22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.
Matthew chapter 14, verses 22 and 23; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Sometimes you just gotta get away from it all; all of it! And this is exactly what me and Debbie are doing this week. We are at Pensacola Beach, Florida for the rest of the week. WHAT?????? With the mess our culture is in and the mess in the United Methodist Church, you’ve gone AWOL? Missing in Action? Yes, Virginia, I’m on vacation–but I’m not AWOL, nor am I missing in action. The Master gave me a week’s pass and I’m taking advantage of it!
Look carefully at today’s story. Jesus had been teaching all day. Fixed lunch for thousands of people. Taught some more. Then notice what He did. BEFORE He pronounced the benediction and sent the crowd back home, He MADE the disciple get in that boat! This tells me they didn’t want to leave. He MADE them get in it. I would imagine it was like trying to get first graders get in a straight line and be quiet. Difficult task to do. And I imagine that when He pushed that boat away from the shore, He breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, they’re gone! So He turns his attention back to the crowd. Pronounced the benediction, and sent them home.
Another sigh of relief! Now, take notice and pay careful attention to what Jesus does next! He gets away from EVERYTHING! In case you missed it, I’ll say it again: JESUS GOT AWAY FROM EVERYTHING! Just Him and Dad. No lesson plans to give to the disciples. No great messages for the crowds. No miracles. None of that! For a season, Jesus withdrew. Were there still things to do before His death? Absolutely! Were there miracles still to be performed? Yep! Did He need to spend time with the Disciples to prepare them for what was ahead of them? You betcha! Still. . .Jesus got away from it all.
And what about you? Do you take time to get away from it all? No, not for just a few minutes. But really get away from it all? Think about it: could Jesus have still done everything He needed to do without that away time? Absolutely! But remember–Jesus is modeling for us the life that God is offering us. He’s showing us how to live–even in the midst of so much chaos and turmoil. Don’t you think there was chaos and turmoil when The Master walked this earth as one of us? Sisters and brothers, in times like these, follow the example of Jesus and remember: SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA GET AWAY FROM IT ALL! And that’s exactly what we are doing!
Here I am, Day 2 of our semi-annual sabbatical at Millsite Lake. And the eleven and a half hour drive has already proven to be well worth the sacrifice. As good as it is right now, it’s only going to get better. Now, just a few words about where we are–physically, mentally, and spiritually.
First, I rested very well. Rest is important for us–they human body, mind, and spirit are not made for 24 hour operations.
Second, my routine changed. Normally I’m up before 4:30 a.m. But this morning it was nearly 6:00 a.m. before I woke up. I poured my morning Cup from the Fountain of Life (that’s also known as coffee), went on the back deck, turned on my music, and worshiped my Lord and Savior. Though the place was difference, the result and response \in my heart didn’t change. Amazing! God is still with me even though I’m not at home. Astonishing, isn’t it!
I don’t yet know what we will do–but that’s OK. It seems so often that my daily agenda is driven by things to do and places I know I need to be. Today, no agenda but to experience and appreciate what God has in store for me.
When the routine changes, remember that God’s love, grace, mercy and purpose for you never changes. Now, if you will excuse me–I’m going back to the back deck.
Finally, this series ends today. Whew! And you may be a bit, call it “relieved” that it’s ending. Let’s do a quick review.
Most Resolutions are expressions of the human heart to find Contentment.
And we can make One Resolution that will last for the rest of our lives and give us Contentment: Live A Life Worthy Of The Gospel. Not the gospel of our best efforts, but The Gospel Of God’s Best Efforts For Us.
It’s not left up to our best efforts to honor Christ, But To Honor Christ By Allowing Him To Do His Best Efforts For Us By Living In And Through Us With The Power Of The Resurrection!
And He Lives In Us And Through Us With The Power Of The Resurrection When We Make 6 Conscious Choices and make them a daily and all day long habit. The first 5 are:
Live With An Undivided Heart
Be The Community That Has A Pinpoint Laser Focus On The Kingdom Of God
Find Your Unique Life Purpose. Your Life Purpose Isn’t About The What You Do, But The Why!
Be Fully Alive In Jesus And Allow Jesus To Be Fully Alive In You.
Live With Confidence That There Is A Resurrection For You In This Life And The Life To Come!
