Demonstrating A Love for Christ
Scripture Ref: John 21:15-22
Additional References: The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament
1. Introduction
a. We love to sing the hymn, “Oh, How I Love Jesus”; but how much do you truly love Him? Would you answer this question the same way as Peter when Christ asked him?
b. Read John 21:15-22
c. Prior to this passage, Peter has denied Christ three times before His crucifixion. After the crucifixion, rather than continuing the ministry Jesus had started, Peter, apparently returns to his old profession—fishing. (EXPLAIN)
(1) Seven disciples were present: Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two others. They had gone fishing.
(2) They were unsure of what they should do or be, so they returned to what they knew—fishing. They were ready to return to their old life.
d. The NIV titles this passage Jesus Reinstates Peter, but Christ ultimately teaches two lessons through this passage we can all use.
(1) We can still serve even after we fail Him.
(2) If we love Him we will do three things:
(a) We will take care of those “spiritually” entrusted to us.
(b) We will go where He leads and do what He says.
(c) We focus on what He has called us to do.
e. This morning I want to focus on the second part of that lesson.
2. If You Love Me…
a. Read:
In the book, No Bad Dogs, by British dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse, she says dogs understand love better than we do. She writes, “In a dog’s mind, a master or a mistress to love, honor, and obey is an absolute necessity. The love is dormant in the dog until brought into full bloom by an understanding owner. Thousands of dogs appear to love their owners, they welcome them home with enthusiastic tail wagging and jumping up, they follow them about their houses happily and, to the normal person seeing the dog, the affection is true and deep. But, to the experienced dog trainer this outward show is not enough. The true test of love takes place when the dog has got the opportunity to go out on its own as soon as the door is left open by mistake and it goes off and often doesn’t return home for hours. That dog loves only its home comforts and the attention it gets from its family; it doesn’t truly love the master or mistress as they fondly think. True love in dogs is apparent when a door is left open and the dog still stays happily within earshot of its owner. For the owner must be the be-all and end-all of a dog’s life.” The real test of our walk of Faith isn’t seen in our work or activity, or even in our theological purity. It’s found in this: when we have an opportunity to wander away, to disobey, to leave His presence, do we choose instead to stay close to Him, to abide in Christ, to obey? (Contributed by Greg Yount, SermonCentral Pro)
b. Reread verses 15-17
c. After denying Christ three times, Peter is given three opportunities to proclaim his love for Christ.
d. Verse 15
(1) Question: Do you truly love (agapao — God-like love) me more than these? Answer: You know that I love (phileo—love of a friend or brother) you.
(a) Truly love refers to loving with the entire personality, including the will.
(b) When He said “more than these,” Jesus was probably referring to the disciples, since Peter had proudly said he would never fall away, regardless of what the others did.
· Could have meant, “more than you love these men” or “more than these men love me” or “more than you love these things (i.e., fishing gear and fish).
· Regardless of the focus, the underlying meaning is, “Am I more important to you than anything else?”
(2) Command: Feed (bosko — pasture) my lambs (arnion — lambs). (Expound on significance of pasture and lambs.)
e. Verse 16
(1) Question: Do you truly love me? Answer: You know that I love you. The same Greek words for love and taking care of the sheep as used in verse 15.
(a) Focus of the question changes from a comparison of the love being questioned to a pointed question aimed directly at Peter.
(b) Peter’s response indicates he just is not grasping what Jesus is asking him.
(2) Command: Take care of (poimaino — tend or supervise) my sheep (probaton).
f. Verse 17
(1) Question: Do you love (phileo — friend/brotherly love) me? Answer: You know (eido — see, literally or figuratively) all things, you know (ginosko — know absolutely) that I love you.
(a) Peter, at this point, is frustrated. Christ is either not hearing him or is not understanding him when he answers the question the third time.
(b) Peter, actually, is the one who is not getting it. So Christ has changed the type of love he is questioning.
(2) Command: Feed my sheep. Same Greek words Christ used in verse 16.
g. Lesson to be learned: If we love Jesus, we will take care of those entrusted to our care. If we fail, we are not cast aside—we can be restored.
(1) Three times Christ gave Peter a commission.
(2) The metaphors Christ used were lambs and sheep — children and adults. Can be taken literally, or can be taken care figuratively — young Christians and seasoned veterans.
(3) Regardless of how intended, we do this to demonstrate our love for Him.
3. Despite the consequences, continue following Him.
a. Reread verses 18-19.
b. Christ poses a dilemma for Peter. He tells him how he will die. He implies two things:
(1) Peter will die a violent death.
(2) His death would serve to honor God.
c. In addition to this revelation, Peter is commanded to follow Him.
d. Lesson: When we are called to a ministry, even if we know it will be difficult, we are expected to rely on and follow Christ.
4. Don’t forget who is in charge.
a. Reread verses 20-22.
b. Christ makes an important point in these verses. We are to concentrate on where He is leading us and to let others follow where He is leading them.
c. When evaluating ourselves, when comparing ourselves to another Christian laborer, their path should be of no consequence to us.
d. Read:
One day Charles H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE.
Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. "Weather vanes are changeable," he said, "but God’s love is constant.”
"I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles," replied his friend. "You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love." (Contributed by Jeff Strite, SermonCentral Pro)
e. Spurgeon’s companion hit the nail squarely on the head.
(1) It makes no difference what a huge church your brother has; it is of no consequence to you. God is still love, and He is still in charge.
(2) It makes no difference that your brother gets paid a large salary and you a mere pittance. God is still love, and He is still in charge.
(3) It makes no difference that your sister has led 100s of people to Christ and you only a handful. God is till love, and he is still in charge.
(4) Despite the frustrations you may experience, your command remains the same—“Follow Me!”
(5) We can be easily distracted by unnecessary questions about God’s secret will for others; and, as a result, we easily neglect God’s plainly revealed will for us.
5. Summary
a. If you love Me…—Above all else, we are to demonstrate our love for Christ by loving others as He has loved us.
(1) That means reaching out to the lost.
(2) That means bring home those who have wandered.
(3) That means lifting up our brothers and sisters when they are down and rejoicing with them when they rejoice.
b. Despite the consequences, continue following Him.
(1) When we made a commitment to Christ, we did not consciously say “I’ll follow you as long as it is easy.” We gave ourselves in a marriage, of sorts—for richer or poorer, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.
(2) We should not, must not, turn tail at the first sign of difficulty or distaste.
c. We must not forget who is in charge.
(1) It may not always be apparent to us what is happening or why.
(2) We must not be swayed from our calling by envy or jealousy of the way Christ is moving in another believer’s life and ministry.
(3) We must always remember that God is still love and He is still in charge of everything.
6. Invitation
