Re-Evaluate / Distracted

Introduction

A few weeks ago, my friend Doug and I went golfing. I was excited because havent golfed in a while and it was a beautiful day. You see, when I got my first full time job, I moved down to Mississippi. I didnt know anybody there and there was NOTHING to do in small town Mississippi. There was however a country club that gave extremely low rates to pastors. So I decided I would join. I played gold every friday and sometimes in the evening after work on other days as well. I was getting better than I had ever been. Then....... I got married. Now i am not vilianizing my wife. She never forced me to stop golfing and she even tagged along a few times, but eventually my fridays off were better off spent with her and traveling. And then we had kids........ needless to say my golf clubs made there way to the attic and collected dust. So that brings me back to a couple weeks ago. I thought I would pick up where I left off. but four trees, a few squirels and several houses would have simething else to say about that. I

I had to reevaluate my swing. each part of the swing is so critical and my body had changed, my movement had changed. I could never return to the way I had done it exactly before.

I am asking that we as believers do the same. If things return to normal I dont want to return to how I normally was.

I want you to turn with me to . We are going to look at a story revolving around Jesus and his disciples. The disciples all had their own careers families and lives before they met jesus. They werent just boran as disciples. But when Jesus came and radiclally changed their life, there was no returning to the way things were before..... or was there.

Jesus has died and risen at this point in the story and he has already appeared to the disciples twice, this third instance is very important for us today though.

The New International Version Chapter 21

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. b It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

So let me get this straight, the disciples have spent years following Jesus. They have seen miracle after miracle walked hand and hand. They saw him die and ressurected and the first thing they do is go fishing. They go back to the comfort and life they knew before Jesus....

Before we are too hard on Simon Peter ...... int that just like you and me.

Who you use to be can be the greatest enemy of who you need to be.

Its so easy to return to the comfort and life before. It really is. I know for me when temptation or hard times come, it is easy for me to want to shut off and just go into my whole and find all the things that make me comfortable.

We have all experienced this. Thing about the mountain top experiences you have had in your life. Camps. marriage

This has to be fought though. It wouldnt be much of an enemy if their wasnt a level of fight involved. We have to fight the temptation to return to the things that take us away from being like Jesus.

You may be the closest you have ever been to Jesus right now. All the distractions have fallen. You are finally experiencing a life where you arent going from one thing to another. Like the disciples will soon do, remember why it is better.

John 21:4–7 NIV

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

I dont know if thet genuinenly did not recognize him or if he disquised himself.

Here is what is great about the grace of God though when we fall back into our normal hectic routines and comfort

When our focus is set on the glory of God, who we use to be doesnt matter any longer

Peter is amazed and realizes that it Jesus. He sees him in all of his glory and just like before when he walked into the water in the storm, he jumps right out of the boat and swims towards jesus.

Guys Gods glory isnt changing. it isnt lessening. it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The problem isnt that he is not as great, the problem is us and we forget how nothing can compare to the glorious riches of knowing Christ Jesus. After several weeks, in quarantine we may see more of Him but he hasnt changed. We have to stay focused on him

Peter probably just had the single greatest catch he has ever had. AND HE DIDNT CARE. He left it all there.

Im not gonna tell you that something isnt great I am just gonna show you how great He is.

John 21:15–18 NIV

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

So Peter gets some time with Jesus and the challenging begins. I love that. One might expect Jesus to walk up to Peter and say well you blew it

Instead He calls him to do the very same thing he did before. The first display of gospel and grace after resurrection is extended to Peter. Dont you get it.

comparison

In times of disappointment, God’s grace will always remind you of who you need to be

A Christ Follower and a disciple maker. Anything that we are looking at right now that takes away from that has to go.