West Park Baptist Church

Following the Resurrected Lord

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Following the Resurrected King – Pt 7

“Lord, will You at this time restore the economy to the United States?”

How would the Lord answer that question?

I think the text in focus today helps us know.

We’ve got many questions in mind as we face an unknown future, but we’ve still got a mission and power to face the unfinished task in front of us.

Acts 1:6–11

[6] So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (ESV)

What can we learn from this text?

There’s nothing in the text that indicates that the disciples knew Jesus would leave in the middle of a conversation. No doubt the disciples had many conversations for as long as they had known Jesus about the kingdom of God. In light of Christ’s victory over sin and death, the disciples concluded that Jesus would very shortly finalize His victory by conquering all competing human kingdoms and establishing the Kingdom of God in Israel.

Jesus corrected His disciples with “this is not your area of concern but the Father’s.” That’s a needed answer for us creatures under the Creator. There are many things that He alone retains the right to control, and we can live in the confident certainty that He is even now doing all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).

Jesus also commissioned His disciples with, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” In other words, the area of concern that the disciples must focus on is the evangelization of the entire world. That’s a big job in and of itself! And from that time until now the task remains unfinished. We still have the work in front of us, and Jesus Christ’s final words resound to our minds and hearts and hands today.

The book of Acts really is amazing, for it shows these fearful disciples boldly proclaiming the authority of Christ to an unbelieving world. How do they do this? By the same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus during His ministry on earth. And we have the same promised Spirit today to transform us, fill us, empower us and gift us for service to this lost world.

In this time we may be asking, “Lord, will you at this time restore the economy to its previous glory?” And like the disciples before us, we too need the words, “You are my witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the world.”

Application:

  • Many of us are afraid of what is going to happen in this country and around the world as a result of Covid-19 or angry at the way the virus has been handled, even politicized. I don’t minimize any of that, but we are told by Jesus “in this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33) and by the Apostle Paul, “through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
  • Consider too that while our heritage as Americans is rich, our Constitution right and excellent in its provisions for us, our ultimate hope is in the Kingdom of God restored on this earth through the returning King Jesus. He is coming again in the cloud of God’s manifest glory to reign over all the earth. Defend what we can of our rights on this earth in the legal ways afforded to us, but never lose faith in the return of Jesus. He’s coming! As certain as the sun rose this morning, He’s coming.
  • And face the task unfinished, my brothers and sisters. If we knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ would come tomorrow, would that have any effect on your day today? What effect would that have on your relationship to lost family, friends and neighbors? What effect should that have on how we share the gospel?

Prayer:

Oh, Lord, come! We read that someday You will come in the same way that Your disciples saw You go up. We need You here! We long to get our eyes off the things of earth only, as important as those things are in the right perspective, and to long for Your return as we ought. Oh forgive us Lord for sinful preoccupation with fear according to the tribulation of this age. Fill us again by Your Spirit for life and mission to a lost world cut off from You and Your rule. Maranatha! Amen.

Worship: 

Facing a Task Unfinished 

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Following the Resurrected King – Pt 6

Have you ever examined someone’s life and wished that you could have his or her place or position?

It’s really a tendency in every human heart – to compare and want something more or even just something other than what we have.

The problem with that tendency is each of us is very shortsighted and likewise never see the whole picture.

In our encounter with the resurrected King today we see Peter in focus once again, this time comparing his destiny with another disciple’s. The Lord Jesus sees the whole picture, and His counsel and command to Peter is what we must hear today.

John 21:18–22

[18] Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” [19] (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

[20] Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” [21] When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” [22] Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (ESV)

What can we learn from this text?

Jesus has restored Peter, but that doesn’t mean Peter is a fully-sanctified disciple just yet! The Lord is gracious both in restoring Peter and in helping him prepare for the outcome he must expect for feeding Christ’s lambs. Peter himself will die a similar death to his Lord. Church history confirms this prediction of Jesus, for Peter was crucified (the meaning of “you will stretch out your hands”).

Upon hearing this news, Peter looked to John (often John’s humble reference to himself was “the one whom Jesus loved”) and asked Jesus, effectively, “So what about John?” Jesus’s answer apparently caused some controversy in those days about John’s destiny. While it sounded to them like John would not die until Christ’s return, Jesus merely said to Peter, “What if it is my will that he remain until I come back?” This was the Lord’s way of saying, “That’s none of your business, Peter.”

How often we meddle in affairs that are none of our business! It should be very easy for us to identify with Peter’s error. We too need reminders now and again to not compare our lives to those of others, nor wish our destiny to be the same as theirs or theirs the same as ours.

Most important is the command that follows the correction: “You follow me!” Jesus knows the comparisons we make in our hearts to others will never stop unless we get our eyes on Him. He is the only One who can sustain the weight of all our hopes, desires and ambitions. Our contentment and joy come from following Jesus alone.

