Everyone has a calling

1. God calls broken people

2. God restores broken people

3. God uses broken people

1. God calls broken people

According to dictionary.com an epic fail reads:

epic fail. noun, Slang. 1. a spectacularly embarrassing or humorous mistake, humiliating situation, etc., that is subject to ridicule and given a greatly exaggerated importance. 2. a person who fails in this way: He thought he was being funny and charming, but no, he was an epic fail.

Last week, an epic fail is what we saw with. Eric showed us how he rejected Jesus, but then in Jesus reveals himself to Peter and some of the disciples.

Peter’s denial is recorded in all four Gospels. This was probably the lowest part in Peter’s life. Go through what all peter has done and how what he did cut at the core of Jesus, to be betrayed by one of his best friends. I cannot imagine that any of the tortures that He endured from His enemies could have caused Him so much pain as this wicked denial by one of His closest friend. This denial was done right by and close to where Jesus was suffering.

1. Discuss 1-3

Peter’s denial is recorded in all four Gospels. This was probably the lowest part in Peter’s life. Go through what all peter has done and how what he did cut at the core of Jesus, to be betrayed by one of his best friends. I cannot imagine that any of the tortures that He endured from His enemies could have caused Him so much pain as this wicked denial by one of His closest friend. This denial was done right by and close to where Jesus was suffering.

Who were the sons of Zebedee? They were fishing at the same time Jesus first called Peter. (, , ;) “James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother”

Their mother asked if they could be at the right and left of Jesus, they ask to be at the right and left, they are called “Sons of Thunder” They too were at the transfiguration ( and )!

Luke 5:10 ESV

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

Luke 5:10

Matthew 4:21 ESV

21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

Matthew 5:21 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’

Matt

Matt. 5:

2. Discuss 4-8

Mark 1:19 ESV

And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.

Mark 1

3. Discuss 9-14

Luke

Luke 1:10 ESV

And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

(a) In the fifth century, Cyril of Alexandria said that the number 153 is made up of three things. First, there is 100; and that represents ‘the fullness of the Gentiles’. 100, he says, is the fullest number. The shepherd’s full flock is 100 (). Second, there is the 50; and the 50 stands for the remnant of Israel who will be gathered in. Third, there is the 3; and the 3 stands for the Trinity to whose glory all things are done.

(b) Saint Augustine has another ingenious explanation. He says that 10 is the number of the law, for there are ten commandments; 7 is the number of grace, for the gifts of the Spirit are sevenfold.

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Now 7 + 10 makes 17; and 153 is the sum of all the figures, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 … up to 17. Thus 153 stands for all those who either by law or by grace have been moved to come to Jesus Christ.

(c) The simplest of the explanations is that given by the fourth-century biblical scholar Jerome. He said that in the sea there are 153 different kinds of fishes; and that the catch is one which includes every kind of fish; and that therefore the number symbolizes the fact that some day all people of all nations will be gathered together to Jesus Christ.

(d) We may note a further point. This great catch of fishes was gathered into the net, and the net held them all and was not broken. The net stands for the Church; and there is room in the Church for all people of all nations. Even if they all come in, the Church is big enough to hold them all.

Here, John is telling us in his own vivid yet subtle way of the universality of the Church. There is no kind of exclusiveness in her, no kind of prejudice or selectiveness. The embrace of the Church is as universal as the love of God in Jesus Christ.

* Note who was it that drew the net to land? Peter

2. God restores broken people

4. Discuss 15-19

v 15. This section reports Jesus’ questioning and recommissioning of Simon Peter. It begins, When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ After sharing breakfast with all seven disciples, Jesus singled Peter out and asked him whether he loved him more than ‘these’.

Who was Jesus talking about “these? Jesus could have been asking whether Peter loved him (1) more than the other disciples who were present did; (2) more than he loved those other disciples; (3) more than the large catch of fish, the boats and fishing gear. (1) other people (2) our family (3) our jobs Ask yourself this, do you love me more than these (other people, family, vocation)?

(you don’t need this) The second is unlikely because there is no mention elsewhere of Peter’s love for the other disciples. The third is possible if one thinks that Peter’s decision to go fishing (21:3) represented a turning away from Jesus to go back to his old trade. If this is unlikely, then the first option is to be preferred, remembering that Peter had been the most forward in asserting his dedication to Jesus (13:37–38; cf. ).

