0:00:00.441,0:00:05.491 John 21. 0:00:05.491,0:00:07.111 I want to speak this morning, 0:00:07.111,0:00:08.152 the Lord helping me, 0:00:08.152,0:00:12.973 on Jesus restores Peter. 0:00:12.973,0:00:16.272 Jesus restores Peter. 0:00:16.272,0:00:21.000 John 21:15-23. 0:00:21.000,0:00:24.282 Lord, help us now. 0:00:24.282,0:00:31.654 John 21:15-23. 0:00:31.654,0:00:33.551 "And when they had finished breakfast, 0:00:33.551,0:00:36.612 Jesus said to Simon Peter, 0:00:36.612,0:00:40.431 'Simon, son of John, 0:00:40.431,0:00:44.102 do you love Me more than these?' 0:00:44.102,0:00:45.701 He said to Him, 0:00:45.701,0:00:50.053 'Yes Lord, You know that I love You.' 0:00:50.053,0:00:53.192 He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.' 0:00:53.192,0:00:54.781 He said to him a second time, 0:00:54.781,0:00:59.550 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' 0:00:59.550,0:01:00.762 He said to Him, 0:01:00.762,0:01:04.125 'Yes Lord, You know that I love You.' 0:01:04.125,0:01:06.491 He said to him, 0:01:06.491,0:01:09.061 'Tend My sheep.' 0:01:09.061,0:01:11.532 He said to him a third time, 0:01:11.532,0:01:15.537 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' 0:01:15.537,0:01:17.514 Peter was grieved 0:01:17.514,0:01:20.192 because He said to him the third time, 0:01:20.192,0:01:22.612 'Do you love Me?' 0:01:22.612,0:01:23.872 And he said to Him, 0:01:23.872,0:01:29.063 'Lord, You know everything. 0:01:29.063,0:01:31.720 You know that I love You.' 0:01:31.720,0:01:33.501 Jesus said to him, 0:01:33.501,0:01:36.072 'Feed My sheep. 0:01:36.072,0:01:37.392 Truly, I say to you, 0:01:37.392,0:01:39.025 when you were young, 0:01:39.025,0:01:41.764 you used to dress yourself 0:01:41.764,0:01:45.757 and walk wherever you wanted, 0:01:45.757,0:01:47.123 but when you are old, 0:01:47.123,0:01:48.642 you will stretch out your hands 0:01:48.642,0:01:49.913 and another will dress you 0:01:49.913,0:01:53.672 and carry you where [br]you do not want to go.' 0:01:53.672,0:01:57.472 This He said to show by what kind of death 0:01:57.472,0:02:01.651 he (that is Peter) was to glorify God. 0:02:01.651,0:02:06.573 And after saying this, He said to him, 0:02:06.573,0:02:09.262 'Follow Me.' 0:02:09.262,0:02:12.232 Peter turned and saw the [br]disciple whom Jesus loved 0:02:12.232,0:02:13.622 following them, 0:02:13.622,0:02:16.573 the one who had been [br]reclining at table close to Him, 0:02:16.573,0:02:22.603 who had said, 'Lord, who[br]is it that will betray you?' 0:02:22.603,0:02:25.101 when Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, 0:02:25.101,0:02:28.645 'Lord, what about this man?' 0:02:28.645,0:02:29.891 Jesus said to him, 0:02:29.891,0:02:32.964 'If it is My will that he [br]remain until I come, 0:02:32.964,0:02:34.511 what is that to you? 0:02:34.511,0:02:38.001 You follow Me.' 0:02:38.001,0:02:40.701 So the saying spread abroad [br]among the brothers 0:02:40.701,0:02:44.099 that this disciple was not to die. 0:02:44.099,0:02:45.931 Yet, Jesus did not say to him 0:02:45.931,0:02:47.943 that he was not to die, 0:02:47.943,0:02:52.151 but if it is My will that he [br]remains until I come, 0:02:52.151,0:02:57.892 what is that to you?" 0:02:57.892,0:03:03.092 During the 40 days 0:03:03.092,0:03:06.283 between the resurrection [br]and the ascension of Christ, 0:03:06.283,0:03:10.774 where was Jesus? 0:03:10.774,0:03:13.014 Well, He was not as commonly thought 0:03:13.014,0:03:18.515 on earth continually for [br]40 days in Jerusalem. 0:03:18.515,0:03:22.413 He's now after the resurrection [br]what has been called 0:03:22.413,0:03:27.528 the Heavenly Man in Paradise. 0:03:27.528,0:03:29.224 And He will now over 40 days 0:03:29.224,0:03:32.712 make appearances in and around Jerusalem. 0:03:32.712,0:03:35.025 He appears to many. 0:03:35.025,0:03:39.593 That is, He surprised [br]unannounced appearances. 0:03:39.593,0:03:42.603 He just pops into locked rooms. 0:03:42.603,0:03:45.043 He just suddenly appears here and there. 0:03:45.043,0:03:47.524 Two guys walking on the Emmaus road, 0:03:47.524,0:03:48.933 grieving, sharing, 0:03:48.933,0:03:50.533 suddenly this Stranger appears, 0:03:50.533,0:03:51.913 starts walking with them - 0:03:51.913,0:03:56.012 He's making appearances. 0:03:56.012,0:03:58.324 Resurrection appearances. 0:03:58.324,0:04:00.015 The Gospels say that when they 0:04:00.015,0:04:01.833 were in the upper room at one point, 0:04:01.833,0:04:05.733 He came and stood among them. 0:04:05.733,0:04:08.403 How many appearances were there? 0:04:08.403,0:04:11.102 After the resurrection, [br]before the ascension? 0:04:11.102,0:04:15.153 Well, 14 are mentioned in the Gospels, 0:04:15.153,0:04:16.693 in the book of Acts, Galatians, 0:04:16.693,0:04:18.562 and 1 Corinthians 15. 0:04:18.562,0:04:20.744 Different days and different times 0:04:20.744,0:04:22.483 the Lord appeared. 