Second Chances
He Lives! • Sermon • Submitted
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· 16 viewsSometimes are intensions are for the right thing, but no matter how passionate we are, we still sometimes fail. However, God's love does not give up on us. He is a God of second chances.
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Transcript
For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”
Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.
You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.
You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!
Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.
The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,
“Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!”
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die!
He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”
Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.
Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.
Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight.
You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ ”
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.
But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:
Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Sermon Introduction:
If you knew that by following God today, you would be martyred, would you still follow God? Martyrdom is nothing new. It has been happening since the crucifixion of Jesus. Sometimes it happens swiftly, but other times that is not the case.
One winter when the Roman emperor Licinius was persecuting the Christians, his Thundering Legion was stationed at Sebaste. Because 40 men in that company had declared themselves believers, they were sentenced to spend the night naked on a frozen pool. A large fire was kindled in a house nearby, and food and a warm bath were prepared for any who would renounce their faith.
As daylight faded, 40 warriors continued to resist in spite of the bitter cold—some walking quickly to and fro, some already sleeping that sleep which ends in death, and some standing lost in prayer. These words arose to Heaven, “O Lord, 40 wrestlers have come forth to fight for Thee. Grant that 40 wrestlers may gain the victory!”
Finally, one of them could endure the suffering no longer. He left the others and went into the house where Sempronius and his men were on guard. But still the petition went up from those able to speak, “O Lord, 40 wrestlers have come forth to fight for Thee. Grant that 40 wrestlers may gain the victory!” Their prayer was answered. Sempronius the centurion was touched by his comrades’ bravery, and the Holy Spirit moved upon his heart. Declaring himself a Christian, he undressed and went to the frozen pond and took the place of the one defector. When the long night was over, 40 glorious spirits, Sempronius among them, had entered into the presence of Christ.
If severe testing or persecution arises, will you, will I, be faithful to Christ? By His grace may we be able to say, “Let God be glorified, ‘whether it be by life or by death’” (Phil. 1:20). - H.G.B.
Our Daily Bread, November 14
Sometime after Thomas’s encounter with the risen Christ, the disciples did as the angel had previously directed in Matthew 28:7. They had moved on to Galilee to wait for Jesus to join them.
Sitting around waiting was not Peter’s style, so he declared he was going fishing. After all, they were back home and he and several of the others were fishermen. They had all their equipment there. It helped calm troubled and anxious hearts.
Here we see things coming round circle. Remember, some of these same men were fishing when Jesus called them and He had declared they would become fisher’s of men. Once again, Jesus reveals He is Lord of all by directing them to the very spot where the fish are in abundance. So many fish were caught that they could not heave the net into the boat.
Once they recognize Jesus, they come and sit around a fire enjoying breakfast with Him. By all accounts, it was a rather quiet group. This man had been like a brother to them, but now after His resurrection, they seem a little shy of Him. They are just not quite sure what to make of Him after His resurrection. They have become keenly aware that this man they have lived with as a brother, is actually God’s Son. They are only now really beginning to grasp the full impact of that as well as the danger that following Him poses.
As they finish eating, Jesus breaks the silence. The discussion he has with Peter of often not understood but is profoundly important to each of us.
Taking off from where we left off earlier, I am reading John 21:15-19.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Very truly I tell you, 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.”
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Pray
Sermon:
Has there ever been something you declared you would never do and then in a weak moment, you found you had done it anyway?
I can relate. I grew up in a small mountain town much like Elgin. Our town had a bad reputation for young unwed mothers. I had given my heart to God early in life and I declared that I would never have sex outside of marriage. I had no idea how fast ones life can spiral when we are outside the will of God, until I experienced it for myself.
I am sure King David wondered the same thing. I can imagine him sitting around thinking, God how did I get in this place. I knew it was wrong, so how did I manage to put myself in this place? I never thought I could be tempted by something like this. Something so far from you, God.
I can imagine it since I have been there. " there, done that,” as they say.
I suspect Peter was such a person of strong conviction. He had put his faith in Jesus early on. He had been faithful. Peter was a powerful man in more ways than one. Movies often display him as a bulky, powerful dude. No one questions this perception of him. After all, a boat full of men could not pull that net of 153 fish, but Peter grabs the net like it is nothing and drags it ashore all by his lonesome.
Not only was Peter a powerfully built man, but we see in him a man of impulsive determination and energy. Before we explore today’s passage, I want us to look back at Peter just prior to Jesus arrest. Jesus is lounging around a table with his disciples. He is sharing the news that He is about to be betrayed. The first to speak up is Peter.
Matthew 26:33,35
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Even here we see that Peter is a leader of men, as the disciples follow his lead. But something happens. Oh, Peter was honest enough. We see how valiant he is when he draws his sword and lops off the ear of one of the men in the crowd there to arrest Jesus.
However, fighting is one thing. Standing by and allowing someone to arrest, beat and kill you is another. And Peter does the one thing he swore he would never do. He betrayed Jesus. What is worse, is that he did it not once, not twice, but three times.
Now we know that after Jesus resurrection, He at some point spoke with Peter alone. This was made clear in a previous sermon. When the men from Emmaus returned to share about their encounter with Jesus, the disciples share that Peter has also seen Him. However, no where in scripture does it tell us exactly what transpired in that encounter.
Now, here is Jesus and Peter eating breakfast with the other disciples and right in front of them all we have this very personal discussion going on.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Unlike our language where “love” can mean every thing from affection for food to lustful sex, plus many other interpretations between those two, the Greek has different words for love to differentiate between meanings.
