Dealing with Distractions

 Now I’m gonna do something I dont normally do and thats read out of the KJV. 

I know the younger you are the less you want to read out of the KJV and thats cool but you’ll see how its quite appropriate this morning - Isaiah 6:1-9

“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

9 And he said, Go, and tell this people”

So here is Isaiah having this real God moment. He’s standing before God Himself and theres these seraphim's, which are angels, now check this out, not some little baby angels we see pictures of but these mighty angelic beings ok? And these angels are crying out, basically singing, praising God so loud that the whole place was shaking. Can you picture that? Have you ever been at a concert or a club or something and maybe close to the speakers and it was so loud that you could feel the vibration of the music? Have you? Well this is like a 100 times greater than that. 

And the 1st thing out of his mouth is “Woe to me” - you know why? 

Because he realizes at that moment he is in a very very holy place, ...there before God and he is feeling very very not holy. 

Because he knows, he knows he’s not living a holy life. And this is a man of God. 

Pretty crazy right? But pretty real. I think we’d all feel that way.

Now heres the deal. Isaiah worked for the King. King Uzziah. And he placed great importance on the fact that he worked for the King. He was the court historian, basically the Press Secretary in our terms today. And he is all about the King. He is heavily influenced by the King. I mean his life revolves around the King and basically he’s gotten a bit out of balance. You trackin with me?

Hangin out with King Uzziah has become his greatest influence - more than God Almighty being his greatest influence in life. …….And this a worship situation…... 

Here’s a question… do we ever do that? You and me. Do we ever get caught up in other people or things or activities that they become a greater influence in our lives than God is?

Does that happen?

Are we caught up in what are friends are doing more than what God is doing?

Are we more into the sport we love rather than what God loves?

Are we caught up in our work more than what God would want us to be involved in?

Are we caught up in sharing on social media more than sharing the love of God with others?

I mean that happens to us too just like Isaiah.

Maybe we allow other things to dominate our lives rather than God dominating our lives.

You see for Isaiah, King Uzziah was blocking his view of God. For us, something else may be blocking our view of God. 

I mean hear me folks, God is HUGE. He holds the universe in his hands. It doesnt matter how much we know of Gods love or mercy or power… that is just a teaspoon in the ocean. He goes on & on & on and something tiny, some little ity bity thing can block our view of a great big God.

Its like... 

If you have your phone and if you hold it up in front of your face, I mean where its almost touching your nose, the only thing you can see is whats right in front of you.

Thats whats happening to Isaiah. Thats what happens to us.

We get caught up in friends, hobbies, career, our phones constantly in front of our faces and we cant see God because we are distracted. …….Oh thats the BIG word, distracted.

What could be distracting you from seeing God? … Do you know what that is? 

So how do we fix that? Whats the remedy? Whats the solution?

Life is better with God front and center. Hear me now, life is better with God front and center.

Matt. 6:33 says “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Put God 1st and life is better.

So what can you and I do?

Lets look at what we just read in Is. 6

V.5 

Then Isaiah said, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

You know what this tells me I need to do 1st when I realize Im distracted and that distraction is blocking my view? Confess. This is personal confession. Whatever it may be that is distracting you from seeing God, whatever is keeping you away from God- you realize what that is and you confess it

Isaiah said Woe to me I am a man of unclean lips. 

You and I would would say, woe to me I have been distracted by…. And whatever that is you tell God.

You are confessing to Him that its been blocking your view.

1 Timothy 1:19 says, “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.”

So the 1st thing we do is confess

Heres the 2nd, vs 7

“And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.”

This is personal consecration - I know consecration is a big churchy word, go ahead and say ‘consecration’ out loud- do it, it has a bunch of syllables you feel smarter just saying it.

Consecration simply means devoted. It means we are so devoted to God we lay down or put aside those distractions blocking our view of God.

Look at Psalm 51:17, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise.”

