GO DEEP, GROW STRONG, AND BEAR FRUIT #2
VISION FOR 2012:
THE BIG IDEA: God is calling us to go deeper into His love, His Word and relationships with one another. He is calling us to grow strong. And He is calling us to bear fruit in our lives – the fruit of the Spirit, the harvest, and ministry and service.
Today, let’s look at the life of one of the disciples of Jesus who failed in all three areas: Peter.
THE CALL OF SIMON PETER:
“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:18-20).
• Peter was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, and a part of the inner three w/ James & John.
• Jesus sent Peter and the disciples out to preach the Gospel and heal the sick.
• In Matthew 14:28-33, Peter walked on water with Jesus.
• Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter which means rock.
A NIGHT IN THE LIFE OF PETER:
“30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." 33 Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." 34 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.” (Matthew 26:30-35).
• Peter declared boldly that he would never deny Jesus.
• After this story, Jesus took Peter, James and John into the garden with him and while Jesus prayed, they fell asleep (v. 36-41).
• Later that night when soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter cut a man’s ear off (v. 51).
• Then, Peter followed Jesus at a distance (v. 58) and denied him three times (v. 69-74).
• “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.” (v. 75).
• After Jesus’ death on the Cross, Peter returned to being a fisherman (John 21:3).
• Here was a disciple who wasn’t going deep, growing strong, or bearing fruit.
• However, after a radical encounter with the resurrected Jesus, Peter turned his life around and became a fruitful disciple. Let’s take a look at his life some more…
1. GO DEEP:
“For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25).
• At one point, Peter had followed Jesus at a distance. There was no fire or passion.
• After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter returned to Jesus and began following Him closely.
• Peter later wrote: “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious.” (1 Peter 2:7).
• If we want to be strong and bear fruit, we need roots that go deep. Deep into what?
A. GO DEEP INTO GOD’S LOVE: (worship/prayer)
Peter said: “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.” (2 Peter 3:18).
Last week: “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.” (Eph. 3:17, NLT).
• We need to press in for a deeper relationship with Jesus.
B. GO DEEP INTO GOD’S WORD: (discipleship)
Peter said: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Peter 2:1-3).
• I want to challenge you to go deeper in the Word this year – take the 5 minute challenge!
C. GO DEEP INTO OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER: (fellowship).
Peter said: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.” (1 Peter 3:8).
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:8-9).
• God is calling us to go deeper in our relationships with one another. He wants us to love as brothers and have a fervent passionate love for one another!
• I want to challenge you to make relationships a priority this year.
• Get involved in home groups this year – where we can love one another, pray for one another, and help each other’s troubles and problems.
• We need godly friends to help us stay strong in the Lord!
• TESITMONY: Thankful for my friendship with Alvin (accountability) – I need this too!
2. GROW STRONG:
Jesus said to Peter: “And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)
• How can we grow strong and be able to resist our powerful enemy?
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:1-4).
• If we want to grow strong and resist the enemy, get the Word in your heart! (Ps. 119:11).
• TESTIMONY: I know anytime I neglect my Bible reading, I get into trouble, too!
Peter said: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).
• God wants us to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might!
3. BEAR FRUIT:
A. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
• God wants us to become more and more like Jesus every day.
• “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
B. THE FRUIT OF THE HARVEST: (evangelism)
Jesus said: “Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” (John 4:35-36, NLT).
• God wants us to reach out to people and share the good news with them.
C. THE FRUIT OF MINISTRY AND SERVICE: (ministry).
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11, NLT).
• God wants us to discover and develop our gifts and use them to bless others.
• Are you using your gifts to minister God’s grace to others? (more on the gifts next week).
• “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11).
• “Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant.” (Matt. 23:11, Message).
• Are you serving in the church? All Christians are called to serve others.
• Jesus said, “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, NLT).
• Peter told us we should follow in Christ’s steps (1 Peter 2:21).
APPLICATION:
• Are you a juicy fruit Christian, bearing fruit in your life?
• Go deeper into God’s love, God’s Word, and relationships this year.
• Grow stronger in the Lord by getting His Word into your heart (5 minute challenge).
• Bear fruit in your life – the fruit of the Spirit, of the harvest, and of ministry and serving.
• We need people to get involved serving in the children’s ministry and worship this year!
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:8).
Do you want to bring glory to Jesus this year? Go deep, grow strong, bear fruit!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
