Para Vista Lutheran Church

Encounters with Jesus 4: Peter - The Fickle Follower (Audio)

In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection (based on John 11-20).

Over the last 3 weeks, we’ve heard the stories of Caiaphas, Mary the sister of Lazarus, and last week Andrew – one of Jesus’ first disciples. This Sunday we will hear the story of Andrew’s brother: Peter – The Fickle Follower.

With his propensity to speak first and think later, I so get Peter! It’s not easy for an extrovert to remain silent or bite one’s tongue. One’s words can gush out like water from a fire hydrant… and do untold amounts of damage!

Peter wants to prove himself worthy of being Jesus’ right-hand man. But the harder he tries, the more he keeps messing up. Think of when he hopped out of the boat amid the swell, took a few steps towards Jesus, and then sank like a rock!

Even after three years with Jesus and the others, Peter is still making impulsive promises. At the last Passover meal, Jesus talks of imminent betrayal – and of being deserted by his disciples. With characteristic boldness, Peter declares to Jesus: “I will lay down my life for you” (Jn 13:37).

But as the night wore on, Peter’s resolve ran dry. Before the dawn crowing of the rooster, Peter denied having anything to do with Jesus… three times.

Yet Jesus did not give up on Peter! This is good news for every one of us. Jesus never gives up on us! His mercy triumphs over judgment. He is always walking towards us to do us good – to forgive us, to restore us, to grow us, to keep loving on us, and to bring us into his story for his world.

A widely held attitude in many cultures: “Three strikes and you’re out!”

I’m glad that Jesus is not like that!

Shalom!
Pr Rolly

Encounters with Jesus 4: Peter - The Fickle Follower (video)

In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection (based on John 11-20).

Over the last 3 weeks, we’ve heard the stories of Caiaphas, Mary the sister of Lazarus, and last week Andrew – one of Jesus’ first disciples. This Sunday we will hear the story of Andrew’s brother: Peter – The Fickle Follower.

With his propensity to speak first and think later, I so get Peter! It’s not easy for an extrovert to remain silent or bite one’s tongue. One’s words can gush out like water from a fire hydrant… and do untold amounts of damage!

Peter wants to prove himself worthy of being Jesus’ right-hand man. But the harder he tries, the more he keeps messing up. Think of when he hopped out of the boat amid the swell, took a few steps towards Jesus, and then sank like a rock!

Even after three years with Jesus and the others, Peter is still making impulsive promises. At the last Passover meal, Jesus talks of imminent betrayal – and of being deserted by his disciples. With characteristic boldness, Peter declares to Jesus: “I will lay down my life for you” (Jn 13:37).

But as the night wore on, Peter’s resolve ran dry. Before the dawn crowing of the rooster, Peter denied having anything to do with Jesus… three times.

Yet Jesus did not give up on Peter! This is good news for every one of us. Jesus never gives up on us! His mercy triumphs over judgment. He is always walking towards us to do us good – to forgive us, to restore us, to grow us, to keep loving on us, and to bring us into his story for his world.

A widely held attitude in many cultures: “Three strikes and you’re out!”

I’m glad that Jesus is not like that!

Shalom!
Pr Rolly

Encounters with Jesus 3: Andrew - The Hour Has Come (vIDEO)

Once a follower of John the Baptist, Andrew became a disciple of Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Peter and bring him to Jesus.

Later Andrew brought a boy with his lunch box to Jesus, which in Jesus’ hands ended up feeding more than 5000 people. In Sunday’s reading, Andrew brings some Greeks to come and see Jesus.  Andrew loved to bring people to Jesus.

If you’ve been reading through the John’s account, you would have noted the opposition to Jesus: 

    It is flagged in John 1:11: ‘He came to that which was his own. But his own did not receive him.’
    In chapter 2, Jesus clears the temple courts and is questioned about his authority.
    In chapter 5, when Jesus heals on the Sabbath and claims to be doing his Father’s work, they want to kill him (Jn 5:16-18).

From then on, the religious leaders of Jerusalem treated him with hostility and were looking for a way to kill him (Jn 7:1). Despite their ongoing threats, we read that Jesus’ time/hour had not yet come (Jn 2:4, 7:6, 7:8, 7:30, 8:20, 8:59).