0:04:22.483,0:04:24.991 First to Mary Magdalene, 0:04:24.991,0:04:28.916 second to some women [br]returning from the tomb, 0:04:28.916,0:04:31.324 third to Peter, fourth appearance 0:04:31.324,0:04:33.802 was to the two on the Emmaus road, 0:04:33.802,0:04:37.055 fifth appearance was [br]to 10 of the disciples 0:04:37.055,0:04:38.922 in the upper room, 0:04:38.922,0:04:41.453 the sixth appearance was 11 of them - 0:04:41.453,0:04:43.732 remember Thomas wasn't [br]there the first time - 0:04:43.732,0:04:46.243 11 disciples in the upper room, 0:04:46.243,0:04:50.243 the seventh appearance [br]is this one - John 21. 0:04:50.243,0:04:54.807 The disciples fishing on [br]the Sea of Tiberius. 0:04:54.807,0:04:57.043 This is here in John 21. 0:04:57.043,0:04:58.243 And there are six more, 0:04:58.243,0:05:00.885 including appearances to James, 0:05:00.885,0:05:03.455 Stephen, Saul of Tarsus, 0:05:03.455,0:05:06.924 and John on the isle of Patmos. 0:05:06.924,0:05:08.312 And then the biggest group 0:05:08.312,0:05:11.408 Paul interestingly mentions [br]in 1 Corinthians 15, 0:05:11.408,0:05:13.934 how the Lord appeared to over 500 0:05:13.934,0:05:17.055 at one time. 0:05:17.055,0:05:20.774 So here in John 21 is His 7th appearance 0:05:20.774,0:05:23.013 where the disciples are fishing, 0:05:23.013,0:05:24.565 they've gone fishing. 0:05:24.565,0:05:29.775 And virtually all of this [br]chapter of John 21 0:05:29.775,0:05:32.382 records this appearance, 0:05:32.382,0:05:34.184 this event, this experience 0:05:34.184,0:05:36.904 of the Lord with the disciples 0:05:36.904,0:05:41.083 and particularly with Peter. 0:05:41.083,0:05:44.794 The entire scene - He comes to all of them 0:05:44.794,0:05:46.853 and He's on the shore, they're fishing, 0:05:46.853,0:05:52.403 He says come, let's have [br]breakfast together. 0:05:52.403,0:05:54.535 And they recognize that it's the Lord. 0:05:54.535,0:05:57.823 So this account is about Him 0:05:57.823,0:05:59.754 appearing to all of them, 0:05:59.754,0:06:01.633 but then He's got His eye 0:06:01.633,0:06:04.953 particularly on one of them. 0:06:04.953,0:06:08.173 And the entire scene is especially meant 0:06:08.173,0:06:13.024 to restore Peter fully, 0:06:13.024,0:06:15.155 where Peter knows it - 0:06:15.155,0:06:16.864 and not only where he knows it, 0:06:16.864,0:06:18.807 where he feels it 0:06:18.807,0:06:23.284 and he experiences full restoration. 0:06:23.284,0:06:25.448 You know, I'm a baseball fan. 0:06:25.448,0:06:27.474 My son was a good baseball player, 0:06:27.474,0:06:29.001 and Philip Neeley and I, 0:06:29.001,0:06:30.872 we have an annual trip 0:06:30.872,0:06:32.847 to watch one pro baseball game. 0:06:32.847,0:06:34.114 I enjoy baseball. 0:06:34.114,0:06:36.033 We usually talk more about the Gospel 0:06:36.033,0:06:37.120 and the kingdom 0:06:37.120,0:06:39.231 than we do watch baseball, 0:06:39.231,0:06:41.934 but I like baseball. 0:06:41.934,0:06:44.475 A triple in baseball is more rare 0:06:44.475,0:06:47.312 even than a home run. 0:06:47.312,0:06:53.254 Well, Peter had a triple denial of Jesus. 0:06:53.254,0:06:55.345 And remember he went out and did what? 0:06:55.345,0:06:58.505 He wept bitterly. 0:06:58.505,0:07:02.015 If you documented all of Peter's 0:07:02.015,0:07:06.532 major responses to the [br]Lord Jesus in 3 years, 0:07:06.532,0:07:08.275 where he was right or he was wrong, 0:07:08.275,0:07:12.683 where he was victorious [br]or he was a failure, 0:07:12.683,0:07:15.923 at the calming of the sea in the boat, 0:07:15.923,0:07:17.559 his response was: 0:07:17.559,0:07:19.423 "Depart from me, Lord, 0:07:19.423,0:07:21.252 for I am a sinful man." 0:07:21.252,0:07:22.234 That's a victory. 0:07:22.234,0:07:24.734 That's a right response. 0:07:24.734,0:07:25.995 And then he says later 0:07:25.995,0:07:27.536 when the Lord asked him: 0:07:27.536,0:07:29.191 "Who do men say that I am?" 0:07:29.191,0:07:30.513 "Peter, what about you?" 0:07:30.513,0:07:33.755 "You are the Christ, the [br]Son of the living God." 0:07:33.755,0:07:35.014 Victory. 0:07:35.014,0:07:36.133 Right. 0:07:36.133,0:07:38.435 "Flesh and blood have [br]not revealed this to you. 0:07:38.435,0:07:41.315 My Father in heaven revealed this to you." 0:07:41.315,0:07:43.904 And then, Peter turns around 0:07:43.904,0:07:47.851 this same hour when the [br]Lord has told them plainly 0:07:47.851,0:07:49.754 He's going to be rejected, 0:07:49.754,0:07:53.355 He's going to suffer and die. 0:07:53.355,0:07:56.473 Peter takes Him aside, and Mark says 0:07:56.473,0:07:59.703 that Peter began to rebuke Him. 0:07:59.703,0:08:02.583 And the Lord interrupts [br]him and rebukes him 0:08:02.583,0:08:05.263 and says, "Get behind Me, Satan!" 0:08:05.263,0:08:08.294 Failure. 0:08:08.294,0:08:09.462 Peter's failure. 0:08:09.462,0:08:10.763 Walking on the water, 0:08:10.763,0:08:13.183 sinking in unbelief. 0:08:13.183,0:08:15.134 Failure. 0:08:15.134,0:08:17.474 Discussing who's going to be the greatest. 