Sermon nuggets Thurs Dec 8
Theme- The Living Lord
Verses John 21:12-14
12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
The Living Christ Enriches Us
You might think that 153 fish was enrichment enough. But Jesus wasn’t interested in the fish. He was interested in the fellowship with the men. They got more than what they bargained for. They hoped for a few fish, but by the power of God their nets were overflowing. But it wasn’t until they could take their eyes off the fish that they realized they had something more important. Fish aren’t as important as people. Our job isn’t as important as we are. Our money, our material goods, our job, our house, nor our hobbies are as important. God wants to enrich you this year with a renewed heart for Kingdom purposes.
The Apostles were about to embark on a greater mission- to fish for men and women in the renewed power of the Living Lord.
The resurrection means that we have an alive presence of Christ. Someone said, “Christianity is not something we believe, it is someone we receive.” By receiving Jesus into our lives we have a abiding relationship with Him. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He ever lives to make intercession for us at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is able to control circumstances. He changed in an instant what they had been unable to change in an entire night! Don't give up! Learn to trust the power of our Savior.
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” He is talking about the worry of clothes and food and the necessities of lives. All the worry and unrest in the world isn’t going to change anything. The important thing for the Lord is for us to accept his invitation. We are enriched by His presence
In John 15:6, Jesus has this to say: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." Jesus is patient. We struggle and strive, convinced that if we just do a little more, just work a little harder, we can accomplish whatever it is that we think needs to be accomplished. As a result, we often end up just like the disciples, returning empty handed. What we can learn from them is that it is the presence of Jesus, His guidance in our lives, which will make our efforts fruitful.
In promising the Holy Spirit, Jesus said in John 16:13-14: "he will guide you into all truth....He will tell you what is to come....He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." That is why Paul can say in Romans 8:14: "those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God." God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, will be with you daily through every decision, through every situation. But you have to ask, and then follow the guidance you are given. Have you accepted the invitation of Jesus for fellowship?
Sir James Simpson was the discoverer of chloroform among other scientific discoveries. He was asked by one of his students. “What do you consider to be the most outstanding discovery you have ever made?” He said, “Young man the greatest discovery I have every made is that Jesus Christ is my Savior; that is by far the most important thing a person can ever come to know.”
The Living Lord continually changes lives today. For Jesus is active and powerful and there are encounters still with the living Lord by the power of his Holy Spirit, there are times of encouragement when we see the hand of God in little ways and powerful miraculous ways to help us remember his love. And He desires to enrich you.
Maybe this New Year you need to hear again the call of God to come and follow. Like the Apostles in the boat He has a plan for you. It brings meaning to the every day experiences. It is bringing the Kingdom of God into your world and going in the power of the resurrection. He comes to enrich you and your world.
Pastor Dale
