Repentance and the sinking boat

Again and again in scripture we are commanded to repent. Repentance has always been to turn away from those things which lead to death and destruction and to follow the way that leads to eternal life. Matthew 6:33 speaks of seeking or putting first the kingdom of God and it's righteousness at the forefront of our minds and therefore our ways. In doing so we become aware of those areas of our lives which are contrary to God's kingdom and His ways.

Repentance can be viewed in two different ways, imagine you are on a boat in the middle of the ocean with a number of other people. Suddenly you become aware the boat has sprung a leak and you have only two options. One, to jump ship and swim for shore and though there is a possibility you may through a miracle come across a log or plank that can assist you to reach land, the likeliness is that you will succumb to the depths of the ocean whilst waiting for your miracle.

The second option is that you with the rest of your passengers begin to scoop out the water from the boat using your hands or any other means you have. Though there is no guarantee of salvation by scooping our the water, together as you jointly become aware of your predicament and circumstance may some how be able to keep the boat from sinking until you reach shore or other means are at your disposal.

We often view repentance as a one time solution for the whole of our Christian lives. Yet Jesus made it clear in the gospels that our walk with him is a daily one. That each day we must "deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him". This is also true of repentance as our heavenly Father reveals our humanity and the things in our lives which cause us to miss the mark or the heavenly target that he has for those He loves.

Let us daily allow God's Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and ways, let us embrace the opportunity to change and grow our lives in the ways in which He intended for us.

The Power of Peter's Life - Acts 2:1-14

The Power of Peter’s Life

Introduction: Acts 2:1-14 Then Peters Stood Up

The same Peter who only days earlier had denied our Lord three times was now this bold and empowered person who not only saw three thousand added to the number of the disciples in a single afternoons preaching but who rightfully claimed the role of leader to the group who would become known as The Christian Church and eventually turned the world on its head.

The outer workers or manifestations of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost were obvious, rushing winds, tongues of fire and a multitude of different languages that miraculously were endowed upon believers in an instant.

Similarly the fruits of the Holy Spirit from Galatians five are also easily identified in the lives of believers. But in inner workers of the Holy Spirit are more difficult to identify and as a result are not often spoken of. Yet Paul says that all of these things are from the one Spirit. And though we often like to separate the inner from the outer it is apparent that one cannot exist without the other.

It is therefore these inner works which I believe are just as vital to seeing God’s Spirit manifest in the lives of any believer.

Jesus Breathes on the disciples – John 21

After Jesus appears to the disciples when they were hid from the Jews in fear of reprisals, which is for the body of our Lord not being present in the tomb, Jesus appears amongst them and greets them with “Peace I give unto you”. Whilst this greeting may seem out of place in this setting, seeing Jesus ‘presence in itself is a miracle, it was however a customary for Jews to greet others in this way. The greeting of Shalom which actually means for wholeness basically means “you have no reason to fear me”.

Very little was said during this meeting but Jesus goes on to breathe on them and tell them to receive the Holy Spirit. Whilst some scholars see this merely as a pre-emptive act for the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, I think there are greater consequences of this simple greeting and breathing than meets the eye.

Jesus said on multiple occasions that he only did what he saw or heard from the Father. Just as when Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit and as a consequence the disciples saw it shrivelled when they passed by the following day, so too was this simple act the beginning of a transformation in the lives of all the disciple none the least of Peter.

The disciple had for three years walked with Christ and seen and heard all that he had done and said. Just as faith comes from hearing the word so too had the disciples increased their faith in being with Christ? Now it was time for the Holy Spirit to begin his inner workings in their lives.

What had happened with Peter when they came for Christ?

Firstly we know that Peter acted like he often had previously, impetuously and rashly by cutting off the ear of the high priests ‘servant. This was not uncommon for “foot in mouth” Peter who was often saying and doing the wrong things.

Whether it was at the transfiguration of Christ when Moses and Elijah appear and Peter can only think to build shelters for them or when Jesus must rebuke harshly Peter with “get behind me Satan” from wanting to hinder the work of God.

Secondly we know Peter scattered and ran like the others probably in fear of being arrested with our Lord. Yet later on we find he follows Jesus to the residence of the high priests home. It is here that we witness Peter’s most difficult moment and the three times that he denies even knowing Christ.

Interestingly, each of these denials I believe correlate to the temptations of Christ and later reveals why Christ asks Peter if he loves him three times. This I call the pattern of three.

Christ’s Temptation                        Peter’s Denial                                   Peter’s Restoration

-Turning stone to bread                                warm himself by the fire              Do you Philae me?

(the need to eat)                              (the need for warmth)                   (Feed my lambs)

-Atop the temple mount              No admitted to H/Priest home  Do you Agape me?

