Growing From the Cradle to the Grave John 21.15-23

Growing From the Cradle to the Grave

 (John 21.15-23)

Jesus and Peter

15 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.”

16 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.”

17 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.

18 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.”

19 (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.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”

21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?  You follow me!”

23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

I.  Grow out of your youthful carelessness.

          A.  The young dress themselves.

          B.  We eventually reach an age of accountability.

          C.  Peter had denied Christ three times and had to be restored.

II. Grow we must to depend on others.

          A.  Peter had to depend on Christ to restore his friendship with Jesus.

          B.  God leads us to where we sometimes do not wish to go.

III.  Grow to completely trust God and His mission for your life.

          A.  Follow Jesus to where we don’t want to go.

          B.  Peter would die a martyr’s death, but Jesus insisted that Peter

                follow Him.

          C.  Focus on the mission and avoid the temptation of comparison.

                   a.  Comparison leads to compromise.

                   b.  Comparison breeds jealousy.