Saturday, September 1, 2012

September 2, 2012

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." II Peter 1:1-2
 
It was rather ironic yesterday that American Hero, Neil Armstrong, was laid to rest in Ohio on a day when there was a "blue moon".
 
People my age or older remember being transfixed in front of black and white TV screens on July 20, 1969 watching a grainy image of Neil Armstrong stepping off the botton rung of the ladder from the LEM (lunar excursion module) and planted his space boot firmly on the surface of our moon!
 
Those of us who witnessed it have those pictures permanently emblazoned in our minds!
 
During the week I did some reading on this humble mid-western hero. I found several interesting details, but the one that impressed me that most was the fact that neither NASA or the astronauts or President Nixon were very optimistic about Neil and his co-pilot, Gene Cernan, making it back from the surface of the Moon.
 
According to what I learned, NASA had a statement all prepared to share with the American public were the worst to happen. President Nixon's top speech-writer had crafted a brief script for the President to inform and comfort the American people if Armstrong and Cernan should be permanently stranded on our Moon.
 
Such a bold as theirs would be risky today even with our 21st century technology. You can probably imagine how dangerous it was with 1960's equipment! There was great concern among the peoptole at Mission Control and with the astronauts about whether the engine on the LEM would fire when it came time to launch from the surface of the Moon and link up with the orbiter that would bring them back to earth. That engine had to fire on the first try or it wouldn't work. While they had test-fired it 250 on earth they were not sure how it would function in the lunar atmosphere.
 
When these courageous astronauts launched from the earth, they were fully aware of the very real possibility they would never return! They risked their lives because they were convinced that space exploration was essential to the scientific growth of their beloved nation, The United States of America!
 
Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan loved their mission more than they loved their own lives! They were totally committed to going to the Moon and exploring the Moon even if it meant they never would return from the Moon!
 
In II Peter 1, Peter is reminding us that we have some very precious gifts available to us through faith in Christ. But we must serve Him and grow in our knowledge of Him in order to receive and enjoy those gifts.In short, we will need to love Him more than life!
 
Let me ask you, "Do you love Jesus more than life?" "Are you willing to get know Him better even if it costs you everything?"  "Will you be willing to surrender everything for the joy of knowing God?"
 
If you will, I promise it will be out of thsi world!
 
 

September 1, 2012

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as our.  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." I Peter 1:1-2

Out of Peter's role as a servant developed a knowledge of his Master. That knowledge grew into a relationship.

Peter makes it clear that this is God's desire for all His people. To see how that knowledge develops let’s trace Peter’s journey.


          Follower“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men…..”  Mt. 4:19

Peter became a follower when Jesus issued him a personal call to leave his nets and boat to follow Jesus. He would never be the same!
 

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST?
 
 
          Learner  Disciple – “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2

Since Jesus was a Rabbi, those who would follow Him would learn His teachings. What Peter learned from Jesus changed his life! Until you live it you haven't learned it!
 
ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?       

WHAT DID YOU LEARN LAST WEEK?
 
ARE YOU DISCIPLING ANYONE ELSE?

          Believer Mt. 16:16 - Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Peter's name changed from “Simon” - shifting sand to “Peter” – the rock.


Peter not only learned with his head, but as he walked with Jesus and watched Jesus he began to believe that Jesus WAS the Son of God. His doubts diminished as his knowledge grew.


WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ABOUT JESUS? DOES YOUR LIFE SHOW THAT?


           Minister  “Feed my sheep…..” John 21:17


After Peter failed and denied Jesus, He lost confidence in himself and after Christ was crucified, Peter went back to fishing. But the Resurrected Jesus came looking for him and tenderly let Peter know that he was forgiven and that Jesus still had a ministry for Peter to fulfill! When Peter heard that he was forgiven and called by his Jesus to get busy serving Him again, he gladly resumed serving Jesus.

What is neat to realize is that even after Peter gave up on himself - GOD PURSUED PETER WITH GAZELLE INTENSITY.


HOW ARE YOU MINISTERING FOR GOD?      WHO ARE YOU FEEDING?
 

           Apostle – “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:40-41

An "apostle" is one who is sent on a mission with the "Good News". Peter drew close to Jesus and learned from Him and then he was sent out to draw others to Jesus. But first, the big difference was - HE WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT first.


HAVE YOU BEEN FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?


Martyr – Crucified upside down on a cross because he felt unworthy to die like Jesus!

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING YOUR LIFE FOR?

I think it is safe to say that Peter had his eye on the prize! He shows you how to do it, too!
 

As You Grow In Him As Peter Did, You Realize HE IS THE PRIZE!
Hearing Him say, “Well done” Is The Prize!
Leading Others To Getting To Know Him Is The Prize!