In answer to Jesus’ question, Peter said, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Peter’s response was positive, but involved no bold claims like those he had made previously. He simply said that his Lord knew the truth about his love for him. In response to Peter’s affirmation of love for him, Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ His commission to Peter was to feed (boske) his ‘lambs’ (arnia), meaning he was to provide spiritual nourishment for new believers.

v 16. In this verse Jesus repeats his question, and receives the same answer: Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ The only differences are that Jesus’ commission to Peter is to take care of (poimaine) his ‘sheep’ (probata) implying pastoral care of believers generally (cf. 10:1–27).

v17. Then for the third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ It has often been noted that the verb ‘to love’ (agapaō) used in Jesus’ first two questions is different from the verb ‘to love’ (phileō) used in Peter’s first two answers, but that in the third question and answer phileō is used in both Jesus’ question and Peter’s answer. Sometimes a lot has been made of these differences, but the fact is that agapaō and phileō are used synonymously in the Fourth Gospel. For example, both agapaō and phileō are used of the Father’s love for the Son (10:17; 15:9; 17:23, 24, 26/5:20), Jesus’ love for Lazarus (11:5/11:3, 36), the disciple whom Jesus loved (13:23; 19:26; 21:7, 20/20:2), and the Father’s love for the disciples (14:23/16:27).

One significant difference is the insertion of the editorial comment that Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ Why he was hurt is not explained. Perhaps he felt Jesus was not satisfied with his previous answers. In response, He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Peter’s answer was the same as before, except that he prefaced it with the words ‘you know all things’ to stress that he really meant it when he said ‘you know that I love you’, and that Jesus who knew all things knew the state of Peter’s heart. In response, Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’ This time Peter was charged with the responsibility to feed (boske) my sheep (probata), meaning he was to provide spiritual nourishment for believers generally.

It is to note that in Hebrew when a person, writer, or speaker wants to emphasize something, they repeat the word. Ex. Pit or Holy holy holy in Isaiah

Jesus may have given Peter three opportunities to re-express his love for him and recommissioned him three times as well because of his threefold denial (18:15–17, 25–27). The record of Peter’s reinstatement stands as an encouragement for all who might crack under pressure and deny their Lord. This is not the same as cold-blooded apostasy, and is not regarded as such by the Lord.

vs 18–19. (Use notes if needed, but don’t spend too much time on this) Following the reinstatement of Peter, Jesus said to him, I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. This enigmatic statement contrasts Peter’s experience during his youth, when he dressed himself and went wherever he pleased, with what was to happen to him when he grew old. His independence would be stripped away. He would be forced to stretch out his hands and others would ‘clothe’ him and lead him to a place he would not wish to go. Stretching out the hands is an allusion to the way those to be crucified were forced to stretch out their arms and bear the cross beam to the place of execution (cf. Barnabas 12:4; Justin, I Apology, 35). The evangelist leaves us in no doubt about the intention of this saying: Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Peter is known to have suffered a violent death (1 Clement 5:4) by crucifixion (Tertullian, Scorpiace xv.3), and 21:18–19 is the earliest testimony to his martyrdom by this means. Jesus’ next words to Peter were most apt: Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’ Peter was to take up his cross literally and follow Jesus.

3. God uses broken people

Vs. 20-25. It was not for nothing that John recorded this incident. He recorded it to show Peter as the great shepherd of Christ’s people.Some would say that John was the great one, for his flights of thought went higher than those of anyone else. Some would say that Paul was the great one, for he travelled to the ends of the earth for Christ. But this chapter says that Peter, too, had his place. He might not write and think like John; he might not voyage and adventure like Paul; but he had the great honour, and the lovely task, of being the shepherd of the sheep of Christ. And here is where we can follow in the steps of Peter. We may not be able to think like John; we may not be able to go out to the ends of the earth like Paul; but each of us can guard someone else from going astray, and each of us can feed the lambs of Christ with the food of the word of God.

