Introduction
Greetings, church family, visitors and those watching online now or in the future! Happy Sabbath and what a privilege it is to gather here on this holy day, the day set apart by the Creator, to worship Him, to reflect on His Word but mostly to spend time with Him and build on our relationship with Him.
Today, we’re going to turn to John 21:15-19 — a passage that stirs the soul and challenges us to examine our love for Jesus. Picture this: the disciples are by the Sea of Galilee after Jesus’ resurrection. They’ve seen Him crucified, buried, and risen, yet here they are fishing, perhaps wondering what’s next. Then Jesus appears on the shore, cooks them breakfast, and calls Peter aside. By a charcoal fire, He asks a piercing question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Let’s read John 21:17 “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the question three times and on the third time that Jesus asked, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’
This isn’t just a conversation between Jesus and Peter—it’s a message for us, here and today, God’s remnant people, living in the last days. As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe we’re called to proclaim the everlasting gospel and prepare the world for Christ’s soon return. But it all starts here, with this question: “Do you love me?” Today, we’ll explore three truths from this passage: The Depth of Our Love, The Duty of Our Service, and The Destiny of Our Faith.
Let Us Pray
“Heavenly Father, bless us this Sabbath as we open Your Word. Speak to us, that we may love and serve You faithfully. In Jesus’ Holy Name, I Pray! Amen.”
Point 1: The Depth of Our Love
First, let’s consider that question Jesus asks Peter: “Do you love me?” He asks it three times, and by the third time, Peter’s exasperated and hurt. Why three times? You know the story—Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. By another fire, he said, “I don’t know Him!” Now, by this fire, Jesus restores him, asking three times to match those three denials. It’s a beautiful picture of grace. But there’s more. Jesus calls him “Simon son of John,” not “Peter,” the rock. He’s peeling back the layers, getting to the heart of who Peter is.
In the Greek, Jesus first asks, “Do you agape me?”— agape is a selfless, sacrificial love, the kind that God shows us. A love that doesn’t require anything in return. Peter replies, “I phileo you”—a warm, friendly love. By the third time, Jesus uses phileo too, meeting Peter where he is. “Simon, do you even have any affection for me?” Peter says, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus does know—Remember that He sees our hearts, just as He saw Peter’s.
As Adventists, we understand love for God isn’t just a feeling—it’s a commitment. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” That includes the fourth commandment, honoring this, the Sabbath day, which is a sign of our loyalty to Him as Creator and Redeemer. But it’s more than just rules and regulations—it’s a heart surrendered to Him. Peter’s love was tested by failure, yet Jesus didn’t give up on him. Maybe we’ve failed too—maybe we’ve denied Him in our words or our actions. The good news is, He’s asking us today, “Do you love me?” Not to condemn us, but to restore us.
Ellen White writes in The Desire of Ages, “The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant. He mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service. “Lovest thou Me?” He asked. This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might possess every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the Lord's flock. Knowledge, benevolence, eloquence, gratitude, and zeal are all aids in the good work; but without the love of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure.
“True love is not merely a sentiment or an emotion. It is a living principle, a principle that is manifest in action. True love, wherever it exists, will control the life. Thus it is with the love of God. "God is love;" and in all His works, in all His dealings with mankind, His character is revealed.” Sister White reminds us in How God’s Love is Manifested, Part 1. Does our love for Jesus show in how we live? In how we keep His Sabbath? In how we treat others? He knows all things—He’s asking us to go deeper.
Point 2: The Duty of Our Service
Secondly, notice Jesus’ response each time Peter says, “I love you.” Jesus says, “Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep.” Love isn’t passive—it’s active. For Peter, this was a call to shepherd God’s people, to lead the early church. For us, it’s a call to service in these last days. Do we love our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and those we have acquaintances with, enough?
As Adventists, we’re entrusted with the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14—to call the world to worship the Creator, to warn of the judgment, and to proclaim Christ’s very soon return. Feeding His sheep is our duty.
What exactly does this look like? For some, it’s sharing a Bible study with a neighbor. For others, it’s volunteering at a health clinic or distributing literature or food. Maybe it’s comforting a grieving friend with the hope of the resurrection. Jesus says, “Feed my lambs”—the young, the vulnerable. “Take care of my sheep”—the flock He’s entrusted to us. In Matthew 24:45-46 He instructs us, “45Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” He praises the “faithful and wise servant” who gives food at the proper time. That’s us, church, and now, preparing His people for His Second Coming.
In Christ’s Object Lessons (p. 121), we are told “The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers”. Feeding His sheep isn’t just for pastors—it’s for you and for me. Peter wasn’t perfect, but he was willing. In Acts 2, he fed thousands with the Word at Pentecost. What sheep is Jesus placing in our paths? Are we feeding them with truth, with kindness, with the hope of His return?
This Sabbath day reminds us of our mission. While the world rushes on, we pause to worship and work for and to be with Him. Love for Jesus means serving His flock, because they’re precious to Him—purchased by His blood.
Point 3: The Destiny of Our Faith
Finally, let’s look at verses 18-19. Jesus tells Peter, “18Very 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. 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John explains that this points to Peter’s death—which was crucifixion. Tradition tells us that Peter did not feel worthy of dying on a cross as Jesus did and so, asked them to hang him upside down. Then Jesus says, “Follow me!” Loving and serving Jesus leads to a destiny—that destiny is a path of sacrifice. What cross and how will we hang on it?
As Adventists, we know the road ahead isn’t going to be easy. Revelation 12:17 describes God’s remnant as those who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus,” and the dragon wages war against them. Peter’s destiny foreshadows ours—faithfulness may cost us comfort, freedom, or even life itself. But it’s a path that glorifies God. Jesus stretched out His hands on the cross for us; now He calls us to stretch out ours in surrender to Him.
In The Great Controversy, it is written “The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity” (p. 651). Peter’s death wasn’t the end—it was a testimony to Christ’s power.
Today, we face our own trials—maybe even ridicule for keeping the Sabbath, maybe we are pressured to conform. Jesus says, “Follow me,” even when it’s hard. Why? Because our destiny isn’t just our suffering—it’s glory, His glory. He’s coming soon to take us home.
What’s the cost that you’re facing? Is it worth it to love Him fully? To feed His sheep? To follow where He leads? The One who asked Peter, “Do you love me?” is the One who conquered death. He’s worth it all.
Conclusion
As we close this Sabbath Worship Service today, picture Jesus by that fire, looking at Peter, asking, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, was restored, and became a pillar of the church. Now Jesus looks at us, His remnant people. “Do you love me?” If we do, we will keep His commandments. Feed His sheep. Follow Him, even to the end.
Let’s bow our heads. Maybe we need to renew our love for Jesus today. Maybe we’ve neglected His sheep or feared the cost. Bring it to Him now. He knows all things—He sees our hearts and He’s preparing us for His return. “Father, we love You. Help us to show it in obedience, service, and faith. Come soon, Lord Jesus. Amen.”
Opening Hymn: I Love Thee #236
Scripture Reading: John 21:15-19
Sermon: “Do You Love Me? A Call to Faithful Service”
Closing Hymn: I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go #573
