GOING DOWN WITH THE SHIP

The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Going Down With The Ship

Left on a sinking ship were the captain and three sailors. The captain spoke first. "Men, this business about a captain going down with his ship is nonsense. There’s a three-man life raft on board and I’m going to be on it. To see who will come with me, I will ask you each one question. The one who can’t answer will stay behind. Here’s the first question: What unsinkable ship went down when it hit an iceberg?"

The first sailor answered, "The Titanic, sir."

"On to the next question: How many people perished?"

The second sailor said, "One thousand five hundred and seventeen, sir."

"Now for the third question," and the captain turned to sailor number three. "What were their names?"

We can be most grateful that the Captain of our ship went down with the ship already when he died on the cross for our sins and was buried. He brought the ship back when he rose from the grave three days later and that all who believe on his name and receive his promise of salvation and eternal life get to ride with and follow him.

Jesus Christ is our Captain and he will never steer us wrong. He has always led the way and continues to do so. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; the only way to a relationship with God (See John 14:6). The letter to the Hebrews calls him the High Priest and also the Lamb (i.e. sacrifice) Yes, he offered himself as the sacrifice for the redemption of all mankind. He would never pass the buck to someone else to make the sacrificial decisions. He will always be the Captain of our lives.

This Sunday we continue our sermon series, FCC Summer Cruise with a message titled The Captain of Your Ship based on Matthew 7:28-29. Bring your lei or pick up your new one and join in the festivities.

Following the Captain with you,
Jon