Following Jesus

Is there anything you have done for can do that Jesus could not forgive? Is there a sin so bad that Jesus would look at you at you and say that child is no longer mine?

Intro

Sin. So often we give very little thought to our sin don’t we. Some sense we even try and justify.

Illus: Sermon - Adams sin, one sin, was so offensive to God that he condemned the whole world because of it.

But, does this sin keep you from being a child of God? Does it keep God from claiming you as his child?

Is there a sin that would cause God to turn his back on you?

Unpardonable sin -

Matthew 12:31 ESV

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Blaspheming or denying the HS, Jesus, or God

The denial of God’s grace and rejection of his salvation is the unpardonable sin

But, if you are a child of God then you have been enlightened and the Spirit if Christ dwells within you and you could not do this if you tried

Yet, some of us walk around on egg shells as if we are trying not to upset God. We live life as if our disobedience will cause him to turn our back upon us.

I am not saying sin has no effect on God, it does. He cannot stand it nor does he allow it. But as his children we live in a restored relationship, things are different for us.

Drama

John 21:15 ESV

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 Questions Peter

Jesus Questions Peter

He was challenging his boasting

He said he would die yet he denied Jesus

We never know how we will respond in certain circumstances

Doctrine

Jesus expects his disciples to Love him

Love what he has done

Love what he is doing

Love the things he does

Why 3 times?

Jesus wants to show that the love for Christ must be engrained and repeated due to our human frailty

Illus: It is kind of like the rule we have in my house. Before I can ask my wife where anything is, I have to look three places. This assures her that I have done due diligence in my search.

Jesus also wanted Peter to know the seriousness of his sin

Could be because he denied him three times

To understand how close he was to the unpardonable sin

Mainly to understand the seriousness of the calling and for the need to feed the sheep

Jesus uses men to minster to His people

Feed my lambs

We know this comes from ;

“My sheep hear my voice and follow me, they don’t hear the voice of a stranger”

Minister are called to preach and teach

my lambs refers to those in the church

Tend my sheep

Ministers are called to pray with and minister to God’s people

He uses men who are broken and

Jesus is glorified through our actions

God the Father was glorified in the submission and work of Christ

We glorify Jesus when we obey and follow his teaching

Doxology

Jesus knows we will fail in these requirements

To love him

To fulfill our callings by him

To glorify him

Peter would know the challenges of following Christ

John 21:18–19 ESV

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.” (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.”

Jesus just told him that this would not end well

John 21:18 ESV

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.”

That he would face death soon.

2 Peter 1:4 ESV

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Peter 1:14 ESV

since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.

App: When we become a Christian we realize we are completely dependant on Christ for all things, especially the final battle - death

Illus: Peter would die a martyrs death, led to a cross and be crucified upside down. And, we know that Peter feared death or he would not have denied Christ in the first place. This is why he tells him: “follow me.” just as I died and was raised you must die and be raised.

App: When we become a Christian we realize we are completely dependent on Christ for all things, especially the final battle - death. Yet, even in our failings of this life all the way to death, there is forgiveness.

Jesus is responsible for restoring men

Those who are repentant

Peter wept -

Matthew 26:75 ESV

And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

He is restored to the role of Apostle by the Risen Christ

The King of the universe, God himself just restored Peter

He restored him to a role that was greater than before

You have been restored in your calling

As a child of God

As a disciples of Christ

If you are still in sin you can be restored

Repent and believe

Conclusion

Following Jesus is hard.

In this life you will fail. Even closer to death there will be unbelief and doubt. There will be questions as to whether God has truly forgiven you. Repent, and ask for forgiveness. Seek forgiveness of yours sins. This is why we do the confession of sin in worship, as a model for us to remember to go to God and confess.

But, remember this most, that Jesus Christ is standing ready to forgive you for ever sin, past, present and future. Because of Him and His work, the Father does not hold you accountable and Has adopted you. You cannot and will not do anything that can drive God away. You may tempt God and see what you can get away with. And, He may let you try it for a while, but when you turn around and look back to him again, he stands ready to welcome you home.

Illus: Prodigal son

Son. takes his inheritance and leaves and squanders it living high on the hog.

The Glorious reunion

Luke 15:20–24 ESV

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

This is how God the Father receives you, his child. Let us shout with praise our glorious reunion.