Restoring Power Of Christ

“The Restoring Power of Christ!”

John 21:15-17- So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Opening Prayer

Introduction:

Tonight I would like to look at a powerful story of salvation, receiving a calling, falling away and the restoring power of Christ. I would like to share with you my personal testimony and the parallels I share with the Apostle Peter. Christ saves, Christ Calls when we fall away Christ is there to restore!

I would like to begin with a poem:

If you never felt pain,

Then how would you know that I’m a Healer?

If you never went through difficulty,

How would you know that I’m a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial,

How could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,

How would you know that I’m a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake,

How would you know that I’m forgiving?

If you never were in trouble,

How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken,

Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem,

How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering,

Then how would you know what I went through?

If you never went through the fire,

Then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things,

How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you,

How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power,

Then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect,

Then what would you need me for?

Pause and consider that final line for a moment:

If your life was perfect,

Then what would you need me for?

Ryan “Beginnings”

I. Drawn to Christ in 1988 at 1st Baptist Church of Arlington.

a. 11 years old, Father Saved/Baptized.

b. Active in the youth group, followed my parents.

c. Moved to Corona and began to feed the homeless at our church mission.

d. By 14 I started a Christian Club at my high school and taught a weekly bible study.

e. Called to the ministry.

f. Interviewed and visited California Baptist College.

II. In ’93 moved to Tennessee with my parents.

a. They were not “churched”, after the move.

i. Family was broken, parents divorced.

b. I continued to attend church.

i. Began slacking in some areas, no direction.

III. In ’95 met my wife and began my adult life.

a. We attended church and was very active.

b. Heartbroken over church issues (disenfranchised.), left.

c. Had a bible study at my house on Wednesday’s night and church shopped.

IV. 1999 my career exploded and I was sent to Michigan.

a. Unexpected but God prepared us for our move. We claimed it!

b. 23 and we were virtually debt free!

Peter “Beginnings”

I. Simon, is approached by Jesus and told “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)

a. Matthew tells us that they immediately responded by leaving their nets and following Christ.

II. Peter experiences Jesus in the flesh! Seeing all kinds of miracles, signs and wonders!

a. WALKS ON WATER! (Matt 16:17)

III. Matthew 16:17 Simon’s name was changed to Peter, he was told by Jesus “That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

IV. He witnessed Christ’s glory on the mountain top during his transfiguration!

V. Peter was being equipped to lead the Church!

Ryan “I got this”

I. Year 2000 God had blessed me immensely!

a. Had a great job, great family. The need for powerful Jesus in my life began to fade away.

b. I had this figured out!

II. My wife and children became lost in a foreign land!

a. My support was nonexistent.

b. I needed to continue to work and achieve great things!

c. My life became centered on my job. My family became secondary.

III. Satan used this as a mechanism to launch me into a lifestyle that included alcohol.