Searching for a Better Life - Resilient

For many of us, September is a time to regroup, reorganize, and recommit ourselves to living a better life.  The routine of school and after-school activities gives families the opportunity to set aside time and recommit to eating dinner together during the week or on the weekends because for all of us, eating with family and friends is part of a better life.  For some, the fall provides the cooler weather we need to get out and walk, run, or hike which can lead to a better life.  Or maybe now that the season of picnics and ice-cream is over, there is a renewed commitment to more healthy eating, or maybe for you it is a renewed focus on better stewardship of time, or financial planning for 2020.  No matter what makes a better life for us, the fall is a great time to recommit ourselves to this kind of living, so we are going to take this month to look at 5 things that help us live a better life. 

When many of us think about a better life, we often look back to what we might consider better times.  A study on the global quality of life has shown that 1978 / 1979 were the best years ever with the perfect balance of work, wealth, and happiness.  40 years ago, I was just starting my junior year of high school, it was a good time.  Gas was 86 cents a gallon, Michael Jackson had 4 top ten hits from his Off the Wall album.

The top electronic gadgets, maybe the only electronic gadgets, were a Sony Walkman or an Atari video computing system, which both sold for about $200 ($750 today). 

While 1979 may have been the best year ever, our nation has known many good times and bad times, we have gone through prosperous times and lean times, violent times and peaceful times.  One thing we learn from our own history is that a better life often comes after the storm.  Think about this, 1979 was after we went through the challenges of Vietnam and Watergate.  We went through dark days as a nation, but we stepped out into the light.  We were able to experience a better life because we were Resilient.

When difficult times hit us as a nation, from the civil war, to the great depression, to world wars, and global conflicts, we have found the strength of spirit to keep going.  We stood strong.  When difficult times hit us as individuals, or as a family, the key to finding a better life is to stand strong, and to be resilient.  As a nation we are facing a storm of division and discord, and today you may be facing a storm in your own life, what we need to remember is that a better life is found after the storm so we can’t give up. Instead, we have to STAND UP, STAND FIRM, and STAND BACK UP.  This is what it means to be resilient, and this is what can lead us to a better life. 

Throughout this series we are going to look at the book of Ephesians and a key verse is going to be Ephesians 6:10-14a - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm.  

4 times the Apostle Paul tells us we need to stand up and stand strong and Paul knows something about this.  When Paul turned away from his life as a leading Pharisee and religious leader to become a follower of Jesus, he had to take a stand.  When God then called Paul to share his faith and spread the good news of Jesus in many different nations, he had to make another stand and then stand firm in the face of serious opposition from all sides.

So a better life is found when we learn to STAND UP, but what we stand up for makes all the difference.  If we stand up for more money, or to get more stuff, or to gain more power and prestige, life might not get better at all, but if we stand up for our faith and our families - we will find a better life.  What makes a better life is standing up for, protecting, and develop the most important relationships in our lives, and the primary relationship we need to stand up for is our relationship with God. 

Are we willing to stand up with God and for God?  If we look at the Old Testament, and the teaching of Jesus, we find that what it means to stand with God is this, Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul, and with ALL your mind, and with ALL your strength.  Loving God with all that we have, and all that we are, requires us to make a stand. 

Have we taken a stand and declared God as our creator and Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  To make this statement in the world today is to take a stand that separates us from many others.  Just this week a study came out saying that younger people do not see faith in God as being important, so in a culture moving away from God, to say we not only believe in God but strive to love God with all we have and all we are will require us to boldly stand up.

We might need to make a stand at work, or in school, and not hide our faith but be willing to acknowledge it and share it.  Among our family and friends we might need to take a stand and be clear that our worship of God, and growing in faith are things that are important to us and will be priorities in our lives.  It might mean we take a stand with our schedules and make sure worship, Sunday School, small groups, and serving in the name of Jesus are a priority we are going to make in this new season of the year. 

Taking a stand in our faith might mean evaluating what we say, and how we treat people so that our words and actions reflect more of Jesus.  We all need to evaluate where we are and ask ourselves:
● Where do I need to STAND UP with God?  
● Where do I need to STAND UP for God?

The other relationship where we might need to stand up and stand strong is with our families.  The beginning of school and the busy schedules families face in this season of the year make it too easy for family time to slip away.  We don’t eat together because everyone is on the run.  We don’t talk with each other because we are all too busy.  Where do we need to STAND UP and make our family a priority?  What changes have to take place for us to strengthen all of our family relationships?  Where do we need to care more for your spouse, devote more time to our children, stay connected to grandchildren, support those in our extended family and church family?  We need to stand up and stand strong in the relationships that matter to us

Next month we are going to be looking more in depth at the primary relationships that help us grow in faith: our relationship with God, our relationship with the church, and our relationship with the world.  As part of this series there will be individual and small group opportunities for us to assess how we are doing in these 3 relationships, and how God might be calling us to stand up in each one.  You will be hearing more next week and we hope you will be part of this exciting campaign.

