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April 24, 2017 1:09 pm
Harvest messages are brought to you by harvest partners to receive free email daily devotions or to become a harvest partners, please visit us online@harvest.org, John chapter 21 for our Easter message of 2017. The title of my message is a second chance at Easter. I love Jordan story. She went to church on Easter and she felt like she was home again, maybe that's how you feel because there might be some of you that have a similar story you were raised as a believer but you walked away from that sin you've not been this close to the Lord as you once were, and you wonder how I strayed so far would God even welcome me back again, but for others. This is all new to you. You have never been to this church, and for some of you. You've never been to any church, and here's what I want to say to you today.
Welcome home. This is your home. Yes, see the church as a family. I'll admit a dysfunctional family but a family nonetheless it's God's family. God forever family and we want you to be a part of it. You know when I was a kid, I was looking for a family because I really didn't have one. I never had a father my mom. I was morally compared to my mother that she was apparent to me.
With all of her divorces and alcoholism. So throughout my childhood I was searching for a father or mother of family and I found it when I came to Christ and I met other followers of Jesus Christ. He became my brothers and sisters, you save a great way. The second one about the hypocrites in the church.
Don't worry about it there's always room for one more okay so come on joint I recently read a letter from a young lady that wrote me that had a very hard childhood. Both of her parents are raging alcoholics. She was the second of four children.
They occasionally went to church but she said she never heard the gospel when she was nine thermometer debtor to younger sister were in an alcohol-related car crash and tragically, her father and her sister died. Her mom is in critical condition. She finally recovered tragically to only go back to drinking again and she really did not care for three remaining kids, so one of this girls sisters was so despondent by this she committed suicide at the age of 20 and then the Google Roby started having suicidal thoughts, wondering why was she even put on this earth to suffer like this and then to make matters worse. Her mom got behind the wheel of a car drunk again and this time she killed someone else on the road and her mother was sent to prison. You wonder, can the story get any worse, but God specializes in intervening in tragic situations and turning them around so her mom's imprisoned drive by the way your way more responsive than the first service. There were so dad unbelievable. Thank you for that. But I it was early. It was early, but anyway what I'm saying is true.
Okay, so, so it's back. Her mom's imprisoned, but God intervenes that she hears are radio broadcast and makes a commitment to Christ that she stopped drinking but she starts praying for her daughter to praise her daughter will be the center for five years and finally the daughter came to Jesus and the daughter wrote.
I lost two sisters with the Lord is giving me know. Many sisters in Christ in the church, so she found her home and you can find your home as well. Love, Ellen Jordan came to church. He saw the words on the screen were glad you made it. Then the pastor said it's never too late to come back home that's so true because Easter among other things, is about second chances I wouldn't tell you a Bible story. When I do my grandkids Bible stories of Satan, and if you want to hear Bible story. Raise your hands off if you want to hear Bible surveys are you good good okay I got a good one for you to story of a guy who crashed and burned spiritually. He loved Jesus, but he was self-confident and prideful and set the scene for his own fall's name was Simon Peter often referred to as St. Peter and yes he was a saint, but he was a saint who fell because even saints can slip. I mean really what is a saint. It's just another word for believer heard a story of a Sunday school teacher was talking or class about saints and she said you can tell me what a saint is little girl raised her hand teacher called and earned the little girl thinking of the apostles and the stained-glass windows. The church said, I say to someone that the light shines through. That's true. However, all states. You don't have to call me to Gregory. If you don't want to but I am a bona fide living saint it if you put your faith in Christ. You are to and so was Peter but he had a big fall. Of course he was far from perfect effect. The full Plaza, Peter were legendary. Did you know that more ink is given to Simon Peter and what he said in the Gospels and any of the other apostles in a way that is because Peter was always talking you always knew where you stood with Peter, do you know someone or maybe you are that someone that has to offer your opinion on everything even when you're not as that was Peter always had something to say providing running commentary.
One of the epic Peter moments is when Jesus takes Peter James and John aside and they fall asleep, and he goes and he's transfigured, meaning that he was shining like the sun. So Peter wakes up he sees Jesus on one side is allied to the great miracle working profit on the other side was Moses the great lawgiver.
