Grander Vision Living Review/Sharing Experiences Today marks the end of the four-week journey we ve been on. Three weeks ago, we began exploring a new perspective for personal evangelism. We asked the question, what if evangelism really was as simple and straightforward as a walk across the room. We were reminded of the single greatest gift we can offer the people around us, which is an introduction to their Creator and Lover of their souls, God himself. We looked at what it means to live in 3D anyone remember the first D? Yep. Develop friendships. Followed by discovering stories and discerning appropriate next steps, right? These three things are what we can think about, pray about, and act on when we re operating in that Zone of the Unknown. The 3D framework reminds us to take things slow with people, allowing the other person to be in the spotlight, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead. Last week we looked at the Power of Story, refreshing our understanding of how much weight our words carry and of how critical it is that we can share God s story and our own before-and-after faith stories well. Have you taken some steps, tried walking across the room for someone this week? Did you work on your story? We will take a few minutes we re not doing prayer requests or long discourses here, but if you had an experience (good or bad) where you stepped out of your comfort zone to allow Jesus to touch someone s life through you this week, we would love to hear about it (in one minute or less) or if you have your 100 word or less story to share, we would love to hear it! Sharing Time Prayer/Introduction My first experience with overseas mission service was in Hawaii. Now, before you feel too sorry for me I must tell you that we did really work while we were there. My best friend and I were Youth Pastors for four churches on the opposite side of the island from Honolulu. Our job description included planning beach parties along with other difficult assignments. I will digress here for a moment. You may have noticed that our prayer watch in my blog, the church chat, and our bulletin include Steve Newton and his family. This is the best friend I was working with. A few weeks ago, he and his wife were hiking along one of the beaches in Northern California and he fell off a cliff and sustained serious injuries to his spinal cord along with numerous other breaks and bruises
they say he will be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. In your personal prayer time, please remember him and his family. We generally took one day off a week and most days, our daily schedule looked something like this: We got up sort of early fortunately we were both morning people had our personal worships, ate breakfast (usually included tree ripe mangoes, papayas and pineapples from church members gardens), did our office work in the morning things like beach party planning, other youth events, sermon preparation, preparation for an evangelistic series we did, ate lunch, took a couple of hours off in the afternoon (played tennis, golfed, snorkeled, etc.), did some visiting or scouting around, ate supper, evening meetings, visits, and youth activities. Before we went, we both purchased some snorkeling gear. I had never been before and practiced in the pool there at PUC a bit. I remember the first time we went snorkeling that summer. We went to a place called Hanama Bay there at the southeast end of the island. It was a beautiful, protected area with vibrant reef. As we walked onto the beach that day through the palm trees there was a gentle breeze, deep blue sky with fluffy white clouds, and gentle waves breaking over the reef. This was my first experience with a tropical environment. But then, we put on our snorkeling gear and pushed out into the deeper water. The entire perspective changed! I had thought it was stunning up above the water. Under the water was a world beyond anything I had ever imagined the warmth of the water, the white sand, the colors of the coral reef, the varieties of fish for a little while that afternoon, it seemed like time stood still. Getting into the water opened up an entirely new experience for me! As beautiful as it was above the water, it had not prepared me for what was below and I found that I have looked at the ocean the same way since. Jesus on Fishing There is an interesting story found in Luke 5. Jesus was hanging out at the beach. It must have been a nice day I picture white fluffy clouds, a gentle breeze coming off the water, maybe some Palm trees and gentle waves breaking on the shore. It seems that wherever Jesus was hanging out, people tended to congregate. It probably just started as a conversation with one or two people, maybe even the fishermen who were there cleaning and mending their nets. Soon, more people joined the conversation and it didn t take long before the beach was crowded. Jesus, noticing the boats, got into the one belonging to Simon Peter and asked him to push out into the water a little ways. Sitting there in the boat He taught the crowd. We pick up the story in verse 4: When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.