Standing up is important, and it is something we need to intentionally do in our faith, but please hear this, once we stand up in any area of life, we will be challenged.  We take a stand in our faith at work, or in school, or among our friends, and we will be challenged, maybe even ridiculed.  Once we make a stand to spend more time, and quality time with our families, there will be activities that will immediately try to tear that time apart.  So it is not enough to stand up, we have to be ready to STAND FIRM in the face of opposition.  To stand firm we need to draw not from our own strength and power, but from the strength and power of God. 


In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Paul says, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  Standing firm means asking God for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us each and every day do those things that are important to us.  It means asking God to help us stay focused on what we have said are our priorities. 

What can also help us stand firm is the word of God.  Paul says in
2 Thessalonians 2: 15: So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

When we face obstacles, God’s word helps us stand firm because it gives us inspiration, courage, and direction.  Taking time to read God’s word is important but we also need to give God’s word the space to speak to us and shape our hearts and lives.  We need to listen to it, reflect upon it, and maybe discuss what we hear with those who are close to us. 

To stand firm, we need God’s word. and we need God’s spirit, but at some point we know what’s going to happen, we are going to fall.  We will make a stand, but then we will fall, and it is in those moments when we feel like giving in and giving up.  We tell ourselves, I just don’t have what it takes to stand up and stand firm.  If that is where you are, if this is what you are hearing and how you are feeling, then here is what God says: STAND BACK UP. 

We all make mistakes.  We all fail God, and we fail ourselves, and we fail others.  We all make bad choices, and get tired of doing the right thing so end up doing the wrong thing, and at times we all feel beaten down by others, but the good news is that when we fail - God forgives.  When we fall down for any reason - God is there to help us stand back up.  Falling down can never be the end because God is always willing to forgive us and help us stand back up. 

When Peter failed to stand firm with Jesus on the night he was arrested, Jesus gave him a chance to stand back up.  We get this same chance.  Forgiveness and a new start is available to all of us and the truth is that a better life is often only found after we stand back up.  Let me say that again, a better life is often only found after we stand back back up because it is then that we more fully understand God’s grace and mercy.  It is only after we have been forgiven, and given a second chance, or a third chance, or another chance, that the love of God for us is truly experienced and we begin to see the better life God has for us.  It is only after we fall that we can see the power of God to help us stand.  For all of us, part of a better life is knowing we are forgiven, and knowing we get another chance at faith and faithfulness, so if you are feeling beaten down today, or down for the count because of some failure and sin, God is here to forgive and say, STAND BACK UP.

We find a better life when we are able to stand up for God and for what is important in life.  A better life is found when we stand firm in the midst of opposition and struggles, and a better life is found when we experience God’s grace, mercy and love which gives us the strength and courage to stand back up.  Being resilient is part of a better life.  As a nation, we have been resilient.  After the civil war, we stood back up and worked together to form a more perfect union.  After the great depression we stood back up with courage and worked for a better life and a better community and world.  After Vietnam and Watergate we stood back up and experienced the quality of life found in 1979.  Being resilient has led  to a better life.

A better life and a stronger faith for us and our families will be found when we are resilient and stand up, stand firm and stand back up again. 
 

Next Steps
A Better Life - Resilient

Stand Up

• Where do you need to stand up for a better life in your: Faith?  Family?  Finances?  Friends?
• Identify one thing you can do in each of these areas to experience a better life.  

Stand Firm

• Pray daily for the Holy Spirit to help you stand firm in the face of obstacles and persecution.
• Read God’s word and give it the time and space it needs to speak to your heart and shape your life.  
• Read:
• Ephesians 6:10-20
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
• 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Stand Back Up

• When have you had to stand back up because of past failures?
• Thank God for His forgiveness.
• Where do you need to stand back up today?
• Ask God for His forgiveness and strength.

This October we will be discussing 3 Relationships that all followers of Jesus should be growing in to live a full life of faith.  These 3 are: A Relationship with God, A Relationship with the Church, A Relationship with the World.  Make a stand now to be involved in this church-wide campaign and commit to weekly worship, self-assessment, personal growth, small group study, and prayer.  Look for more information next week.  

Underdogs - My Labels Limit Me

Dogs available for adoption

During this series on underdogs, we have learned from some of the true underdogs of Scripture how to rise above the excuses we often use in life to keep us down.  David could have listened to those around him and said, I’m not qualified to be a leader or the King, and remained an obscure shepherd.  Esther could have said, the odds are against me, and remained quiet while her people suffered.  Peter could have said, I’m tired and I’m tired of failing, and not stepped out to try again.  And last week we saw that Gideon could have easily said, I do not have enough to step out in faith to do what God is asking me to do. 

Sometimes it is excuses like these that keep us living the underdog life, and sometimes it is the labels that we are given.  Labels are powerful because they shape our thinking, define our potential, and set the course for our lives.  If we tell a child they are smart and can achieve great things in life, we open up a world of possibility for them.  I was always encouraged as a child to do new things and my parents gave me every opportunity they could to achieve my goals and reach my dreams. 