(Authority of the church)              (Exclusion from hierarchy)           (Care for my lambs)

-Kingdoms of the world                                Association with evil                       Do you Agape me?

(Worldliness adorned)                   (Cursing not be approved)           (Feed my Sheep)

Thirdly he went back to what he knew, fishing and in John 21 in a little BBQ scene we see Peter finally restored.

So how did the Holy Spirit work in Peter leading to Pentecost?

Firstly much more powerfully than we give credit. Not only was Jesus determined to see Peter reconciled to himself but also restored as the true leader of the early church. Just as God’s gifts are irrevocable so is his calling in our lives. God is committed to Peter fully and we see this in his complete restoration as seen in John 21.

He exposes our Sin and Weaknesses

Just as Peter denied Christ three times so too did our Lord ask Peter if he truly loved him three times, each weighing heavily upon Peter’s weaknesses. Not just as the world loves, that is with Philae love, but as God loves with Agape love which is unconditional.

Peter as decreed by Christ to be the Rock was no longer the reed which sways with the direction of the wind, Peter’s personality and ways was to give in and to give up when things became too difficult. Now the Lord is exposing his weakness to see him as the man of God he was always called to be.

He causes us to let go of our past and traditions

Christ comes to Peter and the disciples when they had returned to what they knew, that is fishing. This was their past time and security in what they knew and understood. When Jesus went to the cross and died they thought this was the end of the journey. They could not see the bigger picture even after Christ appears to them after his resurrection. These fishermen turned back to what they knew to meet their needs and bring them a sense of security. We too, in our darkest hours will often go back to what we know and think brings us security. Maybe this is our parent’s home or place of upbringing, but the journey with Christ must continue.

He brings us to a place of submission

As Christ restores Peter, he does so in three ways. First asking Peter to “feed my lambs” , whilst this simple comment may seem insignificant it is important to note Jesus’ use of the word lambs as opposed to sheep. Simply, this I believe is a metaphor for Peter to be obedient to his original call to lead the church even in its early days.

Secondly, Christ asks Peter to take “care of my lambs”, I believe emphasising the increasing burden and responsibility that he must have to those that belong to Jesus. Not necessarily those whom Peter loves but who are loved by Christ.

Finally he asks Peter to “fee my sheep”, now speaking of lambs that have grown and matured both in understanding and age. This is a call to be obedient to the very end to the church that Christ is head.

Interestingly, it is said that when Nero attacked the Christians when looking for a scapegoat for burning Rome, Peter fled Rome, only later on the road returning to Antioch he turns back and fulfils his call of obedience to the Lord. It is in his turning back to face certain persecution and death does he completely fulfil his call of obedience.

The Intrusian of Love

When we love someone, it is easy to see that our love at times for those we love can be an inconvenience. I just returned from a friend's home who was baby sitting his granddaughter and grandson. As I watched him and his wife do nothing but run after these three and one year olds, I realised that there lives were greatly inconvenienced by these two little ones that were now in their care. After pointing out the obvious, they responded by saying "we would have it no other way".

Love is intrusive, when we love someone they can and will often cause disturbance or a disruption to our lives. These two beautiful children, as precious as they were brought havoc to the normal operations of my friends lives. I recently felt the same whilst teaching my daughter to drive, though I love her and believe in her, I constantly felt concern when ever we hopped in the car for a lesson. And though this is a temporal thing which will fade with time, there will be something else that arises that will disrupt our lives. This however is a normal part of being in relationship and loving those around us.

God loves us, as scripture again and again tells us and how Jesus going to the cross has demonstrated. John 1:1-3; 14 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” Philippians goes on to say that Jesus left his abode, heaven, and became man. Though Christ knew no sin, he became sin for us.

We can view this from two angles, one in the view of Christ and the incredible sacrifice he made on our behalf but also in view of the sinner, that is those needing salvation. When I first believed in Christ Jesus as my saviour I knew my life was in ruin. Though the appearance of having it all, money, friends and a bright future, I knew that there was something or better someone who was missing from my life. But to have that someone in my life was going to cost me, not just a little but everything I had and knew. Friendship with God will always mean animosity with the world and worldliness. Matthew 6:33 commands us to seek first his kingdom and all his righteousness...This requires we laydown our lives, take up our cross and follow Jesus daily. Denying ourselves, our wants for the sake of others is the very thing that Christ displayed to us.

Not only do we pay the price for love but we also gain the benefits of it. Those are obvious when it come to God and the riches of his kingdom. But on an earthly level the benefits of sharing our lives with others, though at times can be intrusive to us and them, far out way any costs we may incur. Love is intrusive, but without love we really have no relationships nor do we have the benefits of those relationships in our lives. Therefore just a God is love, learn to love more and in doing so I believe we see more of God in our own lives.