0:08:17.474,0:08:18.944 Failure. 0:08:18.944,0:08:21.124 Self-confidently affirming: 0:08:21.124,0:08:23.414 "I will never fail. I will never deny You. 0:08:23.414,0:08:25.986 Even if everyone else does, I will not." 0:08:25.986,0:08:28.303 Failure. 0:08:28.303,0:08:30.792 He denies the Lord three [br]times with an oath, 0:08:30.792,0:08:33.383 failure, failure, failure. 0:08:33.383,0:08:38.133 Seven of these nine times were failures, 0:08:38.133,0:08:40.994 like a necklace that you [br]might have stringed together - 0:08:40.994,0:08:46.303 two nice pearls with seven [br]ugly thorns on the necklace. 0:08:46.303,0:08:48.853 Well, the pearls are nice [br]and they're wonderful, 0:08:48.853,0:08:54.504 but it would be better if there [br]weren't the ugly thorns, right? 0:08:54.504,0:08:57.313 What would that final massive failure 0:08:57.313,0:09:01.246 of denials do to Peter's heart? 0:09:01.246,0:09:03.607 And where did it leave him spiritually? 0:09:03.607,0:09:04.584 We don't know. 0:09:04.584,0:09:06.715 The Gospel writers don't [br]give us an insight. 0:09:06.715,0:09:08.184 They don't give us details. 0:09:08.184,0:09:11.572 They don't give us Peter's [br]testimony about it. 0:09:11.572,0:09:13.822 But what happens in the heart and mind 0:09:13.822,0:09:16.304 and emotions and in the soul 0:09:16.304,0:09:19.992 of a believer who stumbles so much? 0:09:19.992,0:09:21.872 Who fails? 0:09:21.872,0:09:23.503 Who in weak moments 0:09:23.503,0:09:25.625 makes wrong choices? 0:09:25.625,0:09:29.533 And is not even themselves? 0:09:29.533,0:09:31.953 And they sin so miserably? 0:09:31.953,0:09:34.213 You know, if the other disciples 0:09:34.213,0:09:36.993 had been around the fire that night 0:09:36.993,0:09:39.440 with Peter warming himself 0:09:39.440,0:09:41.573 and had heard Peter, 0:09:41.573,0:09:43.792 they would have all been shocked. 0:09:43.792,0:09:46.212 Perhaps if they had been there 0:09:46.212,0:09:48.013 he would have been strengthened 0:09:48.013,0:09:51.121 to not deny the Lord, but he does. 0:09:51.121,0:09:52.914 What does a Christian experience 0:09:52.914,0:09:55.573 within the walls of his own heart 0:09:55.573,0:09:58.403 and his own thoughts? 0:09:58.403,0:10:02.153 All Christian experience - good or bad - 0:10:02.153,0:10:05.522 involves and never lacks 0:10:05.522,0:10:08.573 true human emotion, feelings. 0:10:08.573,0:10:13.362 The human drama of experiential realities 0:10:13.362,0:10:16.471 that go on that God sees, 0:10:16.471,0:10:17.933 that you experience, 0:10:17.933,0:10:21.051 and nobody knows it's going on 0:10:21.051,0:10:22.403 when it's happening. 0:10:22.403,0:10:26.353 Wounded, hurting, reeling, doubting. 0:10:26.353,0:10:29.843 What all was Peter experiencing? [br]We don't know. 0:10:29.843,0:10:32.163 What is certain is this: 0:10:32.163,0:10:34.343 All Christian experience - 0:10:34.343,0:10:36.682 both victories in obedience 0:10:36.682,0:10:38.300 and failures in sin - 0:10:38.300,0:10:41.524 all Christian experience has woven into it 0:10:41.524,0:10:46.163 the human fabric of every real 0:10:46.163,0:10:50.281 human emotion, struggle, and battle. 0:10:50.281,0:10:51.593 Anger. 0:10:51.593,0:10:52.771 Fear. 0:10:52.771,0:10:54.633 Frustration. 0:10:54.633,0:10:56.265 Weak moments of compromise. 0:10:56.265,0:10:57.774 An unrenewed mind 0:10:57.774,0:11:00.362 that in moments doesn't view things right 0:11:00.362,0:11:01.852 and you believe a lie. 0:11:01.852,0:11:03.063 Deep feelings. 0:11:03.063,0:11:05.884 The pull of wrong desires. 0:11:05.884,0:11:07.194 When you know it's wrong 0:11:07.194,0:11:09.142 and you're pulled more toward it 0:11:09.142,0:11:10.781 than away from it. 0:11:10.781,0:11:14.464 Defeat in your heart by wrong choices. 0:11:14.464,0:11:15.636 Hope and sadness, 0:11:15.636,0:11:17.783 small and big consequences. 0:11:17.783,0:11:20.745 Small and big compromises. 0:11:20.745,0:11:23.245 And the sadness with feelings 0:11:23.245,0:11:28.294 of defeat and failure. 0:11:28.294,0:11:33.384 A believer can be left [br]in such a condition. 0:11:33.384,0:11:39.044 It's like getting the breath [br]knocked out of you severely. 0:11:39.044,0:11:40.214 You can't function. 0:11:40.214,0:11:42.285 You can't even think clearly for awhile. 0:11:42.285,0:11:45.046 You can't respond, [br]you can't talk about it. 0:11:45.046,0:11:48.246 The heavens are brass. 0:11:48.246,0:11:50.996 Your mind is clouded 0:11:50.996,0:11:53.971 with feelings and thoughts and struggles. 0:11:53.971,0:11:55.894 You don't even know how to see reality. 0:11:55.894,0:12:02.073 You're left stunned and passive 0:12:02.073,0:12:05.354 and unable to do [br]anything except feel pain. 0:12:05.354,0:12:09.424 So Peter's condition - [br]probably some of this 0:12:09.424,0:12:11.824 and much of this in there 0:12:11.824,0:12:14.194 after the resurrection. 0:12:14.194,0:12:17.954 When he realizes the Lord is raised, 0:12:17.954,0:12:20.254 he's astounded, he's amazed. 