In 4th grade when I wanted to play the violin, they got me into the music classes at school.  In junior high when I decided I wanted to be in the band, they asked the band director what instrument I could play and he said, we always need tuba players, so they got me into the band and made sure I got some tuba lessons.  When I wanted to play the guitar, they enrolled me in an adult education class that taught guitar, and when I wanted to play the piano, they bought an old piano and started me in lessons with our church choir director.  My parents always opened the door for me to explore music which didn’t shape me as a musician as much as a person.  I began to believe that I could do and be anything in life if I worked at it. 

Affirming labels can lead people in good ways and build people up, but if we label a child as a problem, if we say, you aren’t smart enough and don’t have what it takes, then we are shaping their world as well, only this time we are limiting them.  While positive labels expand our horizons, negative labels limit people, but they do not have to limit us forever.  We can overcome the labels that limit us, and today we are going to learn from an underdog who got labeled as a problem very early in life, in fact, he was labeled the day he was born. 

Jacob was a twin, but he was the second one born.  His brother came out first and he was covered with hair so they gave him the name Esau, which means “hairy one”.  When Jacob came out of the womb he was literally holding on to his brother’s ankle so they named him Jacob, which means “he grasps the heel”.  That phrase was also used to describe people who deceived others so Jacob was labelled as a deceiver.  Growing up he probably heard the stories about how he always wanted to be first and how he was always grabbing to take hold of what his brother had.  That was his label, his name, and his identity, and Jacob lived up to it. 

As a young man, Jacob wasn’t content being the second born son, he wanted to be the first, so he manipulated his brother and got the birthright from him.  He literally grabbed it from him.  A few years later, when Jacob and Esau’s father, Isaac, was old and blind, Jacob deceived him and grabbed the blessing that should have been given to Esau.  Jacob pretended to be his brother, he put goat skin on his arms so that he would feel hairy like his brother, and he asked his father to give him the blessing.  Isaac didn’t think it was Esau because it didn’t sound like Esau, but when he felt the hair on his arms, he assumed it was.  Just to be sure he asked, “Who is this?”  Jacob, the deceiver said, “I am Esau, your first born.” 

Jacob deceived his father and got the blessing that should have gone to Esau.  This may not seem like much to us, but this blessing was the promise that had been given by God to Abraham, and then to Isaac.  It was the promise that God was going to give this child, and this child alone, all the good things in life.  Genesis 27:28-29.

There was only one blessing to give, only one promise to make, and once it was given it could not be taken back.  Jacob had deceived his father and grabbed the promise away from his brother. 

Jacob manipulated his brother and deceived his father all in an effort to get a blessing from God.  Because of this, he has often been considered one of the least likely people to get right with God let alone be used by God.  And if the story ended here, we might agree.  Jacob was a deceiver, there is not much good in him, and after he steals his father’s blessing, Esau is ready to kill him.  So Jacob runs for his life and he runs for 20 years. 

Jacob’s story is pretty extreme.  He was given the name deceiver and he lived up to it.  We also are given labels in life and there is one label we all have and we live up to it every day.  It is also a label that makes us the least likely to get right with God - sinner. 

We might not have manipulated our siblings, or cheated our parents, but we have all deceived others, cheated, or stolen to get what we wanted.  If we aren’t guilty of these things then we are guilty of lust, greed, hate, indulgence, indifference, anger, pride, or selfishness.  We have allowed evil and harmful thoughts to invade our minds, allowed selfish motives to direct hearts, and daily we fall short of God’s glory.  We are all sinners and just like Jacob we daily live up to that name.  That label shapes our lives and it limits our destiny and it’s time we own up to the truth of that label.  We are sinners by choice, but this label doesn’t have to limit us forever.

What we learn from underdog Jacob is that God can redeem us and restore us if we will acknowledge the truth of our label.  For 20 years Jacob ran from the truth that he was a deceiver but then he decided to head home and set things right with his brother, but he was still trying to manipulate him and do this his way. 

Here’s the story, Jacob is afraid that his brother wants to kill him so he sends gifts to Esau to try and ease his anger before he arrives.  Jacob sends 550 animals to Esau in 9 different stages to try and manipulate Esau.  He wants to bribe him so that he can return home.  Jacob hasn’t really changed his ways.  He is still trying to do things his own way.  He is choosing to deceive and manipulate others instead of being truthful, humble and honest. 

The night before he is to meet his brother, Jacob sends all of his family away to safety and spends the night alone in the wilderness.  Genesis 32:24-30. 

Since this story has first been told there has been a lot of speculation about who this man was who wrestled with Jacob.  Most likely it was some kind of an angel of the Lord, but what he was doing was getting Jacob’s attention.  What God wanted was for Jacob to face the truth about himself so that he could mend the relationship with his brother and be used by God in the future.  While it may appear from the story that Jacob won this match, let’s be clear, he did not.  You can’t win a match when the other person has the ability to simply touch you and break you.  In one touch, Jacob was done and the match was over.  Jacob did not prevail, God prevailed, and what happened to Jacob during this encounter was that he finally got honest about who he was.

