Resurrection LIFE

Moments that changed history as we know it.

September 11th, The great depression, War, the civil rights movement.

Moments have changed history because people have changed history. Some for the good and some for the bad.

Today, we celebrate the one moment over all other moments that changed everything throughout all human history because one person changed the life for the better for all humankind as we know it.

Today is that day… The resurrection of Jesus. This marks more then just a day in our religious calendar, it marks the moment in history where New Life… resurrection life is now possible for all who believe in Jesus.

When we put our full faith in the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, we are no longer dead but we alive because Jesus is alive.

This Resurrection Sunday morning, we are going to be looking at Simon Peter.

John 21 begins with the resurrected Jesus showing up to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee fishing.

Peter already denied Jesus so in His mind, he was no longer qualified to be a follower Jesus.

So Peter said to the other disciples, I’m going out to fish, so the others joined Peter but unfortunately, that night, they caught nothing.

That is until Jesus just showed up...

John 21:5–6 NIV

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 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.

At that moment, Peter and John knew it was Jesus so Peter jumped into the water to greet Jesus. The other disciples brought in 153 fish back to shore without tearing the nets.

So they enjoyed flame broiled fish for breakfast with Jesus. It was like the days gone by breaking bread with Jesus. Being back in the presence of his disciples wasn’t awkward for Jesus but I’m sure Peter felt like a failure.

But Jesus still came back to Peter.

John 21:15–19 NIV

15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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. 18 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

PRAY

Jesus wasn’t afraid to confront Peter… Jesus wasn’t afraid to have a difficult conversation with Peter. But… it wasn’t laced with guilt or condemnation… no it was a conversation of restoration, love, forgiveness, moving forward in this resurrected new faith Peter now knows.

Jesus wants all of us to know that there is new life after death… our failure doesn’t have to define us… and our future is alive now because Jesus is alive.

Living the resurrection life comes with:

receiving the love of Jesus…

Stop comparing our selves to others…

and Simply follow Jesus into New Life.

Receive the love of Jesus.

This is a gift that Peter had to graciously and humbly receive.

Peter was the most well known of all of Jesus’ disciples… the most outspoken… had the most charismatic…

Peter just said what he thought and sometimes that got him into trouble.

When Jesus told Peter that he would deny HIM, Peter quickly said, no Jesus, not me… I will die for you, I will never deny you Jesus.

But, sure enough, Jesus was right again… Peter failed Jesus.

If there was ever a moment in Jesus’ life where he needed Peter to be strong in his faith, that would have been the moment.

However… It’s good to know that Jesus was not dependent on Peter’s faith to complete the work that HE was sent to do.

Jesus faced the cross was alone… HE was arrested alone… even though HIS disciples scattered… Judas betrayed HIM… Peter denied HIM…

Peter wasn’t somehow holding up Jesus, rather the opposite was true. We see here that Jesus was holding up Peter.

John 21:15 (NIV)

15 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.”

Jesus could be asking Peter, “Do you love me more than you love these boats and fish?” Or, “do you love me more than you love these men with whom you are working?”

Peter went back to what he knew… fishing. He restarted his fishing career with his new group of friends. Then Jesus showed up asking if Peter loved Jesus… Peter responded with Yes, you know I love you.

Jesus is calling him to make a choice. Do you love me enough to trust me… do you love me enough to receive my love for you?

Jesus is asking, do you love me more then your old life… your old career? Do you love me enough to follow me and walk out this resurrection life I want to give you… that only I can give you?

Then… Jesus asked the same question to Peter 3 times… do you love me?

Even though Peter denied Jesus 3 times, Jesus still loved Peter and wanted to reestablish that relationship that Peter thought was no longer possible.

The resurrected Jesus showed up to demonstrate that God’s love is possible once again.

Jesus came to restore us… to resurrect us but that can only be possible if we receive the Love of Jesus.

Stop comparing yourself to others

Jesus had some important words that pertained to both Peter and John. Not just restoring Peter but Jesus also talked about their present but also their future.

Jesus describes how Peter is going to die A martyrs death but John was not.

John 21:18–19 NIV

18 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

History tells us the Peter would be crucified upside down. Jesus was right again.

But then Peter looks at John, who was not going to die for his faith, and asked Jesus, “So, what about him? Why won’t he be martyred and I will? What’s up with that Jesus?

It just doesn’t seem fair…

John 21:22 NIV

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Comparing our life to someone else’s life… Parents deal with that with kids. Siblings pin that on mom and dad, what about my older brother… he got to do this, why can’t I do that?

Kids can manipulate a situation through distraction and gaining sympathy. That might work with parents but not with Jesus.

Peter was distracted but Jesus said don’t worry about what happens to John. What’s that to you? What does that have to do with the plans I have for you?

Live your life knowing that I love you Peter and nothing can ever separate me from that love.

We can be a lot like Peter… distracted.

It’s easy to be distracted in life… people, family, drama, social media… comparing our life to others.

Listen to Jesus’ words… what’s that to you? You must follow me. Don’t worry… don’t be anxious… don’t be paralyzed by fear… walk with Jesus.

receiving the love of Jesus…

Stop comparing our selves to others…

and Simply follow Jesus into New Life.

Start following Jesus into Resurrection Life

We can start today… we don’t have to wait until our life is all cleaned up…

Follow Jesus today and let the Resurrected Jesus resurrect your life…

You many be thinking… I can’t follow Jesus… I’m not good enough… I’ve made too many mistakes… There are so many others who are better then I am.

Why would Jesus choose me?

You’re right, none of us can follow Jesus in our current condition… that’s why Jesus came, went to the cross, conquered death, so we can follow Jesus.

Here is your invitation to that new life, that resurrection life.

Peter wrote this letter to the persecuted church...

1 Peter 2:21 NIV

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Peter knew that one day he would die for his faith following Jesus. Yet, he had no regrets in following Jesus.

Jesus still says, follow me.

Don’t let your past hold you back… We don‘t know what our future holds but we can trust in Jesus and walk with HIM no matter what happens in life.

Jesus loves you enough to restore you and forgive you.

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Take Away:

Jesus came back for Peter but not only Peter.

Jesus came back for us and HE is coming back again.

Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days after HIS resurrection but then he ascended into heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father, but Jesus left us a comforter… the Holy Spirit.

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us… we can have resurrection life today if we simply believe.

Jesus said to Mary and Martha....

John 11:25 NIV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Jesus is still the resurrection and the life but we have to put our faith in the resurrected King, Savior, Jesus.

Today is the day… today is that first step into that resurrection life.

Jesus conquered death to restore us, forgive us, to love us, and to get our faith back on track. That’s why Jesus had to go through what he did… To face the cross and to conquer death so we can live that resurrection life.