Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Worship Band did a great job today I especially liked the new song "Let the Praises Ring"
• Kicked off the OUTFLOW series this morning, I think it will be a great way to think about evangelism in today's culture. 
• Thank you kids for "showing" us what it means to outflow. 
• I hope you will remember the prayer of Romans 15:13 as we work through our OUTFLOW series.
• Small groups kick off this week - PBCC has groups on Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat. We are getting extremely close to becoming a church of small groups.
• Small groups are the place of accountability and connectivity - if you are not a part of a group you are missing a valuable tool for growing in Christ.
• As I was preaching today, I could not help but think Paul was writing to the church today.
• There is no more desperate word than HOPELESS, however there is no more inspiring word than HOPE.
• I cannot help but think the only real thing the church can offer the world today is hope.
• I have a friend going through chemo right now and believe me she is a picture of hope.
• How can this be the last weekend of August?
• Prayer partners make a HUGE difference in my life.
• The college football season starts Thursday night - FINALLY

Fire in the bones

His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9

This Sunday our small groups ministry kicks off a new season with a study of the book "OUTFLOW". The theme of the study is for each of us to allow God's love, grace, joy and peace to flow out of our lives and into the lives of others. As of this writing we have 9 small groups going through "OUTFLOW". I honestly believe this may be one of the most challenging studies our small groups have undertaken, but I also believe it can be the most rewarding. I believe if we take the principles found in outflow and apply them to our life we will come to the same conclusion of Jeremiah, God's word cannot be shut up, we simply cannot hold back the love, grace, joy and peace that comes from allowing the transforming power of his word. 

I am looking forward to our new study and I hope many of the PBCC members will "dive into"  small groups this Sunday. I believe there is no greater way to mature spiritually than to be involved in a  small group. For in a small group one finds the 3 "A's" of maturity; acceptance, accountability and affirmation. These three building blocks will help you become more Christ as you live for Him.

If you need more information about a group, would like to host a group or simply want to know more about outflow, be sure to stop by the small group table and check out what is sure to be a great study.   

It is tough out there

Our leadership team is planning a strategic retreat in September, with the purpose of making improvements in our ministry and setting a course for the next 2 years. We have contacted a consultant and given him 5 years of data to help him analyze our situation. In my meeting with him this week, he made an interesting statement about the current state of the church in Florida. He said, "It is tough out there." Churches are struggling through out the state. I find it interesting that Florida is the 4th largest state in the union, and yet a majority of our churches are plateauing or are in decline. How is this possible? The long and short of it is we have failed to adapt to our changing culture. Many of our churches are operating out of a paradigm from the 1970's and wondering why we are failing in the 21st century. 

As Dylan said "The times they are a changing". The new economy, the prevailing worldview and the desire to protect the status quo is making it difficult for our churches to survive. I personally know 4 churches that have closed their doors this past summer. What is needed today is an "all hands on deck" approach to moving our churches forward. It is not enough for the minister and a few chosen people to do the work of ministry. Today it is vital that as many people as possible get on board, using their gifts to enhance the ministry of the church. The days of seat warmers are over, the churches that mobilize their members for ministry will be the churches that survive and the churches that keep the status quo - well, they will fossilize. 

I am looking forward to our strategic retreat, I believe we have a golden opportunity to make a diffidence in the Palm Bay community, but it will not just happen we must plan our work and then work our plan. It is tough out there; I hope you are ready for the challenge.   

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day

• 5 Additions today, 3 were baptisms, it is always exciting to see the baptismal waters stirred!
• The worship team did a great job today even through the "power failure" what a testimony to your prep work!
• Also your rendition of Jesus Paid it All really moved the congregation. 
• Seriously, this morning's prayer app is not available at the app store!
• It is amazing to think that through his prayer life Jesus had clarity of purpose and mission.
• When one has clarity in their prayer life, they begin to understand what is important and what is simply urgent.
• I find it hard to believe 4% of those surveyed, pray for better sex and 12% pray to win the lottery! 
• I hope you are looking for a solitary place to meet God this week.
• The closing of the worship this week was extremely powerful. 
• I thought the praying in groups this morning was going to be risky, but it was actually very rewarding.
• I cannot help but keep from thinking about Psalm 91:1, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
• GLOW Ladies thank you for the fellowship lunch today; good food and GREAT fellowship.
• Our next fellowship is September 12th a dinner with a little kick, hope you will be a part of this fellowship time.
• I am excited about our new small group study - OUTFLOW!
• I will be kicking off the study this week with a message about living a life that overflows into the life of others.
• Tonight's movie night was the best of the 3 this summer - Letters to God is a powerful movie.
• Movies move people - enough said!

