Feed My Sheep

Intro

Many people love to restore things as a hobby:

Classic cars, sports memoribilia, antiques, ect.

*Refer back to American Pickers and American Restoration… how much money?!*

Restoration is where we get our phrase, “It’s as good as new.”

Simon Peter finds himself in need of restoration as we encounter a breakfast-time conversation between him and Jesus

Remember, he had denied Christ 3 times during His trial

Peter, like all of us, fall short of God’s perfection, and find ourselves dirty, stained and broken

How good is it that Jesus desires to make us “good as new.”

Have people open Bibles to John 21:15 - 19 and pray

Jesus Restores Peter

This is part of John’s telling of an additional story of Jesus appearing to some of the disciples after His resurrection

Peter takes them fishing… just like they used to

Jesus appears on the shore (disguised) and asks for some fish

They don’t have any, so He tells them to cast their net on the other side, leading to more fish than they could haul in

Just like He did before!

The disciples recognize Jesus, head for the shore with their catch, make a fire and have breakfast with Jesus

When they finished breakfast, Jesus asks Peter a significant question: “Do you love me more than these?” (v. 15)

What are these? The fish? Does Peter love Jesus more than the he loves the other disciples? Or does he love Jesus more than the other disciples love Jesus?

Likely the last option; Peter was always adamant and outspoken in His love and loyalty to Jesus (others would have seen)

Peter responds by saying, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you” (v. 15)

Jesus isn’t asking from a place of ignorance; He has another reason for the question

Peter readily affirms His love for Jesus

Jesus then tells Peter to “feed my lambs”

Refers back to Jesus’ teaching as the Good Shepherd earlier in the Gospel of John

Lambs/sheep/flock refer to the followers of Jesus

The call to “feed” the lambs is to give them spiritual nourishment and care

This exchange between Jesus and Peter is repeated twice more (3 times total)

“Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’” (v. 17)

“Grieved” = “sadness or remorse”

Remorse over the parallel between these three questions and the three denials of Christ during His trial

*Briefly re-tell denial story*

Peter is now reminded of his weakest moment; how he abandoned Jesus during His greatest time of need, even after all of his vocal support and loyalty

Jesus did not ask this question 3 times to make Peter feel guilty; He did so to restore Him

He gave Peter the chance to “undo” the denials with true professions of love

Of course Jesus knew that Peter loved Him! But this was His way of offering forgiveness; bringing Peter back into the fold, and showing the other disciples that Peter was still one of them

His way of making Peter “good as new”

Jesus also used this moment to restore Peter to his mission and calling

You have work to do! Feed my sheep!

Once Peter’s loyalty has been re-established, Jesus foretells that Peter will follow Him even to his death

Re-read verse 19

John interprets for us; Peter would eventually be crucified

He ends with a profound, “Follow me”

Fishing, miracle, call (cf. Luke 5)

Jesus is re-calling Peter to follow Him and be a fisher of men… Peter is restored!

Do You Truly Love Jesus?

So much of this story is unique to Peter (his calling, his denial and his restoration)

But there is much that pertains to us as the church as well, starting with the big question Jesus asks each and every one of us: “Do you love me?”

How have you answered this question? Do you truly love Jesus?

Starts with acknowledging who Jesus is

God revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ; the Son of God (Matthew 16:16)

We cannot love someone we do not know; our faith journey begins with acknowledging who Jesus truly is

Cf. 1 John 2:22-23.

Which is why we often start with a prayer and moment of commitment

Moves to personal trust in Him

Far more than a worldview or belief system, this love trusts Jesus with our (eternal) lives

Peter displayed this trust when he followed Jesus and walked on water (Matthew 14:29)

Belief is best described by trust; do you trust Jesus with your whole heart, mind and soul?

*Show funny trust fall video*

Cf. 1 John 4:17.

We are confident (trust) in the day of judgement, because of our true love for Jesus and what He has done

Revealed through obedience

How can we be sure we love Jesus when our emotions are so easily manipulated? Through obedience to Him

Cf. 1 John 5:2.

We do not have to wonder, or have doubts. Our obedience reveals the nature of our love for Jesus

NOT earn; but reveal

*Compare/contrast Silas and my own obedience*

Prove Your Love by Caring for Others

Jesus teaches Peter to “feed my sheep”

Actually 3 different variations: “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep”

Tend = shepherd

Feed, protect, care for, etc. (wholistic)

For sure, sheep need… caring for

*Show video clip of sheep falling back into ditch*

Peter was given the instruction from Jesus to care for His followers

Would later become the church

From a position of leadership

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and those who love Jesus care for His flock like He does

Cf. John 10:11-13. (just read aloud for everyone)

Peter not only obeys but carries this teaching forward

Cf. 1 Peter 5:1 - 4. (just read aloud for everyone)

This is my commitment to you!

Much more than just humble leadership, every believer proves their love for Jesus through how they treat others

Cf. 1 John 4:19-21.

Our world changes when we view others as those that Christ loves unconditionally

*Compare to seeing wife as God’s daughter… my in-law*

Jesus laid down His life for His sheep! He calls those who love Him to act in the same manner

True Love is Loyal… Even to Death

So much of the OT is proof of God’s loyal covenant love (hesed)

It was this type of love that Peter failed to show when He denied Christ

*Talk about lack of loyalty in sports/CFL strike/Kenny Lawler and Willie Jefferson*

But it was this type of love that Jesus called Peter back into, even if it would cost him everything

Peter’s loyalty would eventually be tested again, as Jesus foretells that He will eventually be put to death for following Him (v. 19)

A fact that Peter lives with for the rest of his life and ministry! (refer to 2 Peter 1:14)

When Jesus says “follow me,” He is inviting Peter to walk that same path, which included crucifixion

Upside down? No one knows!

No more denial, no more hesitation. Peter’s entire life (and death) was lived to glorify God

It is not likely that any of us will be called to be martyrs, but we are all called to be willing to die for our love of Jesus

After all, this is exactly the type of love that He first showed us

Cf. 1 John 3:16.

I would do this for my wife and kids, but what about… Steve? Jesus?

Much more likely, we must be willing to live for Jesus (rather than die for Him)

Peter’s loyal love brought God glory through His death; our lives must seek the same goal (bring God glory)

Ironically enough, we bring God glory when we live as those who truly love Jesus:

Believe in who He truly is

Trust in Him with our eternal lives

Reveal our love through obedience

Endure in this loyal love until the end

Pray