August 2, 2015
Pastor Montia Setzler
Series: Discovering the Life Changing Gospel
Coming Back from an Epic Fail – Epilogue
John 21:15–25 (HCSB)
15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. 16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Shepherd My sheep,” He told him. 17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
19 He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!” 20 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them. That disciple was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray You?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord—what about him?” 22 “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.” 23 So this report spread to the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.
Being restored after failure will carry some conditions—When we are mature in the faith:
1. WE TAKE WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND SHARE WITH THOSE YOUNGER IN THE FAITH. (v 21:15)
- • The church has a responsibility for the young and the young in the faith.
- • Reaching the next generation is critical to the growth of the church.
- • Discipleship is about feeding the lambs so they can grow.
2. WE GROW IN OUR FAITH AND PROVIDE SPIRITUAL CARE FOR OTHERS. (v 21:16)
- • We connect with others in community.
- • We have a stewardship before God to those we are reaching.
3. WE HELP OTHERS ON THEIR JOURNEY TO MATURITY. (vv 21:17-18)
- • Spiritual growth is a journey not a destination.
- • The mark of maturity is the ability to reproduce.
4. WE FOLLOW JESUS WITH OUR ASSIGNMENT. (v 21:19)
- • We are called to be the disciples of Jesus, but there is a cost.
- • Becoming an authentic follower of Jesus requires obedience.
5. WE DON’T CONCERN OURSELVES WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S ASSIGNMENTS. (vv 21:20-23)
- • If we stay focused on what God has for us to do, we don’t have time to worry about what God has called someone else to do.
- • It’s not about equity, it’s about obedience.
6. WE TESTIFY TO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED. (vv 21:24-25)
- • We all have a story to tell, so tell it!
- • We have been called to Go and make disciples; don’t let anything stop you from that assignment.
Peter denied Jesus three times at a critical point at the end of Jesus’ ministry on this earth, but Jesus restores him back to a right relationship and uses Peter to ignite a movement that continues today. Will you allow Him to use you as well.
