mySundaySermons

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee (NRSV)

12 Now when Jesus^* heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ¹⁵ ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— ¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ ¹⁷From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’^* 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. ¹⁹And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ ²⁰Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²²Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Things I have learned about fishing… that relate to Discipleship

Everyone is going fishing, not everyone will catch a fish on the same day, in the same way.

Jesus calls certain folks, at certain times to begin his ministry..

But when he leaves, it is in the hands of all his followers to be his body in the world.

We are the new fishers of men and women, children and youth.

More fish jump in the net if you put the net in the water or put appropriate food on the hook.

Faith Sharing works best if you go where folks are struggling with faith

We approach a real life situation with meaningful help.

Some one is hungry,  you feed them, love them and then help them find work.

Some one is scared about bills, you don’t just say, I’ll pray for you.. look at the root.

Some one is afraid see the doctor, tell them your struggle from the other side.

*Bottom line, you can’t fish from a distance… get near the water, in the water, on the water..

Go to where its ugly, dirty, vulnerable and real. (this is Christ-like)

Sometimes fishing is about being on the lake/river trying, rather than in the catching anything, every day.

Fishing for Christ is not what we get out of it, rather it is putting our selves in God’s hands.

Having lots of good gear can be helpful, but its not necessary.

We value education, bibles, study books, and devotional guides…

but it is as easy as a trusting conversation.

It is possible to over fish a historic spot known for a good catch.

What worked the last time, might never work again.

Sometimes your need a permit or you can get in trouble.

Usually you can get away with ask for forgiveness instead of permission, but sometimes,

You need to know the context, rules and laws that can hinder if your ignore them.

It is easier to let someone else catch, clean and cook the fish, but your not a fisherman when you do.

* Its not about getting the job done, its about showing up for work and trying.

John 13:1-17 (NRG Service)

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13. ^2bAnd during supper ³Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, ⁴got up from the table,^* took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. ⁵Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ ⁷Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ⁸Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ ⁹Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ ¹⁰Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,^* but is entirely clean. And you^* are clean, though not all of you.’ ¹¹For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ 12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. ¹⁴So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Very truly, I tell you, servants^* are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus served the students

Usually the leader was cared for first, Jesus cares for others first

Jesus washed their dirty feet

He made clean what they could not clean… not their feet, but their soul, heart

Peter, a student, wanted a whole bath…

Jesus said its not that kind of cleaning, its in your minds, heart and soul…