Did you hear what the angel asked him?  He asked, What is your name?  Before, when Jacob was asked this by his earthly father he said, I am Esau.  He lied and deceived his father.  But here, when he was asked by his heavenly father, he finally got honest and said, “I am Jacob, I am the deceiver.”  Jacob finally got honest about who he was and instead of crushing him, instead of destroying him, God blesses him.  Jacob got honest, and God forgave him.

When we are willing to get honest with God about who we are, we are not crushed or destroyed, God forgives.  When we are willing to own our label and confess that we are sinners by choice, it is then that we are also able to understand that we are saved by grace.  Once we own up to our sin, once we acknowledge the label that we carry with us throughout life, we are able to rise above it and find forgiveness and new life.  Jacob got a new name that day.  He got a new identity, a new label to live into.  He got the name Israel. 

While the name Israel has several different meanings, one of them is God rules.  Think about it, Jacob went from a life where he tried to rule everything through deception and manipulation to a life where God was now ruling his life.  That new name allowed Jacob to shed his old label and live in the fullness of God’s grace and mercy.  We do not have to be defined by our old label of sinner, we are not limited by that label but can be defined now by God’s grace and embrace a new name, a better label like: forgiven.  loved.  redeemed.  child of God.

Underdog Jacob would tell us all to shed our old labels by owning up the truth that we find there and then embrace God’s grace and the fullness of God’s love.  Jacob would also tell us to stop trying to rule our own lives, and do things our own way, and allow God to rule in us.  Jacob would tell us to let God lead us into the blessing he has for our lives.  As long as we hang on to the old labels that have limited us, and as long as we try to move beyond being a sinner in our own strength and power, we will fail.  We will wrestle with God and we will fail.  But if we will allow God to touch our hearts and lives with his grace, if we will allow God to humble us, God can then forgive us, and fill us with his spirit.  Then, and only then, will we prevail. 

I want to close by giving us all an opportunity to get honest with God about our sin.  How have we been deceiving others?  How have we been deceiving God?  How have we been deceiving ourselves?  Let us confess all the ways we try to rule and run our own lives and let us ask God to wrestle us down to a place where we can experience the power of God’s grace and the touch of God’s love. 


Next Steps
Underdog – Our Labels Limit Us
 1. Read the story of Jacob in Genesis 25:19-34, 27-33.
● How did Jacob live up to his name (label)?
● How did Jacob overcome his name (label)?
● What was Jacob’s new name (label)?

 2. What name or label have you been given in life?
● Was it affirming or limiting?
● In what ways did this label shape you?
● In what ways have you had to overcome it?

 3. What labels have you given to your children / grandchildren (either intentionally or unintentionally)?
● How can you give them new labels that will not be limiting but empowering?

 4. We all have the label – sinner.  We are sinners by choice.
● Where do you need to acknowledge the sin in your own life?
● Take time this week to honestly confess your sin to God and own up to this label.

 5. We all have been given a new label through Jesus Christ – forgiven.  We are saved by grace.
● Where do you need to accept God’s forgiveness in your life?
● Take time this week to honestly ask God to touch your life with his grace and accept these new labels:  Forgiven ~ Loved ~ Redeemed ~ Restored ~ My Child

Underdogs - I Don't Have Enough

Cocoa from Centre County PAWS

One of the excuses that all underdogs use is: I don’t have enough.
• I don’t have enough vision to follow my dreams.
• I don’t have enough help to start that new project.
• I don’t have enough faith to trust God with this decision.
• I don’t have enough resources to make more out of my life.

When we always look at life and see what we don’t have and tell ourselves we don’t have enough - we will always remain the underdog, but today we are going to learn from Gideon that while we may say, I don’t have enough, God is right here to tell us that we have MORE than enough.

Gideon’s story is found in the OT book of Judges 6-8, and I want to encourage you to take some time this week to read his story.  In different ways we can all relate to Gideon because he said to God over and over again, I don’t have enough, but God patiently said in response, Gideon - I am more than enough for you.

When God first spoke to Gideon, Gideon would have been considered an underdog.  He was from the weakest clan among the people of Israel, and Gideon was the least in his family.  Not only that, the people of Israel were underdogs.  While God had led them out of slavery in Egypt, and they had lived in freedom for a while, they were back under the oppression of a foreign nation, the Midianites.  In fact, things were so bad that the people of Israel had fled the cities and were living in caves out in the wilderness.  Judges 6:2-6, 11-12

When God comes to Gideon, it says he was threshing wheat in a wine press.  What this tells us is that Gideon was in fact hiding from the Midianites.  Wheat threshing usually took place out in the open so that the wheat would fall to the ground and the chaff would be scattered to the wind.  The problem was that if the Israelites did it this way, the Midianites would have seen it from far away and come swooping in to take all the wheat.

So here is Gideon, hiding in a winepress that would have been dug into the ground.  He’s threshing wheat very carefully and then digging through the chaff to get the food.  Gideon is the picture of an underdog, and yet what we have been learning throughout this series is that God never sees an underdog, so this is how God addressed him - Judges 6:12.