Once we have realized the distraction and we confessed it to be so, now we lay it down before God. We tell God, “I dont want this distraction to block my view of you Lord, I want You to be front and center.”  Now hear me, that doesnt mean you no longer hang out with friends, or love sports or our hobbies or throw your phone or computer in the dumpster… okay?

We are simply saying we no longer want them to keep us away from what You God want in our lives. So we consecrate, we sacrifice, we lay it down before You so You God are truly number 1 in my life. I’m devoted….You see that?

Then we move to the 3rd part. Vs 9 

“And he (God) said, Go, and tell this people”

This is our mission. Its personal commission. 

God has something for you. He has a mission for you. He had a mission for Isaiah. You see that?

Just like Isaiah, He has a mission for you. There’s no difference. You and I both have a mission.

Please understand me, you are not here on earth by accident. You are not an accident. I dont care if anybody every told you that. It’s not true. Your are here on purpose for a purpose. God doesnt make mistakes. Do you know that? 

You are not here on this earth just to eat, breath and take up space. That is not all that God has in store you. You are special, you are amazing. You are spectacular! Period. 

And God has a purpose for you. Look at what Jesus said, “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”   John 17:18 msg

Jesus is talking to you right now. 

So part 3 is you beginning today to ask God, what is my mission Lord?

And He will tell you. It may take some some time to fully understand, it may take time to develop but I can tell you I was 10yrs old when I knew the mission God had for me.

You know what that says to me, He will tell you too. 

But guess what, we cant be distracted from what God has for us. We wont see it, 

we wont hear it.

So we confess, we consecrate, we lay it down and we ask.

And He will let you know in His timing He will let you know.

So lets have an awakening in our lives just like Isaiah had. 

watch message in its entirety here:WOE LO GO

What are YOU doing for Passion Week?

  As we enter into Palm Sunday the question on my mind is, "What are you doing during this upcoming Passion Week?"
This type of question always enters my mind during significant seasons... certainly the holiday season surrounding the birth of Christ. Which also leads into the New Year.
When Spring comes I ponder new life, which leads me to the Easter season.
And here I am today wondering, thinking, meditating upon Passion Week.

Passion Week (also known as Holy Week) is the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday).
Passion Week is so named because of the passion with which Jesus willingly went to the cross in order to pay for the sins of His people. It is described in Matthew chapters 21-27; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23; and John chapters 12-19. Passion Week begins with the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday on the back of a colt as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9-10.

So here we are, the week is upon us.
What am I going to do with this week? What are YOU going to do with this week?

Well for me, I'm going to spend some time reading through the Passion Week passages I mentioned earlier. Letting those sink in, trying to place myself there... in the midst of it all.
I think of Jesus cleansing the Temple for the second time (Luke 19:45-46)
Causing me to reflect on what needs to be "cleansed" from my own life?
Well that takes on many forms doesn't it?
From attitudes, to speech, to the conversations I allow myself to enter to, the images I've allowed myself to see, all the way to the food I consume.
I think of the time and purpose Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Matthew 26:36-46)
Creating a longing in me to pray, to cry out to my Lord and Savior.

Other ways I engage in this upcoming involve reading accompanying materials, watching films/documentaries related to this season.
Finding a Seder Meal service to be a part of and/or a Good Friday Service.
Culminating with an Easter Celebration Service.

So how about you?
What are you going to do this Passion Week?

Let me and others know.........

May this be a season of reflection and celebration

Would Jesus Choose Your Boat.....?

I opened the year 2015 talking about defining moments - Defining Moments arent these moments that we wait for and hope theyll come to us but rather God has already placed these moments in our paths and they are there waiting for us to step into them and define them.

So we looked at a few examples throughout scripture and we could find more and more if we wanted to spend the time searching. - if you missed the blog I recommend checking it out - we were purposeful in that being the 1st message in 2015…. Because 

Getting practical I mentioned 2 items, 2 practical ways to set us up to define moments

1. Beg for the Holy Spirit guidance and   2.  15 in 2015 

Now I am promoting, being the crusader, the lobbyist that this year 2015 be a year a growth (you could get excited about that if you want to) a year of growth for all of us in many different ways and a year of growth in your lives personally. 

