WEBVTT 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:06.400 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:07.599 --> 00:00:13.919 It's great to be back with you this morning, and I've already seen so much that I'm so encouraged by. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:23.519 It's uh wonderful what God is continuing to do through you as you uh are blessed by Him and continue to seek uh to be a blessing. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:26.399 Uh in particular, really encouraged by that prayer meeting this morning. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:30.000 Uh not just well attended, but so many wonderful prayers as well. 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:34.799 So just to quickly encourage you to keep going, keep keep seeking the Lord together. 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:39.600 And uh we we continue to pray God's blessing uh upon you as you do that. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:47.359 Uh now, as Steve uh mentioned this morning, uh you're about to start a new series looking at one Peter. 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:58.880 Uh but just before you do that, Dave thought it might be helpful if we could take a look at what happened to Peter to transform him from that man who had so failed Jesus. 00:00:59.039 --> 00:01:03.039 Remember, he had denied him in the moment of Jesus' greatest need. 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:18.480 What happened to transform Peter from that man into a man who could write such a wonderful and powerful letter into a man who was so integral to the early advance of the gospel in the early church? 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:27.680 And it's a story worth exploring because Jesus loves to restore and recommission broken sinners. 00:01:27.840 --> 00:01:39.439 And what that means is that Peter's story, it's not just his story alone, it can be our story too, if we turn and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ with repentant faith. 00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:43.439 So we're gonna open up our Bibles to the very end of John's Gospel. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:53.200 We're gonna look at chapter 21, and there we're gonna see what happened following the resurrection and the empty tomb. 00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:56.879 As you turn there, let me just quickly set the scene. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:10.319 Uh in John 21, we are on a beach, and on that beach we shall see Jesus dealing with the sin and the shame of Peter, who is at this point it is broken. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:17.759 And it's a wonderful picture, it's a wonderful picture of what Jesus continues to do in the world today, person by person. 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:21.280 Jesus loves to restore. 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:24.719 And so this is far more than just a history lesson. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:31.199 Uh it's actually been said John 21 is in one sense uh his John's version of the Great Commission. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:37.520 Uh, this is what happens when failures and sinners meet the risen Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:42.639 It is what can happen today if you will meet him in his word by his spirit. 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:47.360 So John 21, I'm going to read from verse 9 through to verse 19. 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:50.000 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:58.240 So when they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals, and there were fish on it, and some bread. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:02.800 Jesus said to them, Bring some of the fish you have just caught. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:07.520 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat, dragged the net ashore. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:13.759 It was full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three, but even with so many the net was not torn. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:17.599 Jesus said to them, Come and have breakfast. 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:20.479 None of the disciples dared to ask him, Who are you? 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:22.639 for they knew it was the Lord. 00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:27.360 Jesus came, took the bread, gave it to them, did the same with the fish. 00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:34.479 This was now the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:43.439 Now when they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:46.879 Yes, Lord, he said, You know that I love you. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:49.199 Jesus said, Feed my lambs. 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:53.039 Again Jesus said, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:56.319 He answered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:59.360 Jesus said, Take care of my sheep. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:03.599 The third time he said to him, Simon, son of John, do you love me? 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:08.240 Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me? 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:10.879 He said, Lord, you know all things. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:13.199 You know I love you. 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:15.680 And Jesus said, Feed my sheep. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:27.439 For 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. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:32.560 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.759 Then he said to him, Follow me. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:38.240 Let's take a moment to pray. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:46.800 Father God, we thank you for this, your word, and we do pray that by your Spirit we might encounter your Son Jesus Christ this morning. 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:49.920 He also stands before us, asking us these questions. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:54.399 He stands before us this morning, inviting us to find restoration in him. 00:04:54.800 --> 00:05:02.720 We thank you that you are so good and gracious, that you offer to forgive us of our sins, to give us a righteousness that is not our own, Father God. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:06.879 And it's all because of what Jesus has done once and for all upon that cross. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:13.839 He is our living hope, the one in whom we can trust and rest and find such everlasting peace. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:23.920 And Father God, we thank you that in response to this good news, into this gospel, you call us to follow Him, to follow in His way of sacrificial love. 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:29.040 And so we ask by your Spirit you would come and do that work in all our hearts this morning. 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:31.680 That this is the ongoing pattern of the Christian life. 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:40.560 We keep coming to you for grace, for mercy, for restoration, as you invite us to join in with you in your mission across the world. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:44.959 Come and be glorified, work for our good too, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:45.920 Amen. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:57.199 Okay, so as the passage begins, uh we find the disciples are coming ashore and Jesus is there ready to serve them breakfast. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:00.160 I don't know what you had for breakfast this morning. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:08.240 Uh Jesus gives them some bread, there's some fish, and notice that it is all laid out on a charcoal fire. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:18.079 Now that charcoal fire is no incidental detail, but this story is far more about far more than just a barbecue on the beach. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:25.759 Actually, the charcoal fire is a little detail that's meant to create almost like a flashback for us. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:34.800 Now I'm gonna read this verse from John 18, 17 to 18 from the ESV, because actually it brings out the connection a little bit more strongly. 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:38.319 It's one of those places where the NIV kind of misses it a little bit. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:51.279 So in the ESV, John 18, 17 to 18, it says, The servant girl at the door said to Peter, this is on the night that he denied Jesus, You are also not one of this man's disciples, are you? 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:53.439 He said, I am not. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:07:00.639 Now the servants and the officers had made a charcoal fire because it was cold. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:03.199 They were standing and warming themselves. 00:07:03.519 --> 00:07:08.319 Peter was with them, standing and warming himself. 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:10.079 So, do you do you see? 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:13.360 Do you hear what's happening in this moment in John 21? 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:22.480 Peter finds himself once again watching flickering flames, smelling the wafting of the smoke coming from a charcoal fire. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:23.680 The scene is set. 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:31.360 In a sense, Jesus has intentionally brought Peter back to the very place of his failure. 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:34.879 This is how Jesus deals with sin. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:43.680 Jesus doesn't avoid it, Jesus doesn't cover it up, brush it under the carpet, or minimize it. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:47.120 Jesus confronts us with it. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:52.560 He lovingly confronts us with the reality of our sin. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:58.879 Now, it's key to understand here, Jesus doesn't do this just to shame or crush us. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:09.279 What we're going to see is it is so that we might be restored, so that we might be freed from its power, so that there might be repentance and a change. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:13.040 This is just the beginning of what is about to happen. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:23.199 And before we get to that, there is a key observation I think it's helpful for us to make, which is that spiritual pride leads to a fall. 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:35.279 You see, our natural temptation when we think about sin so often is to fight back against the idea that actually we are inherently sinful. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:38.080 We like to think we're actually better than that. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:41.679 We like to think of ourselves as better than we truly are. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:46.879 But at this point, remember what Peter has done. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:53.919 He has betrayed and backstabbed his friend, he has abandoned Jesus in the hour of his greatest need. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:58.480 He had denied him, and then Jesus had been put to death. 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:03.200 But now Jesus stands before him alive again. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:10.559 So think of it this way: Peter has not just rejected and turned his back on his friend. 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:27.679 Now Jesus has stood there fully revealed to be all that he had always claimed to be: the long-promised Savior, King, the Son of God, the one who has conquered death, conquered sin, raised to life again. 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:33.200 Just imagine what Peter might have been feeling or thinking in such a moment. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:39.200 The fear, the dread, wondering what might Jesus say next. 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:46.320 Well, quite beautifully, Jesus turns to Peter and he asks him such a simple question. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:51.279 Verse 15 Simon, son of John, do you love me? 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:56.639 Now notice the first time, do you love me more than these? 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:02.000 Now you'll notice that on this beach are the other disciples. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.559 Do you love me more than these? 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:15.039 Now it's this first question that reveals Peter's failure, it didn't just begin in that courtyard where he denied Jesus three times. 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:22.720 If you worked through the Gospels and seen the story of Peter, you'll know that that sin, that moment of failure, began a long time before. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:26.159 But really, it's on that night we begin to see it quite clearly. 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:33.039 Matthew 26, verse 33 to 35, we see that there had been a warning light blinking for a long time. 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:40.159 Peter's fall began with unchecked pride, with an overconfidence in himself and his ability to be good enough. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:44.000 This is what he says in Matthew 26 about the other disciples. 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:50.960 Even if uh they all fall away on account of you, I never will. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:56.000 Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:58.159 Do you hear it? 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.240 It's clear, isn't it? 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:03.200 The pride, the self-confidence. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:06.720 I'm I've got it, I can do it. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:09.360 They may fall, I won't. 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:12.320 The self-righteous comparison. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:20.240 That's what spiritual pride always leads you to do, to start looking at other people and thinking, I'm better, I'm alright. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:27.120 The problem is spiritual pride blinds us to our greatest need, it makes us complacent. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:40.159 It's a problem also in the Christian life, even once we've come to Jesus, if we drift from recognizing just how much we need to keep depending on Jesus to be our Savior. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:44.399 But notice, I don't think Peter planned to deny Jesus. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.720 I think when he said this, he meant it. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:51.279 It was a bold claim, but then pressure came. 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:53.279 The fear set in. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:58.399 And as Jesus says elsewhere, the flesh was proven to be weak. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:00.240 Peter fell. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:08.000 Perhaps you can think of examples in your own life where you didn't plan that sin that you now regret. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:11.120 See, so often sin is deceitful. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.480 We drift into it. 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:14.720 Sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes slowly. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:21.919 But Jeremiah 17, verse 9 says, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:26.159 This is the story of every human being, and that includes you. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:31.039 We're all prone to thinking far too highly of ourselves. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:40.720 But Luke, he goes on to record the drama of the moment in the courtyard following Peter's third denial. 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:49.440 In Luke 22, I love how this is put, just as he was speaking, that's Peter, the cock crowed. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:53.120 And it says this, and I think you heard this on Good Friday. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:58.399 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:02.080 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:05.120 Then Peter remembered the word the Lord has spoken to him. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:09.679 He went outside and wept bitterly. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.960 It's a haunting moment. 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:18.159 Jesus speaks no words of condemnation, it's just a look. 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.399 That's all that was needed. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:33.039 One look from his friend, from the king, the bruised and beaten eyes of Christ, fixing with the guilt-stricken eyes of Peter. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:41.279 Eyes which pierced his heart, and he knew all was exposed, nothing could be hidden. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.960 Peter was a broken man. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:44.240 He weeps bitterly. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:46.799 This is a picture of conviction. 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:56.080 And maybe you know that feeling as you contemplate the secrets of your own heart, of your own life this morning. 00:13:57.200 --> 00:14:05.600 This is what happens when the Lord, in his loving mercy, exposes us to the terrible truth about ourselves. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:10.720 It's painful, but it is merciful if it leads us to repentance. 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:15.519 If it leads us to seek Jesus as our all-sufficient Savior. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.120 This must be the response. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:25.679 When our eyes are open to the reality of who we are and what we have done, we must come to Jesus with repentant faith. 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:28.480 That's what I want you to hear in these questions this morning. 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.679 Do you love me? 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:40.320 It is an invitation to come to Jesus, who can restore, who can forgive, and who loves to recommission. 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:45.039 Now, Jesus taught in John 16, verse 8. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:47.519 You don't need to turn there for this one, you can later. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:50.559 But he taught that one day the Holy Spirit would come. 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:57.360 And he said that when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:02.000 See, this is one of the roles the Holy Spirit has in our lives. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:04.240 It is again one of his gracious works. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:11.519 In a sense, he locks eyes with us, just like Christ locked eyes with Peter. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:28.320 It is the Spirit using the word and sometimes the loving correction or rebuke of a brother or sister to show us our sin, to warn us that there is a day coming of judgment, a day when we will not be able to hide from our shame. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:43.679 He helps us to see who we really are, that we might be humbled, that we might not have this spiritual pride, this blindness, this complacency, but instead be led to recognize we need Jesus, we need a savior. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:48.240 That we might in humility be drawn to him. 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:53.440 So let me ask you this morning: do you recognize that you are not what you ought to be? 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:57.759 Are you aware of the sin and the shame you carry? 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:01.120 Are you bringing it to Jesus? 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:07.200 When those moments of conviction come, are you seeking the one who stands ready to forgive and restore? 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:11.919 But are you coming with repentant faith, with a repentant heart? 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:17.759 An older and wiser Peter would write this in 1 Peter 5, verse 5. 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:20.240 Notice again the importance of humility here. 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:32.240 Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he might exalt you, casting your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:40.559 The living God, he cares for you and he will exalt you, he will lift you up, but you have to come to him in humility. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:47.600 So firstly, beware that spiritual pride. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:50.720 Embrace the way of an honest spiritual humility. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:54.639 Do that by confessing your sin to Jesus. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:17:03.519 But secondly, we see quite wonderfully in this encounter how the grace, the kindness of Jesus, what he has done, it leads to repentance. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:09.359 So when Jesus confronts Peter on that beach, he asks him that question, Do you love me more than these? 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:12.240 And don't we see such an incredible change? 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:15.359 Do you notice the transformation? 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:17.359 There has been repentance. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:20.960 This time Peter makes no comparisons. 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.079 There is nothing he appeals to. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:28.079 He simply replies, Lord, you know that I love you. 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:32.319 This is what it looks like to put your faith and trust in Jesus. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:36.319 There is no other way to find forgiveness or restoration. 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:52.880 All we can do is but come to Jesus with empty hands, making no appeal, no self-defense, no comparisons, just simply with a heart that loves the Lord because of all that he has done for us. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:57.839 So Peter is asked a second time, verse 16, do you love me? 00:17:58.160 --> 00:18:00.559 Verse 17, do you love me? 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:05.359 Jesus asked the same question three times. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:11.200 And on the third time, uh, we're told that Peter was hurt and or grieved. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.480 Why? 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:17.920 John tells us it's because he was asked the question three times. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:20.960 The significance is not lost on Peter. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:27.039 He was pointing back to the three denials, it reminded Peter of his worst moment. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:33.039 And yet each time Jesus doesn't say, You're done, you're finished, you're cancelled, it's over. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:40.319 Every time he restores him, he recommissions him, he instructs him. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:46.400 I love what Peter cries out, you know everything, and you know I love you. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:55.599 And it's true, the Lord Jesus Christ, he knows everything, and yet our sin does not shock him. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:19:00.000 It is the very reason he stepped into our world to be our savior. 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:10.000 He endured the judgment we deserve, he took the punishment our our sin requires, it fell upon himself that this restoration might be possible. 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:24.240 See, there is no sin in your life the Lord Jesus Christ does not know about, that he does not ask you to bring to him, that he cannot forgive, that he cannot again restore you from. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:32.640 And it's not because of what you have to do, how sorry you need to feel in your heart, it's because of what he has already accomplished through his life, his death, his resurrection. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.400 Again, Peter will write about this. 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:38.640 You'll see this in 1 Peter 2, 22 to 25 of Jesus. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:41.920 He writes, He committed no sin. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.799 Jesus committed no sin. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:47.279 Neither was deceit found in his mouth. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:49.279 When he was reviled, he did not revile. 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:51.839 In return, when he suffered, he did not threaten. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:56.480 But he continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:59.599 Now hear this about this sinless one. 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:05.039 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree. 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.000 Why? 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:13.920 That we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:21.599 By his wounds you have been healed, you astraying like sheep, but now have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:24.559 Jesus bore sin, but not his own. 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:26.799 He bore your sin and mine. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:32.400 He did it, he could do it because he was the perfectly sinless and blameless one. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:36.880 He has done everything that needs to be done to make us right with God. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:44.480 And now he calls us to respond to what he has done by dying to sin and living to righteousness. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:52.960 What I love as well, again, when you track through the story of Peter, the whole time he had a promise to cling on to. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:21:02.640 Again, Luke 22, 31 to 32, Jesus says to him, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:10.720 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:14.640 This is a foreshadow of what we're reading about here in John's Gospel. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:18.559 Notice it's not just a sort of wishful if you turn. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:26.000 Jesus has prayed for Peter that when he turns, this is what I want you to do. 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:28.400 Strengthen your brothers. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:33.759 When you turn, turning is a beautiful picture of what repentance means. 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:39.839 Turn from the life of sin, turn from doing life your own way, without God, whatever you want. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:48.319 Turn from that, turn to Jesus and follow him, submit to his way, his word, in community with his people. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:53.119 And we have our own promise to cling to, just like Peter. 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:55.920 John gives us this one in 1 John 1 8 9. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:22:03.200 He says, if we say we have no sin, if we're spiritually proud, We deceive ourselves. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.359 The truth is not in us. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.680 Hear this precious promise this morning. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:18.559 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:27.440 You see, no one is ever too far or gone or too messed up or too broken or too caught in sin and shame. 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:33.440 All you need to do is come to Jesus, confess your sin, and turn from it. 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:37.519 This is a promise of restoration for you this morning. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:41.119 Repent and turn to Jesus Christ in faith. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:43.839 The promise is you will be forgiven, you will be cleansed. 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:52.000 Elsewhere includes being united to Christ, filled with his Spirit, empowered to walk in that newness of life, too. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:55.920 And that brings us now to the final observation to make from this passage. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:23:00.480 Restoration leads to obedience. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:08.400 And also that restoration, in a sense, leads to commission, recommission. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:16.319 Jesus doesn't just forgive Peter, he calls into something more, he calls into a life of purpose. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:25.680 Notice again, as we said earlier, every time Peter answers the question, Jesus just responds, feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:31.359 Jesus entrusts to Peter that which is most precious to him. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.920 His blood-bought people. 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:38.799 His blood-bought people, his rescued and restored people. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:43.759 It is a huge responsibility, a precious privilege. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:51.599 Earlier in this Gospel, John 10, Jesus says he is the good shepherd, but here he entrusts his flock to Peter. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:54.319 It's an instruction that Peter never forgot. 00:23:54.559 --> 00:24:01.839 Peter in 1 Peter 5 will write to elders, calling them shepherds of God's flock, who are ever under their chief shepherd. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:14.160 And of course, we could find plenty of encouragement or instruction in these words of John 21 that applies to church leaders and pastors, but do not make the mistake of thinking this is only for them. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:21.039 If you belong to Jesus, you have been restored and you are also given this commission. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:25.119 This is the calling for every one of us this morning. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:31.920 It is a shared responsibility, the call to feed, to tend, to care for other sheep. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:41.279 That is the calling upon your life as you respond to the restoration that you have in Jesus Christ. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:45.759 So think carefully about how you can do that well. 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:59.119 Again, notice don't be tempted to believe lies that your past writes you off, that you can be forgiven and restored, but never made useful for the glory of God. 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:02.640 See, there is a sense in this moment Peter had done that. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:08.799 He was no longer fishing for men as he had been called, he'd returned to fishing for fish. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:15.680 He'd returned to his old profession, that which was comfortable, easy, that he knew. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.359 Jesus won't have it. 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:19.440 He calls him back into ministry. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:21.359 Get back in the fight. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:23.200 Don't give up. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.839 It goes for you too. 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.599 Don't give up. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:39.440 But notice we are saved into a missional community, the church who are called to be a family who strengthen and care for one another. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:41.920 It's not just the pastor's role. 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.559 Feed one another. 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.799 Love one another. 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:49.440 Care for one another. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.000 Again, Peter will write this. 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.720 There's a theme here. 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:54.400 1 Peter 1, verse 22. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:26:04.559 He will write to the whole church and say, Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth, so that you have sincere love for one another. 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:08.640 Love one another deeply from the heart. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:13.680 Love one another deeply from the heart. 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:18.960 There is a great calling upon each of us in this. 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.160 So what does it mean? 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:25.200 What does it look like for every member of a church to feed, tend, and care for one another? 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:32.079 There are other passages, other letters which tell us it's it's done by sharing the word of Christ with one another. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:35.200 Share that which is good quality food. 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:48.400 Feed one another the bread of life, point one another to Jesus Christ, feast on him, enjoy him, delight in him, give one another the word and the truth, build one another up in Christ. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:54.960 It might mean gently speaking the truth to someone when they're going astray. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.880 When you notice they're drifting. 00:26:57.119 --> 00:27:00.640 In love, dealing with the log in your own eye first. 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:06.240 As a sinner who needs grace for yourself, call someone back to the way. 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:09.359 It means praying with one another. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:11.759 Not just saying you'll do it later and then forgetting. 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:16.480 Maybe just doing it right there and then, showing love through active prayer. 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:27.200 Speaking words of life and encouragement, being quick to build up, to say what you see when it's good, slow to criticize and tear down. 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:39.200 Showing hospitality and generosity, feeding one another literally, using all the good things that God gives you, your homes, your resources, or just inviting one another out for a coffee. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:50.640 Participate in the building of authentic community and fellowship in ways that extend beyond just an hour on a Sunday morning, or your natural friendship groups. 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:56.960 Hospitality opens up opportunities for love and sharing the gospel. 00:27:57.839 --> 00:28:04.079 If you find the idea of doing that with someone you don't know or someone who's not a Christian scary, start with one another. 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:10.640 So show love to one another in both word and deed. 