June 19, 1952 marked the beginning of a legend in television. On this date Garry Moore hosted the first episode of what would be the hit show “I’ve Got A Secret.” Contestants would appear on the show that had A Secret. It might be something unique or unusual. It might be some embarrassment or it might be something funny. The four panelists would ask questions and try to “guess” their Secret. Originally the contestant would receive $20 for each panelist who could not guess their secret and also a carton of Winston cigarettes, I guess because they were the sponsor for the show. One unusual guest they had was Samuel Seymour who appeared on the show on February 9, 1956 at the age of 96, just two months before his death. His secret was that as a young child, he was an eye witness to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Maybe it’s just me, but I could imagine the apostle Paul appearing on that show because he had a good secret that the world needed to know. I can hear Garry telling the panelist, “Paul has a secret that will change every person’s future by changing how they live now.” The panelists quiz Paul, “Is it some type of vaccine?” “Yes, but not in the way most people think about vaccination.” “Is it something you invented or made?” “Oh, absolutely not!”
“Oh, is it something that has always been around?” “Most definitely!” “So it’s something you found.” “Well yes, but really it found me!” “Did you find the fountain of youth?” (buzzer sound) “No, I’m afraid you’re wrong.”
Do you think that Bill Cullen, Betsy Palmer, Henry Morgan and Bess Myerson would want to know Paul’s Secret? Would you like to know Paul’s Secret? Is there really something that will change our future by changing how we live now? Paul’s One Secret will. What is Paul’s secret? Here it is in Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)
11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Now we come to the last and 6TH Conscious Choice for finding that deep, abiding Contentment and the way we can maintain this one resolution of living a life worthy of the Gospel. And This Is The One Thing You Need To Remember Today: Filter Your Life And Your Experiences Through Your Relationship With Jesus.
Live every moment Through Christ. Accept every situation Through Christ. Celebrate every joy Through Christ. Endure every heartache Through Christ. Face every battle Through Christ. Confront every struggle Through Christ! What does this mean, Through Christ?
I found some practical insights in the word Paul chose in this word “through”. The Greek word is a simple word, “en”. It means in, with, by, or through. It’s a preposition. Now for those of us who have been out of school for a long time, let’s go back to basic English and the parts of speech. Miss Stutts, Brenda Pettus and Glenda Weir would be so proud of me right now for even remembering this stuff.
A preposition links nouns, pronouns and phrases to another word or phrase in a sentence. Purists of proper grammar often insist that it is unacceptable to end a sentence with a preposition. Sounds exciting, huh? But there is more to both the Greek and to the meaning of preposition.
In the rules of grammar, A Preposition Indicates There’s A Relationship That Exists Between The Noun Or Pronoun And The Phrase. There is relationship happening within the sentence. Now, are you getting a hint to where I’m going? In the Greek language this simple preposition has an even deeper meaning. Not only does it mean that a relationship exists, but It’s An Established Relationship That Carries With It The Image Of A Relationship Of Rest—Not Action—But Rest.
Contentment Is Only Found In A Relationship Of Resting In Christ. Are you tired of carrying heavy burdens of Grief, Fear, Guilt, Remorse, Bitterness, Resentment, Regrets, Worry, Anxiety To Name A Few? How’s that working out for you, carrying that heavy load day in and day out? Is hauling that heavy weight around all day really working for you? Are you ready to admit that it’s not working for you? Then drop that load and take a rest in Jesus.
Now my comments about prepositions—especially that word Through. Cars have air filters, gas filters and oil filters. The water in your home is filtered and you can add an additional filter for your water. What is the purpose of filters and why are they so important? Whether it’s oil, gas, air or water, it takes out the trash and impurities from them. But the only way they work is for everything to pass through that Filter. Then the Filter can take out all that junk before it does serious damage.
This is the same principle that Paul is talking about. To find contentment, to live that life that is Worthy Of The Gospel, Filter Your Life And Your Experiences Through Your Relationship With Jesus.
I think this is exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “I will give you rest.” In order to rest we must stop and let go. How many times have you said, “I didn’t sleep well last night”? It may have been because you were restless and you were restless because you didn’t let go. Jesus invites you to release and let go of all that junk you are carrying around.