We get a clear sense that Jesus is steadily moving towards his destiny for which he had come: the time of his sacrificial death by being ‘lifted up’ on the cross. Everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:14-16).

In this week’s reading, Jesus tells Andrew and Philip:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”  (Jn 12:23-24 NIV)

Jesus knows that his death is imminent. Paradoxically, Jesus will be glorified when he is ‘lifted up’ on the cross.

John regards the cross as Jesus’ coronation and supreme exaltation:

    His anointing is Mary’s act of worship.
    His crown is one of thorns.
    His coronation gown is a purple robe draped as mockery.
    His charge sheet: King of the Jews, is ironically his true title.
    His exaltation to kingly office is the cross.
    His last word shouted at death: “It is finished!” is declaration of victory.

At the cross, we see the glory of God’s love for us in Jesus. As you contemplate the cross, may the Holy Spirit give you a fresh appreciation of Jesus’ love for you!

Shalom!
Pr Rolly

Encounters with Jesus 3: Andrew - The Hour Has Come (Audio)

Once a follower of John the Baptist, Andrew became a disciple of Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Peter and bring him to Jesus.

Later Andrew brought a boy with his lunch box to Jesus, which in Jesus’ hands ended up feeding more than 5000 people. In Sunday’s reading, Andrew brings some Greeks to come and see Jesus.  Andrew loved to bring people to Jesus.

If you’ve been reading through the John’s account, you would have noted the opposition to Jesus: 

    It is flagged in John 1:11: ‘He came to that which was his own. But his own did not receive him.’
    In chapter 2, Jesus clears the temple courts and is questioned about his authority.
    In chapter 5, when Jesus heals on the Sabbath and claims to be doing his Father’s work, they want to kill him (Jn 5:16-18).

From then on, the religious leaders of Jerusalem treated him with hostility and were looking for a way to kill him (Jn 7:1). Despite their ongoing threats, we read that Jesus’ time/hour had not yet come (Jn 2:4, 7:6, 7:8, 7:30, 8:20, 8:59).

We get a clear sense that Jesus is steadily moving towards his destiny for which he had come: the time of his sacrificial death by being ‘lifted up’ on the cross. Everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:14-16).

In this week’s reading, Jesus tells Andrew and Philip:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”  (Jn 12:23-24 NIV)

Jesus knows that his death is imminent. Paradoxically, Jesus will be glorified when he is ‘lifted up’ on the cross.

John regards the cross as Jesus’ coronation and supreme exaltation:

    His anointing is Mary’s act of worship.
    His crown is one of thorns.
    His coronation gown is a purple robe draped as mockery.
    His charge sheet: King of the Jews, is ironically his true title.
    His exaltation to kingly office is the cross.
    His last word shouted at death: “It is finished!” is declaration of victory.

At the cross, we see the glory of God’s love for us in Jesus. As you contemplate the cross, may the Holy Spirit give you a fresh appreciation of Jesus’ love for you!

Shalom!
Pr Rolly

Encounters with Jesus 2: Mary, Sister of Lazarus - Extravagant Worship (Audio)

In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection, based on John’s account.  Over these weeks, we will hear stories from people who encountered Jesus.  With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.

This Sunday: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship.

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind with the word “worship”?  Is worship just what we do on Sunday mornings – or is it what we do in and through our everyday lives?

One thing’s for sure: we don’t worship God to gain his favour.  Rather, we worship God because we already have his favour.  Our story this Sunday is an amazing account of worship – of pouring out.  It precedes Jesus’ pouring out his holy and innocent blood for you and for me!

 

Encounters with Jesus 2: Mary, Sister of Lazarus - Extravagant Worship (Video)

In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection, based on John’s account.  Over these weeks, we will hear stories from people who encountered Jesus.  With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.

This Sunday: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship.

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind with the word “worship”?  Is worship just what we do on Sunday mornings – or is it what we do in and through our everyday lives?

One thing’s for sure: we don’t worship God to gain his favour.  Rather, we worship God because we already have his favour.  Our story this Sunday is an amazing account of worship – of pouring out.  It precedes Jesus’ pouring out his holy and innocent blood for you and for me!

