“All my days all my life have it all,” recited Josh Munoz. ”That has weight.” Josh mentioned
the rich, young ruler who ran up to
“Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get
eternal life?’
Jesus answered,’If you want to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow me’
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he
had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16, 21-22 (NIV)
This man’s heart was not totally surrendered to the Lord so he walked away. God is after our
hearts. May we not just sing the catchy chorus on Sunday and let the words fall out of our brains and hearts as we walk out of the church. May we dedicate our hearts to Him. May we not let our comforts, desires, distractions or religious familiarity keep us from Jesus.
The God of the impossible is here to set us free! Lord, please empower us to be free from the chains that bind us. “We want to live in full obedience to the Lord,” stated Josh Munoz.
Then Pastor Josiah called for three volunteers to demonstrate some fly fishing on stage. The
three men were positioned at the other end of the stage from the “catch.” They tried but did not get the $20 bill. They were repositioned two more times until one caught the bill. That live demonstration related to the sermon, “Reel in His Glory.”
FC’s mission is to culture like Christ, and the vision is Jesus. Our vision is not only here in our
church family nor in San Diego but around the world. Pastor Josiah called up his father to the
platform and had George Elias, FC missions’ director, share of his experiences in Kenya.
George proclaimed,”I wanted to leave my mark wherever I went.” When he was flying to Paris, he shared Jesus with a man who accepted Christ as his Savior. That is the mark he wants to leave wherever he goes, and he desires for each of us to do the same-share Jesus with whomever we encounter.
A group of FC people will have the opportunity to share Jesus in Kenya in late September or
early October. George invited each of us to pray about what the Lord wants for us to do about traveling to Kenya. “Where He guides; He provides,” advised George. “We are going to be other oriented.”
After his father spoke, Pastor Josiah reminded us about last week’s sermon where a father
brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples who were unable to heal him. But
Jesus….He healed the boy. This week the passage in Matthew 17 dealt with the Temple Tax.
Matthew, the former tax collector, was the only gospel writer that described this situation, which was important to him. The collectors of the Temple Tax asked Peter,
“‘Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple Tax?’
‘Yes, he does,’ Peter replied, Then he went into the house.’”
Matthew 17:24-25a (NLT)
The collectors came to Peter not Jesus, and Peter answered presumptuously without asking his Rabbi. Peter had been associated with Jesus as one of His disciples. He was pursuing the Lord and staying in the process. Peter like us would have mountain top experiences and would tumble down. For example, Jesus gave Simon a new name, Peter the Rock, but soon after He chastened Peter, who had reprimanded Jesus for talking about His persecution. Another time Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain where Jesus was transfigured, and Elijah and Moses appeared. Peter blurted out that they should build three shelters, but God interrupted Peter and said,”This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5b (NIV) Elijah and Moses had disappeared.
When you become a Jesus follower, your identity changes. You’re first a child of God before
you’re anything else. Before you are rich, poor, tall, short, young or old, as a Christ follower
your identity is child of God. Paul stated, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in
God.” Colossians 3:3 (NKJV) When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we left our old
life behind and took on a new life.
Pastor Josiah introduced Britnee, who is Ashley’s younger sister, and she shared how the Lord transformed her life. She stated,”I am a child of God and am transformed.” She indicated that mamas and papas in her life made a difference, and she came to the Lord at seven years old. However, she wandered away from Him. In college, Britnee went her own way, and even though she knew Jesus, she continued on her own path. When she was visiting family, Tio asked her, ”Are you the real deal or a sissy Christian?” That question was a turning point. He was holding her accountable.
Britnee rededicated her life to the Lord, and she began leaving elements of her old life behind. Eventually she heard the Lord say,”Leave it.” He had been ripping old patterns, old ways, old chains from her life and had been giving her genuine joy. She had to decide whether she wanted all of God or her old life and losing it all. "Jesus is everything and life,” Britnee stated. She went to live with her grandparents, and she felt Him say,”Come to me. Forever. Depend on me.” He delivered her from trauma and fear, and she started believing that “the blood of Jesus is enough.” Britnee’s story is one of redemption and transformation. Praise God, who is a good, good Father.
Back to Matthew 17 where Jesus interrupted Peter and asked him,
”’Do kings tax their own people or the people the conquered"
They tax the people they have conquered,’ Peter replied.
‘Well, then,’ Jesus said, ‘the citizens are free!’” Matthew 15:25b-26 (NLT)
When you value God’s word more than your own, you don’t mind being interrupted.
Actually when I think about it, I am so grateful He interrupts me to direct my path because I can get off of the path He has for me. Thank you, Abba Father.
Even though they were citizens and free, Jesus did not want to offend them, for his ultimate goal was sharing the Good News. The desire to preach the Kingdom outweighed paying the
Temple Tax Jesus directed Peter to go “down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the
mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the
tax for both of us.” Matthew 17:27 (NLT)
Professional fishermen like Peter fished with nets, but Jesus instructed him to use a line. This
moment was a teaching time. God is able. The Paramount Point is “God can use anything we give Him for His glory.” Are you willing to partner with God? Are you willing to be obedient when He asks you to do something silly? Are you willing to do something outside of your comfort zone? How much is He the Lord of your life? Do things Jesus’ way and reel in His glorious blessings as you become salt and light in this troubled world.
Calendar:
3/21-LB potluck, worship and Pastor Michel’s grandmother, Irene Villa, will speak.
4/11-LB potluck, worship, and Meet to Swap to support FC Youth
5/15-LB potluck, worship, and Britnee will speak
Blessings,
Larry and Annette
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