Reaffirmation!
The Endless Journey - John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
Introduction:
To affirm something is to state it strongly as a fact publicly.
Throughout the book of John we can find many affirmations Jesus made about Himself.
The 7 I Am statements
The equality with God!
The claim to lay his body down and bring it back up again.
There were even a few about His disciples.
They would do greater things than the miracles He did.
Bringing salvation to the lost!
He even affirmed that any who were given to Him through their faith would have the promise of heaven and to be in His presence eternally.
The affirmations He made were all signs along the road for us for how to follow Him.
They serve as reminders to us.
Because Jesus has already affirmed who He is and finished His work, Chapter 21 reaffirms who we are and what He's called us to.
It is less about the revealing of Himself again to the disciples; but His love He reaffirms to them.
His love brings security and our faith is firmly planted in Him!
(?) What happened to the disciples when He was taken and crucified?
They all scattered!
What did the disciples need after the crucifixion of Jesus, even after seeing Him alive?
They needed the Reaffirmation of their teacher and calling.
Affirms the disciples (1-14)
Affirms the disciples (1-14)
After He commissioned them to Apostleship where does He find them?
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
They seemed like a sheep having no shepherd who went back to their lives before encountering Jesus.
Peter leading the way!
What seemed to be a disappointing part of their week turned out fruitless too.
They fished all night and caught nothing.
Connection:
The disciples weren’t fulfilled with their own endeavors.
Their knowledge and efforts provided no success!
(?) Why wasn’t their efforts and knowledge fruitful?
That wasn’t their calling any more.
God didn’t take away their knowledge of fishing.
He didn’t take away their means to fish.
The commissioning changed what fish they were going after!
Remember what He told them when He called them?
19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Jesus changed the goal.
He spent the next 3 years teaching them to fish for men.
What kind of bait to use in different situations.
What time of day and temperature that they would be ripe for the harvest.
35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
Their fishing expedition was comfortable when they needed a comforting situation.
Jesus knows that when we accept by faith His sacrifice there is no going back to our old selves and previous goals.
Point:
Going back to our old lives isn’t an option after encountering salvation
We are called out from the world and called into the family of Jesus.
At the base level we represent Him in all we do, everywhere we are!
When it comes to fulfilling what He designed us for we have to learn about ourselves.
This requires full humility!
A warning: we may not like everything we learn about ourselves.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
We may begin to realize and see some of what Paul lists to the church in Ephesus in ourselves.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
That’s a difficult list.
The disciples needed what Jesus offered:
Spiritual and physical nutrition.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered Him, “No.”
6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
He fulfilled their Earthly goal over and above what they hoped for!
Immediately He was announced!
7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
It was the Lord!
Peter didn’t waste any time running after Him.
Connection:
The moments when we seem to slump back into our old lives and it doesn’t seem to be fulfilling or joyful what’s needed?
To look for our Savior and find a new excitement in the fact that He loves us, is there for us, and will guide us if we let Him.
He reaffirms our faith and purpose by anchoring us to Him!
He is our rock in each storm life brings.
Transition:
Jesus let the disciples attempt to go back to their former lives, they quickly realized that they were no longer fulfilled in fishing or doing anything other than what the Lord commissioned them to.
We are no different: Jesus affirms in you that your former heart and mind won’t make the cut to fulfill His calling and the joy that comes with it.
What is it that He is affirming in you to move forward with glorifying Him and receiving joy that surpasses this life?
Jesus will reaffirm your calling as He does with Peter.
To Peter He:
Affirms and Encourages (15-17)
Affirms and Encourages (15-17)
Out of all the disciples who may have needed the most encouragement?
Probably Peter.
He had denied Jesus exactly as He said he would, even though he pridefully denied he would.
Illustration:
We had a player on our soccer team who was an aggressive player.
He played defense and took his job seriously.
He would give it his all to make sure the offense didn’t get by him.
One game a ball was crossed from the opposite side to his side.
He jumped and headed the ball.
Only it wasn’t the ball, it was the guy’s head.
In his temporary black out he scored a goal.
Only to realize that it was our goal.
No one felt worse than him with the 5 min left of play time.
What do you suppose should’ve been done to him?
Pointed towards medical help, for sure.
The coach didn’t take him out, he called a time out.
The coach only spoke to him, finding out if he was ok and encouraging him by affirming him it was a beautiful shot, make sure it’s the other way!
It was all the encouragement and affirmation he needed.
He could continue the game with his head lifted high and with the boldness to know none of us cared about the goal, only him.
Jesus meets Peter where Peter needed Him most.
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.
Illustration:
Growing up we all had different names from our parents and adults in general.
Parents typically will have a name they use when calling them for different things.
Ella was asked at a church one time what her name was (I think she was 4).
She spoke up and said: “Ella”.
But then she kept going.
