Restoration

A pastor decided to visit a member who had stopped attending services. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail." Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

More than your profession? (success, status, wealth, prosperity)

More than you love the other disciples?

More than the other disciples love Me?

Matthew 26:33 HCSB

Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!”

Phileo = brotherly love and affection

Agape = sacrificial love and commitment

Used together they represent a full and faithful love for Christ.

A pastor decided to visit a member who had stopped attending services. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail." Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

Peter vs. Simon

John 1:42 HCSB

and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which means “Rock”).

Lambs = young people or young Christians

After Jesus changes his name, he is referred to as “Peter” every but in

Sheep = adults or mature Christians

Feed = teaching and instruction from the Word

Shepherd = give leadership, guidance and direction

Feed my Lambs vs. 15

Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter

(instruct the children)

Jesus uses the name “Simon” when he fell asleep while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane

In and Jesus calls him “Simon”

Shepherd my Sheep vs. 16

Jesus uses the name “Simon” when predicted his denial

(Lead the adults)

Jesus uses the name “Simon” after the denial and during the restoration

Feed my Sheep vs. 17

(instruct the adults)

“Stretch out your hands” = Crucifixion

“tie you and carry you” = Bondage & Imprisonment

“Follow Me” = Sacrifice and Commitment, laying down his life

Matthew 16:24–26 HCSB

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

Luke 21:31–33 HCSB

In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

“Love to Christ is demonstrated and proved in loving, humble service.”

“Sometimes even a dedicated believer must undergo a sad experience in life before he recognizes His own weakness.”

Jesus’ question to Peter should challenge us:

Do you really love Me? Have you really been serving Me, for My glory, or were you serving Me for your own sake?

Have you really been serving Me, for My glory, or were you serving Me for your own sake?

We may not all “travel” like Paul.

We need to remember after sin and failure that Jesus still loves you!

But we can all “love” like Peter!

We need to remember that after sin and failure, Jesus still loves us!

This is motivation to continue loving and serving Christ and to continue growing into a mature follower of Christ.

Jesus doesn’t call us to worldly success, He calls us to be faithful unto death.

Jesus calls us to be faithful unto death.

Love always requires responsibility & sacrifice.

We may not all “travel” like Paul.

But we can all “love” like Peter!

Restoration

Do You Love Me More than These? (vs. 15-17)

3 Denials lead to 3 Confessions (vs. 15-17)

Peters Future (vs. 18-19)

Restoration Requires Love

Restoration Requires Reflection

Restoration Requires Sacrifice