WHO IS GOD - WHEN I SIN?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Peter’s story is much like Simba’s in “The Lion King”. Simba feels responsible for his father’s death. Though he was tricked by Scar into the very act that instigated his father’s death he nevertheless felt its guilt. Scar’s words caused Simba to flee the pride; “The King is dead. And if it weren’t for you, he’d still be alive.”
Peter was not tricked into his actions they were prophesied by the Jesus. No matter the causality, whether tricked or told, bringing death to someone you love carries with it great grief. Just as Simba fled the pride so Peter fled to his old life.
Who is God - when I sin? Not just when I sin but when I sin big? How does treat a rebellious child? And not just a rebellious child but one who seems to be stuck in a cycle of rebellion. When does God finally say “I am finished”? Here’s today’s Good News. Jesus said “It is finished” on the cross so that He can say “I am finished” with your salvation. Jesus began your salvation and he will complete your salvation.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is incapable of losing any of His sheep no matter how far they wander.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
Today’s text teaches us that
Our sin is never final because forgiveness is final.
Who is God - when I sin? He is the same as He was before I was saved, He seeks relationship.
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.
Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Peter’s sin has sent him back to his old life. Simon, a nobody, whom Christ prophesied would become His Rock upon which He would be build His church.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Peter who boldly proclaimed
Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Though he had lived with Jesus for three years and ascended into Jesus inner circle Peter counted himself finished. How can a colossal failure such as himself claim to be a Christian much less do what Christ had proclaimed. While Peter was returning to his prior life - Christ was seeking to restore Peter.
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”
When Jesus is coming for His children He often complicates their life. These were professional fisherman who had fish all night without any results. The pathway of faith is always found at the end of frustration and failure.
Who is God - when i sin? He is my restorer. Watch how he restores Peter.
He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
HE REENACTS HIS MOMENT OF FAITH.
On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,
and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,
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.”
Jesus gently reminds Peter that I am the one who sought and saved you; and I will be the one who determines when you are finished. The Lord doesn’t over look or sweep under the rug our failure. He is like a skilled surgeon seeking to exercise healing. The Lord reenacts Peter’s moment of failure not to hurt Peter but to heal him.
HE REENACTS HIS MOMENT OF FAILURE.
When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”
So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.
This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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.”
He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
In Jewish culture having a meal with someone that wronged you was a sign of forgiveness. Confronting Peter’s past was necessary for His future. He lived in a land of charcoal fires. Can you imagine the flashback of guilt and shame every time He warmed his hand at a fire? Peter needed this memory redeemed. Why three pressing questions concerning love; when Jesus knew his heart? Peter needed his failure redeemed. Peter needed to know that His sin was not final nor did it define him yet Jesus would use it to develop him.
but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Sin’s aim is to sink the believer only the Lord can use it to strengthen them. Jesus campfire service not only reenacts Peter’s moment of faith and failure it reinforces his future.
HE REINFORCES HIS FUTURE.
What our Lord starts He finishes. Peter was to be the rock upon which the church was built. Jesus reinforces this truth with feed my sheep. Jesus reinforces the completion of His work in Peter’s life
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.”
Peter will not only pick up his cross daily, he will ultimately die on a cross. Though he failed greatly during Christ crucifixion; his failure will strengthen him for his finish. Our sin is never final because forgiveness is final.
William Cowper that great 18th century hymn writer who identified with Peter’s failure. A man of faith and a rich understanding of Scripture who often struggled with deep bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts. The man who wrote such lines in “Come thou fount of every blessing”
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Cowper help us to understand and expresses the truth of today’s text in lyric.
Hark, my soul, it is the Lord!
'Tis thy Savior, hear His Word;
Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee,
"Say, poor, sinner, lovest thou Me?"
"I delivered thee when bound,
And, when bleeding, healed thy wound;
Sought thee wandering, set thee right,
Turned thy darkness into light.
"Can a woman's tender care
Cease toward the child she bare?
Yes, she may forgetful be,
Yet will I remember thee.
"Mine is an unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above,
Deeper than the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as death.
"Thou shalt see My glory soon,
When the work of grace is done;
Partner of My throne shalt be:
Say, poor sinner, lovest thou Me?"
Lord, it is my chief complaint
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love Thee, and adore:
O for grace to love Thee more!