If ever there was a time to just take it in. Take a picture positive you have to, but just be quiet. Peter feels it's a good time to say something so there's Jesus, Moses and Elijah Peter says up and says it's good we are here. Let's build 3/10 one for Moses, one for Jesus, one for Elijah. You wonder if Moses turned to Jesus and said, is he with you Elijah mother said all torture right now. Just like that though we would've done that your days with me. Peter is not done yet. It's good were here though is Peter is he he would just speak up on another occasion Jesus said by the Son of Man will be betrayed will be crucified and all rise again on the third day in the Bible says Peter began to rebuke Jesus and Satan be that far from you, Lord. Imagine that Jesus Jesus can let me talk you for second buddy, this is crazy talk what you mean you couldn't die on a cross and what are you saying your lesson Jesus turns to Peter and says get behind me Satan for your defense to me because that is why Christ came to die on the cross.
Another occasion Jesus is walking on the water and who asks if he can walk on the water would Jesus, but Peter nobody else but Peter, Jesus says, come on, he was nonstop entertainment that was Peter but I want to know something Jesus absolutely love Simon Peter, and even saints can slip up so there in the upper room and Jesus dropped the bombshell that one of them is going to betray him.
That would be Judas, Peter sees this as a great opportunity for most of his great love and devotion for Christ and he says hello dinar you I will never deny you, Jesus ago since you brought it up for the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you know me Peter said there's no way that will ever happen will know it was going to happen and Peter was about to learn the pride goes before a fall. And so of course that's exactly what he ended up doing fast-forward.
Christ is arrested.
He's being taken out to the house of the high priest Caiaphas and outside of his house. There is an open patio area where there's a big fire burning.
The people are warming themselves quiet. Peter is sort of following outta distances. Christ is arrested because of the fire. He's standing there, someone recognizes him and says you were with Jesus. I mean, the first thing I would about Samara Peter was would be other any roosters around here because, as Jesus did say specifically rooster crows twice, you would Jesus know I never knew the guy. Peter says rooster crows. An hour passes.
He could've gotten out of there in our passes someone else's know I recognize you. You were with Jesus. I never knew the man rooster crows. Then he denies them 1/3 time. The third time, taking an old saying in effect, I swear to God I never knew Jesus and at that moment the Bible tells us Christ was let out of the house of Caiaphas, and he made momentary eye contact was Simon Peter and the glow of the fire while overlooking of expression you think Jesus had when he looked at Peter. At that moment. After his third enough to think he rolled his Isaac. I think you look at them with love and compassion. He knew it was coming, he predicted it, but Peter was devastated and he went out and began to weep bitterly because he had failed the Lord then crisis taken to the cross. He scourged with the Roman web, then he is beaten in the face of the spirit is ripped from his face. Then he carries that heavy wooden cross to Calvary and they nail it to him and he was so beaten and bloodied in Marden's body was so traumatized in his face so swollen that were told in Isaiah.
You couldn't even tell he was a man. Clearly that man would never live again. Clearly that Matt would never walk again. That man would never breathe again.
That would've been true under normal circumstances, but this wasn't just any man.
This was the God man hanging there on the cross, dying for this sin of the world. Then Jesus as he said he would rose again from the dead, and Mary Magdalene was first of the two. In Matthew 16 we read that she came to the tomb. It was empty and the angel said don't be alarmed using Jesus of Nazareth was crucified.
But he's risen.
He's not here see the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples listen and Peter tell the disciples and Peter is going before you into Galilee. There you'll see him as he said to you that brings me to my first point. Point number one. Easter is personal Easter is personal notice. The angel said go tell the disciples and Peter by the way, you can insert your name there. Go tell the disciples and great go tell the disciples and Mary and Britney and John and Josh and Mortimer. There's a Mortimer somewhere go tell up. Is anyone here in a Mortimer razor in order to know Mortimer's in this room okay. But somewhere there's a Mortimer watching online, who knows where about the I Mortimer okay but it's personal. You ever see those billboards in the have these words on it. Your information here your information here or your name here the ideas this billboards for rent and you can put the name your business up there if you like. The same can be said of this your name here Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead for you. Easter is personal did it for you all put it best when he said he loved me and he gave himself for me assurance to the God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, but he also did it for you as an individual. That's what's so amazing about this. Yes, Easter is personal and by the way God knew exactly what he was getting when he chose you.