Ok I said all of that to set up the next couple of weeks as we take a little journey with Jesus, Peter and his boat… looking at these 2 growth areas for us…. Our character and our courage.

Alright, you ready! - luke 5

 “One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 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.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 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.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 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.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:1-11

In preparing for this message I came across this piece of modern history regarding this location of Lake Gennersaret which today is called Lake Kinneret:

-  During the mid-eighties a severe drought drained the lake to its lowest level ever. During that time a boat dating back to the first century was discovered. After years of careful restoration, the boat is now on display at the Kibbutz. 

It is dubbed “the Jesus boat” because it dates to the time period of His ministry. Jesus could very well have sailed in a boat of similar size to the one pictured above.

And in this story, of luke ch.5 when he came to the shore of the lake the people followed. 

Jesus noticed two boats along the seashore.

Luke used the word ploiarion, meaning “a little boat” which certainly fits the picture of this boat. 

Here is where the fishermen would be washing out and repair their nets after an excursion on the lake. 

They would wash out the lake grass and an odd sandal or two that they had drug up while fishing! 

Atleast thats what I would catch if I were fishing. 

So here was Simon after a tough night of fishing cleaning up his boat, setting up the nets to dry in the sun and along comes Jesus who picks his boat and asks for it to be pushed just off shore to serve as a floating platform. This would have been an ideal way for Jesus’ voice to carry across the water to the maximum amount of the people – and the water keep the crowds back so that more could hear.

As soon as Jesus sat down, a hush came over the crowd because that was the sign given by all rabbis before they began to teach. Jesus always had a compelling story to tell and the crowd pressed in to listen to Him….. And the thought came to me….

Why did Jesus choose 1 boat over the other? Now one could certainly argue that Jesus wasnt purposeful in selecting one boat over the other… just simple happen-stance. But I would argue it was very intentional. And that the pattern of Jesus’ life was very intentional with all those he dealt with directly…. And indirectly. 

Because you see He makes those decisions in our lives daily.

Which is what we spoke about last blog. That God has already set us up for those ‘defining moments’ - that the life changing defining moments in our lives dont simply come to us but that they are there, placed by God for us to step into them and define those moments.

So that would answer the debate if He was intentional or not. 

However today I want us to look at this from another angle of why did He choose Simon Peters boat? 

And ask us to be open and aware here today asking ourselves  

“Would He choose your boat?”

And so for us to answer that question I’d like us to investigate these first few verses in 

Luke 5 

Why Jesus chose Simon Peters boat…

 vs. 2 “He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.”

Simon was willing to stop what he was doing to get involved in what Jesus was doing.

Look at this: Simon was busy right? I mean not just right now as he’s cleaning out his nets but he’s been fishing for hours and now he’s on the back end cleaning up. 

When you’ve been busy at work for hours and now youre in the wrap up stage of closing things out and getting things done…. How open are you to interruptions? You probably love them right? :)

Youre totally cool with that. 

Well Simon was cuz he knew something bigger was going on 

So how about us? Would Jesus choose your boat b/c He knew you would be totally cool with extending your work hours cuz something bigger was going on….

How about we make it personal. What is it that God is doing that He wants you to be a part of? 

Have you engaged in that? Have you stepped into that moment making a defining moment decision that you are ready and willing?
What God has made absolutely clear to us all when it comes to His Kingdom work is what is most important is our Availability not our Ability - are you open to being interrupted by God? 

If yes, He’ll choose your boat.

  Vs. 3  “He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore.”

Simon was willing to do a little thing 

Not only was he willing and available but when it comes to pushing the boat out just a little ways well Simon was way overqualified for that. 

We’re talking about a deep sea fisherman here, not a push a few feet from the shore guy.

You see Simon’s attitude here. He’s basically sayin, “Im all in here!” I dont care how small the task, I’m honored just to be a part of this.

Is there anything you've pushed aside thinking “oh thats not for me, thats just a little task and I’m way to overqualified for that?” Have you? 

