"Peter"
​​April 7 - May 26

This series will focus on the man, Simon Peter, who followed Jesus during his adult ministry and experienced a deep relationship with the Messiah. Like us, he is imperfect. Like us, his deep desire is to draw nearer to Jesus. However, his best intentions don’t always play out in picture-perfect manner. That, we can understand. In this eight-week journey, we will discover the pivotal lessons and teachings for which Jesus bestows upon Peter in the gospel narratives and book of Acts, as well as witness to the reactions of Peter himself. This series is focused on our participation in Jesus’ ministry that has been bursting at the seams ever since those Galilean 1st century days, when Peter was first called to follow the Messiah. A masterclass in God’s redeeming grace, we will be reminded in this series that we cannot do it alone. And even when we fail, we aren’t hung out to dry. Our relationship with Jesus is the key, just as we see with Peter and Jesus.

April 7

​Sometimes in our cultural hustle, we lose sight of the call to “come and see” where God is calling us. The reality remains that Jesus actively and purposely invites us still, today. In this journey through the encounters of Peter and Jesus, let us turn our attention toward the practical faith which we have inherited: we must emulate this invitation and welcome all, just as Jesus did. Be bold. Be ready for the call. Come and see!

April 14

Being a Christian is risk free only so long as we don’t take it too seriously, don’t let our faith truly shape our priorities and agendas. Once we step forward to admit and to proclaim that Jesus is Lord of all creation--much less our own lives--we embark on a journey that is all about taking risks, about stepping out of the boat ourselves.

​

April 21

​Peter being unable to comprehend a crucified Messiah- How can they not understand? God does not have to make sense to them … nobody understood this coming. This is the humility and pride of all of us.

April 28

​We quickly see that Jesus cares much more about our focus on the concerns of God, rather than human concerns. This is namely why the Church is important. It helps with this mission that Jesus has set before us and calls us toward. The church is the Holy Spirit-filled community of people who find a key priority in the concerns of God, regardless of what the world offers.

May 5

We often focus on Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, arranging for his arrest by the priests and the temple guards. But I wonder if Peter’s denial of Jesus hurt him even more. Peter had been at Jesus’ right hand from the beginning and now he, in the time of Jesus’ greatest need, Peter denied even knowing him. Peter’s failure seems the end of the road for him, as the cross seems to be for Jesus. But God is a gracious God, abounding in faithfulness. Jesus will be resurrected and Peter will be redeemed. 

May 12

Each of Peter’s professions of love is met by Jesus with a similar command: “Feed my lambs . . . take care of my sheep . . . feed my sheep.” Professing love is one thing; doing love is another. True love is grounded in doing, not saying. Thus, Peter is pledging not merely his love, he is pledging his life to Jesus.

May 19

​We cannot do it alone. And even when we fail, we aren’t hung out to dry.
Our relationship with Jesus is the key, just as we see with Peter and Jesus. 

May 26

​Crossing the Rubicon. An old phrase that speaks to the moment in January 49 BC when Julius Caesar had to cross the river Rubicon or turn back. He knew crossing meant civil war in the Roman Republic. The phrase is still with us as “crossing the point of no return.” Cross over and things will never be the same. So it was with Peter about a decade after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Little could he imagine what awaited on a mission to Cornelius, a Roman Centurion.