More from the overflow of study

This weekend I will continue my preaching through the gospel of Mark, and it seems I have more material than I have time for in my message. The passage we will look at this week is Mark 1:35-39, Jesus' priority in prayer. Here are just a few thoughts that are not in this weekend's message...

• Prayer defined; Prayer is talking to God, communing with God (versus simply acknowledging God). When you talk to God, you can praise him, thank him, ask him for your needs, seek his will, ask him to intervene in the lives of others. And remember, too, that God is your friend, so that you can talk to him in the same way you would talk to a friend; that is, in your prayers you can use simple language and you are free to express not just praise or petitions, but confusion, questions, doubts, worries, frustrations, and failures.
• What we pray for reveals where our heart is!
• There is power in our prayers when we commit ourselves to regular praying in which we daily bring names to the Lord. Such praying is not just a recitation. It provides the Holy Spirit access to those hearts.
• Always respond to every impulse to pray. The impulse to pray may come when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would make an absolute law of this ? always obey such an impulse. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

This Sunday we will discover the priority of prayer in the life of Jesus. I hope you make it a priority to discover his priority. 

A Good Book to Read

As many of you know I enjoy reading, and I enjoy reading several books at one time. Ask my wife and she will tell you I usually have a book on one of our end tables in the family room (currently it is Primal, by Mark Batterson), I have a book on the corner of my desk (Second Guessing God by Brian Jones) and John Gresham's The Associate is on my bedroom nightstand. 

This morning I sat down to to begin reading Remember who you are by Arron Chambers. An amazing thing happened; I read the entire book cover to cover before lunch. This does not happen very often. Usually I can get about an hour of uninterrupted study time on Tuesdays; but today I got 3 and half hours and I was able to read and digest a very good book. So if you are looking for a book to teach teens, college students and adults about our identity in Christ, I would highly recommend Arron's book. 

P.S. Arron's book would also be a great small group study!      

Who am I?

Lately the lyrics from Casting Crowns song, "Who am I" have really helped me think about my relationship with God. The lyrics are both simple as well as powerful...


Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star would choose to light the way for my ever wandering heart

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love, and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea would call out through the rain and calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are

I am Yours, I am Yours
Whom shall I fear, Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours


Who Am I?

• I am chosen
• I am forgiven 
• I am loved
• I am cared for 
• I am closer to heaven today, than I was yesterday
• I am created for a purpose
• I am more than a conquerer
• I am bought with a price 
• I am blessed
• I am a child of the king
• I am an ambassador
• I am a joint heir 
• I am redeemed
• I am part of His flock
• I am holy
• I am a saint
• I am born again
• I am part of an ever growing kingdom movement 
• I am an overcomer
• I am part of the family of God
• I am forever grateful 
• I am a living stone
• I am the church
• I am justified 
• I am sanctified 
• I am free
• I am saved
• I am worthy because of Jesus
• I am a disciple
• I am HIS Righteousness
• I am heaven bound
• I am rescued from Hell
• I am inspired by his faithfulness
• I am able
• I am a part of God's plan
• I am spirit filled
• I am thankful for his son
• I am ready
• I am not forsaken
• I am humbled by his sacrifice
• I am amazed at his grace
• I am promised eternity
• I am waiting for his return
• Who am I; I am His!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• What a great day at PBCC - if you missed it, you missed our Preschool teachers and our farewell to college students!
• I want to personally thank Ryan and Mariah for assisting in our worship ministry the past 3 years - you will be missed, now study hard! 
• I am truly thankful for our preschool teachers, they are world changers!
• Yes I said, When you have a positive encounter with Christ - your natural response will be one of service.
• Have you had a positive encounter with Jesus? 
• Really?
• Are you surprised Jesus only healed 20 people during his earthly ministry?
• After watching this morning's video it is startling to see the contrast between Jesus and the "Healers" we see on TV today - there really is no comparison! 
• I am still thinking about ALL came to Jesus, but MANY were healed.
• Remember Jesus is not in the "Fix It Business" He is in the transformation business.
• I am shocked by people who have received grace, but cannot extend grace.
• I was able to teach our discover palm bay class tonight - This class always gets my heart beating a little faster.
• The discover palm bay class reminds me - people still need the Lord!
• Do you remember the day you discovered Palm Bay?
• Connected with members of my former youth ministry in Indiana this weekend - I am so proud of them and the way they are parenting!
• Watching remember the titans tonight - what a great film about unity and determination - every church member should see this movie; it will remind all of us what can happen when we forget about our needs and put the needs of the team (church) first.
• Just in case you are wondering we are only 19 days away from the gators first game.
• Next week - fellowship dinner, movie night and another message about Jesus - PBCC members you need to part of next week - there are no other options that can compare!

