Anderson Hills

Near the end of their three years together, Jesus asked His men, “Who do people say that I am?” After they shared the crowd’s views, Jesus asked His disciples the same question. Peter quickly declared that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus affirms Peter’s correct response and states that He will build His church upon the rock (Peter) and nothing will destroy it. But shortly after that declaration, Peter encourages Jesus to pursue the crown without the cross. Jesus rebukes Peter with strong words, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Jesus then speaks to the disciples about what will be expected of them, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Me.” Truths with which we need to come to terms.

Near the end of their three years together, Jesus asked His men, “Who do people say that I am?” After they shared the crowd’s views, Jesus asked His disciples the same question. Peter quickly declared that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus affirms Peter’s correct response and states that He will build His church upon the rock (Peter) and nothing will destroy it. But shortly after that declaration, Peter encourages Jesus to pursue the crown without the cross. Jesus rebukes Peter with strong words, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Jesus then speaks to the disciples about what will be expected of them, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Me.” Truths with which we need to come to terms.

When the disciples witness Jesus walking on water in the midst of the storm, it is Peter who shouts, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” Jesus affirms his request with one simple word, “Come.” We learn several things from Peter’s stormy encounter with Jesus. Peter didn’t impulsively and recklessly jump out of the boat. Likewise, before we act, we should first ask God about His will. Then we are to obey Jesus when He calls, even when it seems impossible. With every step of obedience, we cannot lose sight of Jesus. We cannot allow fear to distract us. And when we stumble, we need to remember that God will rescue us.

When the disciples witness Jesus walking on water in the midst of the storm, it is Peter who shouts, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” Jesus affirms his request with one simple word, “Come.” We learn several things from Peter’s stormy encounter with Jesus. Peter didn’t impulsively and recklessly jump out of the boat. Likewise, before we act, we should first ask God about His will. Then we are to obey Jesus when He calls, even when it seems impossible. With every step of obedience, we cannot lose sight of Jesus. We cannot allow fear to distract us. And when we stumble, we need to remember that God will rescue us.

Simon made his living netting fish in Lake Galilee to sell in the market where he lived. When his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus, Jesus gave Simon a significant nickname. It’s the one by which we know him today, the “Rock,” promising stability and strength. Jesus later climbed into Peter’s fishing boat to preach. Afterward, He told Peter to set out his nets, which Peter reluctantly, but obediently did. When deciding to fish that day, Peter had no idea what hung in the balance of his decision to go fishing with Jesus. The moment Peter’s simple act of faith intersected with Jesus’ faithfulness, everything changed. Just as Jesus reveals and represents God, Simon Peter represents all who seek to follow Jesus.

Simon made his living netting fish in Lake Galilee to sell in the market where he lived. When his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus, Jesus gave Simon a significant nickname. It’s the one by which we know him today, the “Rock,” promising stability and strength. Jesus later climbed into Peter’s fishing boat to preach. Afterward, He told Peter to set out his nets, which Peter reluctantly, but obediently did. When deciding to fish that day, Peter had no idea what hung in the balance of his decision to go fishing with Jesus. The moment Peter’s simple act of faith intersected with Jesus’ faithfulness, everything changed. Just as Jesus reveals and represents God, Simon Peter represents all who seek to follow Jesus.

Malachi’s book closes with five areas where we are forced to make monumental decisions. (1) Will you render service to others? Malachi showed that service distinguishes the righteous from the wicked. (2) Will you revere God? God is not to be trifled with. He is a consuming fire, and we should tremble in His presence. (3) Will you remember God’s law? Obedience to God’s will brings the greatest fulfillment. Keeping God’s law doesn’t save Christians, but we can better appreciate and enjoy life by obeying Him. (4) Will you be ready for judgment? Malachi reminds us that the day is coming when we will be treated as either sinners or saints. (5) Will you be rewarded by God? There are no better rewards than those given by God, even though the enemy tries to convince us otherwise.

Malachi’s book closes with five areas where we are forced to make monumental decisions. (1) Will you render service to others? Malachi showed that service distinguishes the righteous from the wicked. (2) Will you revere God? God is not to be trifled with. He is a consuming fire, and we should tremble in His presence. (3) Will you remember God’s law? Obedience to God’s will brings the greatest fulfillment. Keeping God’s law doesn’t save Christians, but we can better appreciate and enjoy life by obeying Him. (4) Will you be ready for judgment? Malachi reminds us that the day is coming when we will be treated as either sinners or saints. (5) Will you be rewarded by God? There are no better rewards than those given by God, even though the enemy tries to convince us otherwise.

In Malachi’s day, the people had become bored with God. Their worship had turned from relational to ritual. As a result, they offered blemished sacrifices; the priests had become unfaithful; divorce was commonplace and easy; their words wearied God; businessmen were defrauding their workers, cheating their customers and taking advantage of widows, orphans and aliens. The people were also robbing God by withholding their tithes, by giving the worst instead of the best, and by giving minimally rather than generously. Their attitude was, “How little can I give and still keep God happy?” The tithe is not a legalistic regulation. The primary purpose for the tithe is to put God first in our lives. When we put God first in our giving, He will be first in every area of life.

In Malachi’s day, the people had become bored with God. Their worship had turned from relational to ritual. As a result, they offered blemished sacrifices; the priests had become unfaithful; divorce was commonplace and easy; their words wearied God; businessmen were defrauding their workers, cheating their customers and taking advantage of widows, orphans and aliens. The people were also robbing God by withholding their tithes, by giving the worst instead of the best, and by giving minimally rather than generously. Their attitude was, “How little can I give and still keep God happy?” The tithe is not a legalistic regulation. The primary purpose for the tithe is to put God first in our lives. When we put God first in our giving, He will be first in every area of life.