Wow, so between support raising for the first three months of the year and moving back into full-time ministry in April, I've fallen behind on my reading schedule for the year. I finished reading Generous Justice last month, but am just finding a chance to post my review of it now.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
"Jesus is on the water."
Last night at TreeHouse, I was given the privilege of sharing with our students the story of Jesus walking on water. During my preparation for this message, the Spirit really laid on my heart an angle to the story that I hadn't really realized before: "Jesus is on the water." According to Matthew 14, Peter had to leave the comfort and security of the boat and walk out into the unknown. Why? Because that's where Jesus was, that's where Jesus called him, so that's where he went.
The students were able to think of different things they believe or have heard that the Bible teaches about Jesus. That He loves us without strings. That He forgives us even though we don't deserve it. That He'll never leave us. That in submitting to Him, He'll "make our paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6). What God had laid on my heart for this story is that the Truths of Scripture only make sense when you're out on the water following Jesus. When you're sitting in the boat where you stay safe and comfortable, it doesn't make sense or really matter that Jesus will never leave you, or that you're forgiven no matter your past, or that as we follow Christ, he'll guide us and show us our purpose.
"Where are you?" was the challenge.
Are you in the boat still?
Are you on the edge of the boat thinking of stepping out?
Are you sinking?
Where are you?
The topic of walking into the unknown for Jesus, potentially being persecuted and suffering for Him, isn't one that I frequently discuss with my teens. I'm not sure if it's nervousness in the students realizing that following Jesus is hard sometimes or what, but I was unsure how our students would react to the message of Matthew 14. The nervousness led right up until I gave the talk, until I felt a peace come over me and the Spirit reassuring me: "This is truth. EVERY person needs to hear it, and this is the audience I have chosen for tonight."
I'm glad the Spirit chose this audience. I'm glad he grabbed ahold of me before I got up and started rambling my own words. He moved through His Truth and spoke to the kids. One of our students gave His heart to Christ last night. I'm just glad we get to be a part of it all.
The students were able to think of different things they believe or have heard that the Bible teaches about Jesus. That He loves us without strings. That He forgives us even though we don't deserve it. That He'll never leave us. That in submitting to Him, He'll "make our paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6). What God had laid on my heart for this story is that the Truths of Scripture only make sense when you're out on the water following Jesus. When you're sitting in the boat where you stay safe and comfortable, it doesn't make sense or really matter that Jesus will never leave you, or that you're forgiven no matter your past, or that as we follow Christ, he'll guide us and show us our purpose.
"Where are you?" was the challenge.
Are you in the boat still?
Are you on the edge of the boat thinking of stepping out?
Are you sinking?
Where are you?
The topic of walking into the unknown for Jesus, potentially being persecuted and suffering for Him, isn't one that I frequently discuss with my teens. I'm not sure if it's nervousness in the students realizing that following Jesus is hard sometimes or what, but I was unsure how our students would react to the message of Matthew 14. The nervousness led right up until I gave the talk, until I felt a peace come over me and the Spirit reassuring me: "This is truth. EVERY person needs to hear it, and this is the audience I have chosen for tonight."
I'm glad the Spirit chose this audience. I'm glad he grabbed ahold of me before I got up and started rambling my own words. He moved through His Truth and spoke to the kids. One of our students gave His heart to Christ last night. I'm just glad we get to be a part of it all.
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