The Secret

What is the secret to growing a church? That is the question many church leaders ask on a daily basis. There are books one can read and conferences one can attend to help one discover the secret to church growth. The truth is there is no silver bullet to bring about growth. No secret formula for making your church grow. There are a variety of methods, styles and philosophies one can adopt to help make our churches. 

However, I have discovered one secret to church growth. It is probably the most overlooked and neglected secret I know of to grow a church. The secret is work. Yes work. It takes work to grow church, it does not just happen. It takes sacrifice of time, effort and resources for the church to grow.

I am pleased to see we have a several people who understand this secret. Today our SALT (sound and light team) have put in 12+ hours to get our sound right for worship. Our small group leader has looked over curriculum, contacted groups and set up registration points; so we will have a successful season of small groups. Our Family Ministry Director has planned both activities as well as planning sessions with her team in order that our family ministries will be prepared to teach and reach families. Our preschool ministry has worked tirelessly this past summer preparing for new students to be a part of our preschool ministry. 

I can honestly say there work will bring about a great harvest in our church, and it did not just happen, it happened because of their work! Thank you Team, I appreciate all you do for working to bring about church growth.   

What was he thinking?

I am not sure where I found this picture, but it has to be one of my favorites. Looking at the faces, I am particularly interested in the young man with the Oklahoma jersey on the left side of the picture. Everyone else seems to be having a great time, but this guy seems to be saying, "LET ME OFF NOW!"

When I look at this picture I want to ask a few questions?

• Who talked our daredevil into getting on the coaster? 
• Was it a bet or was he trying to impress someone special?
• When did he realize this was not the greatest idea he had ever thought of?
• What will he do when the coaster stops? I am sure hurling will be part of the evening's activities!
• Will he ever ride another coaster?

We will never know the answers to these questions, but one thing is certain he was listening to someone. Someone was speaking into his life and they convinced him to take the ride of his life. 

As I continue my series from the gospel of Mark, I realize that Jesus spoke into people's lives with authority. Remember Mark 1:27, The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! Jesus taught with authority and as a result people left their nets, their vocations and their homes to follow him on the great adventure. Like the young man on the coaster, I am sure the disciples asked themselves, "What are we doing or why am going through this event in my life?" Like the young man pictured above, they listened to someone who told them this was going to a great adventure. Those of us who have followed Jesus, know the roller coaster ride above is tame compared to living out the kingdom of God in your life. 

So before you begin a great adventure, it is important to ask who are you listening to today? This young man listened to a friend and found a fear he had never experienced before. However, we can choose to listen to Jesus and discover while at times we may be afraid, he has told us he will be with us to the end of the age. Who is speaking to you today and who are you listening to today? Are they speaking with authority?

By the way, I have a few questions for the woman in the lower right corner as well!

Who has authority?

Mark's gospel makes an interesting comment regarding authority. The people were amazed at his (Jesus) teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Mark 1:22. What makes this statement so interesting is the comparative nature of the sentence. Jesus taught with authority NOT like the teachers of the law. The teachers of the law should have had authority, after all they were the one's designated to speak for God. However, it was Jesus who spoke with authority NOT the teachers of the law. 

I wonder if the same thing could be said for us as believers; have we allowed our message to be watered down and powerless that we no longer speak with authority? Have we clung to meaningless rituals and traditions that no longer have value and thus we no longer have a voice in the conversation? 

