Sermon for August 16, 2009
Sermon Series: It’s Not Too Late:
Sermon #05: It’s Not Too Late For Peter, the Rebel:
Scripture Ref: St. John 21: 15-17
15. So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these? He said unto Him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love Thee. He said unto him, Feed My lambs. 16. He said unto him again, the 2nd time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He said unto Him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love Thee. He said unto him, Feed my sheep. 17. He said unto him the 3rd time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? Peter was grieved because He said unto him the 3rd time, Lovest thou Me? & he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, Feed My sheep.’
Introduction:
This morning we take a look at PETER, the MOST OUTSPOKEN of the LORD’S DISCIPLES.
In our text, JESUS asks PETER a very SOUL SEARCHING QUESTION:
‘PETER, LOVEST THOU ME, MORE THAN THESE? ’
What is it that CAUSED JESUS to ASK PETER this QUESTION?
‘LOVEST THOU ME, MORE THAN THESE?
Throughout JESUS’ MINISTRY HE had been TRYING to PREPARE HIS DISCIPLES for HIS DEATH.HE had been SPEAKING to them about THE DAY when HE WOULD NO LONGER BE WITH THEM. HE WARNED them that AFTER HIS DEPARTMENT THINGS would BE DIFFERENT.THINGS were going to GET ROUGH &TOUGH & they would NEED ONE ANOTHER MORE THEN THAN EVER BEFORE.
How many of us KNOW that WHEN TIMES get TRYING, we can DRAW STRENGTH from our BROTHERS & our SISTERS in the LORD?
So we NEED that UNITY & that FELLOWSHIP AMONG US. Amen?
But the QUESTION is:
WHY does JESUS ASK PETER the QUESTION?
‘LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE?”
Turn in your BIBLES to Luke chapter 22:
The setting is the LAST SUPPER with JESUS & HIS 12 DISCIPLES:
It is just a FEW HOURS BEFORE the ROMAN SOLDIERS would ARREST JESUS.
JESUS has DISTRIBUTED the BREAD & the WINE AMONG the MEN & then HE SPEAKS.
Luke 22:20-21 20: But behold, the hand of him that betrays ME is with ME on the table. 21. & truly the SON of MAN goes, as it is was determined but woe unto that man by whom HE is betrayed.’
Verse 23: tells us the DISCIPLES began to QUESTION AMONG THEMSELVES WHO the BETRAYER WAS.
Now it is IMPORTANT that we UNDERSTAND, that at THIS POINT the DEVIL was not only TRYING to have JESUS KILLED --- he was also TRYING HIS HARDEST to DESTROY the CHURCH, those 12 MEN who JESUS CALLED to CARRY HIS GOSPEL.
Because SATAN KNOWS that he is SO MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE at HURTING the CHURCH when he can ATTACK from INSIDE the RANKS of HER OWN PEOPLE..
I have WONDERED SO MANY TIMES in my MINISTRY.
HOW DOES SATAN MANAGE to GET SUCH a FOOTHOLD of DESTRUCTION WITHIN US?
Have you EVER WONDERED that?
HOW does the DEVIL GET INSIDE the CHURCH & then BRING ABOUT CONFUSION & STRIFE & DIVISIONS & so many HURTS are BIRTHED.
There is really ONLY ONE WAY SATAN CAN GET INSIDE THE CHURCH:
WE have to CARRY HIM IN – INVITE HIM IN ---WE OPENED the DOOR for HIM.
We have to BRING HIM IN WITH US & THEN UNLOOSE HIM.
Here is the DIFFICULT THING for me to UNDERSTAND:
We are to be the MOST LOVING –the MOST FORGIVING --- the MOST GENTLE --- the MOST FORBEARING ---the KINDEST ---the SWEETEST of PEOPLE to be FOUND ANYWHERE.
OR AM I MISTAKEN?
WHAT is WRONG?
WHY does the DEVIL, so often, at the LEAST BIT of MISUNDERSTANDING or FAILURE or WHATEVER the CASE MAY BE:
WHY do we CARRY IT –to the POINT that it ENDS UP – CAUSING so much HURT & DESTRUCTION?
But PASTOR, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DO CERTAIN THINGS.
NO, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DO THE THINGS THEY DO:
BUT, NEITHER SHOULD WE REACT to THEIR BAD DEEDS with a BAD SPIRIT.
Galatians 6:1 ‘Brethern, if a man be overtaken in a fault, (he messes up) ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.’
We are often TOO QUICK to SPOT the FAULTS of OTHERS & NOT QUICK ENOUGH to SPOT OUR OWN FAULTS.
There was much taking place around the LORD’S TABLE that EVENING:
Luke 22:24 ‘& there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.’
WHO is going to be IN CHARGE AFTER JESUS was GONE from them?
