36-38:

Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

The lack of confidence Jesus had in Peter’s commitment must have hurt him, but it paled in comparison to what he’d experience over the next several days. The Lord had a plan to change Peter deeply – a call God has to each of us that are his followers.

As Jesus stated, Peter indeed denied him three times before he was murdered. Peter abandoned the one he loved in word and deed. After Jesus was resurrected from the grave, he met his disciples and gave Peter a chance to reaffirm – three times – his love for him. Jesus asked Peter in three different ways if he loved him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”. The book of John records that Peter was hurt the third time Jesus asked. Maybe Peter perceived Jesus was reminding him of his three denials. Regardless, these clever questions were part of a process to change him into the rock that the Lord would use to build his church.

Peter was a changed person and it was reported he clung to Christ even as he was killed for his faith. May each of us as Christ followers strive to encounter the Lord in a way that we walk away deeply changed.

Listen in on Kevin’s Message from Last Week
(great insights on the meaning of these 3 questions)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:05 — 11.8MB)

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Scandalous Love?

22
Jan
posted by MarkG               filed under General

Scandalous love? Those aren’t a pair of words we often use in the church these days, but they might describe the account of Luke 7:36-50 from this week. A Pharisee, named Simon, invites Jesus to a meal at his home, and a woman begins to wash and kiss Jesus’s feet with perfume and her own hair. In the culture of that time, it was customary, but not required, for a host to offer a guest water to wash his feet and to greet him with a kiss on the cheek.  Simon hadn’t done either of these for Jesus. A woman, possibly a prostitue or woman with a bad background, takes this upon herself in an extravgant way.  Simon is shocked at this scandalous display – how could Jesus allow this type of woman to do this? Wouldn’t Jesus know her background if he was a prophet? Jesus tells Simon a simple story to explain the relationship of forgiveness and love and ends it with this explanation:

“Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

Have we neglected the fact that true love is truth and grace mingled together? Maybe that’s how Simon missed the scene that unfolded at his dinner. Have we been forgiven much? Can we love extravagantly and risk looking ridiculous in our love and appreciation for God and his great forgiveness toward us?

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Restored

26
Nov
posted by MarkG               filed under General

Restored?

This week we reviewed all the major themes we covered in the book of Judges. Hopefully by seeing some of the crazy history of the Israelites and the spin cycle of their lives, we have learned more about how to live restored, obedient lives ourselves.

The big “but”

We started out by looking at how many reasons God’s people gave for not following his commands. The scripture is littered with the word “but” to show the extent of the Israelites disobedience. As we look at ourselves we probably should ask if we are doing the same.  Are we living lives of partial obedience?

The spin begins

In Judges 2:15-17 we see how the Lord raised up Judges to set his people free from the bondage of other nations – but they quickly forgot him! The Bible says they “prostituted” themselves to other Gods. The truth is when we lose track of where the Lord belongs in our lives we lose track of living the way we were designed.

Cry out

In Judges chapter 3 we see God’s people subject to another nation for 8 years – trapped by the consequences of their wayward lives. But in verse nine we read, “But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer”. It’s true for us still today. God responds to a broken and contrite spirit with grace and mercy.

IF

The story of Barak is one of a man who obeyed God’s plan, but only when his own conditions were met. In chapter 4:9 we see that this cost him the honor of the battle. We should always be mindful that conditional obedience may forfeit the full benefits that God would like to impart to us.

Reluctance

Gideon was a man called by God, but he was very reluctant to follow him! Gideon always wanted a sign, but his small faith grew as he obeyed. We learned from Gideon that even if we have a reluctant (but not defiant) heart God is able to use us and grow our faith!

Embracing faith

In Judges chapter 7 we see the rest of the story of Gideon. He’s not asking as many questions but embracing faith.
Sometimes it’s not that the circumstances get better but that our God gets bigger. Growing faith allows God to reveal his glory and sufficiency in us around us and through us.

Bold

In chapter 11 we read the story of Jephthah (Jeff). He’d been poorly treated by his people, but when the time came for God to raise him up he was bold and lead the nation. Sometimes today we try to be a part of our culture – but by God’s grace we can boldly follow him instead.

Heart

When we read the story of Samson and how he gives his heart and secrets to a gold digger named Delilah, we are tempted to think he’s gone mad. Yet we should look at Samson as an example of what can happen to us if we don’t guard our hearts. The reality is our destination will be determined by who or what we give our heart to.

Chaos

This story in Judges is probably something we wish wasn’t in the Bible- religion for hire, rampant violent sin and civil unrest. The reality is when we excuse or ignore God, we pave a path of chaos for our lives.

Restored

The story of Israel in the time of Judges is us. We often are on a spin-cycle of sin, disobedience, repentance, and devotion. Just like in the book of Judges our God is ready to rescue us. We might be reluctant or be half-hearted in our disobedience, but we serve a God that wants to come and restore us back to a heart for him. Do you feel cold-hearted toward God? Spiritually restless? Take a cue from the people in Judges and “cry out” and see his power!

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