{"id":960,"date":"2018-06-09T19:02:07","date_gmt":"2018-06-09T10:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/203.170.86.202\/wildeden.com.au\/news\/?p=960"},"modified":"2021-09-13T19:02:56","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T10:02:56","slug":"when-try-try-again-doesnt-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wildeden.com.au\/news\/organic-gardening-for-self-sufficency\/2018\/when-try-try-again-doesnt-work\/","title":{"rendered":"When TRY TRY AGAIN doesn’t work"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

How we normally put all our effort in the wrong place and fail\u2026<\/span>
Today we were thinking about the disciples – in particular Simon Peter and how his life is an example for us to follow, but only in some ways!\u00a0
<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n


Simon Peter followed Jesus for years, saw the miracles and heard Him preach many, many sermons. Some teachings were abstract and others, very, very direct, like this:\u00a0

<\/span>Matthew 10:32-34
<\/span><\/span>\u201cEveryone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Don\u2019t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.\u201d
<\/span><\/span>
If you were a disciple, what would you have in your mind?\u00a0
\u201cdo\u00a0<\/span>not<\/u><\/span>\u00a0deny Jesus\u201d!\u00a0

Now as the ministry of Jesus gathered what we view as momentum (it became successful from an earthly perspective), the attitude of the disciples seems to have been that they would be part of the \u2018winning side\u2019 and would not\u00a0<\/span>want<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to deny Jesus\u2026
Simon Peter makes this clear when he takes Jesus aside and corrects Him!\u00a0

But they were all of the opinion that they would not deny Jesus:\u00a0

<\/span>Matthew 26:31-35
<\/span><\/span>On the way, Jesus told them, \u201c<\/span><\/span>Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,
\u2018God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.\u2019
But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.<\/span><\/span>\u201d
Peter declared, \u201cEven if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.\u201d
Jesus replied, \u201c<\/span><\/span>I tell you the truth, Peter\u2014this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.<\/span><\/span>\u201d
\u201cNo!\u201d Peter insisted. \u201cEven if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!\u201d And all the other disciples vowed the same.
<\/span><\/span>
What a statement Peter makes in front of the other disciples – essentially declaring his devotion better than theirs. A determined decision to honour Jesus no matter what – right up to death.\u00a0

But we know what happens, we know history\u2026 Despite his intentions, despite his decisions, declarations and resolutions, this tragic event occurs:\u00a0


<\/span>Matthew 26:69-75
<\/span><\/span>Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, \u201cYou were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.\u201d
But Peter denied it in front of everyone. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d he said.
Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, \u201cThis man was with Jesus of Nazareth.\u201d
Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. \u201cI don\u2019t even know the man,\u201d he said.
A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, \u201cYou must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.\u201d
Peter swore, \u201cA curse on me if I\u2019m lying\u2014I don\u2019t know the man!\u201d And immediately the rooster crowed.
Suddenly, Jesus\u2019 words flashed through Peter\u2019s mind: \u201cBefore the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.\u201d And he went away, weeping bitterly.
<\/span><\/span>

It\u2019s like Jesus set this event up to rub it in to Peter\u2026\u2019yes Peter you said you would die first, but here are two servant girls, no status, no authority, nothing, you will deny Me to THEM! I am surprised that the rooster itself didn\u2019t ask Peter.\u00a0
Imagine if someone had said, \u2018Peter you will deny Jesus to a servant girl. Twice\u2019 It would have seemed ridiculous.\u00a0
But, within hours, it happens.\u00a0

While tragic, it is a fantastic lesson and reminder for us. Peter, started off knowing that he was sinful and asks Jesus to leave him\u00a0<\/span>(Luke 5:8)<\/span><\/span>\u2026but he responds to Jesus\u2019 call and follows with enthusiasm. He often says what the others were probably thinking, and in this huge matter, has failed miserably and goes away bitterly weeping.\u00a0

But can\u2019t we all relate? Isn\u2019t there things that we have all failed Jesus, ourselves and others in? Maybe we have things that we have regularly or even continually failed in. But no matter what we have done, no matter where we have been, no matter who we have denied, as long as we have breathe, we should always remember that we can turn to Jesus. What He did for us on the cross can cover all sin, sins, failures and wrongs.\u00a0

What Jesus did on the cross has the power and ability to forgive all wrongs – past, present or future. But, as amazing as that is, it doesn\u2019t have to stop there\u2026

Once we respond to the life that Jesus paid for, once we see what He went through to pay for all\u00a0<\/span>our sin<\/span><\/span>, we want to pay Him back. We want to offer\u00a0<\/span>something<\/span><\/span>\u00a0that would be of worth to Him. We want to do better for Him.\u00a0

And Peter must have wanted that too. Having denied Jesus three times, Simon Peter must have wanted to do better. Imagine later, when Jesus told him that He would \u2018build His church on\u2019 Peter, how much Peter would have the desire to never deny Jesus again.\u00a0