0:12:20.254,0:12:22.794 You know he had joy. 0:12:22.794,0:12:26.902 But he had to still have baggage. 0:12:26.902,0:12:31.133 And isn't that the process [br]of sanctification 0:12:31.133,0:12:32.533 when the Lord saves us? 0:12:32.533,0:12:34.694 Sanctification is the Holy Spirit 0:12:34.694,0:12:37.503 dealing with all our baggage. 0:12:37.503,0:12:40.774 A lot of baggage. 0:12:40.774,0:12:44.803 Still regrets that will [br]hinder Peter's future 0:12:44.803,0:12:47.483 had to have been there. 0:12:47.483,0:12:51.763 If not, why would Jesus [br]pull him aside here 0:12:51.763,0:12:54.261 not to remind him of his past, 0:12:54.261,0:12:56.824 not to say, hey Peter, remember the fire? 0:12:56.824,0:12:58.005 Remember what you did? 0:12:58.005,0:13:00.622 Remember when our eyes met? 0:13:00.622,0:13:01.914 Remember, Peter? 0:13:01.914,0:13:04.135 The Lord didn't do that. 0:13:04.135,0:13:05.664 Not to remind him of his past, 0:13:05.664,0:13:08.452 but to call him to the future 0:13:08.452,0:13:10.852 and heal him with His love. 0:13:10.852,0:13:13.353 That's what's involved here.[br]That's what's going on. 0:13:13.353,0:13:16.511 How does the Lord do this? 0:13:16.511,0:13:19.456 There is nothing more beautiful and wise; 0:13:19.456,0:13:21.492 there is no more beautiful and wise 0:13:21.492,0:13:23.133 approach in the Bible 0:13:23.133,0:13:26.233 of personal restoration and revival 0:13:26.233,0:13:30.094 than the Lord's dealings with Peter here. 0:13:30.094,0:13:33.062 What is the Lord's approach and process? 0:13:33.062,0:13:42.222 Well, it's wonderful. Look at v. 12. 0:13:42.222,0:13:46.863 Let's go to IHOP (breakfast restaurant). 0:13:46.863,0:13:50.612 Let's have breakfast, guys. 0:13:50.612,0:13:53.026 What was Peter thinking? 0:13:53.026,0:13:55.800 Apparently, he and the Lord [br]had not had a sit down yet. 0:13:55.800,0:13:58.930 They had not been able to discuss things. 0:13:58.930,0:14:01.392 And Peter it seemed - 0:14:01.392,0:14:02.822 we don't know what was said - 0:14:02.822,0:14:05.501 but here's a post-resurrection 0:14:05.501,0:14:09.511 restoration breakfast party. 0:14:09.511,0:14:11.740 And they're just going [br]to eat together first. 0:14:11.740,0:14:16.139 What an approach! It breaks the ice. 0:14:16.139,0:14:19.471 Let's have breakfast. 0:14:19.471,0:14:22.020 This is relational. This is time together. 0:14:22.020,0:14:25.920 And after a fellowship [br]meal with all of them, 0:14:25.920,0:14:28.512 and an atmosphere of welcome 0:14:28.512,0:14:30.809 and acceptance and peace, 0:14:30.809,0:14:34.301 Jesus then turns His attention one-on-one, 0:14:34.301,0:14:36.261 He turns His heart and His attention 0:14:36.261,0:14:39.780 to Peter for one-on-one ministry. 0:14:39.780,0:14:41.841 And we're going to see beginning in v. 15 0:14:41.841,0:14:45.300 the Lord's call of Peter not to look back, 0:14:45.300,0:14:48.041 but His call of Peter to go forward. 0:14:48.041,0:14:51.071 Onward, upward, out of the lowlands 0:14:51.071,0:14:53.822 of a blistering defeat. 0:14:53.822,0:14:56.739 The higher ground of love and grace. 0:14:56.739,0:14:59.960 What does the Lord say [br]to Peter to restore him? 0:14:59.960,0:15:03.752 First of all: Love Me. 0:15:03.752,0:15:06.040 Verses 15-17, 0:15:06.040,0:15:07.671 "When they had finished breakfast, 0:15:07.671,0:15:10.170 Jesus said to Simon Peter, 0:15:10.170,0:15:15.761 'Simon, do you love Me more than these?' 0:15:15.761,0:15:18.829 'Yes Lord, You know I love You.'" 0:15:18.829,0:15:22.931 Verse 16, 0:15:22.931,0:15:24.270 "Simon, do you love Me?" 0:15:24.270,0:15:26.011 "Yes Lord, You know I love You." 0:15:26.011,0:15:27.070 Verse 17, 0:15:27.070,0:15:29.882 "Simon, do you love Me?" 0:15:29.882,0:15:32.560 Peter was grieved, but he said, 0:15:32.560,0:15:34.238 "Yes Lord, You know everything. 0:15:34.238,0:15:36.580 You know that I love You." 0:15:36.580,0:15:39.889 Why this broken record of love? 0:15:39.889,0:15:42.800 Peter had a triple denial, 0:15:42.800,0:15:46.272 and here the Lord hits a triple too. 0:15:46.272,0:15:49.373 Do you love Me? 0:15:49.373,0:15:52.440 Whatever failure you've had - 0:15:52.440,0:15:54.950 distance or last week - 0:15:54.950,0:15:57.546 the Lord's word to you right now is: 0:15:57.546,0:15:59.771 Do you love Me? 0:15:59.771,0:16:00.810 Do you love Me? 0:16:00.810,0:16:02.510 Isn't it obvious that Jesus is 0:16:02.510,0:16:05.523 gently blowing on the embers 0:16:05.523,0:16:08.581 of Peter's wounded heart 0:16:08.581,0:16:13.400 to rekindle a mutual love relationship? 0:16:13.400,0:16:16.219 Breakfast is finished with all of them. 0:16:16.219,0:16:18.129 And He sits down with Peter: 0:16:18.129,0:16:21.201 Peter, do you love Me? 0:16:21.201,0:16:23.453 Do you love Me more than these? 0:16:23.453,0:16:25.467 Now what did He mean by that? 0:16:25.467,0:16:26.741 More than these things? 