April 5, 2015
Evening Service

This morning we were able to tell the greatest story ever told.  Prophets and Jesus Himself foretold what was about to happen, and it did.  He was crucified upon the cross just as He told them and 3 days later He arose from that grave.  Paul described the results like this:

1Co 15:55-58 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?"  (56)  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law.  (57)  But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (58)  So that, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not without fruit in the Lord.

·         Notice Paul ended his description of Jesus’ victory with a challenge, just as we did our message this morning.  (Read verse 58).  Our challenge was to start a fire in our soul that our light would shine brightly for Him.  Paul put the challenge this way in the letter to the Galatians:

Gal 6:9-10 But let us not grow weary while doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.  (10)  Therefore, as we have opportunity let us do good to all, especially toward those of the household of faith.

·         This is a challenge for all Christ followers to “keep on keeping on.”

·         Before Jesus’ ascension, He left challenges for Peter and for all of us to strive for.

 

Joh 21:15-19  Then when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My sheep.”  (17)  He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things, 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 girded yourself and walked where you wished. But when you grow old, you shall stretch forth your hands and another shall gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”  (19)  He spoke this signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

·         This is such a beautiful way to bring restoration to Peter.  His redemption began the moment he heard the rooster crow the second time and Luke says the Lord turned and looked at him and he realized what he had done. He also tells us that “Peter went out and wept bitterly.”  He repented for his prideful attitude and failure.

·         Jesus, who knows the answers to His questions, as Peter states, asks him of his love 3 times in front of all the remaining apostles.  Repentance had already restored Peter back into fellowship, but since his denials were in public Jesus chooses to publicly acknowledge his restoration.

·         Each answer of “Yes I love You,” was followed with a direct challenge; “Feed My sheep.”  Notice that it is Peter’s love for the Lord that will create his obedience.  This is not the first time Jesus had taught this principle.  He told the disciples this in John 14:

 

 John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

 

John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.

·         It is our love for the Lord that will motivate us to follow His commands, not a sense of duty or one of guilt.  He went to the cross because He loved us and now He simply asks us, as He did Peter to “Follow Me.”

·         Notice what else He told Peter.  Read Verse 18.  This came true as history tells us that Peter was crucified upside down to end his journey here on earth.

·         When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we get Him and He is enough.  We are complete in Him.  The end to our journey has not been revealed to us, as it was to Peter, but if we love Him, we will be faithful until wherever that road leads us. 

·         Will He lead us to a life that is full of health, wealth and happiness or will He lead us down a path of destitution, suffering and a martyr’s death?  It doesn’t matter, our challenge is to follow Jesus period.  My journey will be different from yours.  God has specific plans for each of us.  Look at Peter’s question for Jesus.

 

Joh 21:20-22 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following (the one who also leaned on His breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he who betrays You?)  (21)  Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”  (22)  Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.

·         Peter was a lot like we are.  He was told he would be incarcerated for his faith and dies a terrible death.  He then looks at John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) and says to Jesus “What about him?”

·         Jesus makes it very clear that it is only our own walk that we have to accept.  We are not to look at others’ journey or envy their calling.  Our love and commitment is to follow Jesus regardless of others.

·           “Though none go with me, I still will follow, no turning back, no turning back.”

·         Do not let anyone or anything detour you off of your journey to follow.  The cost is not cheap as Jesus explained to the disciples in Luke chapter 9.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke 9:23-26  And He said to all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  (24)  For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for My sake, he shall save it.  (25)  For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses himself, or is cast away?  (26)  For whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words, the Son of Man shall be ashamed of him when He shall come in His own and in His Father's glory, and that of the holy angels.

·         There are not “rose colored glasses” or promises for a “rose garden” here.  Jesus is very clear of the commitment it will take to “Follow Me.”  If we truly love Him, we will be up to the challenge.  He promises to never leave us or forsake us and He promises to return one day so that “where I am, there you will be also. 

 

Lord, may we love you with a love that empowers us to follow You.