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:13.200 Carry one another's burdens. 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:17.599 If you see a problem, be servant-hearted enough to be the solution. 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:20.240 Don't assume it's someone else's problem. 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:30.079 We see it's this kind of practical care and love which is one of the clearest expressions of our love for Christ. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.519 That's the setup we're seeing here in John 21. 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.240 Do you love me? 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.039 Then do this. 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:38.400 That's always been the pattern through this gospel, John 14, 15. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:40.480 If you love me, keep my commands. 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:44.079 This is the pattern of the Christian life, but it is this way round. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:52.240 Obedience is always a matter of love for Christ in response to what he has already done. 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:54.559 Do you love Jesus? 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:58.640 Then feed a sheep, tend and care for them. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:03.920 And just one final comment as we reach the end of the passage, and I think this is an important one. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:08.799 It's a sobering conclusion, I hope you'll agree. 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:13.839 But it gives us a picture of what does it mean to live this life of love. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:18.319 Jesus starts to tell Peter how his life will end. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:31.839 Verse 18 to 19 it says, Very truly I tell you, when you were younger, you dressed yourself, where you went where you wanted, but when you were old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress and lead you where you do not want to go. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:36.240 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:39.759 Then he said to him, Follow me. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:42.160 It's a beautiful moment. 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:47.839 We've just considered how earlier Peter boasted, I will never deny you, I will die for you. 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.759 And he failed. 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:59.039 Now Jesus promises him, actually, now that I've restored you, this time you won't fail, Peter. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:06.160 This time you will experience what it means to go on and give your life, lay your life down for me. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:08.480 I will give you the strength you need. 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:10.000 You won't fail again. 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:13.279 And we know from history and legend that is what happened. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:17.039 But what does that mean for us? 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:19.920 Well, notice that final instruction follow me. 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:23.119 I think that's very key here. 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:31.920 The call to follow Jesus is a call to follow the way of Jesus the shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:41.599 It is a call for all of us to follow him in the way of laying down our lives sacrificially for one another. 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:44.000 Love takes sacrifice. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:50.160 Sacrifices of time, comfort, convenience, energy, resources, it takes sacrifice. 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.599 But that is the way of Jesus again. 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.640 Luke 9.23. 00:30:52.720 --> 00:31:00.559 Whoever wants to be my disciple, whoever wants to follow me, we could say, must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me. 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:12.799 The answer to that question, do I love Jesus, is found in the answer to the question, will my love for Jesus lead me to sacrifice or else for him and his people if I am asked? 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:30.319 And so we see we are called in response to his grace and mercy to live lives of sacrificial love in community with his people, loving, caring, feeding, and tending to one another for his glory and our collective good. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:40.559 And praise God, because the same grace that restored and sustained Peter is the same grace that restores and will sustain and empower and enable you to do that too. 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:45.599 So as we finish, I encourage you, don't leave here this morning unchallenged or unchanged. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:53.680 Think about a way that you can show this kind of love this morning to not used to these. 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.920 To I'm handsy. 00:31:57.440 --> 00:32:03.759 Think about how you can practically show that love to someone in your church family and outside your church family in this week ahead. 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.960 And take heart. 00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:11.680 If you are struggling with sin, don't give in to the shame and the fear that causes. 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:14.319 Bring it to Jesus, confess it to him. 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:22.319 He will restore, he will commission, receive his grace, follow him, and love and tend his sheep. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.799 Let's take a moment to pray. 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:32.640 Father God, we thank you that it is the heart of Jesus to restore and recommission us. 00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:37.200 We thank you that his life, death, resurrection is all sufficient. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.880 It pays for our every sin. 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:41.039 The judgment we deserve fell upon him. 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:49.839 And so we ask you to pour out your spirit afresh now, to stir our hearts up, to see the grace, the mercy, the wonder of what he has done. 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:57.279 Would you help us not to give in to spiritual pride, but in humility to come to you to confess our sins, knowing you care? 00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:02.960 And that, Father God, we might respond with lives of sacrificial love and obedience. 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:10.079 That Father God, each of us would find ways to grow in expressing the same kind of love which Jesus has first shown us. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:12.240 Would you do it for your glory and our good? 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.680 I ask in Jesus' name. 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.640 Amen.