Think about it, Jesus arrives on the scene speaks one time and immediately people identify him as one of authority NOT like the teachers of the law. What was it about Jesus that gave him the ability to speak with authority? What made his speech and his actions so distinctive that when one looked at other religious leaders they paled in comparison to him? I think John's gospel gives us the answer, John 1:14 reads The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

Jesus was full of grace and truth! If we are going to speak with authority in this culture, if we are going to have a voice at the table it is because we are full of grace and truth. We should speak the truth in a loving manner. In fact, the most loving thing one can do is speak the truth. It would not be loving if you knew there was impending danger just around the corner and you had the ability to warn people of the danger and did not do it. That would not be love, that would be cruel. We have an obligation to speak truth into people's lives. Truth is not what they always want to hear, but truth is necessary and loving! However, it is not enough to speak truth, we must also be people full of grace. Grace offers forgiveness, grace accepts the sinner, grace offers a hand out of the mire. People who are gracious will be heard by those who need it so desperately! 

So when the question comes us who has the authority to speak on an issue it is not the smartest, not the one with the quickest wit, not the one with the best presentation, not the loudest, not the most clever, but one who is like Jesus, full of grace and truth.

Who is in Charge?

This past Sunday, I preached a message about the authority of Jesus. Since then I have been thinking about  authority and how it relates to the local church. Having served in ministry for almost 30 years, I have seen many people who struggle with authority in the church. While it is true Jesus is the ultimate authority over the church, He has appointed others to carry out his will and speak for him. 

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

The authority of Christ as seen in the leadership of the church has but one purpose; to bring members of the church to maturity. Leaders do not have authority to rule or to lord over a congregation, rather leaders have the authority over a congregation for the purpose of helping people mature in Christ. Unfortunately, many people (both leaders and church members) have a misconception regarding authority. Leaders believe they must rule, members have a built in defense mechanism that bucks when someone tries to rule over them. Yet when people grasp the idea of leaders using their authority to help members mature; God is honored and the church is one the right course. 

How do leaders use their authority to help believers mature?

1. By becoming shepherds of the flock; a shepherd has two functions, to feed and protect the flock. When leaders provide good food (Bible Based Preaching and Teaching) and protect the flock from sins of the flesh, members of the body can begin the maturing process.
2. By being intentional in ministry, Good leaders know a church cannot be or do everything, thus they must be intentional about the things that will bring about maturity. That means there will be times they must say no to good things in order to say yes to best things. Leaders need discernment to make these kind of choices, but these choices bring out the maturity Christ desires for his church.
3. Realize maturity is a destination and not a program. There is no silver bullet that brings about maturity. Good leaders understand their authority must be used to keep people moving toward the destination of maturity. That will mean there will be times that the programs that were at one time very effective now have to be given over to new methods if the new ideas will bring about maturity. This can be difficult, but if we understand biblical authority we know our goal in leading is to bring about maturity, not be the keepers of the church and her traditions.

When leaders focus on maturity we no longer ask who is in charge, rather we ask, am I helping others to mature as Christ desires?

When members desire maturity, they no long rebel against Biblical authorty rather they seek out ways to submit to authority so they can mature in Christ, thus God is honored.

   

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• What an incredible weekend - John James, a fundraiser, worship and a wedding - I am beat!
• After Jesus taught with authority - news about him traveled fast. How fast is the news about Jesus traveling if it only depended on you?
• Responding to the authority of Jesus can be summed up with two songs - You're not the boss of me or Have thine own way.
• Which song is on your mind today?
• Remember it is not enough to recognize the authority of Jesus we must submit to his authority.
• There is a big difference between accepting his authority now and being forced to accept his authority one day. 
• Weddings are great - they give us the opportunity to talk about God's idea when it comes to family. 
• It bothers me that there are those who would try to change God's idea of marriage and family without any thought of future consequences.  
• I am really looking forward to the changing in our sound next week.
• Found out today another family is moving because of job relocation - Why are there no jobs in Palm Bay?
• Rained for 4 hours today - YES!
• School starts tomorrow in Brevard County - what a wonderful time of the year.
• Preseason football begins tonight - what a WONDERFUL time of the year.
• Next week we look at the healing power of Jesus - PBCC family you need to hear this message. 
• Why does Cracker Barrel have Christmas decorations up already?  

The Diversity Difference

The last two evenings PBCC has had the opportunity to minister in two distinct ways. Friday night we hosted John James and the All Things New with a night of worship and testimony. Tonight we hosted a benefit "For the Silent", dedicated to raising awareness for Child & Teen Sex Trafficking problem in our culture. Both events were different in a variety of ways, however both events had one item in common - Christian believers were challenge to live their faith beyond the walls of a church building. 

