Get out of the rut. Get into the groove

It was a great night at home-extension tonight. I want to share the notes from the message tonight. These are not complete thoughts, only notes so you will have to look up the scriptures to follow along. God bless!!

Get out of the rut. Get into the groove.
Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a rut, just going through the motions? You are trying to get somewhere but have no sense of direction? We all have times when we feel like this. I find comfort knowing that even the greatest Bible heroes had the same struggles as we do. This lesson is a highlight walkthrough of Peter’s life during Jesus’ ministry leading up to his big “rut”.
MATT 4:18-20 Peter was a fisherman. Jesus called for Peter to follow him and Peter responded immediately.

When the same story is told by different people , you get more detail in one version than another. Luke has more detail….
Luke 5:1-11 Peter feels unworthy to be called.

Peter follows Jesus for 3 years. He witnesses miracles, healings, calming of storms, the fighting of cultural barriers (Samaritan woman), the fighting of man-made religion, raising people from the dead, etc.

Peter’s experiences:
MATT 14:22-33 Peter walks on water, then fears
MATT 16:13-18 Peter calls Jesus the Son of God
MATT 16:21-23 Jesus rebukes Peter for being earthly minded
JOHN 13:2-17 Peter misunderstands Jesus washing his feet
JOHN 13:31-38 Jesus predicts Peter’s denial

-As Jesus is being betrayed by Judas…….
JOHN 18: 10,11 Peter cuts off ear and is rebuked by Jesus

-3 denials JOHN 18:17, 25-27
(Jesus died, resurrected, appeared to disciples and left)
–NOW WHAT???????

Peter is in a rut. His vision is lost. All he knows is fishing.
JOHN 21:1-19 Peter is back to his old life- fishing. The very life he gave up to follow Jesus.
—He denied Christ 3 times. Here he is reinstated 3 times.

Jesus’ final command was the same as his first…….FOLLOW ME!!!!!!!

Pull your head out!………….. (of the sand)

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding- Proverbs 23:23. Aquiring truth sometimes costs us something. When we have truth, we are not to sell it for something else. Something else could be comfort. Truth sometimes results in uncomfortable confrontation and we are not to sell truth just to “keep the peace”. Relationships in our lives can come and go in this catagory. When people wont face truth it can wreck a relationship. We should not use truth as a cannon, going around blasting people. But we should be open and honest with each other, no matter how painful it may be. Truth will set us free! Without truth, you cannot get wisdom, discipline or understanding. I’ve seen many situations where people chose a lie over a friendship, and the relationship was destroyed forever – what a shame. Let’s not be like an ostrich. Instead of hiding our head in the sand hoping the problems will go away, lets be honest with ourselves, communicate with each other, and let God intervene in our lives.