The story before us this morning is well-known. When I read the text a few moments ago, that very likely was not the first time you had ever heard this story. This event is recorded by three of the Gospel writers. Matthew, Mark, and John all record it. But when we read all three of these stories, we will notice something quite interesting. Matthew is the only one who includes the information about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on the water.
Do you trust the Lord for your daily bread? Before you reflexively answer, “Of course I do,” really think about that for a moment. Most of you are gainfully employed, or are being raised by parents who are gainfully employed. There is a predictable, steady “cash flow” in your household. You know when pay-day is or when the pension check arrives and you know how much is supposed to be coming. In addition to the regular cash flow, you likely have a “reserve.” You’ve got a bank account or two. You’ve got investments. You likely have a “net worth” that is really rather impressive. It can be easy to speak about “trusting” God when we already enjoy a super-abundance of provision. Sometimes we mistake “financial security” with “trust.”
Have you ever made a bad trade? Generally when making a trade you want to come out feeling like you got the better end of the deal. You trade something of lesser value for something you feel has greater value. The Milwaukee Bucks just traded away the franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo (and Bobby Portis) to the Miami Heat for four players and five future draft picks. Both the Bucks and the Heat feel like they got the better end of the trade. Time will tell if this was a good trade or a bad trade for the Bucks.
“How could he do that? He’s supposed to be a Christian!” Have you ever felt that way about someone? Someone you know, someone you respect as a brother or sister in Christ does something sinful, shockingly sinful. We are left wondering, “How can this be?”
Have you ever heard the phrase “putting lipstick on a pig”? It sounds silly and it certainly makes for a funny picture in one’s imagination. But it also makes a serious and important point. A pig with lipstick is still…a pig. If I put a fresh coat of paint on a broken down old jalopy it is still a broken down old jalopy. If I put a spritz of cologne on a manure wagon it still smells like manure.
We must begin today with a warning. Some of what you hear in this sermon may be jolting. Kids, you are going to be told to do something today that you may have been told you should never do. You are going to be told to fight! Now, we should be clear on the fighting we should do. You are not going to be told to fight with your brother or sister. You are NOT going to be told to be a bully! That’s not okay. But there is a fight we can fight; a fight we Christians MUST fight. It’s a fight we must Fight to the Finish!
This past week I became aware of something I had never heard of before. I learned about “the overview effect.” The “overview effect” is what some astronauts experience when they look back on earth from space. The “overview effect” is characterized by a feeling of awe, a feeling of being connected with the other humans on the planet, and the feeling of how frail and vulnerable earth appears to be with the universe in the background. It must be weird to see the world like this!
Erdmann Neumeister. Ever hear of him? Erdmann Neumeister was actually Pastor Neumeister. He was a pastor in Germany around 1700. He is also the writer of a hymn that in the last few years has become kind of popular in our circles. Erdmann Neumeister wrote the hymn “God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It.” Remember that one? It is a beautiful and very memorable baptism hymn. The third verse contains some of my favorite poetry in a hymn: “Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! Drop your ugly accusation; I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I’ve traveled, all your might has come unraveled, and against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!” That’s good poetry…and good theology!
There is something quite significant about Jesus’ instructions in our text this morning. His command to disciple all nations is entirely a new thing! If we look at the prophets of old, we notice something they all have in common. They were sent to just one nation, Israel. Not to “all nations.”