Simon answered, Master, we ve worked hard all night and haven t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. Can you hear the sarcasm in Peter s voice? He was the expert but he still obeyed! When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. What a stunning turn of events for these professional fishermen. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus knees and said, Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man! For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, Don t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people. So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:4:-11, NIV) It seems that Jesus performed this miracle just to make a point, to teach a lesson! I m sure they had a great fish fry, but this doesn t really seem to be about physical needs. This miracle is really about a change in perspective, a different vision of life! This is about getting in the water, diving into life with Jesus and seeing things you didn t realize were there before. Can t you hear Jesus say: If you think catching this many small fish at one time is fun, just wait till you start catching the big ones, the 6 foot type! Come along with me and start catching people for eternity! I believe this odd miracle sets up one of the most critical aspects of Jesus teaching: the idea of small fish versus big fish. Think about this: From the moment He arrived on the scene all the way up until today, Jesus has been asking all sorts of people; not only career fishermen But businessmen and women Stay-at-home moms or dads Bus drivers Doctors Actors, singers, & writers Hairstylists Store clerks Janitors Nurses Poor people Military personnel People with disabilities Retired folk
Printers Rich People Teachers and all the rest this one question: Are you going to throw your one and only life into pursuing small fish, or will you risk tossing your nets out there in anticipation of catching the human-sized ones? Will you live your life for God s Grander Vision, or will you settle for the lesser one? It s all about People! Jesus desperately wanted those fishermen as well as you and me to understand that this life is really all about people. In Grander Vision Living, the priority is always people. He wanted them and us to prioritize people above everything else. Jesus demonstrated this kind of living in His own life it was just the way He lived and taught! He reached out and actually touched lepers, people considered untouchable! When people had been with Him, listening to Him for long enough that they had exhausted their food supply, He refused to send them away hungry! He went out of His way to encounter a mother whose heart was breaking because of her demon-possessed daughter and took a stormy boat ride across the lake to meet and free a man held captive by Satan! When the Pharisees accused His disciples of breaking the Sabbath He stated that the Sabbath was made for people, not the other way around. When a woman caught in adultery was thrown into His presences by hypocritical priests and rulers, He extended grace and love to the woman, and to her accusers! Jesus laid down His own life because He values people, all people! He wanted us to have a chance to spend eternity with Him more than He valued His life and comfort! Jesus wants us to embrace His value on people! This is why He said: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35, NIV) Jesus knew that the way we treat people will serve either as a magnet that draws them to God or a barrier that will keep them away and He wants everyone to be drawn to Him. And to me, here is the incredible part, Jesus is asking us to make Him look good, He trusts us with His reputation! What an awesome privilege He has given us!
It s all about People s Potential! And what is it about people that so captivates Jesus attention? I mean, people can be terrible. Most are selfish; many are cruel. Some people are enamored with how good or smart or good looking they are; other have a hard time finding anything good in their lives so many of us people seem so unattractive in so many ways! Jesus seemed to be able to look right past a person s sinfulness (not excusing it or condoning it) but He saw what they could become in Him, He looked at their potential! Look at His choice of disciples they were very unimpressive. Simple, unlearned, common men not people who would have been recommended as partners in changing the world. Where others saw sickness, Jesus saw healing Where others saw demon possession, Jesus saw freedom Where others saw disabilities, Jesus saw possibilities! Where others saw selfishness, Jesus saw loving service! Where others saw hopeless sinners, Jesus saw saints! Jesus looked at their potential, the reality of what they could become connected to Him He saw what they were designed to be! And He wants to give us this same Grander Vision! Matthew and Jesus (Luke 5:27-32) One day as Jesus was walking into town, He stopped by the tax booth. This must have surprised the guys traveling with Him Jesus didn t have anything to be taxed. He went up to the tax collector there, Levi Matthew by name, and spoke with him. This would have really amazed the boys no one voluntarily spoke with a tax collector, especially not a rabbi! And then, Jesus invited Matthew to join their group Matthew jumped at the opportunity, the Bible tells us he just left everything there and went with Jesus. This would have boggled the disciples minds. In their wildest imagination having a tax collector as an associate would not have even scratched the outside corner to them, he was a hopeless case. This must have also amazed his business partners and friends. Why would a successful man just abandon his business and follow Jesus, a poor, homeless prophet? Why would he willingly walk out of his comfortable life? This is what often happens when Jesus taps someone on the shoulder and says I love you and want to be your friend! And you wouldn t believe the life we can have together; you can t imagine the places I will take you if you just hang on to me! Last week we spent some time thinking about our before and after stories, looking at what we used-tobe and what we have become in Jesus. Aren t you glad Jesus saw your potential and not just the present
