Rejoice:

Sermon Recap:

Sunday (11.29) we talked about the setup, the storm, and the solution.

Link to Sermon Page You can listen to the whole service there.

I like to recap on Sundays, so here I am… Hi, this is me typing.

So what was this all about? WELL the word setup was referring to “a situation that has been arranged for some purpose.” We looked at different interactions between the disciples and Jesus such as the feeding of the five thousand, when Jesus walked on the water, and when Peter walked on the water. They were all interactions that came one after another. I explained how each had a setup, an arrangement of events for a purpose, followed by a significant storm or chaos, and they all ended on a moment where Jesus reminded the disciples to look at HIM for the answers to get through each setup. 

After discussing each story I poised the question: why? Yeah it’s awesome to see that God is setting up or arranging events for a purpose… and it’s important to know how to get through those setups but WHY?! WHY MAN?!?

Dunno. Have a great day!

Just kidding, my main point was this: Jesus performed ALL of these setups so that the ingredients (how I referred to the people He was working with) would see Jesus as truly God. In all of the “setups” we discussed they all led to a significant moment of the ingredients worshiping Him or having an increased understanding of Him. The reason why was that the setup and storm amplify the solution. The setup is a purposeful event specifically arranged so that whoever He is working with can come to their own conclusion of: Jesus is God, and sufficient. The solution, Jesus Christ, He was amplified.

Jesus showed them He was sufficient to provide their sustenance, confidence, and then safety. He miraculously provided food, helped them when they were afraid, and then saved Peter’s life after he stepped out on the water. All of this prepared them for deepening their understanding of Jesus, who He was, and what He was able to do/be. All of that happened to be on the heels of some miraculous ministry. He was setting them up (preparing them) to continue to be prepared.

My challenge, after all of that: Focus on the Solution not the Setup. Focus on Jesus, His purpose in all of our trials and suffering. TRUST that He is doing good things in us instead of being overwhelmed with the bad things. The ingredients (us) can’t but the Creator can! 🙂

Respond:

Spend 1 minute thanking the Lord for preparing you and arranging the events around you for a purpose. Then spend 2-3 minutes asking Him to help you focus on what He wants you to learn through these things instead of focusing on the issues around you.

Relate:

When you are going through major struggles and you start to share about them, make sure you are sharing what God is teaching you through it too. Can’t see what He is teaching? Look harder.