Good News | The Morning After | Pastor Ben Struss

Read:  Luke 22:33-34, Luke 22:54-62, and John 21:3-17

The sermon explores “the morning after” failure through Peter’s story—we first see his bold confidence that he will never deny Christ, but Jesus knows the reality. Despite all of his promises, Peter denies Jesus three times and is left in deep shame, weeping bitterly when he realizes what he has done. A few days later, he returns to his old life of fishing, retreating to what is familiar after failure. But the truth emerges: no darkness is too deep for Jesus to meet us in it, even in the moments we feel farthest from Him. 

In John 21, Jesus meets Peter on the shore, recreating the scene of his failure with a charcoal fire—a powerful reminder tied to memory and emotion—yet transforming it into a place of restoration. Jesus finds Peter, feeds him, and gently restores him by asking three times, “Do you love me?” in contrast to Peter’s three denials and commissioning him to care for others. This moment reveals that Jesus does not abandon us in our brokenness; instead, He meets us, heals us, and calls us forward. The message is clear: there is no failure too great for Jesus to redeem, and in His grace, He restores and strengthens us for what comes next.

How Jesus meets you:

• He finds you: John 21:4 “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore…”.
• He feeds you: John 21:12 “Come and have breakfast.”.
• He frees you: John 21:15-17 Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep. 

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10

5 Discussion Questions for Young Adults

1. Peter was confident in his faith but still fell in a moment of pressure. Have you ever had an experience like this, where your words and promises did not match your actions? What was that experience like?
2. After his failure, Peter returned to what was familiar. How do you typically respond after failure or disappointment—do you withdraw, distract yourself, or move toward restoration?
3. Jesus met Peter in the very place that reminded him of his failure (the charcoal fire). Why do you think Jesus chose to restore Peter in that way, and how have you experienced God meeting you in painful or vulnerable places?
4. The sermon highlights that Jesus finds us, feeds us, and frees us. Which of these do you most need right now, and what might it look like to receive that from Jesus in a practical way?
5. Jesus restored Peter not just for his own healing, but to give him purpose again (“feed my sheep”). How might your past failures or struggles become part of how you help and serve others?