Maybe its getting involved in ministry somewhere that you know theres a need, maybe even a desperate need but “oh someone else will do it.” - but heres the growth area for us… 

that we’re willing to do it, to move forward the focus mission. Where we have the thought, “this is my church, I love focus church, I love the mission and vision here” so we ask ourselves “how can I forward the focus mission?”

Maybe its being a part of the childrens ministry, maybe its being a help to our youth, student ministry leaders, maybe its being a part 1st impressions team, getting up early to be here greeting others as they walk in, or the hospitality team, setting up the breakfast area, getting coffee made and snacks out for everyone, realizing the bigger picture that people will get invited here who are in a discovery mode when it comes to Christ and you’ll do any little thing you can to help bigger cause.

Its also outside the walls of the church. Its being willing to do that little extra thing at the workplace but in doing that others see you operating in the “love in action” mode and they begin to ask you ?s 

(continue) its the little things like being one of those folks cook a portion of a meal we take out to montrose, and so many other opportunities to just do the little thing.

Will He choose your boat?

 Vs 3-4 “He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon Peter was sensitive to Jesus’ voice 

You ever notice sometimes we get caught up in selective listening? 

Like I get in trouble for this at the house alll the time…. (laptop tv convo, 2 min later I ask ?) 

Dont just get caught up in what you want to hear - Jesus said in Jn 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

What has God been speaking to you that maybe, just maybe you’ve put on the side burner?

So we’re talking about this season of growth for our church but more importantly a season of growth in your lives personally. So I asked you to commit to 15 in 2015 right? 

Now I meet with a group of guys on wed nights and I asked them all of them if they could come next week with how are they going to grow in 2015? That they would listen, be sensitive to what and how they could grow this year… and we’re gonna talk about  - we used Eph 5:1-20 as a starting scripture - 

So ill ask all of you the same ? - use eph 5 to get started and be sensitive to Gods voice on what and how you will grow this year….

Jesus chose Simon Peters boat b/c he was sensitive to Gods voice - would He choose your boat?

How about it… Will you step into this moment and define this moment?

Vs 5 “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.” and in vs 2 “washing their nets”

Simon was a worker

How does Proverbs 12:24 apply to your life: “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” or proverbs 21:25 - “Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.”

Again b/c of the bigger picture Simon was willing, and if it included more work he was open to that.

Would Jesus choose your boat?

As we spoke about these defining moments, how do you think people would define you as a worker? You know on a scale from 1-10   (poll in yv app) 

I found this memo that went out to all employees at a company that will remain nameless (maybe its your company…) - trying to motivate their folks 

Human Resources: Distribution: ALL STAFF Tuesday Jan 3rd.

Dear Staff,

It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary.

If we see you wearing Prada trainers & carrying a Gucci bag we assume you are doing well financially and therefore you do not need a pay rise.

If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes and therefore you do not need a pay rise.

If you dress in-between, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a pay rise.

SICK DAYS:
We will no longer accept a doctor statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

PERSONAL DAYS:

Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year.
They are called Saturday & Sunday.

I dont know about you but thats not real motivating to me...

Peter was a worker which leads to #5

 v. 5“But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Simon was willing to use what he possessed to receive what Jesus had for him.

Simon Peter used his own net. 

I think there are times in life when we feel like we have nothing to offer. You may feel that way today. 

What could I possibly offer. I dont have much. I’m not skilled for ministry I just work in an office, I’m an accountant or I’m real estate agent or I’m an electrician - but here we see a man, Simon who was a common worker, a fisherman by trade filming episodes of Deadliest Catch for Discovery channel and all he had was a boat and some nets…. But he didnt let that persuade him that it was of no value.

Folks hear me today please hear me… you have value. You have great value. God did not place 

you here on this earth just to eat, breath and take up space. He has a plan for you. 

A specific plan. Jer. 29:11

And that plan includes what you have today, what you possess today. God will use you, and what you have to impact those around you for His Kingdom and His glory.

