Following God

Do What with My Nets?

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

I have no doubt that the “Jonah & Sons” fishing company was one of, if not the premiere fishing enterprise on the Sea of Galilee.

Scripture makes it sound as if they had additional partners, at least they did until Jesus came by in Mark 1:16-18.

Several times in Scripture we are warned about trusting in our own abilities, or our own understanding. Solomon warned his son, three times in Proverbs about not putting your trust in yourself. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 14:12; and Proverbs 16:25)

An observation I have made is that it is not a challenge for most of us to trust God for things we know little about or for things we have no abilities or prior experience in. But when it comes to things we have been “trained” in, or the things we have spent our lives doing, I have observed that often we jump in and rely upon our own devices rather than put our trust in God and follow His directives.

In first 8 verses of Luke 5, Peter, the fisherman, has a moment with Jesus, the Messiah, that was defining.

Peter had been fishing all night only to come up empty handed. After Jesus had completed his time of teaching from the boat, He tells Peter to cast out a little further from the shore and throw his nets in. Peter’s answer is a bit condescending to Jesus. He lets Jesus know they had already been fishing all night. After all, Peter was the professional fisherman, Jesus was a carpenter (stone mason). But, since you said so, here goes.

Read the results. Use your imagination about what happens when a fisherman listens to the Creator of the sea and the fish! The results speak for themselves.

Peter, the fisherman, the Apostle and follower of God learned a great lesson. It always pays to listen to what God says. (By the way, in the way of thinking of biblical times, listening and obeying were the same thing.)

As someone who has been around the block a couple of times, seen a lot, been privileged to do a lot, I am of the opinion I need to put my trust in the Creator now more than ever. I have no desire to simply repeat my experiences, even the good ones. This is a new day, a new time, we have never been this way before and God is wanting to do a new thing. So, we need to let go of the old. Listen to the words of the Creator.

I think Peter, the fisherman, the Apostle, and the follower of God would agree!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

A Faith of My Own

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

In a previous article, I mentioned how Peter came to faith based upon his brother, Andrews’ conviction that they had found the Messiah.

I can only imagine the many conversations they had about the coming of the Messiah as they were sailing on the Sea of Galilee, hauling in their nets, and then mending their nets in preparation for the next day’s work. I am sure they both shared their dreams about life with Messiah.

I know enough about Messianic expectations among the Jews that many had their own opinions of what Messiah would be. Some thought He might be a mighty warrior. Some thought he would be a great politician. Some believed he might be a combination of warrior and politician. I doubt that too many, if any, thought he would come as a baby in a manger, learn how to be a carpenter, then suffer crucifixion.

Many of us came to faith because of our parents, or grandparents. Some may have come to faith because of a sibling or close friend. We believe because they said to believe. But at some point, we need to own our belief. We need to know what and why we believe. He faith of our parents or grandparents will not sustain us. Andrew’s faith was not sufficient for Peter’s trial and tribulations later in life.

Peter found his own faith at some point. There was a time in John 6 when many who had followed Jesus, turned away from Him. Jesus asked the twelve if they wanted to leave too. Peter speaks up and says, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One (Messiah) of God.”

The capstone of Peter’s profession though is when Jesus asked the disciples about what they were hearing about who He was. Then He turned the tables on them and ask, “Who do you say I am?”

I can only imagine that Peter did not hesitate one nanosecond. He responded by saying, “You are the Messiah. The Son of the Living God.”

I cannot say for sure what it was that caused Peter to be so confident with his answer. Perhaps it was his experience in the boat with Jesus as recorded in Luke 5. Perhaps it was a miracle or two or perhaps it was a private conversation with Jesus. Whatever it was, Peter came to faith.

How about you? Are you living off someone else’s faith? A parent, grandparent, spouse, pastor? Jesus is asking you that same question he asked the twelve. Who do you say I am?

Always in Pursuit!

Don

“We Have Found the Messiah!”

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

These were the first words Andrew said to his brother, Simon, after he had encountered Jesus.

I have been intrigued with these words or perhaps better yet, I have been intrigued with the relationship between Simon and Andrew.

Nothing indicates whether Andrew was older or younger than Simon. But from Simon’s immediate reaction to Andrew’s words, he must have had a great deal of confidence in his sibling. After all, they were in business together, sailed the Sea of Galilee together and presumably shared a great faith in God thanks to their father, Jonah. Simon’s faith in Jesus as the Messiah was initially based upon Andrews’ faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

Andrews’ faith in Jesus as the Messiah was based upon John the Baptizer’s faith in Jesus as the Messiah. But there must have been something, early on, that caused Andrew to leave John the Baptizer and become convinced that Jesus truly was the Messiah.

But Simon also left everything, as Andrew had done, to follow Jesus.

At some point, Simon started believing in Jesus as the Messiah on his own, rather than basing his belief upon Andrew’s faith. But isn’t that how it works?

I came to faith via the faith of my parents and grandparents. But at some point, it became my faith. Their influence was stimulus used by the Holy Spirit to get me started but their faith would not be enough to sustain me.

I have often wondered about this influence thing. Who would drop what they are doing, follow Christ, based upon my words or my life?

If the answer is “0” then I need to ask, “What needs to change in my life?” How about you? Who are you influencing to follow Jesus?

Three Scriptures:

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth.”

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.”

Esther 4:14 “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Always in Pursuit!

Don

The Characters of Easter—Peter

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.”

Text: Matthew 14:28-29

One of the great characteristics of the Apostle Peter was his desire to be where Jesus was.

  • Matthew 14:28-20
  • Matthew 26:58
  • John 21:7

Peter was a successful businessman in the fishing industry.

  • Mark 1:16-20

Peter was hungry for God.