0:16:26.741,0:16:30.032 No, obviously, that's [br]not what He's saying. 0:16:30.032,0:16:31.470 Do you love Me more 0:16:31.470,0:16:33.883 than you love these other disciples? 0:16:33.883,0:16:36.180 That's not it either. 0:16:36.180,0:16:39.959 It's this: Do you love Me 0:16:39.959,0:16:44.919 more than these other disciples love Me? 0:16:44.919,0:16:47.130 Why would the Lord do that? 0:16:47.130,0:16:48.501 Because Peter, remember, 0:16:48.501,0:16:53.270 had confidently boasted days before: 0:16:53.270,0:16:58.532 If they all forsake You, I won't. 0:16:58.532,0:17:04.311 I'm further along in my [br]sanctification than these guys are. 0:17:04.311,0:17:05.941 I'll never do it. 0:17:05.941,0:17:08.699 I'll die with You before I deny You. 0:17:08.699,0:17:10.723 Peter confidently stated he would have 0:17:10.723,0:17:14.809 devotion that exceeds theirs. 0:17:14.809,0:17:18.070 Well, you know, it didn't [br]take death to deny Jesus. 0:17:18.070,0:17:22.792 It only took a servant girl by the fire 0:17:22.792,0:17:25.050 glancing at him and then [br]taking a second look 0:17:25.050,0:17:29.290 and realizing: Hey, you were with Him! 0:17:29.290,0:17:31.761 You're one of them! 0:17:31.761,0:17:35.021 It only took that for Peter suddenly 0:17:35.021,0:17:36.879 to deny the Lord three times 0:17:36.879,0:17:38.270 even with an oath. 0:17:38.270,0:17:39.362 That's all it took. 0:17:39.362,0:17:43.792 Peter didn't have the devoted [br]love he thought he had. 0:17:43.792,0:17:45.669 He wasn't as far along as he thought. 0:17:45.669,0:17:48.810 He didn't see that he [br]was yet capable of this. 0:17:48.810,0:17:51.190 He thought more highly [br]of himself than he should. 0:17:51.190,0:17:52.661 He boasted of greater love, 0:17:52.661,0:17:54.640 but he failed the first test. 0:17:54.640,0:17:57.630 And even did what others did not do. 0:17:57.630,0:18:00.252 He denied the Lord three times. 0:18:00.252,0:18:04.321 So certainly, the Lord is [br]saying to Peter and to us: 0:18:04.321,0:18:10.251 Peter, what about your love for Me now? 0:18:10.251,0:18:12.350 Do you still believe you love Me more 0:18:12.350,0:18:15.091 than the others love Me? 0:18:15.091,0:18:16.400 What's the Lord doing here? 0:18:16.400,0:18:19.280 He's doing heart surgery on Peter here 0:18:19.280,0:18:22.062 to begin the healing balm 0:18:22.062,0:18:23.851 of restored love. 0:18:23.851,0:18:26.341 It would be hard and humiliating 0:18:26.341,0:18:28.181 to be in Peter's place 0:18:28.181,0:18:30.650 because those feelings 0:18:30.650,0:18:32.900 and human thoughts and emotions 0:18:32.900,0:18:37.939 of how does the Lord really view me now? 0:18:37.939,0:18:43.849 We've not really yet talked about this. 0:18:43.849,0:18:46.491 It's hard to look Him in the eye. 0:18:46.491,0:18:48.871 Because He looked at me after I denied Him 0:18:48.871,0:18:51.451 and that look has haunted me ever since. 0:18:51.451,0:18:53.399 How could I have done it? 0:18:53.399,0:18:54.687 What a fool I was! 0:18:54.687,0:18:56.391 What a failure I've been! 0:18:56.391,0:18:59.289 Where do I stand now? 0:18:59.289,0:19:02.131 Do the other disciples [br]even want me around? 0:19:02.131,0:19:03.608 Do they trust me? 0:19:03.608,0:19:05.700 Things can't ever be the same. 0:19:05.700,0:19:06.830 As the song says, 0:19:06.830,0:19:11.971 that was then, but this is now. 0:19:11.971,0:19:13.460 What all did Peter feel? 0:19:13.460,0:19:15.821 Well, we're not clear, but what is clear 0:19:15.821,0:19:18.184 is wounded Peter wasn't healed yet 0:19:18.184,0:19:20.850 and Jesus is healing him here. 0:19:20.850,0:19:23.612 In light of his denials, his humiliation, 0:19:23.612,0:19:24.991 his seeing his own heart, 0:19:24.991,0:19:26.770 his tears of repentance, 0:19:26.770,0:19:31.940 where does his love for [br]the Savior stand now? 0:19:31.940,0:19:34.880 Now, how is loving the Savior 0:19:34.880,0:19:37.131 when you've sinned against Him 0:19:37.131,0:19:40.151 and you've failed Him so much? 0:19:40.151,0:19:42.711 Restored love is the need. 0:19:42.711,0:19:45.330 And isn't that the need for all of us? 0:19:45.330,0:19:46.260 Always. 0:19:46.260,0:19:49.262 And it's always the remedy 0:19:49.262,0:19:53.720 for restoration and for [br]being turned again. 0:19:53.720,0:19:55.549 The Lord Jesus Christ here 0:19:55.549,0:20:00.578 loves Peter tenderly, [br]patiently, and perfectly, 0:20:00.578,0:20:02.860 and not only wants Peter to know it, 0:20:02.860,0:20:05.298 He wants Peter to love Him right then. 0:20:05.298,0:20:07.501 That's why He's saying:[br]Do you love Me, Peter? 0:20:07.501,0:20:10.350 Come on, give Me your love. 0:20:10.350,0:20:12.171 Give Me your heart afresh. 0:20:12.171,0:20:15.294 He wants Peter's love [br]restored so Peter will be healed. 0:20:15.294,0:20:18.642 Now after the third question [br](Peter, do you love Me?), 0:20:18.642,0:20:20.961 Peter is grieved. 