Jesus told Peter what he was going to do. Jesus knew Peter better than he knew himself and God knows you better than you know yourself sometimes people rush in the marriage.
They really don't get to know the other person. I recommend you take your time. By the way, you're not married.
If you're single just you know get to know this person because all the people come up to be great when you marry us were in love Holland to be known each other all week while you talk about marriage after week.
Yes okay when you want to get married in a month. All they want to slow down a little. Get to know each other a little bit more. See Benjamin Franklin how to write what he said.
He said this to me personally. One bald guy to another.
Benjamin Franklin said, keep your eyes wide open before marriage and have shut afterwords, but a lot of times it's the opposite analyzer have shut before we get married and then we marry this person were like who is this person that I'm in the Southwest. Then yet sort of a shocker. God knows what he's getting.
I member an episode of The Simpsons that I often watch for sermon prep and so this was involving Lisa Simpson, the sister of Bart and that she was in class and it was Valentine's Day and she wanted to give a Valentine to a boy she like with the rule was you have to give a Valentine to everybody member that you have to do that to. I did so and so she gave one to everybody and there was little one little boy in the class. Sort of a nerdy little boy named Ralph Whigham and he got leases Valentine, which is a picture of a choo-choo train on the front you open it up and it's at. I choose to choose you a little rough took it literally any thought Lisa was in love with him so the rest of the episodes about Rob pursuing Lisa and her say no. No I idea that was a really personal yeah you want everybody but here's a reality. God knew exactly what he was getting when he show show chose you see he loves you because Easter is personal. Number two e-service practical e-service practical. The message of the angel was go tell the disciples and Peter, why do you think Peter was singled out. Answer because Peter needed a special word of encouragement.
Maybe you need that today as well. Maybe you fallen short. You didn't plan on it, but it happened, like Peter, you've been hanging out with the wrong people at the wrong places, resulting in you doing the wrong thing doesn't happen to Peter. He caved into the peer pressure of the crowd, and he ultimately denied Christ. We had so many regrets. He was never able to say he was sorry.
Imagine Peter shock when he heard this message and angel says he's risen, go tell the disciples and Peter.
What is that Scooby-Doo brew and Peter need to get up and Peter, can you imagine if you got a text from heaven because that's why I don't know this number and it says God in heaven. Would you read it.
Peter was getting a message from heaven years ago I was at a Billy Graham board meeting. I've had the privilege of serving on Billy's board for well over 20 years and he was still preaching at this point this is late 90s and so I've been helping them a little bit with this message. Prep as I was doing Crusades at that point and I was giving him sort of current illustrations to use in his sermons and so one night at dinner. I said to Billy Billy a if I can help you with your sermons. I know you have a crusade coming up. If you need any help let me know. Billy said okay and so I went back to my room. It was late around 1030 and get ready to go to sleep the phone ring so Dennis I get Ginny and my friend would often call me after the board meetings and see how to go and he would always call me doing the voice of Billy Graham and he does a very good Billy Graham voice.
So it so Dennis called me onto the phone. Hello hello this is Billy Graham. I said will hello Billy Graham how are you hello wonderful and I was hoping you could help me with my messages not flipping the channels on my TV, like I know it's Dennis it's Dennis Cooper and Ron yeah whatever I actually said yeah whatever ability you know, flipping, whipping, flipping, and I just could use your help. I would appreciate it agreed to in the euro so I'm listing it and suddenly it dons me.
I never told Dennis I said that to Billy Graham on the file and I disrespected him. Also I saved up just Mr. Graham.
I can put all imagine.
Go tell the disciples and Peter is a message from the Angels.