As I sat there tonight listening to the worship bands, I could not help but think how diverse ministry is becoming in today's culture. We are indeed living out the words of Paul, who reminded us to use a variety of ways to reach people for Christ. I Corinthians 9:22-23 reminds us I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

May we continue to live out the diversity of our faith using what ever means possible to connect people to Jesus Christ.    

The Power of Testimony

Tonight I had the privilege of hearing John James (former lead singer of the Newsboys) share his testimony with our student ministry. John's message was very transparent. His discovery of faith, his rise to fame and his downfall all tell a story of how God is the God of second chances. Every time I hear about second chances, I am amazed at God's grace. 

Grace; that irresistible, unchanging, undeserving gift from God. We cannot earn it we can not buy it and we cannot barter for it, it is the gift that changes our destiny, our outlook and our mindset.

Tonight I was reminded once again how amazing grace is when it is offered and received by those who need it most - which is everyone of us. Thanks John for share and thank you God for giving the gift of grace!  

Nets no more!

For three years, Simon, Andrew, James and John left their nets and traveled with Jesus. During that time, they saw miracles, heard Jesus teach and watched him show the full extent of love by going to the cross. At the end of John's gospel we find the disciples going back to the fishing business. What I find amazing is their fishing expedition happened after the resurrection. My question is why did they go back? Can you imagine their thought process? Jesus conquers death - Let's go fishing! 

There are times in ministry when we think we have accomplished all that God has planned for us, so the natural tendency is to go back to what is familiar in our lives. Maybe that was the thinking behind the boys fishing trip. After all the resurrection was the ultimate miracle, was there anything else to experience? Well if you read John 21 and the book of Acts you know the answer is yes! 

In John 21 Jesus recommissions Peter, and in Acts 1 he recommissions the disciples, sending them out as his witnesses. It is interesting to note after their recommission, they never pick up their nets again. Instead, they become part of the greatest world changing, behavior modification, grace distribution and hope giving movement man has ever known. It all began when they choose "Nets No More" 

When I was growing up in in Jacksonville Florida we used to sing the song at church camp titled, "I have decided to follow Jesus" Note the lyrics... 

1. I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus;
   I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
2. Though I may wonder, I still will follow; Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
   Though I may wonder, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
3. The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me;
   The world behind me, the cross before me;No turning back, no turning back.
4. Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow;
   Though none go with me, still I will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
   Will you decide now to follow Jesus?No turning back, no turning back.

   

While it is a simple song it conveys the message and the actions of those fishermen when they decided nets no more. I hope we call share the zeal and commitment of those first fishermen, for God has so much for us if we simply stay committed to his call. 

  

When you want to return to your nets

When it comes to leaving your nets I find two challenges; the first is to decide to leave your nets - I addressed that issue in Monday's blog. The second challenge is to stay true to the call when you want to return to your nets. Whenever you answer the call, there may be occasions where your run into opposition or difficulty and the net you left seems attractive. Remember Israel's dilemma at the Red Sea? The sea is before them the Egyptians are pursuing them; Exodus 14:10-12 gives the details; As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"   

It would have been better to serve Egyptians?!?! 

Egypt was a cruel taskmaster, but at this moment the children of Israel did not care, they wanted to return to their bondage rather than trust God in their trial. They wanted to return to their nets. 

Egyptian fleeing Israelites are not the only ones who want to return to their nets. We want to return to our nets when criticism becomes overwhelming or when the problems seem unsurmountable or the journey is lonely or you fill in the blank.

The apostle Paul gives us some practical advice when we want to return to our nets...

2 Corinthians 4:8-10, We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  

Paul tells us he has faced a variety of afflictions, any one of them would make him want to return to his nets, yet he ends the passage with the phrase, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. When we continue to do the work of Christ, when we continue with our call, we reveal the life of Christ in our body. In other words, our actions point to Jesus. In reality returning to our nets is not an option, the only true option we have when we want to return to our nets is to continue to point people to Jesus. In doing this we stay focused on our call and not on our afflictions.

Before Paul told us how to handle our afflictions, Jesus gave the ultimate demonstration of stying faithful to the call. 1 Peter 2:23, When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

When we place our trust in God, our nets have very little appeal to us! Thus we gladly leave the nets behind knowing the call has something far better than an empty net. 

