Dive In: Get on the Board
We are starting a new series at Flatland called Dive In. 
We will be reading through the book of Luke, following Jesus as he teaches his followers to be more than just a follower, to become a disciple, then on to carrying out His ministry to others. It is a call to all of us. We are all called to stop just hanging out and start doing things for Christ.
And now, a brief look at Pastor Bart’s sermon as written on my iPhone (using the real cool WordPress app).
It is hard to get on the board. It is scary to do it the first time.
The world is a swimming pool full of drowning people. Jesus calls all of us to dive in and rescue the perishing.
This sermon series will take us through the steps Jesus took his disciples to get them to the point they were totally and wholly committed.
To get on the board we first have to let Jesus in. Jesus comes to where we are. He doesn’t wait for us to come to him! When we let Jesus in amazing things happen.
We don’t just let him in one time. It is a on going relationship where we need to keep the doors open. We need to let Him into all the rooms of our life, not keep some part away from God. This is the first step of getting on the board.
The second step of getting on to the board is to believe Jesus. Not just believe in Him but to believe Him, that He calls us in some sort of ministry. That He calls us into a relationship with Him that results in us wanting to get others to have that same relationship.
Jesus can do amazing things when we trust him and step out on to the board.
The third step of getting on the board is to watch Christ, how he does it. He doesn’t expect us to just get on the board without first showing us how.
How do we do that when He is not with us physically? By watching those who are already are active in ministry, everything from our pastors to the person that helps clean up the church after a service.
Confession: my issue is not believing Jesus, that He can do all things. I know He can do all things. I just don’t believe in myself or to say it differently I believe I will eventually fail Christ.
I am afraid to get on the board because I feel that no matter how much I try or how much I believe I will eventually do something stupid, hit a wet patch on the board and slip or do a great big belly flop.
Now I can hear someone saying (me?) but by believing you will fail you don’t really believe Jesus. I guess that is a legit statement at one level but let me explain my perspective and then you can slap me down.
Jesus isn’t going to force me to do anything – he relies on us to do His work. We are his hands, his feet, his voice. If we choose to not use those gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us, even if that choice is simply a choice of not doing anything, we fail Him.
I get into a horrible dog chasing tail situation where I fear failure so I fail to do anything which leads to more fear of failure which leads to even more failure to do anything.
This blog is one of those areas I really struggle with in this area. When I fail to get something posted… I atart chasing that fear of failure tail. *Sigh*
I am taking steps to overcome this. Prayer, talking to others, and just doing something even if I do fail. This results in my steps of faith, of getting on the board which I am certainly trying, even when I am aftraid of myself, of what I may end up doing. Because, I don’t want to fail God… but not doing anything is failure in and of itself so, with God’s help, I will not fear the board. I will get on it.