We can feel let down after Christmas is finished.
Last week, Jon's sermon was about the gift. We learned that Christ is the ulimate gift to us. We also learned about giving ourselves as gifts back to God because of the significance ofGod's gift, Christ's sacrifice of his own life on the cross.Today we are talking about our response toGod's gift. We are going to look at how the gift we learned about should impact our everyday lives as Christians.
I love Christmas. I especially love opening gifts. Now that the gifts are all opened and the giving has been done, now what? How do you feel? Do you feel relieved that it's all over? Blessed? Excited? Overjoyed? Maybe a little bit spoiled?
I remember all the emotions leading up to Christmas morning when I was a kid. I remember the letdown after Christmas was over. We get so hyped up for the one magical and special morning, then it is over quickly and we can be left feeling very down. We feel empty, like all the leftover boxes. Even the present that once filled the box doesn't fulfill us.
Peter experienced an emotional letdown.
I think that Peter experienced this same type of emotional letdown. Let's study the sequence of events. Jesus is at the end of his time on the earth with the disciples. He is meeting with them all together for the last time before he is crucified. Matthew 26:31-35 (NIV) tells us, "Then Jesus told them, 'This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:'I will strike the shepherd,and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.'Peter replied, 'Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.' 'I tell you the truth,' Jesus answered, 'this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.' But Peter declared, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.' And all the other disciples said the same."
So we have Peter saying that no matter what happens, he'd rather die than to deny Jesus. Skip ahead a few verses to Matthew 26:69-75 (NIV). "Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. 'You also were with Jesus of Galilee,' she said. But he denied it before them all. 'I don't know what you're talking about,' he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, 'This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.' He denied it again, with an oath: 'I don't know the man!' After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, 'Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.' Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, 'I don't know the man!' Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly."
Peter makes a bold and absolute statement. Then he turns around and folds under the pressure. Peter had the best of intentions, but he couldn't follow through. Before we condemn Peter, just think about how much we are like Peter. How many times have you been faced with an opportunity to proclaim Christ, and then denied that you knew him?
Peter's relationship with Christ.
Jesus selected Peter to be one of his disciples. Peter followed Jesus for about three years. Peterdid many miracles, including walking on water. Peter had seen the power of Christ in his life. All of the disciples were impacted by following Christ. They left their jobs, their families, and their houses. They traveled around with Jesus and they saw and performed miracles.
But then, after living with and watching Jesus for three years, Peter denies three times that he knows Jesus Christ.Remember the letdown that we talked about experiencing? I think that Peter experienced that same letdown after Jesus died. I think all of the disciples did. "Can this really be it? Is it over?"
Peter and the other disciples probably had a different idea of how things were going to work out. Perhaps they expected a religious uprising. Maybe they expected some sort of glory or an appointment to a prestigious leadership position under a king. Maybe they just weren't prepared for it to be over so soon.
So what was Peter's response? Peterwent back to life as a fisherman. He returned to his comfort zone.I think the feelings of letdown that he had are a little like the feelings we sometimes experience after Christmas morning is over. Tons of anticipation and excitement for something great, and then it is over too soon. Only for Peter and the other disciples, there seemed to be no hope of Christmas next year.
In our lives, God reveals himself to us.
We have moments in our lives when God reveals a little of himself to us. We can get to knowJesus like Peter did while following Christ for three years. Sometimes we are more like Paul and we think we are on the right track until we find ourselves down and out, blind and confused.
Sometimes we have these spiritual highs and then that fades away. Then we quickly return to life as a fisherman. We return to our comfort zone. When the new car smell wears off of the exciting moments in our spiritual lives, we're left longing for more, a lot like Peter was. "Can this really be it?"
The best news is that God doesn't leave Peter and the disciples feeling that way. God doesn't leave us hanging around hoping for more. He delivers.
Jesus returns to the disciples.