Have you seen my net?

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:17-18 


This has to be one of the most amazing statements of faith in the Bible. A stranger approaches a group of fishermen with a challenge to follow Him, upon hearing the invitation, they leave their nets and follow him. 


I wonder what happened to the nets?


Did their partners pick them up, did other fisherman take them as their own, after all we all know the rule, "finders keepers, losers weepers" Scripture does not say what happen to their nets, all it says is they left the nets. I wonder if the nets did not become a perfect marker of what it meant to be a Christ follower. I mean is it possible when people walked past the nets they thought about Simon and Andrew and the man who offered the invitation Follow Me! I wonder if people saw the nets and said, "Yeah they will be back it will never last or what kind of fisherman leaves a net"? 


When I think about my nets, I wonder what people would say if they saw me leave my nets today. I would hope I have a permanent marker in my life that says, "On this day I left my net and followed Him." What would people say if they saw my nets? Can the same be said for you? Is there a point in your life where people know you left your nets? What would people say about you if they saw your nets? Remember following Jesus always means you are going to have to leave something behind. 


So I ask you, have you seen my nets?

On Leaving Nets

Sunday Morning I was preaching from Mark 1:14-20. In the passage Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to be a part of his mission with the simple phrase, "Come, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" Upon hearing the invitation Mark records "At once they left their nets and followed him"

What was it about the invitation of Jesus that compelled these men to leave their nets and follow him. Understand nets were very important to the the fishermen. In Sunday's message I said, A fisherman knew his nets. His nets are his livelihood. The nets were the only thing that keeps his family going. Without nets he and his family would starve. Fishermen took care of their nets. Every day the nets would be cleaned repaired and stored away with great care. The fisherman not only cared for his net, he knew how to use the net with great detail. He knew when to cast and when to draw it back in. He also knew who the best net makers were and who knew best to replace a broken net. Fishermen knew their nets and their net makers. He knew everything there was to know about nets. So when Jesus gave the invitation to come and follow him; his was an invitation to leave the familiar (nets) and join him in unfamiliar territory.

While I challenged the congregation to leave their nets Sunday, I have to admit I am trying to figure out what does it mean to leave the familiar and and go into unfamiliar territory with Jesus. 

While I am not sure what the unfamiliar is today, I know what is familiar;

• The familiar is safe
• The familiar is certainty
• The famiar is security
• The familiar takes very little faith
• The familiar goes with the flow
• The familiar takes less effort
• The familiar known
• The familiar is routine
• The familiar is normal 
• The familiar is followed by the majority
• The familiar has more answers than questions
• The familiar if acceptable 
• The familiar is seldom questioned
• The familiar is the status quo

After to looking at this list, I am beginning to understand what it means to leave the familiar and follow Jesus into unfamiliar territory. Now all I need is the courage to do it!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached on an unpopular, but much needed subject today - repentance.
• A lot of people are sorry they were caught in a sin, but how many genuinely repent?
• Remember without repentance there can be no transformation.
• Yes, I did say following Jesus always means you have to leave something behind.
• Nets are anything you cling to rather than Jesus.
• What nets will you leave for Jesus?
• It is easy to write a check to God for a million dollars, however God only wants a nickel a day!
• Christianity stripped down is as simple as Matthew 22:36-40 - Think about it!
• One of our members announced she was moving to Port Orange next week - We will miss you Elena, You have been such a blessing to PBCC.
• Next weekend is going to be a busy, but challenging week for PBCC - I hope everyone will take advantage of what will be offered!
• Hey, Walt and Jean enjoy the Mountains - you deserve it!
• I am really excited about what the young people of PBCC are doing to impact the culture.
• Whenever you feel like boasting on your cleverness or strength, remember Jeremiah 19:23-24; real good stuff.
• How can it already be August 1 - I kid you not, Christmas decorations are up in the Palm Bay Cracker Barrel.
• I have to be honest, over the last few weeks I have witnessed God do some amazing things in what looked like truly horrible circumstances. As Chris Tomlin sings,  "How great is our God"
• Next Sunday we continue the series Red Letters - Remember PBCC family; Guest are welcomed, members are expected.
• Preschool teachers return to work tomorrow at PBCC - looking forward to a new year and new opportunities.