Church 12/12/2020
Offertory scripture:
Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord , who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Psalm 112:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20112:1-2&version=NIV
Sermon series: God's Christmas presents for mankind
Tonight's thesis: the present of a fresh start
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:8-20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%202:8-20&version=NIV
God used Jesus' birth to give us a fresh start. And He doesn't give us a fresh start. He gives it anytime we make a mistake.
God has a way of making things better than the way they were.
God offers you a fresh start.
The case of apostle Peter:
He tells Jesus he would die for Him. But he ended up denying Him three times. But Jesus eventually restores him.
Like He did with Peter, God offers you a fresh start
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you [divinely (agape)] love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you [(philao) with a brotherly love].” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you [divinely (agape)] love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you [(philao) with a brotherly love].” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me [(philao) with a brotherly love]?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you [(philao) with a brotherly love].” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:15-17&version=NIV
^also significance of three times Jesus asks Peter compared with Peter's three denials
God offers YOU a fresh start
After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
John 21:1,14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:1,14&version=NKJV
Receive God's present of a fresh start.
God offers you a fresh start!
After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
John 21:1-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:1-3&version=NKJV
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Children, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
John 21:4-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:4-14&version=NIV
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:1-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%205:1-11&version=NIV
When you quit, you always take others with you
Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
John 21:2-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:2-3&version=NIV
We know about Peter and the other disciples, because we know how his choice to continue to follow Jesus affects not only the rest of his story but also history. But we don't know about us, as our place in history is still being written, and how choices we have yet to make will affect the future.
John 18 and 21: the only two times when the word "charcoal" is used in the Bible. The first time, Peter was by charcoal and denied Jesus. The second time, Jesus used charcoal to make breakfast for Peter right before He restores him.
Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.
John 18:17-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2018:17-18&version=NKJV
When you decide to go on, you take others with you.
God wants to give you the present of a fresh start.
No comments:
Post a Comment