Mighty Warrior.  Gideon does not see himself as a mighty warrior, and he can’t even imagine an angel of God speaking to him because in his mind God had abandoned his people.  They were underdogs and so Gideon actually questions God.  Judge 6:12-16.

You have to give Gideon credit for being polite, Pardon me, my Lord, but what he says here shows us that Gideon does not have enough vision to see that God can still be with his people or that God could actually be calling him to lead the people.  Gideon is saying, I don’t have enough vision, and this is often the underdog excuse we use in life.  I don’t have enough vision to see that my life can be anything more than what it is right now.  I have always been this way and I will always be this way.

Here’s how this underdog excuse sounds in our lives, I’m just a _____________, so God can’t use me.  You fill in that blank.  I’m just a housewife, a teacher, a wage payroll employee at PSU, a student, a kid, a retiree…  Gideon was just a guy hiding in the hills threshing wheat in a wine press - he was nothing - he didn’t have enough vision to see anything more in his life, but God was calling him a mighty warrior.  What is it that God is calling you today?  Mighty Warrior.  Effective Teacher.  Faithful Servant.  Inspired Visionary.  Powerful Leader. Gifted Parent.  What is the name God has called you that you just can’t believe?  If we can begin to shed our underdog identity and hear and embrace this name, if we can begin to claim it, God can begin to do some great things in our lives.


It’s not just a lack of vision that holds us back, however, sometimes it is a lack of help and support.  Our excuse becomes, I can’t do this alone and there is no one with me.  Gideon was alone when God called him to be a Mighty Warrior but the lesson from his story is that he was never alone again.  When Gideon first stepped out in faith and tore down the altars of Baal in his hometown, it says he took 10 servants with him - Judges 6:25-27.

Gideon was afraid of his family and friends so went out at night, but he didn’t have to go alone.  The next day when people found out what Gideon did and they wanted to kill him, it was his father who then stood up to help him.  Judges 6:28-31

When Gideon later went into battle against the Midianites, he didn’t go alone, he went with those God gave him.  Gideon was never alone again.  Not only was the power of God with him but he had the help of his friends.  While we often see ourselves alone in the fight, the truth is that God always provides people to fight with us.

One of the lessons I have learned in the church is that every time God wants to do something new, and every time God raises up a leader to start a new mission or ministry, God develops a team.  In Altoona when we heard God calling us to reach out to care for the children on the streets, there were 5-6 people who jumped on board.  In Lewisburg when we talked about starting a new worship service, there was a team that led the way and I wasn’t even part of it.  In the life of this church, when a vision started for the Faith Centre, a group of people committed themselves to the cause.  When small groups started up here, there were people who caught the vision and said, I’ll lead the group, and others said, I’ll let you use my home.  Even our mission team doesn’t go on trips alone but with a team from Calvary Church in Harrisburg and we have been working together for more than a decade and we are more effective and powerful because of that partnership.


If God is in the vision, then God will provide the people, but we have to be willing to ask for help and we have to take the help when it comes, but that doesn’t mean we still won’t struggle moving forward.  Gideon had the vision and the people but he struggled with having enough faith.  He couldn’t believe that God could defeat the powerful Midianite army with him as a leader, so Gideon asked God for a sign.  Two signs actually.

Last week we saw in Peter that the miraculous catch of fish came in response to Peter’s faith.  He moved out into deep waters and let down his nets as Jesus asked him to and then the miracle happened.  Here, Gideon asks for the miracle before he is willing to go into battle, and God graciously gives him the miraculous sign, but we should be clear, Gideon has already taken some steps of faith in response to God’s calling.  Gideon has already torn down the altar of his family and faced the persecution of his friends and neighbors.  Gideon has already taken some steps of faith in response to God’s call, but going into battle against a large imposing army is something different, and Gideon doesn’t have enough faith at the moment, so he asks God for some assurance and reassurance.  And God provides.  Judges 6:36-40

Going into battle was a huge step for Gideon and he wanted to make sure God was in this.  He needed assurance so he asked God for a sign and God gave it to him.  The fleece was wet and the ground was dry.  Gideon had been given assurance that God was in this, but he still lacked faith and now needed some reassurance so again asked for another sign.  The next day the fleece was dry and the ground was wet.  While we use the excuse, I don’t have enough faith - God is willing to provide us with assurance and reassurance.

After three years of college at MSU I had made plans to transfer to the USC, but those plans completely fell through and I was at a loss for what to do with my life.  I was back home in CT and working full time in a deli, and began to feel like God wanted me to go back to MSU.  Because I had just come off a bad experience in making decisions, I wasn’t sure if this was really God’s will, so I asked God for a sign.  God, if it’s your will for me to return to MSU in the next few months then You have to get me back into classes.  God got me back in classes without a problem.  But then I thought, that was too easy, so I said, God if it really is your will then get me an apartment in Spartan Village.  Spartan Village was the only place I wanted to live and it was not easy to get in there, but I got an apartment without any problem. 

