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Called to love & care - Peter’s Restoration & Re-Commissioning

John 21: 12-17 | 21 April 2024 | Taipo Eng | Vick Balakrishnan

Overview of Peter:

• Peter was called to follow Jesus in Mark’s 1^st paragraph, 1:16-20
• He was a fan of Jesus
• In Mark 8:29- Such a prophetic insight as our Heavenly Father used Peter to reveal that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus called him, “Rock”
• Mark 8:32- Peter did something disrespectful by rebuking Jesus (Rock to Stumbling Rock)
• Matthew 14:22- Peter - walk on water with Jesus,
• Matthew 17- Peter see Jesus transfigured and get to chat with Moses and Elijah,

 

Luke 22:31-34 (NKJV)

• Mark 14:66-72, at the most needed moment - he denies Jesus.. 

Are you going through a stage of confusion, pain, regrets or even facing a cross-road moment in your life right now?

Disciples were facing the real dilemma, what do we do now ? What next?

• For the provision to match with the vision the Lord showed you, there will be a season of waiting and constant listening for His voice
• our character matters beyond what your capabilities and talents are!

 

John 21: 7 (ESV) That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

Like Peter,

• Have you put aside your rightful covering and your rightful place?
• Have you forgotten your God-given mission and gone back into your comfort zone and no longer want to pursue His kingdom purposes for your life?

Rev. 3:15-16,19 (NASB)

¹⁵ ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth…

¹⁹ Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

 

Text: John 21:12-17 (ESV, English Standard Version)

¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

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.

 

• Jesus is the best model in showing us how to love and care for someone!
• God calls us to have hearts of humility, forgiveness, and love toward one another, especially to those in our family, church, and community..

1. Re-Connection of Relationship
2. Re-Conciliation & Restoration
3. Re-Commissioning for Discipleship

 

1. Re-Connection of Relationship (John 21:12)

• They can’t recognize Jesus’ resurrected form
• Peter was too proud and overconfident

 

Ministry is not relationship with God,  Ministry should flow from your relationship with God

 Peter’s identity needs to be redefined as this moment he was still tapping on the anointing that Jesus was operating

 

Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

³¹ And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

• Jesus was reaching out to a broken man, Peter!
• After the resurrection of Jesus, he sent the angel to tell the women, to tell the others and Peter !
• John 21:12- Jesus provided the fish for them, “Come and have breakfast.”)

 

2. Re-Conciliation & Restoration (John 21:15)

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.” 

This the most important question that Peter ever faced, whether he possessed a devoted love for the Lord or not!

Love—(Greek) Phileo and Agapao../Agape

Jesus uses the Greek word "agape" for love, which signifies a self-sacrificial, unconditional love. (in English- just one word for “love”)

Peter responds each time with another Greek word for love "phileo," which represents a deep affection or friendship love.

• Peter seems to understand his limitations and indicates a sense of humility
• Jesus may be inviting Peter to reaffirm his commitment and loyalty to Him.
• Peter is acknowledging that he cannot claim to love Jesus with the same depth of self-sacrificial love that Jesus has for him.

Jesus’ question to Peter is the great question for all believers. We must all have a personal heartfelt love for and devotion to Jesus

 

3. Re-Commissioning for Discipleship (John 21:15-19)

In Luke 22:32, Jesus already has told mission for Peter particularly and said to him,” when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

How does loving Jesus have to do with feeding and caring for the sheep?

John 21; Jesus asked if Peter loved him, and he said yes ; Jesus replied…

• Feed my lambs (v.15)
• Tend my Sheep (v.16)
• Feed my sheep (v.17)

Your restoration involves you knowing your life mission because you are created for a purpose!

Rick Warren, “God created you to have both a ministry in the church and a mission in the world.”

 

Feed {bos'-ko}- portraying the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church

Tend { poy-mah’-no} – to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep 　

• to rule, govern, to furnish pasture for food, to nourish
• to cherish one's body, to serve the body
• to supply the requisites for the soul's need

The work of a pastor or leader;

1. Pressure and expectations from your position
2. Pain from people
3. Push back from demons, then
4. Personal flaws to deal with when it begin to surface

 

In Feeding and Tending the Sheep;

Implies that –

1. We need to be under pastoral care

Hebrews 13:17 (NLT)- ¹⁷ Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

1. We need to constantly feed on the Word.. finally
2. We need repeated guidance, protection, and correction

Jesus understanding Peter’s heart and needs, restored and reinstated Peter in his apostolic calling…

 

Conclusion:

Have you struggled to forgive someone or yourself?

Are you angry with God because you are still questioning why He didn’t stop it from happening?

If you going through that stage of confusion, pain, regrets or even facing a cross-road moment in your life right now, then you are not alone! We are here for you!

We want to stand with you if you will allow it..

• Beautiful things happen when we ask for other’s help and pray for other’s needs…
• You need to return to the heavenly Father (not to a religious sect)
• He Loves you and He is waiting for you !