Application:

  • It’s very easy to look at the lives of others and fall into a twin error of discontentment (two sides of the same coin): wanting what they have or wishing we didn’t have what we have. If you find that error in either evidence in your life, confess that to the Lord and receive His forgiveness and correction.
  • “Follow Me!” is a wonderful and freeing command! The Lord Jesus knows each of us uniquely and distinctly. He doesn’t lump all of His followers together and lose track of us. As our Shepherd He leads us and calls us by name. How worthy is our Lord of our obedience and faith.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, we love and thank You for leading us. We find refuge in following You instead of the whims of our hearts or the partial glimpses we have into the lives of others. Have mercy on us for our failures in comparing our destinies with other disciples. Forgive us for our sin of comparing. Help us to follow You only. Amen.

Worship:

Be Thou My Vision

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Following the Resurrected King – Pt 5

I’m wondering how many times I’ve said the words “I’m sorry.”

Certainly over my lifetime that number must be in the hundreds of thousands. At least!

I say “sorry” for bumping into someone accidentally, for forgetting something, or for sins I’ve committed against God and others.

Peter surely was sorry. Sorry for the way he had denied his Lord Jesus on the night Jesus was betrayed. Today we will continue our look into John 21 and the scene by the lakeside as Jesus restores Peter. Does Jesus demand an apology? Will He not restore before Peter says, “I’m sorry” and really means it? Thankfully, the Lord chooses a better way.

John 21:15–17

[15] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” [16] He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” [17] He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (ESV)

What can we learn from this text?

One element I left out of the explanation of yesterday’s text was the charcoal fire (21:9). When Peter arrived on shore he saw the Lord sitting down at that charcoal fire. I can envision Peter sitting down across that fire from the Lord. The last time Peter was recorded to be by a charcoal fire was in John 18:18 when he warmed himself by the charcoal fire in the courtyard of the High Priest. Jesus was inside at that time facing the abuse and mockery of the Sanhedrin. At that charcoal fire Peter had denied Jesus three times. How painful something like a common charcoal fire could be to Peter now, bringing to mind his sin.

Jesus intends to do some serious spiritual surgery on Peter. This fire is one of the elements of that operation. Just as Peter denied Jesus three times by the fire, he will now have the chance to reaffirm his loyalty to Jesus three times by the fire. Jesus has come to restore Peter.

Three times Jesus asks, “Simon, some of John, do you love me more than these?” (21:15). This question is the most gracious way to restore Peter, and it’s how the Lord restores all He has died to redeem. Jesus could have asked Peter, “Simon, are you sorry for what you did to me? Do you promise to be faithful to me from this point on?” It could have perhaps been easier for Peter to answer that question with a resounding, “Yes! I’m so sorry! I’ll never do it again.” But Peter had already made strong declarations about his will and intent to follow Jesus before, and he had failed to keep his word. Jesus knows this too, and He ultimately doesn’t need that well-intended but ultimately powerless pledge. Jesus asks “Do you love me?” three times to give Peter three opportunities to reverse his previous denials, but the question itself shows us something too important to miss: Jesus wants Peter’s heart. He knows if He has Peter’s heart, his obedience will follow.

Application:

  • This story teaches us that we need restoration. It’s not enough to say “sorry” and move on. When we sin against the Lord, He wants our sorrow to be expressed by love for Him because of His love and grace to us. Have you expressed your love to Jesus in prayer recently? Think of how He graciously restores your heart and express your love to Him.
  • Jesus gave Peter the command “Feed my sheep/lambs” three times. The way we show our love to Jesus is by loving others and sharing with them the same grace He has shown to us. How can you show the love of Jesus to your brothers or sisters when they sin against you? How can husbands and wives show this kind of love and forgiveness? How should we as the body of Christ in the church love each other this way?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for restoring Peter to love and service for You. We too need restoring, to love and service that demonstrates to others the great love You have for us. Continue that work of changing us and working out in us the restoration that You alone can do. Amen.

Worship:

My Jesus, I Love Thee

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Following the Resurrected King – Pt 4

“Come and have breakfast!”

That’s one of my favorite invitations in the New Testament. I love breakfast for one thing! But I love the image of the resurrected King Jesus sitting on the shore of the lake by the charcoal fire making breakfast for His disciples.

Over the next three days we’ll focus on John 21. Today we look at the miraculous catch of fish in John 21:1-14, with a focus on 9-14.

John 21:9–14

[9] When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” [11] So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. [12] Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. [13] Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. [14] This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (ESV)

What can we learn from this passage?

After the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread in Jerusalem, the disciples returned to Galilee. Peter went fishing, and six other disciples went with him. I’m sure it was frustrating yet familiar to work all night yet catch nothing.

The story turns on the arrival of Jesus on the shore. At His command the disciples catch 153 fish, at a time when fish shouldn’t be there, and very much like the time when Jesus first calls many of those disciples. They realize it’s the Lord, and Peter launches himself out of the boat to get to Jesus.