reality? I know I am. I suspect that some of your befores are pretty ugly, mine is. Everybody needs the makeover that only Jesus can give. The really interesting thing is what Matthew did next! Somehow he wanted his friends and former business associates to meet Jesus. He knew they needed what Jesus had given him. So he does one of the things he knows how to do well he threw a party! But this party had a purpose. He knew that if Jesus and his new buddies were there mixing with his old crowd, it was likely that something would happen. Jesus graced Matthew s party with His presence. He even got in trouble with the religious crowd because He and His followers were mixing and mingling with sinners. What Now? This is really the way God s kingdom grows each of us doing the small things in Jesus name, right where we are. And if each of us would just start doing those small things, bathed in Jesus love and grace, it would add up to a huge difference! Last Monday was Papa s birthday. We took a ride to enjoy the colors and went the wild animal safari place between here and Lincoln. It was beautiful there as we observed the elk, the bison, a bear, the wolves, numerous birds and some great colors of fall. We stopped at the petting corral and as we entered Pat asked about a little goat that was in the pen rather than out with the others. We were told that it was a young one, but he was not allowed to associate with the ladies because he had not yet been de-manned. It reminded me of how the Bible often compares us with sheep along with something that Morris Venden, one of my former pastors, was fond of saying. He said that shepherds do not make more sheep only sheep can make more sheep. It was rather profound really when you think about it. The shepherd can only be sure the sheep are cared for good food, abundant water, protection, shelter, medical care, etc. It is up to the sheep to make more sheep. It is only as you and I, as sheep in this flock, do the small things each day in Jesus name that others will come to know and love Jesus. And if you take this illustration to heart, it will be enjoyable, not painful! We left the animals and went to eat at Bonefish Grill. Someone had given my mom a gift certificate to there for her birthday a few weeks back. We had a delightful meal at a place we normally could not afford. Our server was a young man that reminded us a bit of our son. He did a great job and we had left overs so we asked for a box. He brought us a box that had a great little drawing on it the Bonefish Grill logo. My dad asked him if he had drawn that himself, and he had. He then asked him to sign it so he could frame it as a memory of our time there. The young man was obviously pleased that his work had been noticed and appreciated.
A small thing, done in Jesus s love made a little difference for that young man that day. My mom has been going to physical therapy for her feet she has gotten to know one of the therapists fairly well by being interested in her story. Mom discovered that she is soon to be married and is hoping to take her honeymoon some place nice in Central America but is having a hard time getting good information. Knowing that I have done numerous mission trips there, mom got me involved and I was able to give her a number of good ideas and contacts a small thing given in Jesus love. These small things will add up in ways we won t understand on this side of eternity. Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. We need to make it a habit to live this way to be willing to walk across the room and mingle with people that we don t know yet. We need to offer our friendship by showing sympathy for them and ministering to their needs learning and getting involved in their story. And then Then He bade them, "Follow Me." (The Ministry of Healing, pages 143-144) When the time is right, God s Spirit will prompt us to share the words that will introduce them to the Jesus who has changed our lives, who has given our lives meaning, and who will soon be coming to take us home! This is the end of this series, but it is really about a new beginning, a new way to live, a way that will enrich our lives and make a difference for eternity to those we rub shoulders with each day it is about Grander Vision Living! God is not calling us to do some big thing He is just asking us to do the little things, in His love, day after day. And those little things will add up to people coming to know and love Jesus. According to everything I can see in this world and what I read in God s Word, it won t be long before Jesus comes to put an end to pain, suffering, and death! In the meantime, let s dive into this Grander Vision; let s see how many people we can love in Jesus name and let s see how many people we can take home with us! As we do this work, this is Jesus promise: You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time. (Matthew 28:20, ERV) Closing Song/Benediction