The Call Remains - Sunday, July 25, 2010

Living Life “on Mission”

July 25, 2010
Text: John 21:4-22
Title: The Call Remains

God of the Second Chance: As we finish our journey with Peter, we meet him just after the lowest time in his life. When Jesus needed him most, Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Not just once. Not just twice. But three times! Definitely not a good day for Peter.

Still, Jesus never gave up on Peter. He met with him. He shared a meal with him. Jesus even asked Peter some challenging questions, loving Peter patiently and for his good. Jesus gave Peter a second chance and despite Peter’s terrible fall, Christ’s call on his life remained. 


As was true with Peter, Jesus never ceases to give us another chance. While we must never take for granted his deep and serious call to obedience and submission, we can live with unending confidence that Christ acts for our good. Jesus will give us, until we ourselves reject it, a second, a third, a fourth . . . a fiftieth chance. Truly, Christ’s mercies are new every day.


Think about it—Where might Jesus be offering you a second chance? In what relationship, what habit, what attitude? Christ is willing. Are you?


But notice, Jesus did not restore Peter to leave Peter feeling relieved. No, Jesus immediately called him back into the work. Jesus never restores us to leave us as we are.

Rather, Jesus always restores us both for our good and for the good of others. Peter was restored not so he could retire and tell stories of his time with Jesus. No, Peter was restored and his call renewed so that he could care for others as they learned what it meant to follow Jesus.


Think about it—Christ has given you a “second chance.” What are you doing with it? In what ways are you extending the light, love and goodness of Christ into your world?

Do You Love Me: In our text, Peter is asked three times if he loves Jesus. Peter, humbled by his recent “fall,” acknowledges his love for Jesus but makes no claim to love Jesus perfectly or as Jesus loves him. And yet, Peter loves Jesus.


And that’s the issue. It was the issue for Peter and it’s the issue for you and for me. Do we love Jesus? And if we do, well, then our lives should look like that love. Our lives should reflect our love for Christ through the ways in which we love others—in the ways in which we love those we’ve been called to care for, to shepherd, to influence and to tend. Our answer to Christ’s question, “Do you love me,” is given through our actions far more than through our words.


Think about it—Christ’s call is always a call to love. How would others describe the ways in which you love them? How are they experiencing God’s love through you?

Hope to see you Sunday! Remember, God never gives up on you and neither will we.


Yours in Christ with love,

Pastor Eric

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What's Your Accent? - Sunday, July 18, 2010

Living Life “On Mission”

Sunday, July 18, 2010

I love an accent: I (Eric) met Joni (my wife) on the evening of August 8, 1990. Joni had just finished a concert with the Celebrant Singers, a music ministry taking the love of Jesus Christ throughout the world. (www.celebrants.org)


Joni traveled with the Celebrants for three months in 1990. During that time, her team ministered throughout the United States and in several newly liberated nations of Eastern Europe. On that particular night, Joni’s travels (as well as her bus) brought her team “for one night only” to people living in the exotic world of Des Moines, Iowa.


As I enjoyed the ministry of the Celebrants, I couldn’t help but notice the abandonment with which a particular young woman worshiped the Lord. The joy of Christ radiated from her in ways that words can’t really capture. Anyway, as fate had it, Joni was standing right next to this woman. . . . HAH! Just kidding . . . . No, Joni was that woman.


After the concert, I wanted to thank this “young woman” for her ministry. If you know me you know that a groupie I am so NOT! But, I had to tell her how wonderful her ministry had been. When I finally had a chance to speak with Joni, I was immediately struck by her accent. There was no mistaking it. As Barney Fife (I know I’m dating myself here) might have said, Joni was clearly “from somewhere’s else.” Joni was a “southern girl.” I loved the accent (and I’d soon come to love the rest of her as well). 


Out of our brief conversation came a relationship, a marriage, four kids and a life together of almost 19 years (and counting). I still love the accent. But far more than the accent of Joni’s voice, I now love the accent of her life. Beyond her words, Joni’s life “speaks” with the accent of Christ and his love. She’s human . . . sure. But, Joni loves Jesus. Her life is marked deeply by the accent of his incredible love and transforming presence. There’s no mistaking it and (over almost 19 years) there’s no denying it or faking it.


So what’s your accent? This Sunday we’ll continue our journey with Peter. This time, looking at Luke 22:31-62, we’ll see Peter at one of the lowest points in his life. Peter who had been with Jesus from the beginning denies knowing Jesus three times. Even when the “accent” of his words suggested he has been with Jesus, Peter, fearing for his own life, denies it.


So, how about your life (and mine)? What’s the accent of your life? More than words. More than moments. Over time and especially when things are “tight,” what’s the accent of your life? Does your life “speak” Jesus? I pray it does (and mine, too).


Please join us for worship on Sunday. We’ll spend time with Peter and look at ways in which our lives can come—in good and hard times—to speak with the “accent” of Christ and his love.


See you Sunday!


Blessings and joy,
Pastor Eric    

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The ONE HOUR Challenge - Sunday, July 11, 2010

Living Life "On Mission"

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Message Title: The ONE HOUR Challenge

Text: Matthew 26:30-56


As I’ve worked my way towards Sunday, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about "time." Here are some things I’ve been reminded about time.

  • Time is a lot like money; it’s valuable and it’s always getting spent on something.
  • Time passes and once it’s gone . . . . well . . . . IT’s GONE!
  • NOW is not always the time (but sometimes NOW is the time).
  • There’s not always more time; sometimes time runs out.
  • Waiting until tomorrow to fix your roof does little keep you dry from today’s rain.


Oh . . . and I’ve also checked on and learned that as of the writing of this "on mission" I’ve been alive:

  • 51 years OR
  • 612 months OR
  • 2,652 weeks OR
  • 18,564 days OR
  • 445,536 hours OR
  • 26,732,160 minutes OR
  • 1,603,929,600 seconds
  • And counting . . . . . . .


Oh . . .MY! And yet, I wonder how much of that time I’ve truly "lived." Being alive and truly living can be two very different things. How many of my 1.5 billion (yes, billion) seconds have I really made "count"?


In our text for Sunday, Matthew 26:30-56, we’re going to be reminded that time matters. As we continue our time (J!) with Peter, we’ll see that even one hour—an hour well spent or an hour frittered away—can make a huge difference. It can make all the difference.


I invite you to take some time and get immersed in our text for Sunday. As you do, think about how you spend your time. Are you spending your time on things that will last or things that that will soon be gone? Remember, time is ticking . . . and ticking . . . and ticking.


See you Sunday!


Blessings always,
Pastor Eric

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