The Lord knew he would fail. Zoe was giving him another chance. So Peter and John Sprint to the tumor.
By the way, in John's Gospel dimensions beat Peter to the Joe. That's a perk of writing your own gospel.
You can be inspired by garbage can throw little details like that.
Yeah I be the old duty was kind of slow. Both of them come and see the same scene. It's an empty tomb. It's a tomb of a wealthy man belonging to Joseph Joseph apartment there others that area. Cut out the leave the body and Jesus was wrapped in bandages almost mommy like if you will. The bandages are still there is no we still live in them, but the body is gone.
John comes in the tomb looks in sees the body is gone immediately gets a crisis risen, it takes off. Peter comes in chest TV looking looks at the same thing. The Bible says he wondered in himself what was happening little skeptical to what's going on and as he was leaving the tomb just to he encounters Jesus never the property of a private conversation that we don't know anything about. Just know that Jesus appeared personally to Peter in no doubt that is when Jesus extended to Peter. Forgiveness. But Peter probably thought I mama washed up all never do anything for God. Again I'm no longer an apostle regarded other plans and that brings us to John 21, by the way, that was the intro to the message okay John 21 verse one. Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples, beside the Sea of Galilee.
This is how it happened several of the disciples were there, Simon Peter, Thomas thinking the twin Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, the two other disciples and Simon Peter was clearly the leader of the gang set. I'm going fishing awoke on Tuesday said they went out of the boat and they caught nothing all night.
At dawn, Jesus was standing on the beach with the disciples couldn't see who he was. He called boys. Do you have any fish know they replied. Then he said whether to thought your net on the right side of the boat and you got something they did, they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. There I love this average is public you want to just what a gone fishing.
Sign up and disconnect.
That's how these guys felt he didn't know what to do. They did know what this next up was then went out fishing and they caught nothing. Kind of a picture of their lives really a picture of our life when we leave Jesus out of the equation.
Things just don't go well today. You know, maybe you have that success. Or maybe you'll have a failure. But whatever it is you have when you have a without God you really have nothing like go so much better when we listen to him, and most importantly, do what he tells us to do. I heard the story of a lady that was at the airport and she was waiting for her flight.
She went to one of those little cookie stores bought a bag of cookies so she had a few minutes she sat down was big sort of community table. There were other people sitting there, including a man across from her. She sat down, pull out her iPad was going to check up on her social media and that she's doing so she reaches into her back to get her first cookie and much to her shock. There's a man's hand in her bad and he's reaching for a cookie to. She looks at him like what you doing, he takes a cookie out means that without any embarrassment. She takes her cookie needs and who is this guy so she reaches in for a second cookie he reaches into she reaches over 30 reaches Emperor third.
This happened so they get to the bottom of the bag and there's one cookie left and he gets at first he smiles breaks it in half and gives her half. She snatches a need to walk away and how dare that man my cookies right in front of me who did he think he is. Who does he think he is associate gets her seat on the plane.
She sits down and reaches indoor person finds her bag of cookies. Two things are not as you thought he was not eating her cookie. She was eating his and he was nice enough to share the last one.
Whether that's how we are with God's my life's my future. My money my cookies know you/you belong to God. If you given your life to Jesus Christ. The Bible says you been bought with a price you belong to him and him when you leave him out things will not go the way they're supposed to go. That's what was happening with the disciples. Have you caught any fish.
Jesus asked Tyler that he said boys to because he was sort of an silhouette form. It was early Boise call have you got any fish bull Guzik: boys were adult men out here. John realizes it's the Lord and they make their way in the hall in this massive net teaming with freshly caught fish in the here's the scene they see Jesus sitting by a fire. He's made them breakfast. I bet Jesus was a good cook, don't you think probably made him some big commitment now.
