It’s Vacation Time
Single Message - Faithfulness
Text: Luke 9:10-17
Vacation time has started. It’s a season when many will pack the bags, round up the kids and head out of town to “get some R and R”. A time to “just be me” –but not without the laptop, the cell phone, the Ipod, the protable DVD player and don’t forget the Gameboy. Isn’t it funny how we take it all so that we can “get away from it all”?
Getting away is important - Scripture is peppered with examples of Jesus getting away, sometimes with the twelve (and you thought it was tough just taking your four kids to Disney) - And sometimes by himself. I think it’s cool to see Jesus in these settings.
Picture Jesus on the beach
Flip flops – No, wait, barefoot
Gets thirsty - No money, catches a fish
o Sack bar, “no diet coke” - - “Just give me a “water’” …
Gets hungry calls down manna
He gets in the water but it’s kind of choppy ...
It gets late - He tells the sun to be still for another 3 hours.
Okay, maybe not, but He did need to get away sometimes – And we can learn some great lessons from His earthly life on how to relax but not retreat.
It’s easy to get burned out
• “Weary in well doing” - convert our “business” into busyness.
• Schedule demands can leave you dragging to bed at midnight just to toss and turn thinking that it starts all over in the morning.
• Problem - The Christian family has adopted the worlds priorities.
o There was a day when events were scheduled around church.
o Going to Worship on Sunday morning was not an option or topic of discussion.
o ? Did stores remain closed so people wouldn’t buy or because people wouldn’t buy???
• We get to the point that we say “something has to give” and the first place we look to “trim” is the Church.
o God’s not in a building
Yet scripture tells us of the power of corporate worship
o I can worship God anywhere
Yet the Bible teaches to assemble together.
Why, Because God knows our fleshly frailty
Lone Rangers are really unhealthy individuals
• Always wearing a mask
• Showing off on their “high horse”
• If they do have friends, they gravitate toward needy people. Just look at Tonto
o Always needing to be freed up or set loose
o Always the follower
o Lone Ranger did his thinking for him.
• Somewhere became to good for standard issue bullets, his had to be “silver”
o Always looking for a “deeper word”
o No one is a good or as spiritual unless you do it like me.
• The Lone Ranger eventually just rides off into the sunset. Kicks up dust, shoots a few people down then just leaves town.
God doesn’t call us to be Lone Rangers. He calls us to be a Body!
We all need time to relax ~ but don’t retreat!
Here’s a few lessons we can take some lessons from Jesus.
1. He knew when to get away.
a. There is a time for ministry, for self evaluation and for renewing the spirit and body.
b. The disciples had just returned from a mission
c. Jesus needed to spend some time with them to “debrief”.
d. Took them to Bethsaida “the Fishing Place”
2. He knew how to say connected
a. Even on vacation He took time for people. (a great lesson to the Disciples)
3. He had a purpose for leaving
4. He had a renewed focus when He returned
a. Just look 17 verses later – Mt. Transfiguration
Take a vacation, but learn to relax a little every day.
• That prayer and bible reading time has a purpose
o David “I meditate on Your Word day and night”
o Paul “Pray without ceasing”
Praying throughout your day will get you through the day!
• Incorporate a little worship into your daily routine
o God dwells in your praise
o Give time to God and He will give you all the time you need!
• You “tithe” your earnings, how about “tithing” your time? Think about it!
o Net or Gross?
Net ( - 8hrs sleep) 1:36 a day
Gross (of your full day) 2:24 hours a day
Seek first God’s Kingdom. What’s that?
Matthew 6:33
Romans 14:17
Righteousness, Peace and Joy – in the Holy Ghost!
o Kingdom principles
o Kingdom priorities
o Kingdom protocols
So take that vacation….
Relax, yes but don’t retreat
Get away but don’t go astray
Unwind but don’t decline
Recess but don’t regress
Get rested but stay invested!
[CLOSE]
A note from Pastor Terry,
Thanks so much for looking over this message. I trust that, in some way, you were blessed, encouraged and empowered on your own walk with Christ. Every message I prepare is bathed in prayer that God will draw, inspire, and challenge my listeners (or readers) into a more meaningful and power-filled walk with Him.
Pastors, how we need one another! We need to be encouraged, strengthened and built up in order to encourage, strengthen and build up. It’s my personal prayer that the message you’ve just reviewed has done that for you in a personal way. Use what you can on this message, toss what you can’t and above all, let God’s Spirit inspire it all!
Sometimes I feel like Peter and John at the Temple steps…”Silver and gold; I don’t have but what I do – I give to you”
Grace and peace to you, your family and the Flock you tend.
Pastor Terry