We should be encouraged by this. Peter denied Jesus and wept bitterly over it. No doubt that terrible night still weighed heavily on Peter’s conscience, and he is broken by his sin. Yet he loved Jesus and his actions still show it.

What does Jesus do? We learn later in John 21 that He is here to restore Peter, and that will involve some further humbling and pain. Yet Jesus begins with ministry to Peter’s immediate needs by making him and the other disciples breakfast. Jesus is patient, and everything He does comes from His great love for these men.

Application:

  • We all deal with sin in our own hearts, ways that we have been unfaithful to Jesus. Often those times are associated with the dark of night, and we carry shame into the light. Peter experienced that and can identify with us.
  • Yet Peter gives us the right example of what to do in that situation: run to Jesus! How encouraging it is to picture a grown man with nothing to lose, throwing himself into the lake to get to Jesus. We must be equally humble and equally brash. No matter what you have done, do whatever you must to get to Jesus!
  • Why do we do this? Because Jesus is so faithful, patient, loving, kind, good, generous, forgiving, and on we could go! Never will you find a Friend so faithful as Jesus, who sticks with you no matter what you have done. Get to Him, and you will experience His faithful love. And be ready, because He wants to also restore you to faithful love to Him.

Prayer: 

Oh how good You are, Lord Jesus! As you ministered to Peter and the others by the sea, we ask that You minister to us today. Someday we will eat with You on the New Earth, but until that time we seek Your ministry through refreshment, love, light for our lives, and ongoing restoration to You.

Worship:

Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

 

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Following the Resurrected King – Pt 3

Famous last words.

Dozens of articles have been written about the humorous, ironic and often sad last words of those the world counts famous.

What if your last recorded words were, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” That’s what is written in John 20:25 from the lips of Thomas the disciple of Jesus. The story of John could have ended on those words, but thankfully the resurrected King Jesus appeared to Thomas and changed both his words and his heart.

Let’s read about it today in John 20:24–29

[24] Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

[26] Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” [28] Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (ESV)

What can we learn from this passage?

It’s now one week after the resurrection. During the week Jesus has appeared to many of His disciples, proving that He is alive. But Thomas was not with the other 10 disciples when Jesus had appeared to them. Why not?

Some have named him “Doubting Thomas.” I get that, for his recorded words “I will never believe” really are the gloom and skepticism of doubt. However, I think there is more than just doubt troubling Thomas.

He was the one in John 11:16 who said about Jesus to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Thomas was ready to follow Jesus to death. When Jesus talked in the upper room about leaving His disciples, Thomas replied to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5). I hear in these words perhaps gloom and pessimism, but I also hear resolve, loyalty and love for Jesus. Thomas was a man prone to pessimism and doubt, but he was also a man prone to loyalty and deep love.

Have you ever thought that people can be very complex? It’s true! Because Thomas exhibits true faith and love for Jesus, I don’t think it’s fair to keep labeling him a “doubter.” Nevertheless he said some very strong words: “I will never believe.” It’s at this point where, if I were one of the other disciples talking to him at that time, I would seriously be fearful for Thomas. How can he say that? What will the Lord say and do?

We read what the Lord did. He appeared to the disciples again the next Sunday, again saying “Peace be with you!” and immediately went to Thomas. Jesus urged Thomas to touch his hands, and to reach out to the place in His side where the spear had pierced Him. He commanded Thomas, “Do not disbelieve, but believe” (20:27).

And you know what the last recorded words of Thomas in the Bible really are? “My Lord and my God.”  One of the most famous skeptics in the New Testament is also one of the first to rightly worship Jesus as God.

The Lord Jesus is still working in us complex people. He knows at times we’ll feel depressed, see the glass half-empty, wonder if the promises about Jesus are really true in this complex and messed-up world. To us Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen yet believed” (John 20:29).

Application: 

  • Do you identity with Thomas as I’ve represented him? What are the times when you feel gloomy, sad or see the worst of life?
  • One of the tendencies Thomas had was pulling away from the community of God’s people during a time of deep sadness and grief. I understand personally the tendency to isolate and get away from people as a more introverted person, but I’ve learned the important life lesson that I need the body of Christ to help me in times of grief. As hard as it is for us to involve others sometimes, we need to be open to their love and care during hard times. Especially during times like these when we’re very isolated. We may just miss a blessing.
  • Best of all is that assurance of Jesus, that we today are blessed when we worship Him even though we don’t yet see Him. He knows the challenges we face to believe, but He gives us faith and encourages us to keep believing on His word.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus we confess we are prone to doubt, to pessimism and skepticism. We think often of the negative things happening around us and to us. We often read more news headlines than we spend time in your Word. Forgive us. Please cleanse us and help us to believe; to hold fast to Your words. Grant us the blessing of belief in You as our Lord and God. Amen.

Worship:

Be Thou My Vision