If your taking notes write this principle down, I mentioned this briefly earlier but I dont want you to miss this….Its not about your ability, it about your availability.

It has nothing to do with the skills you posses and if you think they will be effective or not, what matters to God is are you willing? Are you available? Available for Him to work through you?

Thats what matters. Thats the attitude hes looking for…. Would he choose your boat?

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” Eph. 2:10

v. 5 “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so” and v. 8 “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

Simon Peter recognized the Lordship of Jesus.

How many people do you think recognize God and who He is... but not as their savior?

He is not Lord of their lives. Sure I know God but as you look at my everyday life can you tell He’s the Lord of my life? That God is the one who directs my path? 

Or does my life look like every other person who God is not the Lord of their life?

Would Jesus choose your boat? 

Maybe youre thinking, absolutely He is Lord. I live my life for Christ and His will for my life 

Or maybe your thinking Yeah I’m not totally sure about that….

Remember what we learned last week, youre only one defining moment away from a new life, a new future. 

That with God, He’ll take any one of us when we’re ready to step into His presence and follow Him. He doesnt care what color, what language, what tribe, what boundary, he doesn’t care our background, rather nobility or peasant if we say, “God I want You” He lets us step into a new definition of ourselves.

So the question is, do you recognize the Lordship of Jesus as Simon did?

Today is the day. 

Is he truly directing your path or are you still the captain of the ship?

Would he choose your boat?

Watch video of message: Would Jesus Choose Your Boat?

What if we are to DEFINE Moments rather than waiting for Defining Moments to come to us...

Well here we are, the beginning of another year. And each new year is full of hope and enthusiasm 

For some 2014 was a spectacular year and so we want 2015 to be a continuation of goodness

For others 2014 was ho-hum so they're wanting 2015 to be better and still others look back at 2014 and are very happy its over, it hasn't been great…. So with the new year 2015 there is great hope and anticipation that it will be, not even spectacular per se, although that would be nice but just that the new year would be better than the previous. 

So they're looking for something that will change for them, some sort of momentum to shift life...

Have you noticed that life is shaped by defining moments?

In fact, some would say that you can track 5 or 6 moments in your life that will define all the moments within a lifetime.

and so however many moments you live in your life you’ll be able to look at specific, significant, seismic moments that were defining moments or if you look at it from another angle Divine moments. 

Ever notice that sometimes you're waiting for that defining moment to come and it seems like it just wont come while others appear to be having these defining moments again and again and it seems like its unfair - ever notice that some people seem to have multiple defining moments in their lives?

What I want to look at today is about the moments that define us and I want to change your mind about defining moments. Because instead of waiting for defining moments I want you to realize that you have been created and crafted to enter into moments and DEFINE them.

That the moments that actually define you are not the moments that come to you but the moments you come into. And that defining moments aren't moments we should wait for but they are moments that waiting for us. 

...and how we engage and enter a moment will determine what we’ll find and pull out of that moment.

Have you ever had defining moments that shaped everything for you? Maybe it was a moment that was your worse moment, maybe you've been defined by a bad moment - have you ever had a moment that was a wrong decision, a bad decision & your whole life was turned upside down because of that decision, that choice? And you've been defined by that moment ever since.

(athletes make bad decisions,  defined forever by those, Ron Artest with Pacers goes into stands, Lions D Tackle stomping on head of opposing team defined as dirty player)

The moments in your life, the choices you make, the direction you choose, the jobs you take, the jobs you don't take, the career path you choose, the career path you do not choose, the city you live in, the place you live, do you know how many choices you've said "no" to for the choices you've said "yes" to that have marked your life and defined who you are and the life you're living. Even the people you choose define who you are.

Have you ever choose the wrong people? Spending time with the wrong people has led you to some not so great moments in your life, or maybe you were the wrong person and it defined anothers life poorly. Or maybe you've chose the right people to be around and your life has greatly benefited from that choice. You've chosen to be aligned with the right people which has led to making the right choices in your life, which has helped create a bright future. The people you choose will define who you are.

You see we choose the way we breath every second of our existence.