0:20:20.961,0:20:22.874 What kind of grief was this? 0:20:22.874,0:20:26.310 It was not the grief of [br]embarrassment or hurt feelings. 0:20:26.310,0:20:30.869 It was the grief of a sad, tender heart 0:20:30.869,0:20:33.502 who had failed his Lord. 0:20:33.502,0:20:36.694 Feelings of loving sorrow 0:20:36.694,0:20:39.230 mixed with longing for the Lord. 0:20:39.230,0:20:42.700 Christ is drawing Peter [br]with cords of love here. 0:20:42.701,0:20:46.960 A threefold cord of a question of love. 0:20:46.960,0:20:50.399 Christ - the goodness of God 0:20:50.399,0:20:52.341 is bringing Peter fully back 0:20:52.341,0:20:56.308 and it's painful. It's painful. 0:20:56.308,0:20:59.150 This is Gospel surgery at its best. 0:20:59.150,0:21:02.009 Someone said, "Gospel [br]surgery's always free, 0:21:02.009,0:21:05.420 but it's not always easy." 0:21:05.420,0:21:07.490 Lee Dodd in our church weeks ago 0:21:07.490,0:21:09.590 one Sunday morning speaking about Peter, 0:21:09.590,0:21:12.470 he said, "It's as if Jesus is applying 0:21:12.470,0:21:14.486 the healing ointment of His love, 0:21:14.486,0:21:16.101 but it's going to sting a bit." 0:21:16.101,0:21:18.621 Have you ever had a nurse [br]or a doctor tell you that? 0:21:18.621,0:21:21.669 Now this is going to hurt a little. 0:21:21.669,0:21:27.970 The Lord Jesus' questions [br]were stinging a bit. 0:21:27.970,0:21:30.249 So Jesus is going for Peter's heart, 0:21:30.249,0:21:32.202 and guess what, He's going to get it. 0:21:32.202,0:21:34.440 He's going to get it fully back. 0:21:34.440,0:21:36.778 Peter, where does your love 0:21:36.778,0:21:40.149 stand with Me now? 0:21:40.149,0:21:42.080 Because love is stronger than death. 0:21:42.080,0:21:43.589 Love is stronger than a denial. 0:21:43.589,0:21:46.041 Love is stronger than a failure. 0:21:46.041,0:21:49.740 Love's stronger than you blowing it 0:21:49.740,0:21:52.421 and not knowing if you can recover. 0:21:52.421,0:21:54.600 Could Peter now truly say or not: 0:21:54.600,0:21:59.759 If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now. 0:21:59.759,0:22:01.839 Peter must face it and answer it. 0:22:01.839,0:22:04.451 Do you really love Me, Peter? 0:22:04.451,0:22:06.129 Not just with human sentiment 0:22:06.129,0:22:08.539 and human love, but with divine love. 0:22:08.539,0:22:13.611 The call to love Him. 0:22:13.611,0:22:17.241 Secondly, verses 15-17. 0:22:17.241,0:22:18.761 The Lord says to Peter, 0:22:18.761,0:22:21.248 "Shepherd My sheep." 0:22:21.248,0:22:22.551 "Shepherd My sheep." 0:22:22.551,0:22:25.620 The Lord is not only restoring [br]Peter's love for Him, 0:22:25.620,0:22:28.453 He's restoring Peter's [br]call to future ministry. 0:22:28.453,0:22:32.042 But don't you think Peter felt inside: 0:22:32.042,0:22:33.801 I'm done. 0:22:33.801,0:22:36.480 I'm disqualified. 0:22:36.480,0:22:37.589 How could I? 0:22:37.589,0:22:39.259 Who could ever listen to me again? 0:22:39.259,0:22:42.289 Who could ever trust me again? 0:22:42.289,0:22:43.741 Isn't it profound in a way 0:22:43.741,0:22:45.373 that the triple denier of Jesus 0:22:45.373,0:22:49.391 becomes the Apostle to the Jews? 0:22:49.391,0:22:52.602 I think that's pretty amazing. 0:22:52.602,0:22:55.919 The Lord links the [br]threefold call to love Him 0:22:55.919,0:22:59.040 with a threefold call to [br]now shepherd His sheep. 0:22:59.040,0:23:02.911 If you love Me, feed My lambs. 0:23:02.911,0:23:05.852 If you love Me, tend My sheep. 0:23:05.852,0:23:09.680 If you love Me, feed My sheep. 0:23:09.680,0:23:12.490 Now the word "tend" there 0:23:12.490,0:23:15.209 means to act as a shepherd toward them 0:23:15.209,0:23:16.911 in all that it means. 0:23:16.911,0:23:19.082 In every way it means to shepherd 0:23:19.082,0:23:21.692 and care for them, you do that. 0:23:21.692,0:23:25.370 If you love Me, this is My [br]love expressed through you. 0:23:25.370,0:23:27.521 Tend the sheep. 0:23:27.521,0:23:30.761 To feed means just that. 0:23:30.761,0:23:32.551 Give them the rightful nourishment 0:23:32.551,0:23:36.591 for spiritual health and growth. 0:23:36.591,0:23:40.052 So, Peter's sermon at Pentecost 0:23:40.052,0:23:43.132 is the fruit of this exhortation. 0:23:43.132,0:23:46.592 1 and 2 Peter is the fruit 0:23:46.592,0:23:48.750 of this exhortation: 0:23:48.750,0:23:52.050 Peter, feed My sheep. Care for My lambs. 0:23:52.050,0:23:54.292 Two words used about the sheep here: 0:23:54.292,0:23:55.953 The first one (sheep) 0:23:55.953,0:23:59.022 is not the older, more mature sheep. 0:23:59.022,0:24:01.921 It's the younger smaller sheep. 0:24:01.921,0:24:05.612 They're not lambs, but they're younger, 0:24:05.612,0:24:07.381 smaller sheep. 0:24:07.381,0:24:09.331 Distinct from the older, bigger ones. 0:24:09.331,0:24:12.940 Peter, you are to give special care 0:24:12.940,0:24:14.462 to the smaller sheep 0:24:14.462,0:24:16.521 who have growing needs. 0:24:16.521,0:24:19.881 You love Me? You care for [br]these smaller sheep. 