In John 21 Jesus returns to the disciples. He reveals himself to them again. He shows them the power he still has to do miracles in their lives. Just as Jesus returned to Peter and the disciples on the shore, he wants to show us the power that he has to do miracles in our lives.
Jesus confronted Peter and asked him three times if he loved him. Jesus doesn't leave Peter feeling low about denying him three times.Jesus reinstates him and tells him to feed his sheep. Jesus also tells Peter of the death he will face, which will bring glory to God. Peter's death wil be a result of his proclaiming the message of Christ.
The Great Commission.
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) tells us, "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' "
Peter was an ordinary guy, a fisherman. But he became a spirtiual giant.He became knownas the rock. Peter was changed from that moment on. He went from being a follower of Christ to being a leader and a disciple maker. Peter was filled with the Spirit and did everything possible to advance the message of Jesus.
God also wants to reinstate us to go and make disciples. What does that kind of change look like in our lives? For Peter, it was a call to passionate, intentional, ceaseless ministry, and ultimately a brutal death.Peter's perspective changed. He was filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit. Peterseized every opportunity in every day to advance the cause of Christ.
Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and all of the disciples who were changed by the ministry of Christ played a very important part in ministry. Each had their own gift and contributions to the early Church.
What if we allowed God to change our perspective?
What if our strength was not from ourselves, but from the Spirit? What if we seized every opportunity in every day? In our lives it will be obviousthat we are changed if we allow the Holy Spirit, God in us, to lead us. Our perspective changes from being focused on us to being focused on others. We see every moment as an opportunity to show the love of Christ. We say thank you to God for the gift of Christ by giving back to others.
Some of those among us have already been changed. Some here today are living passionate and intentional lives for Christ.
- Grandparents who have raised an entire family of believers.
- Junior high or high school students who are ridiculed, mocked, and teased because they act differently and treat people differently and proclaim Christ in their schools.
- Those who have been on mission trips and have a heart to give to the poor in the name of Christ.
- Those who tell all of their friends, family, and neighbors about how Christ has changed their lives.
- The Bettisons and Willhoits who have committed to going overseas to translate God's word in a foreign country.
- A young couple who is planning to move to Morocco to teach and be a part of the body in that part of the world.
Unfortunately, there are some of us who have not yet been changed. There are some who are like Peter and who saythey are committed, but whose actions speak the truth andthey deny Christ.
What if we lived transformed lives in response to God's gift?
It's exciting to think about what it could look like, isn't it? How different would it be if when we were faced with the question, "Hey, aren't you one of them?" just as Peter was, we would proudly say, "Yes Iam. Let me tell you about my Jesus!"
The work of the body of Christ is not at its best without everyone doing his part. Each of us has a key role that is different from another's. Paul could not have ministered to the Jews if Peter had not been involved and began the work. Without Ananias, Paul would not have been around to write over half of the books in the New Testament and wouldn't have been able to begin numerous churches.
If we were all in tune with the Spirit's leading in our lives and allowed God to fully change us, think of how the good news of God'sgift would spread. God is calling you to be changed. God wants your everything, just like Peter and Paul and Barnabas and Silas gave their everything.Godis calling you to "go", just as he did the disciples. Each of us has been given the same call to "go" and the same Spirit to lead us.
This morning God is asking you, "Do you truly love me? Then feed my lambs." Again Jesus asks you, "Do you truly love me? Then take care of my sheep." A third time, "Do you love me? Then feed my sheep."
Will you be changed? Will you respond to God's call this morning? Will you respond to God by saying "thank you" for the gift of his Son? How many times does God have to ask you if you love him before you are changed? What is the evidence in your life that you are changed and are responding to God's call?
We all have a decision to make. Maybe you are hearing for the first time about being changed and about living differently. If that is you, please respond. Find one of the postors or someone you know and tellhim that you need to make that decision. Maybe you are like Peter and you have gone back to fishing. It is time to be passionately sold out and changed.
No matter where you are this morning, God is calling you to make a change.He is calling you to be changed. Will you listen?