I am thankful that God was patient and understanding and that he gave me both assurance and reassurance.  While God may not always want to lead us with signs and miracles, when we genuinely ask God for direction and assurance - God is willing to provide.  When we need more direction and courage – God gives reassurance.  God wants to reassure us because he knows that at times it will take boldness and courage to follow him.  What God was going to ask Gideon to do was going to take extreme boldness, great courage, and unwavering faith – so God took the time to give him assurance and reassurance. 

Gideon was asked to go into battle against the Midianite army that numbered as much as 140,000 soldiers,   Gideon had 32,000 men.  This means for every soldier Gideon had, the enemy had 4.  These are not good odds and most people might say, I don’t have enough resources to do this, but God was about to ask more of Gideon.  God said, Gideon, you have too many men so tell all those who are afraid to go home, and 22,000 men go home.

Now Gideon has 10,000 men going up against 140,000.  For every soldier Gideon had, the enemy had 14.  Again, most leaders might say, I don’t have enough resources, but wait, God wasn’t done.  God said, Gideon you still have too many men.  Go down to the river and let them drink.  Those who bring water to their mouth using their hands will be your army.  Gideon goes down to the river and 300 men use their hands to drink water.

300 soldiers vs 140,000.  For every soldier Gideon now has the enemy has 450!  Gideon could have easily said, I don’t have enough to do this, but God still isn’t done.  While Gideon tried to arm his men with the weapons of the soldiers who just went home, God said, your weapons will be trumpets, torches, and jars.  Gideon must be beside himself at this point.  How can we possibly go into battle down 450 to 1 without any weapons?  God, I don’t have enough.

And once again, this is often our underdog excuse.  God I don’t have enough resources to do what you are asking me to do.  We don’t have enough money as a church to step out in faith.  Our family doesn’t have enough money to go on a mission trip.  I don’t have enough money to go to college, or get trained in a new area.  I don’t have enough!  It is an excuse we use all too often, and yet the story of Gideon tells us that as long as we have God, and it’s God’s vision and God’s will, we have enough.  In fact we have more than enough.

10 years ago Faith Church had raised all the money we needed to install new carpet in the Sanctuary, but we realized that when the carpet and pews were out it would be the perfect time to upgrade the sound system, but we didn’t have enough money.  I was meeting with some people for prayer and I shared our situation with them and said, I don’t know what we should do.  We really need to do this upgrade when the carpet and pews out.  We need God to find a way. We prayed for God to find a way.

As we explored the carpet project we asked a contractor to give us a bid for the installation and he asked if he could bid on both the carpet and the installation.  We said sure.  He sent his bid and we had to ask him three times if the bid he gave us included the carpet AND the installation.  Each time he said yes.  The reason we had to ask him over and over again is that his bid came in $10,000 less than what we were expecting, which was the same amount we needed for the sound system upgrade.
Just when we are ready to say, we don’t have enough, God came along and said, with me you have more than enough.  At every turn here at Faith Church, God has said, you have more than enough.  We wanted to raise $10,000 for Sierra Leone and we raised $30,000.  We built a new parsonage with an ambitious plan to pay it off in 5 years and we paid it off in two and a half.  God has more than enough resources to accomplish his purpose and plan if we will trust him.

Gideon and his 300 men went into battle armed with trumpets, torches and jars and this is what happened.  Judges 7:19-22a

God had more than enough for Gideon to go from underdog to top dog.  God saw Gideon as a Mighty Warrior and God gave him all the faith and resources that he needed to make that vision become a reality.  God has a vision for our lives, he sees so much more in us than we see in ourselves and while we often want to give in with the excuse - I don’t have enough - God is here, right here to say to us, I have all you need and MORE.



Next Steps
Underdogs - I Don’t Have Enough

1. Read the story of Gideon found in Judges 6-8.
Identify those places where Gideon could have said:
• I don’t have enough vision.
• I don’t have enough help.
• I don’t have enough faith.
• I don’t have enough resources.

2. God called Gideon a “Mighty Warrior”.
• What name is God calling you?
______________________  ___ _________________
• Begin to claim this name by sharing it with a friend.

3. Who has God placed in your life to help you become the person God has called you to be?  Ask them for their help, support, and prayers.

4. Where do you need God’s assurance and reassurance in your life?  How might God already be giving you signs of his power at work in your life?  What sign would ask from God?

5. What lack of resources is holding you back in life?  Ask God to show you how he can meet those needs and open the door to MORE in your life.

6. In what way can you help be the MORE in the lives of others?
• How can you help people take hold of God’s vision for their lives?
• How can you support others in their work?
• How can you encourage & inspire the faith of others?
• How can you provide the resources that others need?