So there was this DISCENSION BREWING AMONG the 12 DISCIPLES:
As I said earlier PETER is the MOST VOCAL of the TWELVE & I can VISUALIZE him as he BEGINS to BOAST & to BRAG about his LOYALTY & ALLIGENCE to JESUS while BELITTLING the OTHER DISCIPLES.
& JESUS has the ABILITY to PUT PETER IN HIS PLACE.
INSTEAD of BOASTING --- PETER REALLY NEEDED to be CAREFUL.
That reminds me of PAUL’S WARNING in his 1st LETTER to the CHURCH in CORINTH.
I Corinthians 10: 12 ‘Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.’
Luke 22: 31-32 & the LORD said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, & when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.’
JESUS WARNS PETER of his SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS & of HIS FAILURE:
& PETER becomes OFFENDED at JESUS’ WORDS:
Luke 22: 33 ‘& he (Peter) said unto HIM, LORD, I am ready to go with thee, both unto prison & to death.’
PETER was STIRRED:
LORD, these OTHER DISCIPLES may DENY YOU & FORSAKE YOU but MY LOVE SUPERSEDES THEIR LOVE for YOU.---- I LOVE YOU MORE THAN THESE. (He was referring to the others) JESUS, I’M YOUR MAIN MAN. YOU CAN COUNT ON ME
& I BELIEVE that PETER REALLY DID LOVE JESUS.
However, he was RELYING & LEANING on HIS OWN STRENGTH, HIS WILL POWER, HIS LOYALTY & HIS ALLEGIANCE to JESUS to SUSTAIN HIM when the TIMES GOT TOUGH.
Many people today MAKE THAT SAME MISTAKE today.
TIMES WILL GET TOUGH:
Jude 1:24 ‘Now unto HIM that is able to keep you from falling…...’
There is the KEY ---
Psalm 121:1-2 ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the LORD, …’
PETER BOASTS to JESUS:
Luke 22:23 ‘& he said unto HIM, LORD, I am ready to go with thee, both unto prison & to death.’
Matthew 26:33 ‘Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.’
Here PETER BOASTS that he LOVES the LORD MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.
JESUS KNEW PETER’S STRENGTH:
Luke 22:34 ‘& HE (JESUS) said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shall 3 times deny that thou knows ME.’
& JESUS was CORRECT:
The next morning BEFORE the ROOSTER let out his 1st CROW, PETER had DENIED JESUS 3 TIMES.
& the BIBLE says when PETER REALIZED WHAT HE HAD DONE he went out & he WEPT BITTERLY.
PETER WEPT like a BABY; he NEVER THOUGHT he would SINK SO LOW.
Now let us RETURN to John chapter 21:
John 21:3 ‘SIMON PETER said unto them, I go a fishing.’
PETER had NOT BEEN FISHING for 3 YEARS.
We find in Luke chapter 5 ---JESUS coming to PETER & saying to him:
‘Follow ME & I will make you fishers of men.’
& from that moment PETER LEFT his OLD LIFE BEHIND.
He LAID DOWN his NETS & he WORKED with JESUS for 3 YEARS.
But WHAT PETER was DOING here was REVERTING BACK to his OLD LIFE.
He was THROUGH with the CHURCH:
So PETER & 6 of the OTHER DISCIPLES enter into a SHIP in the SEA of TIBERIAS; FISHING.
If you CALL THAT FISHING:
John 21:3 ‘& that night they caught nothing.’
Not even a LITTLE FISH. N-O-T-H-I-N-G
WHAT WAS WRONG?
PETER had a SPIRITUAL CALLING on his LIFE that he COULD NOT RUN AWAY FROM:
JESUS’ WAY of TEACHING PETER- FISHING WON’T SATISFY YOU ANY LONGER.
John 21:4 ‘But when the morning was now come. JESUS stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was JESUS.’
Verse 5: ‘Then JESUS said unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, NO.’
I don’t imagine it was a FRIENDLY ANSWER of “NO”.
Now ALL THEY NEEDED RIGHT NOW was FISHING ADVICE from a STRANGER.
PETER had been a PROFESSIONAL FISHERMAN.
Verse 6: ‘& HE said unto them, Cast thy net on the right side of the ship, & ye shall find. They cast therefore, & now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.’
Verse 11 says there were 153 fish in their nets & yet the net did not break.
Now it looks like IT’S TOO LATE for PETER:
He has MADE UP HIS MIND.
However, JESUS DOESN’T LET US GO THAT EASILY.
One of the BEST DESCRIPTIONS of JESUS in the NEW TESTAMENT is that of a GOOD SHEPHERD. HE LEAVES the FOLD of a 90 & 9 & goes SEARCHING for the WANDERING SHEEP.
THANK the LORD HE GOES SEARCHING for us WHEN we WANDER ASTRAY!
CHRIST SPEAKS TO PETER:
JOHN 21:15 ‘So when they had dined, JESUS said to SIMON PETER, SIMON, son of JOHN, lovest thou ME more than these? ….’
