Trust in Jesus' Love for you NOT your Love for Jesus

Introduction:

Typically, when pastors and Bible teachers focus on Christian Discipleship, they place an emphasis on our love for God that compels us to become like Jesus. I want to challenge this and argue that the emphasis should be placed on a person who knows that they are the beloved of Jesus, which leads that person to become a disciple and make disciples.

When we trust in the love of Jesus towards us rather than our love for Him, we become true disciples.

Jesus Brings Peter back to where it all began

Matthew 4:18–19 ESV

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

John 21:1–2 ESV

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

John 6:1 ESV

1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.

Jesus Redeems Peter:

Matthew 26:31–33 ESV

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”

Matthew 26:74 ESV

74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.

John 21:15–23 ESV

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Jesus Did not Just Hang Out with Social Outcasts, They become his Followers (Disciples)

I wonder how many people like Peter showed up to service this morning… Are you trusting in your ability to love Jesus or are you trusting in the Love of Jesus towards you. I leave you with this verse

1 John 4:19 ESV

19 We love because he first loved us.