We are going to fast forward to another well known event.\u00a0

<\/span>Acts 2:14-15
<\/span><\/span>Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, \u201cListen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o\u2019clock in the morning is much too early for that.
<\/span><\/span>
Here we see a picture of Peter that is a stark contrast to a few months earlier. A pack of people, representing 30 nations, people who had far more status, position and authority than the average person let alone a servant girl. But far from shrinking back in fear, Peter fronts the crowd and addresses them. And not just addressing them, schooling these Jews (and taking on the role of Rabbi) on the writings of the prophet Joel.\u00a0

What was it that caused such a huge shift in the actions of this person? Was it a decision, a more resolute resolution? Was it trying harder? Was it regret that evoked a hatred of previous actions? Did determination lead to this public success?\u00a0

It is a funny but sad reality that this is what we naturally start to see as the \u2018answer\u2019 for bingo \u2018better\u2019 or reaching a goal.\u00a0

Clearer goals, more determination, wider knowledge, deeper commitment, better training, more support we default to the mantra \u201ctry try again\u201d\u00a0

<\/span><\/p>\n

We default to the mantra: Try, Try again.\u00a0
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


Unfortunately, while trying in & of itself is not a bad thing, we often \u2018try\u2019 the same incorrect, self-focussed things over and over – getting the same results: failure.\u00a0

What was Simon Peter\u2019s secret?\u00a0



<\/span>Acts 1:6-11
<\/span><\/span>So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, \u201cLord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?\u201d
He replied, \u201c<\/span><\/span>The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere\u2014in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.<\/span><\/span>\u201d
After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. \u201cMen of Galilee,\u201d they said, \u201cwhy are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!\u201d
<\/span><\/span>

Jesus promised Simon Peter (and the other disciples something that was easy to miss in this passage. Jesus is leaving – literally floating up to Heaven – and he says:\u00a0

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


The disciples seems to pick it up. They were after all, hanging on to every word of Jesus by this stage – like we all should – and they acted on it. Around 50 days later, we don\u2019t read that the believers have scattered, or that they are working, preaching or have a new program – but they seem to be doing what the prophet Isaiah had discovered:


<\/span>Isaiah 8:17\u00a0
<\/span><\/span>I will wait for the Lord,
who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob.
I will put my hope in him.
<\/span><\/span>
And later, God, through the same prophet, offers a well known promise for those who wait on the Lord.\u00a0

<\/span>Isaiah 40:31
<\/span><\/span>But those who trust in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>(or wait on)<\/span>\u00a0the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
<\/span><\/span>

Is this what the believers & disciples were doing for 50 days? Is this why they were meeting?\u00a0


<\/span>Acts 2:1-8
<\/span><\/span>On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
They were completely amazed. \u201cHow can this be?\u201d they exclaimed. \u201cThese people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!
<\/span><\/span>


From this point,\u00a0<\/span>everything<\/span><\/span>\u00a0changes for Simon Peter and all of the disciples. We see them bold, preaching, healing the sick and lame, confronting the Pharisees, prophesying and leaving a legacy that today counts millions upon millions. Nearly every religion agrees with their message or tries to use or hijack their teachings.\u00a0

Our everyday reality can be the same.\u00a0

We can try harder, work towards a goal or plan – or\u00a0<\/span>we can make our goal waiting on Him who has all power and every plan in the palm of His hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span><\/span>Instead of trying harder, performing better, we should position ourselves so that the Holy Spirit brings the change in us – starting with righteousness:\u00a0


<\/span>Galatians 5:5
<\/span><\/span>But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.

<\/span><\/span>Eagerly \u2018waiting to receive the righteousness God has promised\u2019 is not \u2018trying harder to be a better person\u2019. It reminds me of something Dr Ed Smith said:\u00a0
<\/span>
\u2018The fruit of the Spirit is not a to-do list\u2026we can not \u2018do\u2019 the fruit – but we can bear it. We are fruit bearers not fruit producers.\u2019
<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Having God change us from inside leads to lasting, effortless results in many areas – Simon Peter found this to be true as will we if we follow. This changing from the inside is not passive – it is not something that God does while we live our own lives, trusting ourselves, focussed on this life, it requires that we put God in His rightful place – prominence.\u00a0

And really, what an amazing privilege! Imagine, we – His created, sinful and hell deserving mortals – can go right into His presence, having Him not only spend time and listen to us but change us from with in!\u00a0

All this is possible, not because we subscribe to a religion or fulfil certain things – quite the opposite. It is all possible because God sent His Son to pay the price for our sin – to die willingly on a tree and pay the ultimate penalty. We owe it all to Jesus.\u00a0

I encourage you right now, don’t read something else, don’t pick up your phone, don’t watch a movie. (Go) wait on God and judge it all by the scriptures.\u00a0

<\/span>Conclusion:\u00a0<\/span>We need to put our effort into what matters – waiting on God<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>
PRAYER:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Lord, please encourage and draw us to spend time where it matters – waiting on You. May we have the wisdom and strength to deal with anything that hinders this in us – issue past and present. May we rely on You for our righteousness, direction and strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>