1st Notice: HOW JESUS refers to PETER:: SIMON
SIMON was his OLD NAME – since he had gone back his OLD WAY OF LIFE:
In Matthew chapter 16 JESUS told him:
‘SIMON, you shall no longer be called SIMON but PETER shall be your name.’
PETER means a STONE: It means a STRONG ONE. It means a LEADER: It means someone who is SOLID like a ROCK.
But SIMON means PEBBLE. It means LITTLE ONE.
So this is what JESUS is saying to him:
‘Well LITTLE ONE, you BOASTED & BRAGGED about HOW STRONG you were & HOW you would NEVER DENY ME. HOW do you feel NOW PEBBLE, LITTLE ONE?’
2nd Notice: Then JESUS ASKS SIMON:
‘You BOASTED ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU LOVED ME. You SAID you LOVED ME MORE than these OTHER DISCIPLES. DO YOU STILL FEEL THAT WAY?
‘LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE?’
The WORD JESUS USED for LOVE:
The BIBLE has MORE than ONE WORD for LOVE in the ORIGINAL GREEK.
In our ENGLISH LANGUAGE we use the same word LOVE for MANY FEELINGS.
We LOVE our WIFE: CHILDREN: CAR: TRUCK: COON DOG: PIZZA
The GREEK WORD JESUS USED HERE IS: AGAPPA
AGAPPA means SELF SACRIFICING LOVE
That was the LOVE PETER PROFESSED BEFORE
DO YOU AGAPPA ME, SIMON?
PETER’S ANSWER:
John 21:15 b ‘He said unto HIM, Yea, LORD, THOU knowest that I LOVE THEE.’
The word LOVE that PETER uses to ANSWER JESUS is NOT the SAME WORD that JESUS ASKED:
PETER rather said: “I PHILLAO YOU.’
PHILLA LOVE means FONDNESS. I am FOND of YOU. I THINK a LOT of YOU.
FRIENDSHIP & BROTHERLY LOVE Philadelphia, city of brotherly love:
Then JESUS asks PETER the 2nd TIME:
John 21: 16 ‘HE said to him again the 2nd time, SIMON, son of JOHN, Lovest thou ME? He said unto HIM, Yea, LORD, THOU knowest that I love THEE…’
Once again JESUS asked PETER the SAME QUESTION:
‘Do you AGAPPA ME?’ Do you LOVE ME, SELF SACRIFICINGLY?
& Once Again PETER gives his SAME RESPONSE:
‘Thou knowest that I PHILLAO YOU.’
THEN JESUS ASKS PETER the 3rd TIME:
John 21:17 ‘HE said unto him the 3rd time, SIMON, son of JOHN, lovest thou ME? PETER was grieved because HE said unto him the 3rd time, Lovest thou ME? & he said unto HIM, LORD, THOU knowest all things, THOU knowest that I love thee, JESUS said unto him, Feed MY sheep.
JESUS asks PETER DIFFERENTLY this 3rd time.
JESUS asks him, ‘Do you PHILLAO ME?’
That was ALL that PETER could CONFESS. He had FAILED at the AGAPPA love.
NOTICE what PETER says:
‘LORD, THOU knowest all things. Thou knowest that I PHILLAO YOU.’
BUT JESUS ACCEPTED THAT MEASURE of LOVE KNOWING THAT PETER’S LOVE FOR HIM WOULD INCREASE WITH THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST WITHIN JUST A FEW DAYS.
But PETER was HONEST. I think JESUS UNDERSTANDS OUR SPIRITUAL LOW TIMES.
Often someone will say: “I LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL MY HEART” but then you don’t see them in church for a month or more.
IF WE PROFESS TO HAVE IT ALL
THEN THERE IS NO ROOM FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
IT WASN”T TOO LATE FOR PETER:
John 21: 18 ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou was young, thou girded thyself, & walked whither thou wanted, but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, & another shall gird thee, & carry thee whither thou would not.’
Verse 19: This spoke HE, signifying by what death he should glorify GOD. & when HE had spoken this, HE said unto HIM, Follow ME.’
PETER was RESTORED: & HIS LOVE for JESUS GREW & GREW & GREW.
& PETER DEVELOPED that AGAPPA LOVE that JESUS asked for:
He UNASHAMEDLY stood before THOUSANDS & PREACHED on the DAY of PENTECOST.
The book of ACTS tell us how PETER was in PRISON & was DELIVERED by an ANGEL of the LORD.
HISTORY has it that PETER was a MARTYR under NERO & was CRUCIFIED UPSIDE DOWN because he did not FEEL WORTHY to be CRUCIFIED the same way JESUS was.
PETER FELL but IT WASN’T TOO LATE
HE WAS RESTORED BY JESUS.
WE MAY FALL BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO STAY DOWN.