As we travel through time we create a future by the choices we make. So we need to realize the future of our lives is largely dependent on the choices we’ve made yesterday.

So the choices you make today will form and inform your tomorrow. 

So I want to talk to you about the moments that define us.

The scriptures are very clear that moments are waiting for us, that God has already made choices to open up a future we could never imagine... and those moments are waiting for us to choose them.

There was a moment in the life of Jesus that caught my attention regarding defining moments. 

If you think about the story of Jesus it kinda skips large areas of His life.

We have the birth of Jesus which was rather monumental since virgin births are rare.

Then ofcourse the whole spectacle of bethlehem, wise men, shepherds in the field you know the story… then its silence for 12yrs and the next time we hear about Jesus his parents have lost Him.  :) 

Which btw is a huge crisis, if you could imagine being entrusted with the Son of God and you have temporarily misplaced Him. But you know they do find Him in the temple as He's teaching the teachers in the temple who are asking Him questions and astounded by his answers.

So his parents grab Him and you don't hear about Him again for another 20yrs…

Then Jesus shows up at the age of 30 - and theres multiple things that happen from age 30-33 of ministry to death and resurrection - but at 30 He's introduced to the broader audience and He’s introduced as the messiah, the christ, the savior of the world in what I would call a somewhat understated moment in Matt ch 3 in vs 13 we see Jesus enter the scene it says,

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John” 

Now you may not expect this to be the opening act of Jesus onto the scene... that Jesus would “go to” John, John the Baptizer. And John tries to deter Him for the same reasons we would try to deter him because it doesn't make any sense that Jesus would need to be baptized or atleast to us anyway that John would baptize Him instead John says "oh no wait I need to be baptized by you, that you would come to me."

So John saw it exactly the way we would see it. It doesn't make sense but then Jesus says,

“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”

Thats a huge statement - Jesus says I need to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness - I have no idea what that means… it just sounds epic - its huge, Jesus fulfills all righteousness in this moment and whatever that means its huge, I know its important, its cosmic - and so John consents 

“And as soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water and at that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 

You see this is one of those defining moments and Jesus stepped into it

These are the kinda moments we all long for, the moments we hope for, the moments that change everything for us, the heavens opening up declaring something for us....

And what I want us to see is that this moment didnt arbitrarily come to Jesus, that he stepped into that moment and He defined that moment by saying this is what I must do.

And I’m wondering if this is the pattern God is hoping we can embrace for our lives.

That we stop living arbitrary lives like leaves blowing in the wind hoping that somehow good things will come our way. That something significant, something seismic, something divine would come our way. But instead that we are designed by God to enter into the moments of life with the power to define them.

And one of things that Jesus calls us to, is to define ourselves as belonging to Him, a redefining of our identity as those who belong to the Savior of the world.

So I want to open our eyes today to the moments that are waiting for us to enter in and define them.

I could take us all over scripture to discover these defining moments that numerous people engaged and entered into for us to see ourselves - I mean all the way to the beginning with Adam and Eve and there was a serpent, you probably know the story. And for us to see that God from the beginning has created this framework for us, humans with the power to choose. 

So in the garden God had given the opportunity not just to step into defining moments but to define their moments. And we confuse this sometimes thinking there were only 2 trees and there was only 1 good choice and 1 bad choice but actually the garden was full of endless good choices and only one choice that would cost them their lives.

So He said you choose, you decide, but remember you're created in my image and this is the best life for you. And you probably know the story Adam and Eve eat of the one tree they're not supposed to and they lose their identity in God because they made a defining moment decision. To define themselves outside of the image of God.

We could just continue the story from Adam & Eve to their 2 sons Cain and Abel and their defining moments that led them on their paths for the rest of their lives…. But I’m not gonna dive into to that one today.

Or we could look at the multiple moments Jacob faced, including a defining moment he stepped into by wrestling with God… But I’m not gonna dive into to that one today either.

