John 14: Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 14: Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. John 14:9-11

July 10, 2011 Snapshots of Grace Part 1

5 I John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

6 II Cor. 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

What about in the meantime? How can we have assurance while we are on the way to maturity?

Where do we get the assurance that we are OK with God, even while we walk with Him imperfectly?

Some people… Don’t believe you can have assurance or hope Some people “play-through” to gain some semblance of assurance They keep up a good front by wearing masks that hide their real feelings of insecurity

3. 3. Some “pray-through” These people in times of failure, spend much time in agonizing prayer Some “do penance” Never quite sure whether you’ve done enough

All of these are based on feelings… they are very fickle.

The premise for our study: When you see Jesus you see God. John 14: Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.

When you look at people who come in contact with Jesus you should try to see yourself. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. (1 Cor. 10:6) These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us (1 Cor. 10:11a)

There are events in Peter’s life with which we can identify that can give us great assurance.

Luke 5: Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; 2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.

3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.

8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Leave me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken;

10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

“Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

Peter had deep-seated feelings of unworthiness plaguing him. Can you identify? o Sure you can o We’ve all had our boat begin to sink with all we have been given!

How does God feel? (v. 10) o Don’t be afraid – takes care of the past and the present o From now on – takes care of the future o It’s all the hope we have and all we need

Matthew 14: Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Matthew 14: But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14: When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

John had been beheaded; Jesus had withdrawn with His disciples for solitude to the eastern side of the sea.

Crowd follows Compassion flows Crowd dismissed

Disciples are tired, frustrated and now afraid.

“Don’t be Afraid” “God among us,” still urging us not to fear.

“Lord, let me come” “Be my guest” Distractions and fear brought defeat.

Peter made a good start but was unable to finish. Can you relate?

How does God feel? Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31)

Peter had committed himself to Jesus, and Jesus had committed Himself to Peter. Let Jesus put you back in the boat.

God’s Commitment To Us All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)