vs 18–19. Following the reinstatement of Peter, Jesus said to him, I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. This enigmatic statement contrasts Peter’s experience during his youth, when he dressed himself and went wherever he pleased, with what was to happen to him when he grew old. His independence would be stripped away. He would be forced to stretch out his hands and others would ‘clothe’ him and lead him to a place he would not wish to go. Stretching out the hands is an allusion to the way those to be crucified were forced to stretch out their arms and bear the cross beam to the place of execution (cf. Barnabas 12:4; Justin, I Apology, 35). The evangelist leaves us in no doubt about the intention of this saying: Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Peter is known to have suffered a violent death (1 Clement 5:4) by crucifixion (Tertullian, Scorpiace xv.3), and 21:18–19 is the earliest testimony to his martyrdom by this means. Jesus’ next words to Peter were most apt: Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’ Peter was to take up his cross literally and follow Jesus.

Who are you comparing yourself to? Does anyone else have a sibling rivalry? (Sean)

So, at the end, this gospel takes two of the great figures of the Church, Peter and John. To each, Jesus had given his function. It was Peter’s to shepherd the sheep of Christ, and in the end to die for him. It was John’s to witness to the story of Christ, and to live to a great old age and to come to the end in peace. That did not make them rivals in honour and prestige, nor make the one greater or less than the other; it made them both servants of Christ.

*Who here thinks they are called to the ministry?

Let each of us serve Christ where Christ has set us. As Jesus said to Peter: ‘Never mind the task that is given to someone else. Your job is to follow me.’ That is what he still says to each one of us. Our glory is never in comparison with others; our glory is the service of Christ in whatever capacity he has allotted to us.

(ESV) — 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

(ESV) — 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.

Go back to the question of what do you do for a living. Who has God placed in your life, that you can minister to?

What pain of my past can God use for good?

What motivates or inspires you?

What do you do well naturally and effortlessly?

What is the one thing that you do that you always get positive feedback on?

What’s the one thing that’s missing in your current life and career?

Do you feel like what you’re doing right now is making you happy or bringing you closer to happiness?

If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you really be doing?

Who are you comparing yourself to?

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What was your childhood dream?

Who is your role model or who do you look up to when it comes to living a passionate or purposeful life? And what are they doing differently?

What do you want to be remembered for? What’s the message you want to leave behind?

What stands in the way of you living out your calling?

What are your passions and gifts? At the intersection of these two elements, you’ll find your purpose in life.

What would you work on or want to do for free? That is usually a good sign of what God has designed you to do.

What energized you when you were a child? Does it still animate you? Knowing your calling is often directly connected to childhood passions and gifts.

If you could do anything and take a pay cut, what would that be? You may have to blow up your financial goals in order to pursue your true calling.

John and Peter together ; ;

Clay taught in

Colossians 3:17 ESV

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Our jobs are not necessarily the most important aspect of our calling or our service in Christ’s work of redemption. First, we must remember that work is not limited to paid work. The work God leads us to may be unpaid work, such as raising children or caring for a disabled family member or tutoring students after school. Even if we are called to paid work, God probably doesn’t call many of us to jobs that would prevent us from also serving others through unpaid work.

Even if you have a paid job, the most important work God calls you to may be outside your job. Your job may meet your need for money — which in itself fulfills part of God’s command to work — but it may not fulfill all the other purposes God has for your work. Caring for children and for aged or incapacitated people is a kind of work, and many people who do it also have another paid job. On the other hand, a so-called hobby could be the most important work God is leading you to. You might work at writing, painting, music, acting, astronomy, leading a youth group, volunteering at a historical society, maintaining a nature reserve or a thousand other kinds of work. If something like this is your calling, you will probably engage it in a more serious way than someone else to whom it is a leisure activity, yet you may still earn your living in some other way. There is a distinction between work and leisure.[2] But any given activity could be work — paid or unpaid — for one person, and leisure for another.

Second, we must take care not to let work dominate the other elements of life. Even if God leads you to a particular job or profession, you will need to set limits to that work to make room for the other elements of God’s call or guidance in your life. If God leads you to be married and to be a small business owner, for example, then you will have to balance the time and responsibilities of both callings. Work should not crowd out leisure, rest and worship. There is no formula for balancing work and the other elements of life. But take care not to let a sense of calling to a job blind you to God’s calling in the other areas of life. For more on this, see the TOW Project article "Rest and Work."

Everyone has a calling

Ice Breaker: What do you do for a living?

What pain of my past can God use for good?