It did not matter to Paul what his circumstances were—hungry or full, hot or cold, well dressed or dressed in thrift store clothes, in good times and in bad times—Paul filtered his life through the relationship he had in Jesus. Do you do the same? Or do you choose to hold on tightly to that fear, that pain, that dread? Why do we choose to carry that heavy load that is absolutely unnecessary?
We carry unnecessary loads because we have NotLearned that We Can Do Anything Through Christ Who Strengthens Us. Anxiety, fretting, worrying and all that junk comes because we are afraid to trust the relationship Jesus is offering us. But you can trust the Relationship because of these 3 reasons:
1. Whatever It Is That You Can’t Handle, Jesus Can!
He calmed the stormed, healed lepers, restored sight to the blind, caused people unable to walk to dance, sent a legion of demons scurrying like cockroaches off a bluff, transformed a corrupt tax collector into a generous servant.
He fed thousands of people with a kid’s lunch sack, stood his ground with the religious bullies of his day, gave hope to a dying criminal, raised Lazarus from the grave, and much more. Quite an impressive resume’ wouldn’t you say? Now what is it in you or happening to you that Jesus can’t handle? You can trust Jesus because He can handle everything in your life.
2. Whatever It Is That Troubles You, Jesus Cares!
He took care of the taxes for Peter and the others, He wept with Martha and Mary at the grave of Lazarus, He comforted that adulterous woman shamed in public with forgiveness, He wept over Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion,
He made a hero out of a woman who took the risk of breaking all the rules just so she could wash his feet with her tears and anoint them with extravagant perfume, He cared about little children—now what makes you think he doesn’t care about what troubles you?
You may not understand why some things happen to you, but you can count on this: Jesus Cares About You. And in the middle of all that pain and unanswered questions, Somehow He Gives Us Comfort And His Comfort Gives Us Rest.
3. Whatever It Is That’s Too Heavy For You To Carry, Jesus Will!
I know Jesus will carry your load—because He already has. He carried the cross that was meant for you. Do I need to say anything else? The nails that had been forged just for you, Jesus stepped in and said, “I’ll take those nails.”
And the guilt, pain and condemnation of every sinner? He Carried That, Too. Now, tell me, what is the weight that is crushing you that you continue to lay beneath? What is it that you are afraid to tell Jesus about? Do you honestly believe He doesn’t know about it? He handled that burden then on the Cross, and He can still handle it now with Love, Grace, and Mercy.
Why filter everything through Jesus? Because He gives us the strength—
To Overcome Temptations—
To Go Through Life’s Difficult Times—
Strength To Do What We Have To Do—
Strength To Be The Body Of Christ To Do The Things He Wants Us To Do In His Name—Teaching, Reaching, Sharing Are All Done Through His Strength.
I do not want to meddle right now; I want to get personal with you. In any audience it’s very highly probable that there is some need, some pain, some sorrow, or some shame that is weighing heavy in a heart. Or maybe you are carrying the heaviest burden of all: the emptiness that will not go away. Yours may be the heart that is longing for deep and abiding contentment but you’re restless; you’re hurting; you’re burdened. The Secret is learning to rest—to rest in Jesus by Filtering Your Life And Your Experiences Through Your Relationship With Jesus.
Because you can’t follow Jesus and stay where you are, here’s your Next Step:
Let go of that whatever it is that you are grasping onto tightly—fear, anger, grief, shame, whatever—and filter it through Jesus. And the One Secret will not be a secret any longer to you.
There’s a song by David Crowder that hit me hard. The title is Come As You Are. He wrote it based on an old hymn, Come, Ye Disconsolate. Disconsolate is an old word we don’t use anymore. It means to be without comfort, unhappy. You can find comfort, and you can be better than happy–you can be joyful. But it only happens as you filter your life and experiences through Jesus:
6 Conscious Choices and make them a habit.
Live With An Undivided Heart
Be The Community That Has A Pinpoint Laser Focus On The Kingdom Of God
Find Your Unique Life Purpose. Your Life Purpose Isn’t About The What You Do, But The Why!
Be Fully Alive In Jesus And Allow Jesus To Be Fully Alive In You.
Live With Confidence That There Is A Resurrection For You!
Filter Your Life And Your Experiences Through Your Relationship With Jesus
Kingdom Pastor 