Probably no big you know that's and that's on the kosher, but fish and eggs. Hopefully some eggs that are no like eggs in the morning so you know they're there and then okay then. And here's the amazing think this is God incarnate, the creator of the universe in human form was just gone to the cross. He's been crucified, he's risen again. Listen those male peers can is making them breakfast so they come up in an and they sit down by the glow of the fire. It was d�j� vu time for Peter because he remembers the last time he saw Jesus the glow of a fire. He was denying him he would probably look up at Jesus and Jesus would look up a Jesus computer will probably look down just embarrassed and ashamed not knowing what to say and how Jesus breaks the silence with these statements and we go back to John 21, reminding us a point number three.
Easter is powerful because Jesus says in verse 15, Simon son of Jonah, do you love me more than these. Yes, Peter applies you know I love you then feed my lambs. Jesus told what you notice one thing you love me more than these, the old, prideful, self-confident, Peter, who said of the upper room the wall deny you.
I will never deny you would've said of course I love you more than the know and love you like I do the newly repentant home bold Peter just says Florida love you I'm talking to both of my love at the expense of others. And Jesus is feed my sheep. You know what that means he was back in business again. Jesus not only for gave them he was recommissioning them for service again and God will do the same for you. He will forgive you and then you can start this new relationship with him again. Just as Jesus called of the disciples from the shore scene had come and have breakfast is calling to us to have a meal with him that the Bible uses the picture of having a meal was someone is friendship and fellowship. I don't like to eat with people I don't know someone will come up to me as I like to take you out to lunch and then talk to about a business proposition. Don't think you because if they pay for the meal.
I'm gonna bold the dam and I have to listen to their spiel and that gives me indigestion not going to be with people I like. I got to eat with members of my family or friends are people in close to. And Jesus says behold I stand at the door and I knock it if you will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in and eat with you have a meal with you the same offered of the disciples is on the table for us right now bringing us to the third point.
Easter is powerful. It's not only personal is not only practical, it's powerful. Now when I say Easter is powerful. I don't mean Easter itself, but I mean when Easter commemorates which is the resurrection of Christ. Easter is about a whole because Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead. We have hope. He died so we could know that we would live forever in heaven and you know what we live in a super scary world right now. Don't wing.
Have you noticed things are really unhinged at the moment.
Rising tensions in the Middle East with our conflict with Syria. Now we have new friction with Russia and now we have a new conflict with North Korea. I read that Google searches for the phrase World War III get the highest peak ever people are alarmed or concerned what's going on in the world is this going to be it. We live in an uncertain world with a lot of fake news. A lot of bad news a lot of scary news. Why have good news and a bad world. Jesus Christ is risen again in Christ is coming back again. The message from the Angels 2000 years ago. The empty tomb still resonates today in 2017.
They said don't be alarmed. Don't be afraid from the Greek, don't panic. It's organic.
I made that up okay know when it's okay don't worry. Don't be afraid Jesus Christ is here with us right here right now and you give you a second chance in the guaranteed hope of heaven, and if you will fall in like Peter you can come back just like Jordan Sparks did last Easter you know she'd gone the wrong way in her life but she came back again and God is giving you a message. I talked about a text message from heaven. Imagine if you got a text from Jesus and also pop somebody from bring Texan Jesus Jesus, who Jesus Jesus wanted have lunch today can I you have the opportunity to say yes or no to a Texan. Here's a problem. Once you read the text. The person who sent it knows you read it so you can use the I didn't get your text excuse where there was no cell service that's popped up now never ascended texting any get the little Back and There's like These Little Dots Going You Don't like, so You're Thinking during the