“When I’m in trouble it’s: “Ella Grace Wilson”.
Connection:
Just like a full name signals something serious, Jesus using Peter's old name here brings him face-to-face with who he was.
Peter was given his name.
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
This moment right here is where Jesus calls him to follow Him and be His disciple.
Offering Peter a new identity in Christ.
How did Jesus address Him?
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.”
Jesus addressed Peter in his former name:
Simon, son of John.
The night he denied Jesus he had used lying and coarse language, which was of his old nature and identity.
Jesus brought him face to face with his shame!
Peter probably was convicted by his denial of Jesus!
Peter had previously stated how much more he loved Jesus than all others.
33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You!” And all the disciples said the same.
Who is it in the moment that spoke up first and all others followed?
Peter!
They all agreed with Peter they would all be strong and go with Him to the cross.
It shouldn’t surprise us to read that Peter had influenced them all to go back to fishing and their old lives.
Jesus’ question: “Do you love me more than these?” probably refers to the other disciples.
The word Jesus uses here for Love is the highest form of love!
Agape, which is a word to describe God’s love that is lofty, spiritual, and pure!
Peter’s response reveals where his heart was and explains why he went back to his old life, fishing.
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.”
He responded with: “Yes, I have a deep affection for you!” Peter used the word for Brotherly love! (Phileo)
Jesus’ message revealed that Peter wasn’t called to fishing, it was to be a shepherd to God’s people!
“Feed My lambs”. The shepherd had appointed 12 men to care for His flock!
For Peter to believe in this he would need to admit what Jesus was pulling from him.
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.”
There was no comparison of “more than these” in this second time.
He wanted an definitive answer about Peter’s love for Jesus!
Peter answers again with the word for “deep affection”.
Jesus already said provide for His flock, and this time He tells Peter: “tend or shepherd” receive the oversight and the care for His flock!
Jesus addressing his calling over the flock addresses the needs.
Lambs need to be fed and sheep need to be led!
He is asking that Peter help disciples grow in their understanding and in their relationship with God and make sure to lead them to Him constantly in all things.
Peter’s interaction with the Lord mirrors his three denials.
This third one is more impactful in it’s wording and focus.
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.
Jesus uses the word Peter continued to use: ”deep affection”.
Peter, frustrated, revealed something that is difficult for us to do.
Peter was admitting in his denials of Jesus that he is only capable of deep affection towards Jesus and Jesus is only capable of Agape love.
Connection:
Our relationship with the Lord is the same way.
We can love Jesus in a deep affection; but only He can love with Agape “holy” love!
That’s what makes possible Jesus’ ability to provide grace to us!
Transition:
Peter left that conversation being fully affirmed that Jesus called and installed him into the position of under shepherd.
He boldly carried that mantle as we can read in Acts and the Epistles.
What is it that Jesus is affirming in you right now?
What He has called you into?
Find encouragement in the Lord knowing that you aren’t your failures,.
Your a child of the King who’s love we can’t match but we can receive it and faithfully move forward with what He has called us to.
What is Jesus asking of us?
Follow Me! (18-25)
Follow Me! (18-25)
Peter would follow the Lord in death under Nero, being crucified upside down.
It is supposed that Peter said he was “unworthy” to die as His Lord did!
Jesus left a prophecy and charge!
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.”
We may not have this prophecy for our end; but we do have the charge:
Follow Jesus!
John was doing just that in his writing down of his testimony of these moments.
24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
We get reassurance through John’s writing concerning Jesus and all that He taught them, and revealed to the World.
His story is recorded and He is proclaimed as God, Savior, and the one who came fulfilling the prophecies of Messiah.
This is all written that we might believe.
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
Conclusion:
If you know Christ
If you can honestly say is "you know that I love you" — that's enough.
Jesus didn't wait for agape before He handed Peter a flock, He took Peter's phileo and said, "Feed my sheep" anyway.
Don't wait to feel a bigger love before you follow Him.
Follow Him right now in whatever "stretch out your hands" looks like for you.
If you don't know Him
If you're like the disciples before dawn: working hard, going through the motions, catching nothing.
Jesus is standing on the shore asking a simple question.
He isn't asking for a love you don't have yet.
He's asking you to believe — that He is who He said He is, that the cross finished what needed finishing, and that He's calling your name.
Believe, and follow. That's what He's offering.
If you know Christ as your savior and love Him with deep affection, follow Him!
Be a living testimony of His love, power, and purpose.
If you don’t have that deep affection from the God who loves you in a perfect love:
He is calling you to Him.
Believe that He is God and His sacrifice was for you!
Your faith can make your heart whole!
Your life will have purpose, you will find joy when you didn’t think was possible and even peace can come into your soul!
Ask Him forgiveness of your trespasses against Him and Him alone.
Believe and live!
-Pray!