0:24:19.881,0:24:21.874 This is the word "lambs." 0:24:21.874,0:24:25.290 My lambs - young, new converts. 0:24:25.290,0:24:27.731 The word is only used in the plural form 0:24:27.731,0:24:28.893 in the New Testament. 0:24:28.893,0:24:31.130 These smaller sheep 0:24:31.130,0:24:33.611 and even the little lambs - 0:24:33.611,0:24:38.271 your love for Me involves your heart 0:24:38.271,0:24:41.083 having endearment to them, 0:24:41.083,0:24:43.573 tenderness toward them, 0:24:43.573,0:24:45.819 care for them - loving, tender care 0:24:45.819,0:24:48.310 of My sheep and My lambs. 0:24:48.310,0:24:53.647 My young ones are of a [br]special concern to My heart, Peter. 0:24:53.647,0:24:55.972 And if you love Me, 0:24:55.972,0:24:59.221 you take care of My sheep. 0:24:59.221,0:25:01.590 I want them on your heart. 0:25:01.590,0:25:04.361 Your love for Me is real and applied 0:25:04.361,0:25:07.178 especially toward the care of My sheep. 0:25:07.178,0:25:08.962 This says something that's major: 0:25:08.962,0:25:10.501 Love for the Savior 0:25:10.501,0:25:13.271 that translates into [br]real love for His sheep 0:25:13.271,0:25:16.861 is the first requirement of a pastor. 0:25:16.861,0:25:19.052 Love for the Savior 0:25:19.052,0:25:22.601 that translates into real [br]love for His sheep 0:25:22.601,0:25:25.892 is the first requirement of a pastor. 0:25:25.892,0:25:28.071 For every Christian also 0:25:28.071,0:25:29.801 toward their brethren, 0:25:29.801,0:25:31.621 because we cannot love God 0:25:31.621,0:25:33.170 whom we haven't seen, 0:25:33.170,0:25:39.480 if we don't love the brothers [br]and sisters we do see. 0:25:39.480,0:25:41.651 Love Me, Peter! 0:25:41.651,0:25:43.893 Shepherd My sheep. 0:25:43.893,0:25:47.867 Third, v. 18-19. 0:25:47.867,0:25:49.923 Die for Me. 0:25:49.923,0:25:52.746 You're going to die for Me. 0:25:52.746,0:25:56.605 When you were young, 0:25:56.605,0:26:00.144 you went about wherever you wanted - 0:26:00.144,0:26:02.164 you could go fish, you could come in, 0:26:02.164,0:26:04.294 you could go wherever you want to, 0:26:04.294,0:26:06.105 you were independent, you were free. 0:26:06.105,0:26:09.484 When you're old, it's going [br]to be a different story. 0:26:09.484,0:26:11.244 Others are going to gird you 0:26:11.244,0:26:12.732 and they're going to take you 0:26:12.732,0:26:14.495 where you in the natural realm 0:26:14.495,0:26:16.254 would not want to have to go. 0:26:16.254,0:26:18.856 They're going to take you [br]where you don't want to go. 0:26:18.856,0:26:21.303 And John's commentary: This He said 0:26:21.303,0:26:22.705 signifying to Peter 0:26:22.705,0:26:27.266 what kind of death he was going to die. 0:26:27.266,0:26:31.674 Peter's here called to be a martyr. 0:26:31.674,0:26:33.664 Peter's crucifixion is affirmed 0:26:33.664,0:26:35.014 in the early centuries 0:26:35.014,0:26:38.343 by Eusebius, Tertullian, and others. 0:26:38.343,0:26:40.775 And it's prophesied by Jesus here 0:26:40.775,0:26:42.942 and it's commented on later by Peter 0:26:42.942,0:26:44.653 in 2 Peter 1:14. 0:26:44.653,0:26:48.153 "Since I know that the putting [br]off of my body will be soon 0:26:48.153,0:26:52.506 as our Lord Jesus Christ [br]made clear to me." 0:26:52.506,0:26:56.356 In two epistles, Peter is shepherding, 0:26:56.356,0:26:58.132 feeding, tending to the sheep 0:26:58.132,0:27:01.265 and the lambs in love as his last ministry 0:27:01.265,0:27:03.763 before he knows where he's going. 0:27:03.763,0:27:08.156 Called to die as the Lord died. 0:27:08.156,0:27:12.823 Now we're all called to live unto the Lord 0:27:12.823,0:27:18.426 and we're all called to be willing to die, 0:27:18.426,0:27:21.314 and some will be called to die. 0:27:21.314,0:27:26.535 But whether we live or whether [br]we die, we're the Lord's. 0:27:26.535,0:27:30.433 But Peter, this is in your future. 0:27:30.433,0:27:35.094 So love Me, feed My sheep, care for them, 0:27:35.094,0:27:39.635 and then, you're going to die like I died. 0:27:39.635,0:27:43.474 God is glorified in the death of martyrs. 0:27:43.474,0:27:46.715 If you've never read "Fair Sunshine," 0:27:46.715,0:27:48.526 get it and read it. 0:27:48.526,0:27:50.495 Two ladies in that book - 0:27:50.495,0:27:52.744 maybe they were both Margaret's - 0:27:52.744,0:27:54.023 do you remember? 0:27:54.023,0:27:56.954 One was about 60, [br]one was a teenager or 20's - 0:27:56.954,0:27:59.392 two Margaret's. 0:27:59.392,0:28:02.124 They were caught 0:28:02.124,0:28:06.264 by the persecuting authorities in Scotland 0:28:06.264,0:28:12.722 for attending a church [br]meeting or for owning a Bible. 0:28:12.722,0:28:17.893 They took them out in the sea 0:28:17.893,0:28:20.114 and the chained the older one 0:28:20.114,0:28:23.584 out in the water 0:28:23.584,0:28:26.264 so she would be drowned [br]first with the tide. 0:28:26.264,0:28:30.604 They chained the younger one 0:28:30.604,0:28:32.096 in a little more shallow water, 0:28:32.096,0:28:33.565 but it was strategic - 0:28:33.565,0:28:36.075 so she would have to face 0:28:36.075,0:28:41.996 and see her sister in the faith die first. 