 

Encounters with Jesus 1: Caiaphas – Threatened (Audio)

In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’ll be following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection. This will be based on readings from John 11-20.

Over the next 7 weeks, we hope to hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.

March 6: Caiaphas – Threatened

March 13: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship

March 20: Andrew – The Hour Has Come

March 27: Peter – Tested

April 3: Pontius Pilate – Perplexed

April 10 (Palm Sun): Joanna (wife of Chuza) – Expectations

April 14 (Maundy Thurs): Judas Iscariot – Betrayal

April 15 (Good Fri): Mary (mother of Jesus)/Nicodemus & Joseph – Traumatised

April 17 (Resurrection Sun): Mary Magdalene – Devotion

Over the 40 days of Lent, we encourage you to read and reflect on the Gospel of John, taking note of people’s reactions to Jesus’ claims, teaching and miracles.  As John’s account unfolds, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders keeps escalating – until they get him killed.

This Sunday: Caiaphas – Threatened
How do you handle it when your dreams, plans or goals get blocked by circumstances beyond your control?

I often get stewed up inside.  As the saying goes: “Blocked goals lead to frustration.”

But then we need to ask: “Who is in control?  Am I the master of the universe, or can I defer to the One who is?”

Following Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus’ popularity is skyrocketing. Members of the Sanhedrin are at their wits end about what to do with him. They fear losing control over the Jewish people.

This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Caiaphas – the Jewish High Priest who was instrumental in getting Jesus killed. Threatened by Jesus, Caiaphas comes up with an elegant solution to deal with him. Ironically, his prophetic words are fulfilled in a way he never expected.

After Jesus’ resurrection, Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas try to shut down the spread of the Gospel, but to no avail (see Acts 4:5-21, 5:17-42, 7:1). Nothing can stop the Holy Spirit enacting God’s restoration plans for his world.

Like Caiaphas, we can reject Jesus – and seek to write our own story.
Or we can join Jesus and be part of God’s good news story for his world.

Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly

Encounters with Jesus 1: Caiaphas – Threatened (Video)

In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’ll be following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection. This will be based on readings from John 11-20.

Over the next 7 weeks, we hope to hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.

March 6: Caiaphas – Threatened

March 13: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship

March 20: Andrew – The Hour Has Come

March 27: Peter – Tested

April 3: Pontius Pilate – Perplexed

April 10 (Palm Sun): Joanna (wife of Chuza) – Expectations

April 14 (Maundy Thurs): Judas Iscariot – Betrayal

April 15 (Good Fri): Mary (mother of Jesus)/Nicodemus & Joseph – Traumatised

April 17 (Resurrection Sun): Mary Magdalene – Devotion

Over the 40 days of Lent, we encourage you to read and reflect on the Gospel of John, taking note of people’s reactions to Jesus’ claims, teaching and miracles.  As John’s account unfolds, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders keeps escalating – until they get him killed.

This Sunday: Caiaphas – Threatened
How do you handle it when your dreams, plans or goals get blocked by circumstances beyond your control?

I often get stewed up inside.  As the saying goes: “Blocked goals lead to frustration.”

But then we need to ask: “Who is in control?  Am I the master of the universe, or can I defer to the One who is?”

Following Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus’ popularity is skyrocketing. Members of the Sanhedrin are at their wits end about what to do with him. They fear losing control over the Jewish people.

This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Caiaphas – the Jewish High Priest who was instrumental in getting Jesus killed. Threatened by Jesus, Caiaphas comes up with an elegant solution to deal with him. Ironically, his prophetic words are fulfilled in a way he never expected.

After Jesus’ resurrection, Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas try to shut down the spread of the Gospel, but to no avail (see Acts 4:5-21, 5:17-42, 7:1). Nothing can stop the Holy Spirit enacting God’s restoration plans for his world.

Like Caiaphas, we can reject Jesus – and seek to write our own story.
Or we can join Jesus and be part of God’s good news story for his world.

Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly

Ash Wednesday 2022 (Audio)

Ash Wednesday message called Reconciled based on 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:10.

Jacob Fabich

Ash Wednesday 2022 (Video)

Ash Wednesday message called Reconciled based on 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:10.

Jacob Fabich