John 21:15-17....Love in Action, part 2
Notes
Transcript
John 21:15-17, Love in Action part 2
John 21:15-17, Love in Action part 2
Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”
Introduction...
Introduction...
so once again, we have looked at the commandment given to us by Jesus to love one another
last week we looked at the example of sacrificial love that Jesus showed us through his sacrifice...the greatest example of love ever..
this week i want us to look at the motivation to put our love in action...
and there are so many reasons to motivate us to show others love and bring them to Christ...
for example: to help others to understand how Christ can make a difference in their life
to help others understand that they are not alone in this journey called life
to help edify or build the kingdom...
as we will see in the text, to show our love for Christ as well...
we should be pouring something into others to help them or as the text says..feed them...
there is this gesture that the athletes and kids do today, that means let them eat...(explain)
and that’s fine and nothing wrong with, but let’s start feeding the word of God and let them eat on that....that’s the only food that will last...TALK, PREACH......
it says over in Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
let’s feed them something that will stick to their ribs...
this lesson made me think back on some things in my life...
pouring into the youth in football league...TELL STORY, TALK, PREACH......
we pour so much into our children and other adults, but it seems like sometimes, pouring the good news is it not a priority...TALK, PREACH......
once again following the example of Jesus and obeying His commandments and putting our love in action will show us something very important..
if you do not get anything else from today’s sermon, please get this,
by putting our love in action,
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
Authors Matt Carter and Josh Wredberg said, Following Jesus means our priorities will be radically altered. Instead of serving ourselves, we will serve those who are part of the church—his sheep. Our focus will not be internal but external. The way of Jesus is filled with opportunities to serve our brothers and sisters.
before we go deeper into the text, let’s look at the story behind the text....
text/Story...
text/Story...
Jesus has been crucified and has risen...
he has shown himself several times to his disciples..
and here in this 21st chapter of John we see Jesus once again by the sea of Galilee...
there was some good stuff that happened by the sea....
It was on the Sea of Galilee that Jesus called the first four disciples.
Jesus taught some strong parables by the sea..
Jesus miraculously fed five thousand people at the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus walked on the water to reach the boat.
and saved Peter from drowning...in the sea of Galilee...
and once again He meets his disciples by the sea of galilee.
scripture says sea of Tiberias, that was just another name for it...v1
but when we look at the text, we see the fellows fishing all night, with nothing to show for it...
Jesus is walking on the shore and asks if they have any meat...
here goes the kicker, they had seem him already after his resurrection and they did not recognize him...
whatever the reason...still dark on land, maybe they were tired, or just had to much on their minds..
what we can take away from this is that me must always treat strangers right.. scripture tells us, Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Matthew 25:35 “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”
Luke 6:36 “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Love in action...
then we see Jesus, tell them to cast the net on the right side and they catch the mother load of fish...
it is now that John, says to Peter, it is the Lord, and Peter jumps out of the boat and gets to Jesus...
when you know how good He truly is, that should make you want to jump out of the boat and get to Him....TALK, PREACH......
so they eat and Jesus now turns His attention to Peter...
1 question asked 3 times..do you love me?
and he called him by his government name...Simon, son of Jonas
the same answer from Peter 3 times...you know i do
the same commandment 3 times...feed my sheep...
i hope your love for me motivates you to follow my commandment and feed my sheep....
for the record, everyone is not called to be a preacher, everyone may not feel comfortable teaching a lesson but if you have given your life to Jesus and decided to follow him all of the way, then everyone can tell anyone about Jesus...TALK, PREACH........
as we prepare to go deeper into the text we will see 3 things...
we will see MOTIVATION, INSTRUCTION, AND THE WAY TO TRANSFORM LIVES....
Let’s walk...
Points....
Points....
John 21:15–17 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
THE MOTIVATION...
the definition of MOTIVATION...a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way:
what motivates you to do something? TALK, PREACH......
when we look at Simon Peter in the text,
Peter was enthusiastic, strong-willed, impulsive, and, at times, brash. But for all his strengths, Peter had several failings in his life. Still, the Lord who chose him continued to mold him into exactly who He intended Peter to be.
walked with Christ for 3 yrs and yet he ran away as Jesus predicated He would
and now Peter has seen the risen Christ and He is ready to work...
but Jesus asks 1 question 3 times...Do you love me?
not going to deep into it but in the original greek text, Jesus used different words for love....agape and phileo
and the first, time He gave Peter a choice, do you love me more than these...
all that is for a bible study lesson but for today...Christ was trying to get Peter’s attention and everyone else...to motivate them
The sincerity of our love to God must be brought to the test; and it behoves us to inquire with earnest, preserving prayer to the heart-searching God, to examine and prove us, whether we are able to stand this test.
No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object
in other words, Peter your love for me should make you do what i am about to ask you to do...
in other words, Market street, FaceBook, your love for me should motivate you to fulfill the purpose i have on your lives...
how did Peter grow to love Him...TALK, PREACH...
how did you grow to love Him...TALK, PREACH......
and that love and knowledge should motivate you to work the works of Him that sent you...
i don’t know about you but i stay motivate because i know what He has done and what He can do...TALK, PREACH......
so Jesus has motivated us and now He gives Peter the assignment...
THE INSTRUCTION......
FEED MY SHEEP....
Christ is the good Shepherd, the head shepherd...
and He cares for the flock...
but he was going away, and needed some under shepherds to tend to the flock...
otherwise the flock would wander off and get lost
let me make a side not, Jesus was commissioning Peter as a pastor, preacher....and everyone is not a preacher....
but all confessed believers are disciples, and they are part of the body and they have job to do.....that is to minister to the people....to the flock..
the saved and the lost ...
what are we feeding the sheep....
not talking about regular feed either...
feed them the word of God...
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
The sheep need to be on a strict diet of Scripture. No substitute will do. Only God’s Word will nourish the sheep and bring growth.
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
A shepherd’s first priority is to feed the sheep. A shepherd’s number-one duty is the ministry of the Word.
look how it works together...
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
Shepherds must be motivated by love for God. Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Then in response to Peter’s declaration of love, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep” (
so we are motivated to feed the Lord’s sheep because we know what He can do in their lives...
Lastly...by staying motivated and feeding His sheep, WE WILL THE TRANSFORMATION IN LIVES......
in our own lives...
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
Sheep meet together to feed on God’s Word. We gather corporately to feast on the Word of God. Consuming his Word causes us to grow, mature, and obtain the strength to go out and serve God.
in the lives of others...if we are feeding them the Word of God, you will see the effects from that healthy diet...
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
A baby eats and becomes an adult. An adult eats and gets stronger.
and don’t ever stop eating or feeding...
Exalting Jesus in John Our Concern Will Not Be for Our Own Priorities but for the People of Christ
there will be noticeable signs. Over time your appetite will start to falter; you’ll no longer crave the food you once loved. Over time your strength will fail; you’ll lack the energy and vitality you once had.
in other words you will go back to your old ways...sinning...TALK, PREACH..
the word of God has been giving to us as a gift to change lives....ours and those we help along the way....
the love i have for the word and the knowledge i have of His word, motivates me to feed His word to His sheep, whenever I can...
and i get great consulation, when i see His word change lives like it did mine...
all because, He helped me put my love in action...
is there anybody here, that you just want to help someone come closer to Jesus...TALK, PREACH.......
when i think about my saviour and how He was motivated and received His instructions and how He has changed lives...
let me tell you the story...
TALK, PREACH, CLOSE....
