April 6, 2008

God’s Big Give: Jesus

No Regrets

John 21:15-19

Opening Words: On March 2 at 9:00 pm the ABC Television Network premiered at brand new show called Oprah’s Big Give. It stars America’s golden girl, Oprah Winfrey. The eight one hour episodes are a competition. The contestants are asked to find creative ways to help complete strangers in some of life’s most challenging situations. As the ABC website states, “lives are changed in the blink of an eye as hundreds of thousands of dollars are given away.” May God bless Oprah! Where would we be without her? She has become the conscience of our entire society.

I have called my newest sermon series God’s Big Give. Just like Oprah, God has been giving away some amazing things for a long time. Just like Oprah, God’s gifts changed our lives in the blink of an eye. Just like Oprah, God expects us to improve the lives of complete strangers. In this seven part sermon series we are going to be looking at some of things that God has given us. This list is not complete but it does include some life changing gifts. It is my sincere prayer that you are ready to hear God’s word proclaimed each week. This morning we look at the gift of Jesus, himself. How would your life have changed if you would have never encountered Jesus? Let us hear these words together from John 21:15-19

John 21:15-19 ¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

¹⁶Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." ¹⁹Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

In 1904 William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, graduated from a Chicago high school. His parents gave him a trip around the world as a graduation gift. They wanted to reward him for his hard work and they wanted him to experience the world. They accomplished both. Traveling through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe young Borden saw some of the world’s hurting people. Writing home, he said, "I'm going to give my life to prepare to the mission field." When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of his Bible two words: No Reserves. Turning down high paying job offers after graduation from Yale University, he entered two more words in his Bible: No Retreats. Completing studies at Princeton Seminary, Borden sailed for China to work with Muslims, stopping first at Egypt for some preparation. It was while he was in Egypt that he was stricken with cerebral meningitis. He died within a month. From a human perspective it seemed like such a waste. But William saw it differently. As he lay in his deathbed he wrote two more words in the back of his Bible. Beneath the words, no reserves and no retreats he wrote the words No Regrets.

Where in your life do you find your greatest regrets? What have you done in your life that forces you to stay up at night? Does anyone here regret marrying the wrong person? Does anyone here regret not studying harder in school or going to college? Does anyone here regret getting the wrong degree? Does anyone here regret buying that house you really couldn’t afford? Does anyone here regret staying in the Youngstown area and not moving away when you were young? Does anyone here today regret getting involved in the stock market or being too conservative in the stock market? Does anyone here regret working those long hours when the children were young? You may have made more money or advanced in your career but you lost valuable time with your children. Where in your life do you find your greatest regrets?

Richard T. Kuiner once said the regrets adults hold revolve around three great statements. First, adults don’t feel like they have taken enough risks in their lives. Second, adults regret not being assertive enough. Third, adults regret having a lack of self discipline. Can you relate to any of those statements?

At the very heart of this morning’s scripture text is regret. Peter regretted what he had said. Have you ever regretted saying or not saying something in the heat of the moment? Peter regretted disowning Jesus not once, not twice but three times. It was just as Jesus had predicted. You can find those regrettable words in John 18:25-26. I believe Peter regretted those word from the moment they came out of his mouth. Peter regretted those words as Jesus hung on the cross. Peter regretted those words when Jesus died. However, Peter really regretted those words now that Jesus was alive again. Don’t forget this is a resurrection appearance. How would those regrettable words change his relationship with Jesus? Have you ever wondered if your regrets have damage your relationship with Jesus?

This story is wonderful because this story reminds us that God’s Greatest Give is Jesus! The greatest gift you and I ever received was Jesus! He didn’t disown Peter and he doesn’t disown us. Peter may have stopped believing in Peter but Jesus still believed in him. Built on the regrets of your life, you may have stopped believing in yourself but Jesus still believes in you. With this in mind and before we come to this communion table I want you consider these three divine truthes. Each one is illustrated in this text.

Jesus Loves Us!

First, Jesus loves us! A few years ago, the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, MO made public 1,300 recently discovered letters that the late President wrote to his wife, Bess, over the course of a half-century. Mr. Truman had a lifelong rule of writing to his wife every day they were apart. He followed this rule whenever he was away on official business or whenever Bess left Washington to visit her beloved Independence. Scholars are examining the letters for any new light they may throw on political and diplomatic history. I am most impressed by the simple fact that every day he was away, the President of the United States took time out from his dealings with the world's most powerful leaders to sit down and write a letter to his wife. Love is a powerful thing.

Peter had a few regrets. He had turned his back on Jesus. He wondered about Jesus reaction toward him. What he found was that nothing had changed. Jesus still loved him and Jesus will always love us. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Jesus Forgives Us!

Second, Jesus forgives us! Poet Elizabeth Barrett married Robert Browning in 1846. Her parents disapproved. For this reason the Browning’s wedding was held in secret. After the wedding they sailed to Italy, where they lived the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Not once did they reply. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all of her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored. How many people in your life refuse to forgive someone? How many people in your life refuse to forgive themselves?

Peter had a few regrets. He had turned his back on Jesus. He thought that Jesus big plans for him were over. What he discovered was that the plan for his life hadn’t changed. Jesus forgave him and he accepted that forgiveness. Jesus forgives us. Have you accepted that forgiveness? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Jesus Directs Us!

Third, Jesus directs us! One of golf's immortal moments came when a Scotchman demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses Grant. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt all over the President's beard and surrounding vicinity, while the ball placidly waited on the tee. Again the Scotchman swung, and again he missed. Our President waited patiently through six tries and then quietly stated, "There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball?” How many churches are missing the ball? How many people do you know that are missing the ball? Their intentions are great but they just aren’t making any progress. It has been said, “When you're up to your neck in alligators, it's difficult to keep your mind on the fact that your primary objective is to drain the swamp.” In the face of your regrets and frustrations the objective remains the same. We as individuals and we as a church are to make disciples, people who act and think more like Jesus everyday.

Peter had a few regrets. He had turned his back on Jesus. He thought he had lost the real meaning for his life. He thought his life had no purpose. What he discovered was he was wrong. He had made a mistake but his purpose for being in the world hadn’t changed. His life still had an eternal direction. Jesus directed him and Jesus directs us. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

As I was researching for this sermon this week I found a list of ten things that you can do that you will never regret. I believe there is some wisdom in this list.

1. Showing kindness to an aged person.

2. Destroying a letter written in anger.

3. Offering an apology that will save a friendship.

4. Stopping a scandal that was ruining a reputation.

5. Helping a boy or girl find themselves.

6. Taking time to show consideration to a family member.

7. Refraining from gossip when others around you delight in it.

8. Refusing to do a thing which is wrong, although others do it.

9. Living according to your convictions.

10. Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

As we come to this communion table we need to be honest. Every person who comes here today brings a few regrets. But the one thing you will never regret is following Jesus. Never forget: Jesus loves you. Never forget: Jesus forgives you. Never forget: Jesus directs you. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”