I want you to know today the choices you've made in the past they have real momentum they have real life and even when you're trying to redefine yourself, the momentum of those choices they can chase you down, catch you at your worst moments, they can haunt you and taunt you, belittle you they can leave you will the feelings of guilt and shame... but our God is a God of grace and lets you know He will protect your future 

We have choices to make, defining moments waiting for us to define them

And we can be like Rehab who takes a moment and redefines herself completely.

Lets go to Joshua ch 2 - Caleb and Joshua are spearheading a reconnaissance mission through Jericho because they know God is going to give them the Promised Land. And this is more than a battle of tribes, this is an intention of Gods fulfillment. And what I love about this passage is that Rehab gives us an outsiders perspective. She actually says to Joshua in vs 9 “we know whats going on, we know that this is not a battle between tribes but that God is moving in human history and our hearts are melted with fear and we’ve lost our courage b/c we know were waring against God.” 

And btw Rehab is known as Rehab the Prostitute, isnt that wonderful?

Wouldn't you love being known throughout your life by the worst thing you've ever done?

You know John the Liar or there's Susan the Manipulator, there's Cole the car thief. 

Wouldn't it be horrible to be defined by your worst choices.... Rehab the Prostitute.

And as it turns out Joshua and Caleb make their way through the city and Rehab finds them out and she tells them I want to be on God’s side, will you accept me?

And you would think that the last person God would accept would be this prostitute of the people who are against the intention and will of God

And the great thing about God is He’ll take any one of us when we’re ready to step into His presence and follow Him. He doesn't care what color, what language, what tribe, what boundary, he doesn’t care our background, rather nobility or peasant if we say, “God I want You” He lets us step into a new definition of ourselves.

And in this moment Rehab reminds us we’re all one choice away from a new life and future….

She says, vs 12

12 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

14 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”

15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”

17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them.20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”

So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

And I love how this prostitute, who had probably been rejected by everyone she ever loved.

Probably felt that no one cared for her, wept for her, remembered her - I imagine that little space by the city wall was an empty space filled with loneliness, a vacuum of love for every man who pretended he loved her, she simply sold her body because she had no sense of value any longer.

Can you just imagine Rehab the Prostitute becoming Rehab the Protector 

Where she would go to her family, father and mother, brothers and sisters and say come under my roof, for my roof, in my house there is life and safety..... its beautiful 

I love that God took the very room where she sold herself to be the place to become a shelter for those she loved. 

All of us are always one moment away from new life, one decision away from a new future.

We all enter into moments that can become defining moments if we stop waiting passively by hoping God will do something when God has already done something and He’s waiting for us to step into that reality. 

Sometimes I think we are waiting for God to choose us when God has already chosen us and He is simply waiting for us to choose Him.

So I hope you see today what God’s Word is shouting out to us all…. As we enter into 2015 that we will not wait around for those defining moments to come to us but that we’ll realize God has already chosen us and is waiting for us to step into those moments and define them…. For His glory.

That we’ll be wide eyed…. Purposely looking for them. And that we’ll look back later in life at this year and say, 2015, thats when I stepped into defining moments 

Practical applications

1. Beg for the Holy Spirits leading 

"these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:10

I use the word beg on purpose because when we are desperate we are much more aware of our surroundings, the environment, the atmosphere hence open for the Spirits leading.

So ask everyday for the Holy Spirit to help you be aware of and engage defining moments.

2.   15 in 2015 

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."   Matthew 6:33

Make a commitment in 2015 to daily spend 15 minutes with God. 

Trust me on this one folks.

It will only benefit you. You know what most of us do, we say we just don't have the time - maybe not aloud but to ourselves or just by our actions - the truth is we cant afford not to. We need God everyday. So make the commitment. Stop for 15 min, Get your bible open, get something write on and hang out with God reading His Word, talking to Him in prayer, listening to what he is speaking to you. Hey pull a Nike and Just Do It. You will not regret it - I promise you.

Btw doing #2 will set up #1 - it will put you in a place to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you that will open you up engage and define moments. 

So let's DEFINE Moments in 2015!

watch video presentation of message: Defining Moments message video

Focus Church