Sermon Tone Analysis

Regaining the Right Focus in Life

John 21:15-25

John 21:15-25

INTRODUCTION:

A- Background:

1- Peter and his companions had a fresh encounter with Jesus.

B- If we are to be effective, fruit-bearing disciples of Jesus, a fresh encounter with Jesus must include allowing Him to refocus our spiritual vision in two distinct ways.

I-REFOCUSING US AWAY FROM CONDEMNING SELF.

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A- Jesus wants us to deal with our heart and refocus on our love for Him.

(, , )

1- He dealt with each of Peter’s denials.

(, )

2- He dealt with the issue of Peter’s broken pride.

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a.

Peter had boasted that he would stand for Christ even if others did not.

()

b.

Peter’s failure had left Peter’s pride broken and left him viewing himself as a failure.

3- He dealt with Peter’s declarations progressively.

(, , )

ἀγαπᾳς με πλεον τουτων

ἀγαπᾳς με πλεον τουτων

a.

Notice the progression in Jesus’ questions to Peter.

“Do you love me more than these?” (ἀγαπᾳς με πλεον τουτων)

“Do you love me?” (ἀγαπᾳς με)

ἀγαπᾳς με πλεον τουτων)

ἀγαπᾳς με)

“Do you love me?” (φιλεις με)

φιλεις με

4- Jesus will deal with us at the point of our need:

Extending forgiveness for each and every failure in our lives.

He will deal with our broken pride and help us to realize our misplaced confidence.

He restores us by progressively dealing with us in the restoration process.

B- Jesus wants us to realize that He still has much for us to accomplish.

1- Jesus restored Peter’s call to fulfill the work of Christ.

(, , )

a. Feed the little lambs (ewes).

(Βοσκε τα ἀρνια μου)

Βοσκε τα ἀρνια μου)

b.

Shepherd the young sheep.

(ποιμαινε τα προβατια)

ποιμαινε τα προβατια)

c.

Feed the maturing sheep.

(βοσκε τα προβατα)

βοσκε τα προβατια)

προβατα)

2- Jesus wants to renew the call of God for each of us in Christ’s Mission.

a. Bringing little lambs into the flock and feeding them.

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b.

Helping to tend the sheep in various stages of growth.

c.

Making sure that the maturing sheep are shepherded in the path of life.

II- REFOCUSING US AWAY FROM COMPETITION WITH OTHERS.

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A- Recognize that being a disciple of Christ is a costly venture.

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1- Jesus’s prophecy concerning Peter’s Martyrdom underscores the costly nature of discipleship.

2- What is Peter’s focus here?

fear?

envy?

fairness?

2- First Clement was written to the Corinthians around the end of the first century ad by Clement, the bishop in Rome.

Clement states that Peter endured hardship and died the glorious death of a martyr (5:4).

The early church historian Eusebius confirms Clement’s statement, adding the detail that Peter was crucified upside-down; Eusebius claims that the church father Origen was the first to record this detail, in a now lost fragment of Origen’s Commentary on Genesis (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.1.2).

First Clement was written to the Corinthians around the end of the first century ad by Clement, the bishop in Rome.

Clement states that Peter endured hardship and died the glorious death of a martyr (5:4).

The early church historian Eusebius confirms Clement’s statement, adding the detail that Peter was crucified upside-down; Eusebius claims that the church father Origen was the first to record this detail, in a now lost fragment of Origen’s Commentary on Genesis (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.1.2).

3- Being a true disciple of Jesus does not produce the promise of comfort and prosperity, but many times leads to hardship.

()

a.

The encouraging part is that any suffering required in this life will be worth it in the life to come!

()

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B- Remember that your walk with Christ is not determined by someone else’s.

()

1- Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s martyrdom seems to have aroused Peter’s inquiry about John’s future.

a. “οὑτος δε τι” = “what about this one?”

οὑτος δε τι

b.

Why did Peter ask this question?

Fear?

Jealousy?

A desire for “fairness?”

b.

Whatever the reason, the question was inappropriate and led to Jesus’s rebuke.

“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (τι προς σε).

Jesus pointed out that John’s fate should have no bearing on Peter’s faithfulness to Jesus.

τι προς σε)

c) Jesus points out that Peter’s mandate...

It is not to worry about God’s will for John.

It is simply this:

“As for you, keep follow me.”

(συ μοι ἀκολουθει)

2- God’s will for other Christians should never be the determining factor in our obedience to follow Jesus.

συ μοι ἀκολουθει

Conclusion:

a. Remember that God is using you for a unique purpose.

b.

Recognize that that unique purpose will lead to unique circumstances in your life.

c.

The key is yielding to His guidance and following Him fully.

Conclusion: