When Love is Questioned
Notes
Transcript
When Love is Questioned
When Love is Questioned
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Why is love questioned?
You are doing things that do not align with love
Fishing - (nothing wrong w/fishing)
The call - this was not a leisure outing, this was an occupational career decision - secular vs sacred
The commission
The commitment were not evident in Peter’s life
Friends
He led them away from the Lord
Focus
it was on the fish - 153...
You alienate yourself
family
friends
Foe -
Everyone becomes a foe - you build walls
you remove yourself from them
you isolate and alienate -
This separation removes you from the very support group that will help resolve the problem
You don’t want to deal with issues, you want to run -
fear / flight / fight...
your priorities are out of order
Savior
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Family
Church
Job / career
Entertainments
What can I do to remedy this?
Recognize the problem -
if it is perceived, it is a reality to that person
Here in the text, it was the Lord Jesus, His perception was truth
But in most cases, we have done something to make someone feel our love has been misplaced.
the perception may not be 100% correct, but there is almost always some truth present -
perception is everything -
if it is perceived, it is real (to that person)
Do not get Resistive (defensive)
relational restoration will not happen when we defend ourselves...
relationships are fragile because our humanity and our emotions are fragile
The more insecure
the more self centered
the more carnal we are - the harder it will be to resolve relationships...
Repent / Appologize
change of mind, attitude and direction
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
The love was questioned…
The action was addressed - his behavior
The resolution was stated - follow me...
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
the behavior had to back up the words...
Love for community
those on your block
those in your home
those in your church
Love for country
Love for Christ
It all has to be backed up by action...
Peter’s actions in the future - showed that there was a commitment and love for Christ and his Cause...