Underdgos - I'm Too tired

https://www.centrecountypaws.org/dogs/adopt

We live in an area known internationally for some great fishing.  Barry Johnson Jr. is a fishing guide and he says that what makes the fishing around here so good is that the streams in Centre County are fed by underground springs and the water is filtered through the limestone that is abundant in our area. The water stays cool and fresh which creates the ideal habitat for both fish and the food fish like to eat.  How many of you have been fishing?  How many of you have actually caught a fish?  How many of you love fishing?  How many of you could take it or leave it?  How many of you feel like this little guy when it comes to fishing?

That would be me.  I grew up on the coast in CT and we had several boats and one of them was a little outboard motor boat that people would take fishing.  I begged my Dad to take me when I was in K or 1st grade and so we went.  What a day.  I swear to this day that a worm bit me, although others said I just jabbed my finger with the hook.  Either way I bled everywhere.  I don’t remember that we caught anything, what I remember is that the rocking of the boat made me nauseous, we came home early, and as I was walking home from the beach I threw up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the neighbor’s yard.  To this day, I have not eaten a PB&J. 

I am not a fisherman.  I would be an underdog fisherman, but Peter was not.  Simon Peter was an experienced fisherman.  He could handle being on the Sea of Galilee during storms without getting sick.  He knew the business.  He knew when to fish, when to mend nets, and when to take a break.  He was a top dog fisherman, but he was an underdog in spiritual things.

As a young Jewish boy, Simon would have started out in his family and synagogue learning the scriptures.  He would have been taught to memorize the first 5 books of the Bible and if he could do that he would move on to higher levels of learning.  If he could not do that, he would be sent home to learn a trade or enter the family business.   Because Peter was an experienced fisherman, we know that at some point he didn’t measure up in spiritual things.  He didn’t have what it takes to be a religious or spiritual leader.  He was an underdog.  But as we heard last week, God doesn’t see underdogs and God had more in store for Peter’s life.  Luke 5:1-5.

Peter had worked all night and he had caught nothing.  It was now daytime and you don’t fish during the day because the fish see the sun shining on the water and are scared away.  Instead of being out on the water, Peter is on the shore mending his nets.  Jesus sees the empty boats and asks Peter if he can use it as a floating stage for him to preach to the people.  After a time of teaching, Jesus asked Peter to move out into deeper water and put his nets down to catch some fish.  Peter is tired and he has caught nothing.  He is tired and tired of failing. 

I’m tired and I’m tired of failing.  Have you ever said that in your life?  I’m tired of trying to work hard in school and never getting ahead.  I’m tired of giving my all at work and watching everyone else get ahead.  I’m tired of serving my family and still seeing things fall apart.  I’m tired of fighting this disease, this illness, this physical limitation or emotional situation and never getting ahead.  I’m tired and I’m tired of failing.  We have all been there and when we feel this way it can lead us to think about giving up.  We start thinking, I’m an underdog and I always will be. 

And so here is underdog excuse #3, I’m tired and I’m tired of failing.  With David the excuse that could have held him back was, I’m not qualified.  With Esther it was, the odds are against me.  With Peter it was, I’m tired and I’m tired of failing.  Look Jesus, we fished all night, and no offense, but we know more about fishing than you do.  This is not the time to go out into deeper waters.  We all feel this way at times in life.  Tired of always trying to get ahead and ending up behind.  Tired of giving all we have only to be put down by others.  Just plain tired.  Underdog tired. 

Peter felt this way, but from his story we learn three lessons about how to overcome these underdog feelings and excuses.  The first lesson is this:  Jesus often asks us to take another turn.  Just when we are ready to give quit, Jesus says, give it one more try.  Step out again.  While our tendency might be to give up and give in, Jesus asks us to keep going.  We can’t define ourselves as an underdog because Jesus is going to ask us to take another turn. 

Sometimes we use the underdog excuse of being tired and we don’t actually quit but we begin to just go through the motions.  In relationships we just go along to get along but we aren’t really working at healing or restoring or deepening our relationships.  This is also true in our relationship with God.  We go through the motions of worship.  We sing and pray and listen to the sermon, but we aren’t really engaged in opening ourselves up to God.  We tried small groups and Bible studies a few times, but it never really spoke to us.  I served once, but nobody noticed me or thanked me or appreciated my being there so I’m not doing it again. 

I’m sure we have all had days at work where we have kind of given up - but we are still working.  We go through the motions but we aren’t really engaged, we aren’t focused.  We aren’t in the game because we are tired, and tired of spinning our wheels and never getting ahead.  So we don’t have to actually quit and drop out of things to give up and give in, it can be an attitude that keeps us down, but in all of these situations where we use this underdog excuse of being tired, Jesus comes along and says, let’s give it another try. 

Where have you given in and given up?  Where have you called it quits and find yourself just going through the motions?  What dreams and plans for your life have you let go of because you’re tired and tired of never getting head?  In these areas, and maybe more, God is saying to us, let’s keep going.  Take another turn, give it another try, and this time, I’ll be in the boat with you.
That’s what makes Peter’s next try different - Jesus is in the boat with him.  When we get to the end of our strength and ability and God says, give it another try, Jesus is right there with us, and when we choose God’s way, there is always more.  Luke 5:5-7. 

This is the second lesson we learn from underdog Peter, when we choose God’s way, there is always more.  Peter moved out into deeper water and let down his nets because Jesus asked him to.  He did things God’s way and when he did he got more - more fish than he ever expected, more fish than his boat could hold, more fish than he had probably ever seen in his life. 

One of the things we need to understand here is that the miracle of God giving more came in response to Peter’s faith and obedience.  Too often we want God to move in our lives and fill our boats before we will trust him.  Like many people in Jesus’ day, we want the miracle so we can place our faith in him instead of expecting a miracle because we have faith in him.  God wants to do so much more in all of our lives but he is waiting for us to come to him in faithfulness and obedience.  He is waiting for us for us to come to him with a willingness to do things his way and not our way.  If we can do that, God can then start to fill our boat.

What is it that God wants to fill in our lives today?  Does God want to fill your marriage or family with some peace and healing?  Does God want to fill your life with a meaningful job, an experience in school that opens new opportunities and give a sense of direction?  Does God want to fill us with physical, emotional, spiritual healing and hope?  If there is more that we want and need in life – God will give it, but we have to come to God on his terms and his way – not our own.

In 1983, I knew that I wanted to serve God with my life.  I was open to every path that people talked about except one – I was not going to be a pastor.  I would be a missionary.  I would work in Christian radio, music, or TV.  I would be a chaplain.  I would do just about anything but be a pastor.  I wanted to serve God on my terms.  My way.  And I came up empty and tired again and again.  It was in seminary that God said, Hey Andy, let’s try this again, but this time do it my way.  Go in my direction.

Reluctantly I served in a local church, actually, I took the internship because of the financial help it would provide for school, but it wasn’t long before I found God filling my heart and life with joy and meaning and purpose and love and direction.  I loved being involved in the local church and by the end of the year had found how to be faithful to God’s call to serve.  I stopped trying to do it my way and started doing it God’s way, and that made all the difference.

When we come to the end of what we can do and begin to trust God, it is then that God can start to do more in our lives than we can imagine, but we have to keep going.  We have to be willing to give it another try, but this time to do it God’s way with Jesus in the boat with us. 

Peter was tired, but kept going.  He chose God’s way and experienced a miracle of more fish than he had ever seen in his life, but this was not the end.  Peter had always been a top dog fisherman, but he’s still an underdog in spiritual things and he still feels this way.  Luke 5:8-11

Jesus, I’m not worthy to be around you, I’m a true underdog in spiritual things, but as we have seen throughout this series, God doesn’t see underdogs.  Jesus doesn’t see an underdog in Peter which is why Jesus invites Peter to fish for bigger fish.  This is the third lesson to learn from Peter.  Jesus invites us to fish for bigger fish.  Jesus invited Peter to be his disciple, his follower.  Peter is being asked to be a spiritual leader.  He is no longer an underdog but being called by the ultimate top dog to follow him. 

Look at how this story ends.  Peter leaves everything and follows Jesus.  He just won the lottery of fishing, he reeled in the catch of a lifetime, and he leaves it behind to follow Jesus.  Peter now realizes that there is something more important in his life than fish.  There are bigger fish to catch and there is more important work to do.  Peter leaves behind this amazing gift because he is more interested in being with the giver.  Can I say that again? 

While all the things that God wants to fill our hearts and lives with are good and important, they pale in comparison to the relationship we can have with the one who gives the gifts and fills us up.  Is the gift of restored and healthy relationships, physical or emotional healing, more purposeful jobs, or more faithful service the end that we are seeking, or are we looking for more of Jesus?  Peter wasn’t content with the gift - he wanted the giver.  He wasn’t content with the miracle, we wanted to know and be with the power behind the miracle.  He wasn’t content knowing Jesus could give more, he wanted more of Jesus. 

While Jesus can give us more, what will forever change our underdog lives is knowing that we can be more if we are willing to go with Jesus.  There are bigger fish waiting in all our lives.  There is more, so much more that God has for us if we will stop saying, I’m tired and start walking with Jesus. 


 
Next Steps
Underdogs - I’m Too Tired

Read Peter’s story in Luke 5:1-11.
● Where in your life do you feel tired, and tired of trying?
● Where in your life do you feel empty? 
● What will it take for you to trust that God wants to give you more? 

3 Lessons from Peter
1. Jesus often asks us to take another turn. 
● Where is God asking you to give it another try?
● Where is God saying, “don’t give up yet”?
● What will it take for you to take another turn?

2. When we choose God’s Way there is always MORE.
● Where do you need to stop doing things your way and start doing things God’s way? 
● What keeps you from fully embracing God’s way and God’s path for your life?
● Have you ever asked for the miracle before you were obedient? 
● Where is God asking you to be obedient so he can bring his miracle?

3. Jesus invites us to fish for bigger fish.
● Where have you settled for the gift instead of the giver?
● Identify one way you can chase after Jesus instead of settling for his gifts. 
● What would it look like for you to love God with ALL your heart and soul and mind and strength?
● What are the bigger fish God is calling you to go after?