To Forgive & Restore

Introduction:

Unfinished Business: X’ last works before ascension!

Prioritized something NEW

Prioritized counteracting DOUBT

Prioritized SPIRIT-empowerment

Prioritized MISSION!

TODAY: Prioritized restoration…

Stand for reading… PRAY

John 21:15–17 “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.””

AMEN. Seated…

Story we just looked at couple months ago, but in a different way…

Today, take Jesus’ actions and file away some…

Lessons on Restoration:

Jesus sets a divine example (and reminds us of a main reason for coming)

Difference betwn Forg. & Reconc.

Forgiveness is commanded; but reconciliation is a higher call.

Jesus/God prioritized reconc.

Examine this passage today and see what actions Lord took that we can follow ourselves.

1. Initiate Forgiveness

See in pssg that Jesus didn’t wait for Pete to come 2him!

Jesus had already prepared the charcoal fire & [lit.] set the table for this Convo.

John 21:9, 15a “The[ disciples] saw a fire of burning coals [on shore] with fish on it, and some bread… When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”…”

Remember: X not offendER in this situation; offended!

Peter didn’t apologize first… THEN Jesus forgives him.

It can be done!

Jesus did the work to show his offender grace—above, beyond!

Ask: “Pastor what if I did something to hurt some1 else?”

In a teaching moment at Sermon Mt, Jesus emphasized the expediency of forg’ss

This time, onus on the offendER >>

Matthew 5:23–24 ““Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

STOP middl of prayer, seek forg’ss; make amends

The point in both of these is to make sure the forg. process is initiated.

He would have grace for “but it’s too soon for me rn”… but

Jesus wants us to take steps toward forgiveness now!

Let’s initiate the heart posture, feelings, desire, make effort now.

[Examples of getting that ball rolling…]

1. Start the process, make rm/plans for forg’ss; SECONDLY >>

2. Address the Offense

Not only don’t wait… make sure you address it directly.

Again! Jesus’ example is for the offenDED to offer forg’ss!

John 21:17 “The third time [Jesus] said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because [He] asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Fail to realize—the charcoal fire WAS the initiator of the conversation.

I’m sure the Holy Spirit was convicting Peter.

This was visceral emo & phys connection pt.

Notice what the scripture says: “Peter was hurt”

Relational brokenness always hurts; even the repair process!

Setting a bone!

Twisty feeling in guts—you were hurt or you were offender!

Not a sign to stop, only that U uncomfy…

s’times X calls us to difficult, uncomf. things!

Then, when addressing an offense—

“Clear is kind”—Be direct, but act in the best interest of the other party.

Either asking for forg. (don’t be defensive) or releasing some1’s sin (don’t beat them down)

Another way of saying this using a biblical pattern:

Ephesians 4:15a “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Don’t shy away from the truth—if some1 offended you, call it out!

But don’t just drag them through mud; treat poorly; show contempt!

[don't need to just say “it’s okay” if it’s not; guilt can be felt

—but resolve with what is true about grace & forg’ss]

This is NOT EASY but this is example Christ gives.

Take steps today… go first! be very clear about what you feel.

Dr. JD—Best way to break hard convo: “This is the story I’m choosing to make up.”

After Going FIRST & addressing Peter’s SIN, Jesus >>

Establish a Path back to Trusting

John 21:19 “[Jesus] said to [Peter], “Follow me!””

“If U belivev in me, you’ll follow me.”

NOW, little diff than our example bc Jesus is LORD but…

In reconciling with Peter, Jesus challenges him to offer the same forgiveness as Him.

Doesn’t JUST est. path to trusting, actually gives him actions to emulate

JESUS is our example of how we can earn other’s trust...

…and Jesus is the greatest example of the greatest forgiveness.

AP gives a brief instruction concerning when a fellow Xian is found in sin (offended Christ & his commitment to body)

Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.”

GENTLY is key word:

“Gently” means restoration without extreme emotions; under control.

We open ourselves up to possible betrayal again… but

As the offended: We need to lay out a plan for our trust to be restored!

God’s Ideal for Relationships

By looking at life of Christ, story of Isr., can pinpoint what God desires.

God longs to have a trusting relationship with his human ‘images’; even going so far as to be the solution to a brokenness he didn’t cause!

And he calls us to walk CLOSELY with him.

Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

SO many times Isr. failed YH and walked away, desserted, looked elsewh. for peace & sec. (military, money, land, neighbor’s gods)

God STILL promises again and again to restore, to bless, to prop up!

We need to remember that:

God Forgave First

We find it so hard to forgive

Understandable! Out to protect and keep ourselv. safe!

However, God actually calls us to trust HIM to keep us safe.

Sometimes that requires risk; or perceived risk.

The beloved apostle confessed:

1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”

When we a dead-set against forg’ss, we need to remember that Jesus offered us unlimited forg’ss FIRST.

When we find it hard to love those who hate us unnecessarily, need to remember that Jesus did it FIRST…

[other examples of challenging sit. for forg’ss]

Trust God to take care of you, to take revenge, to vindicate your innocence!

Unlike the pattern of this world >>

We Follow Christ.

We as Xians are called to a higher calling and need to pursue that with what we have

Le’ts X’s Spirit work in us too!

Christ commands us to forgive! (Matthew 6:14-15)

Matthew 6:14–15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Who do you need to forgive today?

What bittern. are you carrying in your heart? Let that go!

Perspective is:

Christ Forgave Me.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

We didn’t deserve it, can’t earn it, can’ be good enough!

It’s a free gift!

Salvation call?