Going to Respond and Then Then It Goes for A While, Respond Respond Respond That It Just Goes Dead and Disappears Was That All about. I Guess That Means No. So Jesus Is Want to Have Lunch You Get a Note to Say That's Another One and See Newman Inducing Notes in Yes It Did Not Say Yes Is to Say No It Comes down to Jesus in Your for Me or against Me See Peter Denied Jesus Three Times. Jesus Said If You Will Deny Me before People Will Deny You before My Father and the Angels in Heaven. But Then Jesus Added, If You Will Acknowledge Me before People All Acknowledge You before My Father in the Angels and Have so Keep Deny Them, but the Other Second Chance and You Can Say Yes to Jesus Today and Be Forgiven of All of Your Sin and Have a Fresh Start. Easter Is about New Beginnings. It's about Second Chances for Some of You That Have Never Believe This Can Be the Day When Your Life Changes Course and in God Takes Your Story and and Adds New Chapters Do It That Are a Whole Lot Better Than the Chapters You Been Writing Previously but You Must Come to Him and Say Lord, I'm Sorry for My Sin and I Think You Were Dying on the Cross for Me and and Rising Again. Now I Want to Know You in a Personal Way, to Close with an Invitation. Much like Jordan Saw Her Was a Part of It the Church He Went to Last Easter Nominal Invite You to Believe in Jesus or to Come Back to Jesus. If You Need to so Make a Decision Were to Pray in a Moment You're Going to Make a Decision You're Going to Say Yes or No to Jesus Christ and If You Want to Say Yes to Him. He's Gonna Forgive You If You Say No to Him Than You Face the Horrible Consequences of That Please Don't Do That This Easter Morning of 2017. This Is Your Opportunity to Get Right with God atop Our Heads. Father, Thank You for Loving Us so Much That You Sent Jesus Lord Jesus, Thank You for Coming and Dying and Rising Again. Now I Pray for All That Are Here and All That Are Watching on the Screen Wherever They May Be. Lord, Help Them to See Their Need for You and Help Them to Come to You and Believe We Would Ask Now in Jesus Name. Know What I Heads about in Her Eyes Are Closed or Praying Together. How Many of You Would Say Today Greg Pray for Me. I Want Jesus Christ to Come in the My Life. I Want Him to Forgive Me of My Sin. I Want to Know That When I Die I Will Go to Heaven. Roy Fallen Away and I Want to Come Back. This Is Your Chance to Do That If You Want Jesus to Forgive You If You Want to Go to Heaven When You Die If You Want to Come Back to the Lord Again Wherever You Are, Would You Raise Your Hand up and I Would like to Pray for You. God Bless You with Your Hand up Our Rickettsia Got Bless You and You and You and God Bless You and You and Hans Are Going up All over the Room.
I Hope Yours Is One of Them Got Bless All of You Raising Your Hand If You're Watching Me on the Screen, Would You Raise Your Hand to Why No, I Can't See You, but That Doesn't Matter. The Lord Sees You Just Fraser. Yet Wherever You Are Saying Yes I Want Jesus Christ Right Here Right Now.
Pray for Me. Anybody Else Raise Your Hand If This Is Your Chance to Get Right with God.
Remember to Not Say Yes Is to Say No to Jesus, You're Effectively Rejecting This Text Rejecting This Offer Is What You Want to Do. Anybody Else You Want Is Forgiveness You Want a Second Chance in Life Raise Your Hand up If You Have a Look to Be Cut.
Let Me Pray for You Publishing Anybody Else Raise Your Hand.
Now, Bless You Nominally Ask Everyone of You That Is, Raise Your Hand If You Would Please I Want You to Stand Your Feet Nominally Doing a Prayer Stand Your Feet Right Now Wherever You Are. Even If You Did Not Raise Your Hand but You Want to Make This Commitment or Recommitment to Christ Stand up, Stand up, Bless All of You Standing Bless You. You Guys Are Supposed to Be Praying While You Copy Just Getting Okay Anybody Else That outside Watching Stand up. You Guys Are Watching on Screens Right Now.
Stand up and Ability Doing This Prayer Away One More Moment Anybody Else Did Your Feet.
Let's Get This Resolved. It Will Be the Best Easter of Your Life Anybody Else to Encompass All of You Know You That Understanding Them and Lead You in a Prayer That I Want You to Pray This Prayer out Loud after Me Again As I Pray Pray This Prayer out Loud after Me Pray This. Now, Lord Jesus, I Know That I'm a Sinner but I Know That You're the Savior Who Died on the Cross and Shed Your Blood for Me. I Turned from My Sin and I Choose to Follow You from This Moment Forward As Savior and Lord Is God and Friend. Thank You for Loving Me and Accepting Me and for Giving Me in Jesus Name I Pray. Amen. God Bless Each One of You That Pray That Prayer