Jesus says to Peter, do you agapao me Peter? Agapao is a “high & devoted” kind of love. It is the kind of love God has for His people. Even more, Jesus says, “Do you agapao me, more than these?” Meaning, do you love me more than all these other disciples? Now keep this in context of Peter’s earlier declaration in Matthew 26. In that time and place, Peter was bragging that even if everyone else fell away, that he would not. Now, Jesus says do you love me more than these and we find a deflated, humbled Peter. He answers Jesus,
Yes, I phileo you. Now, phileo is not what Jesus said. Phileo is the love of a friend. It is affectionate and caring, but it is far short of agapao and Peter does not even touch the comment about loving Jesus more than the others.
Do not judge Peter harshly. Peter does love Jesus, but Peter is still really dealing with his failure. The Peter at the Last Supper is a very different Peter than we find now. He has been robbed of his confidence because he has done the very thing he swore he would never do. Now, he is reluctant to be so bold again. He has been humbled and is contrite in this current moment.
However, despite his lackluster answer, Jesus says, “Feed my lambs.” The greek word here is “boske”. It means to feed or tend to. the reference to lambs is referring to those “young and tender.” It is possible that Peter was older than most of the disciples and Jesus is referring to the younger disciples, placing them in Peter’s care.
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He is quiet a moment as that sinks in, but then he says again.
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
Once again, Jesus says “agapao” and Peter replies, “phileo.” However, Jesus does not press the “more than these” part this time. He drops that. Peter hurt that Jesus asks a second time, responds, “you know I do.” Then Jesus says, “Take care of my sheep.” The word used for sheep here still refers to young ones. Some translations still translate this as lamb. However, instead of “boske” Jesus uses “poimaine” which means, “herd, or lead to pasture.” It is a call to leadership over the sheep.
But Jesus isn’t through yet. Once again, Jesus asks...
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
This time Jesus says, “do you phileo me?” Jesus has brought his request down to where Peter is at. This third request is like a dagger to Peter’s heart because with it comes the memory of his betrayal. Just as he had denied Jesus three times, Jesus now asks his loyalty three times.
Peter had let Jesus down and Peter knew it. However, despite Peter’s failure, he did love Jesus and Jesus is still asking him to be the leader of this band of believers that Jesus will be leaving behind.
Now, do not judge Peter harshly for using the term “phileo.” Peter’s confidence in himself has been brought low. This is not a bad thing. Peter needed to be humbled.
I must admit that I identify with Peter all too well and have been humbled a few times in my past.
Jesus is actually doing Peter a great honor here. It may feel uncomfortable that Jesus is doing this in front of the other disciples, but Jesus is showing the other disciples that He is reinstating Peter as their leader.
Then Jesus says something that can be very troubling.
Very truly I tell you, 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.”
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Peter was a strong independent man. He has always gone and done what he wanted. However, now Jesus is calling Peter to follow him. Jesus is saying, Peter you must give up your will and seek to follow my will. And I will share with you that it will not be easy because one day, someone will dress you in prison rags, bind your arms and lead you in the same path I walked. Peter, are you willing and able to do these things?
Now, this is my language as you can tell. Jesus did not need to ask Peter, as Peter has already said, Jesus knows Peter’s heart. Jesus knows Peter is ready, but Peter needs to realize the same thing.
Peter had to learn the same thing I had to learn. God is not concerned with our past disobedience. It is only our current obedience that matters. For us to follow God, we have to forget the past where we failed and instead work to do the work of today.
Conclusion:
It is easy to think we have failed and it is too late to do what God has called us to do. We settle in what we feel is God’s second best plan for us. However, there is never a second best unless we choose to live outside God’s will. In that case, it is not any part of best. It is just sin. We either follow Jesus or we don’t, but it is never too late to follow God’s call for our life. He always opens doors and makes a way for us to follow His calling.
I felt called to full-time pastoral ministry as a child. Granted, I thought it would be as a pastor’s wife, but it was still to be preaching and teaching God’s people. When my son was born out of wedlock, I felt I had ruined my chance to do the ministry God had called me to, but in my 30’s God made it clear that the call was the same and I found myself packing up and moving 1,500 miles away to go to Bible College.
Our call is personal between us and God. We cannot make that choice for someone else, nor can we allow someone else to make that choice for us. We also cannot judge what that call is based on what God calls others to do. I have a lot of people look at me and say, I am afraid God will call me to do what you are doing. Well, you are not me. We are each different and God uses us in many different ways. Some seem to go through life blessed every step of the way. Or at least, it may seem like that to us. Others, seem to go through many hardships throughout their life, or so it may seem to us. However, they may feel blessed because God has been so close to them in those hardships.
Peter in this moment took his eyes off himself and looked at John? John 21:20-21
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus quickly rebuked him.
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
We cannot get our eyes on others when it comes to following Jesus. We all have to respond to what Jesus is calling us as an individual to do. I have no idea what God is calling you to, though sometimes I get an inking.
There may be some here that God is calling to be a pastor (now if you are thinking you are too old, let me tell you that there were more than one 65 year old at Bible College with me. So age isn’t a factor. God calls who he wants no matter their age.)
God may be calling someone to start a Twelve Step program in our church or open a halfway house for the homeless in our community.
God may be calling someone to start a youth group in our church. Or to sing in our worship team.
Whatever God is calling you to do, listen and obey. For to not obey is sin and I guarantee you, you cannot afford the price of sin.
Once again, I am going to allow us silent time to contemplate what God is saying to each of our hearts. This is your time to talk directly to God about anything He is talking to you about.
Silence
Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” What is Jesus saying to you today?
Pray
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
