"What is That to You?"

The question in today's message in the current sermon series, is interestingly "What is That to You?"   John 21 is the passage in which Jesus re-instates Peter and asks him three times "Do you Love Me?"   But, it is the later question that my Pastor chose to focus on, which is the question that Jesus asks after Peter wondered what would happen to John.   Essentially, Jesus was saying, we should follow Him without comparing ourselves to anyone else. 

Other lessons from the passage, is that to follow Him, we must:

• Wait on God's Timing
• Give up old empty ways (evaluate whether what we are doing produces fruit)
• Obey God expecting a miracle (do we expect God to do great things through us?)
• Be enthusiastic about Jesus (reminds me that enthusiasm is based on the root words "en-Theos" or "in God")
• Seek closer fellowship with Jesus (what a beautiful picture that the disciples had breakfast with Christ)
• Serve Jesus motivated by love (no matter what level we are at, we can still serve him.   For example, even with "phileo" love, Jesus said Peter could feed his lambs (young believers).   Our love for God is the foundation and motivation for our serving Him.   So, does our life reflect our love for Christ?

 After Church today, we had a community group leader meeting.  We are reminded that community groups are intended to provide an environment for Bible Study, Prayer, Fellowship, and Caring for one another and the community.  We currently 350 church members in community groups; 450 individuals; and 500 attendees; which is equivalent to 59% of those in our church.

Pastor Terry challenged us to have a leadership goal - and mine was to do what Moses was advised to do - delegate.  So, my goal is to involve more people in the leadership of the class.   The three goals he gave for us are:

1. Do everything and anything I can do to keep my relationship with Christ FIRST in my life
2. Guard what has been entrusted to my care
3. Help people to see the goodness of God in their lives

What I really appreciated was when he said that seldom do we feel equipped to help a person's issues; but, we can all help them to see God's goodness.   In Psalm 116, the "cup of salvation" was a reminder of God's deliverance throughout our lives.    I appreciated that, because I often do feel inadequate in helping when I hear of peoples' struggles; and it is good to know that I'm not unique in that; and when we do help them to see God's goodness, that is one way we can help.