Mind Your Own Business

“Mind Your Own Business”

John 21:18-23

INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on the Post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus.

Last week we saw The Disciples at the Sea of Galilee, waiting for Jesus to appear to them.

Instead of waiting idle, they decided to go fishing.

Jesus fixed breakfast for them on the shore, and when they caught a net full of fish, they came to shore to join Jesus.

Jesus publicly restored Peter to fellowship by asking him 3 times “Do you love Me?”.

Accepting Peter’s statement that he loved Jesus, Jesus tells him to “Feed My sheep”.

NOW – Jesus has some more to say to Peter.

John 21:18-23

21:18-19a

Jesus had just commissioned Peter to “Feed My sheep”.

NOW … Jesus tells Peter what it will COST him.

After the Day of Pentecost, and Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit, his “phileo” love will turn to the “agape” love that Jesus desired for Peter.

Peter would serve Jesus with his whole heart … totally committed to Christ.

AND … it would cost Peter his life.

Jesus is here predicting Peter’s ultimate death … being taken captive and killed for his faith.

TRADITION has it that about 34 years after this incident, when he was about 75 years old, Peter & his wife were arrested because of their faith in Jesus.

After watching his wife being killed, he was placed on a cross.

Thinking himself unworthy to die like Jesus, he asked that he be placed on the cross upside-down.

“glorify God” – Peter glorified God in his life … AND … in his death.

In Gilchrist County, we don’t think too much here about having to “glorify God” by DIEING

for our faith.

We think more about “glorifying God” by “counting our many blessings”, and giving God the glory.

BUT … do we even do that?

How many times do we even stop to thank God for His outpouring of His grace, mercy and love upon us?

We are more likely to bask in His riches, and FORGET the God who has given it all to us … DON’T WE?

That’s when God might have to bring some trial or trouble into your life … to get you to focus on Him.

Psalm 50:15 – “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

1 Peter 4:16 – “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

God wants to be “glorified” in your life … if it takes persecution, death, trials, troubles … then that’s what God will use.

For the Apostle Paul, it was his “thorn in the flesh”.

2 Cor. 12:7-9 – “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Everything that God allows to come into your life, is meant to “glorify God”.

NOW – God wouldn’t allow it if He didn’t give you the ability to use it for His glory.

If your trials & troubles DON’T give God the glory … don’t blame God … He wouldn’t have allowed it if it couldn’t be used for His glory.

He will ALWAYS give you the wisdom, strength, power and ability to turn whatever situation you’re in … for HIS GLORY.

Just trust Him … rely on Him … lean on Him …

God wouldn’t be “glorified” if He didn’t give you the strength to overcome your trials.

21:19 – “Follow Me.”

Jesus was very upfront with Peter.

He told Peter what was ahead for him … no surprises … no secrets … no hidden agendas …

“Peter, this is what you can expect … NOW … follow Me.”

CHRISTIAN … following Jesus isn’t always easy!

Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me’.”

Peter was willing to deny himself even of his very LIFE … LITERALLY, that was the CROSS that Peter had to bear.

That’s probably not what Jesus has in mind for you & me.

We have our OWN crosses to bear … things in our own life that need to be CRUCIFIED.

Maybe for you it is a sin of the FLESH that needs to be crucified - Romans 13:14 – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”