Peters Restoration

Introduction

In this last passage of the gospel of John the main focus is the restoration of Peter.

During the trial of Jesus Peter was questioned three times about him being one of Jesus’ disciples.

Three different times Peter denies even knowing who Jesus is.

After denying Jesus and watching him be put to death, Peter went into hiding with the other disciples.

Peter saw the empty tomb, saw Jesus at least twice after He was resurrected and was given instructions to go to Galilee and to wait on Jesus there.

But as we saw last week Peter did not wait on Jesus like he told him.

Peter got tired of waiting and went back to his old ways and started fishing.

Once Jesus spoke to them in the boat and told them what to do John knew right away who it was.

As soon as John told Peter that the man on the shore was Jesus Peter jumped out of the boat and swam to shore to meet him.

It is during this next passage that Jesus restores Peter to his place among the leaders of His new chruch.

In the process of trying things up with Peter, believers can see an example of what it means to be a committed Christian.

1.) They Christ more than anything else

2.) They are willing to sacrifice everything for Christ

3.) They focus on following Christ’s leading

They Love Christ More than Anything Else vv15-17

During the last supper Peter declared his love for Christ several times.

In John 13:36-37 Peter and Jesus have this exchange:

John 13:36–37 ESV

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

Less than 24 hours later Peter would say not only that he was not a follower of Jesus but he did not even know who that was!

Now here in this passage Peter was waiting on the Lord to show up and got tired of waiting and given his grief over denying three times early he just quits and goes back to being a fisherman.

We live in the most self-concance time ever in world history.

It takes next to nothing for a person to believe the negative things that people say about them.

If a person does not like the way they look they can change any physical feature they want including their gender.

We also live in a time of no personal responsibility.

Peter felt the weight of his denial on the very lowest and deepest part of his soul.

He did not give up on Jesus and go back fishing, he gave up on himself.

he thought Jesus would want no part of him after what he had done.

But thats the amazing thing about grace Jesus gives it freely to any and to all.

Because He gives us that grace freely our love for him must grow freely and it must meet the same measure as the grace He is giving us.

Peter denied Christ out of fear but when the end of his life comes Peter died for Christ out of love.

You must be willing to Sacrifice Everything for Christ vv18-19a

In the next section Jesus tells Peter what it will cost to follow Him.

Even though not everyone is not called to die for Christ we must all be willing to.

Everyone is willing to die for the thing they love the most.

There would come a time, Jesus warned, when others would seize Peter, bind him, and lead him away to be executed.

Jesus even eludes to the fact that it will be crucifixion when he talks about “his arms being stretched out”.

We Must Focus on Following Christs Leading vv19b-25

John 12:26 says:

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Jesus also says that His sheep hear his voice and follow Him where ever He goes.

John 10:27 says:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

We’ve talked before about how dumb sheep are they will follow a leader right off a cliff if thats where the leader goes.

What do we follow and how far are we willing to go with it.

Peter would be willing to follow Jesus all the way to a cross.

How far are we willing to follow Him.

Benedictions 012 Benediction

012 BENEDICTION

Now may God grant you such that you may say like the psalmist,

You are my hiding place; you protect me from all trouble

And surround me with songs of deliverance.

So that your work is produced by faith,

Your labor is prompted by love,

and your endurance is inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.