  • John 1:41-42

According to Luke 4:38-39

  • He had a wife.
  • He had a house.
  • He had a mother-in-law.

Peter was a convinced man—

  • Matthew 16:13-19
  • John 6:66-69

Peter was a bold man.

  • Matthew 16:21-22
  • Luke 22:31-33

Peter was a submitted man.

  • Luke 5:1-8

Best of all, Peter was a restored man.

  • John 21:15-17

The Apostle Peter discovered, as you and I can, that when we come to Jesus, no matter what our past, no matter how big a mess of things we have made, Jesus will always welcome us with open arms. He will restore us! And He will use us to build His Kingdom. God does not allow us to stay in a messed-up state of being!

Jesus, the Lamb of God

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:18-21 “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world but was [manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

On the banks for the Jordan River

Texts: John 1:29-31; 35-36

The Lamb of God

          The Passover Lamb—Exodus 12:1-13

          The Morning & Evening Sacrificial Lamb—Exodus 29:38-42

          Two Old Testament Prophets

                    Isaiah 53:7

                    Jeremiah 11:19

The Ultimate Sacrificial Lamb

          1 Peter 1:18-21

          Hebrews 7:27

          Hebrews 9:11-12

          Hebrews 10:8-10

The Lamb brings victory!

          Revelation 5:1-6

          “Seven horns & seven eyes”

God has given us the victory over sin, over disease, and over death through the Lamb!

Jesus, The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

February 21, 2021

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 54-57 “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Texts: Revelation 5:1-5; Genesis 49:8-12

  • The Scroll
  • Root of Jesse
    • Isaiah 11:1, 10; Romans 15:12
    • Messiah from the lineage of David—Psalm 110:1

Genesis 49:8-12

  • Jacob’s prophetic message about the Messiah
  • Verse 9—a lion’s whelp
  • Verse 10—the scepter
  • Verse 10—Shiloh
  • Verse 11—donkey & donkey’s colt tethered to a vine
  • Verse 11-robe dipped in wine
  • Verse 12—eyes darker than wine & teeth whiter than milk
  • Revelation 5:3-5—A Message of hope

Revelation 19:11-16—A message of victory

  • No situation is hopeless
  • No disease is hopeless
  • Nothing from our past is hopeless
  • Nothing from our future is hopeless
  • No circumstance is hopeless

Our Heart, A Throne Like no Other

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Text: Proverbs 4:23

Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about Jesus being a Prophet like no other, a priest like no other, and a king like no other. This led us into talking about the Kingdom of God/Heaven being a kingdom like no other.

The Kingdom of God/Heaven is in our heart, which makes our heart a throne like no other.

The Bible uses the word “heart” primarily to refer to the ruling center of the whole person, the spring of all desires. The heart is seen as the seat of the will, intellect, and feelings. … According to the Bible, the heart is the center not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life.

1–Solomon gives additional warnings to his son about his heart.

          Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25

2—Jeremiah warns us not to trust our own heart.

          Jeremiah 17:9

3—David asked God to search his heart.

          Psalm 139:23-24

4—Jesus taught about our hearts.

          Mark 7:20-23

5—We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

          1 Corinthians 6:19-20

6—Paul challenges us to “put off” the “old man” and “put on” the “new man.”

          Ephesians 4:22-24

Conclusion: When God is on the throne of our lives, our heart.

          Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17

A King Like No Other

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Text: Hebrews 1:1-3

Christ came in fulfillment of Prophets, Priests & Kings

Prophet—Guided God’s people in the way of righteousness by speaking the Word of God.

Priest—Represented the people before God.

King—Ruled justly over God’s people, according to God’s law. They also fought for the people, to protect them from their enemies and to bring peace.

  • God did not intend for His people to be ruled by a king but He knew this would be the choice of His people once they entered the Promised Land:

                    Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:7

  • As our King, Jesus has won victory for us over sin.

James 4:7-8a; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 2:4-6

  • As our King, Jesus defeated death.

1 Corinthians 15:54b-57

  • As our King, Jesus has brought us peace.

John 14:27

  • As our King, Jesus has promised to give us rest.

Matthew 11:28-30

A Priest Like No Other

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Sermon Notes

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Bible Reading: John 1:1-5

Sermon Text: Hebrews 1:1-3

  • God is more than sufficient! Don’t forget the 12 baskets leftovers (Mark 6:30-44) and then the 7 baskets (Mark 8:1-10).
  • We do not need “God and…….” God alone is our Sufficiency!
  • Prophet
  • Priest
  • King

A Priest Like No Other

Christ Our High Priest—Hebrews 4:14-16

Priests chosen from among men—Hebrews 5:1-4

  • Because Christ is our High Priest……
  • He understands us—Hebrews 4:15
  • He knows how to help us—Hebrews 4:16
  • We can approach God on our behalf—Hebrews 4:16
  • He provides salvation—Acts 4:12
  • He is always interceding on our behalf—Hebrews 7:23-25

Next Sunday: A King Like No Other

A Prophet Like No Other!

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Text: Hebrews 1:1-3

Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:22-24

A Prophet Like No Other—Hebrews 1:1-3

  • Prophets—
  • Priests—
  • Kings—
  • Why God raised up prophets in the Old Testament—Exodus 20:18-20

Over 50 prophets scattered throughout the Old Testament

  • Moses’ prophecy about the coming Messiah—Deuteronomy 18:15

Jesus did not come to “do away” with prophets, priests & kings but to fulfill the purpose of prophets, priests & kings—Matthew 5:17

  • Jesus was “Immanuel”—God with us

John 1:1-2, 14

  • Hebrews 1:2—”heir of all things”
  • Hebrews 1:3— “the exact image of God”