0:28:41.996,0:28:45.175 And they died victoriously. 0:28:45.175,0:28:46.714 Some are called to die. 0:28:46.714,0:28:49.375 Peter's called to die here. 0:28:49.375,0:28:51.224 Love Me. 0:28:51.224,0:28:52.968 Feed My sheep. 0:28:52.968,0:28:54.395 Die for Me. 0:28:54.395,0:28:59.913 Fourthly, verse 22. 0:28:59.913,0:29:02.145 Really, 21, "When Peter saw him 0:29:02.145,0:29:03.895 (that is John) he said to Jesus, 0:29:03.895,0:29:05.450 'Lord, what about this man?' 0:29:05.450,0:29:06.344 Jesus said to him, 0:29:06.344,0:29:08.569 'If it's My will that he [br]remains until I come, 0:29:08.569,0:29:10.753 what's that to you? Follow Me.'" 0:29:10.753,0:29:12.708 Verse 23, "So the saying spread abroad 0:29:12.708,0:29:14.154 among the brethren..." 0:29:14.154,0:29:17.035 Here's bad hermeneutics; 0:29:17.035,0:29:20.963 here's bad Bible interpretation. 0:29:20.963,0:29:22.934 The saying spread among the brothers 0:29:22.934,0:29:26.014 that this disciple was not going to die. 0:29:26.014,0:29:27.272 So it went viral. 0:29:27.272,0:29:29.613 Things could go viral in that day too. 0:29:29.613,0:29:32.606 The saying spread abroad [br]among the brethren 0:29:32.606,0:29:34.075 that John wasn't going to die. 0:29:34.075,0:29:37.154 He was going to live till [br]the Lord comes back. 0:29:37.154,0:29:38.935 "Yet Jesus did not say to him 0:29:38.935,0:29:40.406 that he was not going to die, 0:29:40.406,0:29:44.025 but He said 'if it's My will 0:29:44.025,0:29:47.063 that he remains until I come, 0:29:47.063,0:29:51.167 what is that to you?'" 0:29:51.167,0:29:55.743 The fourth truth in being a disciple: 0:29:55.743,0:29:58.764 Don't misunderstand the Lord's teaching. 0:29:58.764,0:30:01.823 Don't misunderstand the Bible. 0:30:01.823,0:30:04.784 They were guilty of bad hermeneutics here, 0:30:04.784,0:30:09.774 wrong interpretation of one statement. 0:30:09.774,0:30:14.665 And it's amazing that even [br]though John clarified this, 0:30:14.665,0:30:18.773 Augustine even into the [br]4th and 5th centuries, 0:30:18.773,0:30:21.745 Augustine said there were those 0:30:21.745,0:30:24.414 in the Christian world that still believed 0:30:24.414,0:30:28.774 John was somewhere in hiding alive 0:30:28.774,0:30:30.753 and wasn't dead yet. 0:30:30.753,0:30:34.225 Heresy is hard to kill. 0:30:34.225,0:30:38.323 Heresy often begins right from Scripture. 0:30:38.323,0:30:40.415 Deceiving spirits, misinterpretation, 0:30:40.415,0:30:42.613 misunderstanding of Bible verses, 0:30:42.613,0:30:44.994 listening out of carnal curiosity 0:30:44.994,0:30:47.304 to bad teachers. 0:30:47.304,0:30:49.458 I spoke to a Jehovah's Witness recently, 0:30:49.458,0:30:50.973 in recent weeks, 0:30:50.973,0:30:53.513 and I said I've got a question for you. 0:30:53.513,0:30:55.144 Why is it that you don't believe 0:30:55.144,0:30:57.244 Jesus was bodily raised from the dead 0:30:57.244,0:31:00.264 even though the Bible [br]clearly shows that He was? 0:31:00.264,0:31:02.844 He was physical. They touched Him. 0:31:02.844,0:31:04.553 And his answer was this: 0:31:04.553,0:31:07.607 Well, He couldn't have been that [br]way when He went to heaven. 0:31:07.607,0:31:09.943 It had to be spiritual [br]because the Bible says 0:31:09.943,0:31:14.674 flesh and blood shall not [br]inherit the kingdom of God. 0:31:14.674,0:31:19.424 What a proof text of heresy! 0:31:19.424,0:31:25.624 So we must take heed how we hear. 0:31:25.624,0:31:27.444 We must take heed what we hear. 0:31:27.444,0:31:30.216 We must understand and understand 0:31:30.216,0:31:33.145 and be clear so as not to be misled 0:31:33.145,0:31:34.974 or mislead. 0:31:34.974,0:31:36.893 That's why John puts his commentary here 0:31:36.893,0:31:41.435 so we won't misunderstand [br]the Lord's teaching. 0:31:41.435,0:31:47.445 Fifthly, v. 20-22. 0:31:47.445,0:31:48.767 The Lord tells Peter: 0:31:48.767,0:31:53.144 Keep your eyes only on Me. 0:31:53.144,0:31:55.255 Now where do you find that? 0:31:55.255,0:31:58.893 Well, notice what the [br]Lord had said to Peter 0:31:58.893,0:32:02.106 at the end of verse 19. 0:32:02.106,0:32:03.914 "Follow Me." 0:32:03.914,0:32:06.387 Follow Me - but what did Peter do? 0:32:06.387,0:32:08.375 The next sentence says 0:32:08.375,0:32:11.545 he turned and saw John. 0:32:11.545,0:32:13.133 The Lord has said, "Follow Me." 0:32:13.133,0:32:21.176 Peter turns and sees John. 0:32:21.176,0:32:25.681 Peter is distracted about [br]God's will for John. 0:32:25.681,0:32:28.275 Think about it, here's this big context 0:32:28.275,0:32:30.246 of the Lord restoring Peter in love, 0:32:30.246,0:32:32.665 calls him again to shepherd the sheep, 0:32:32.665,0:32:36.905 tells him how he's going to die, 0:32:36.905,0:32:40.558 and then the Lord says, "Follow Me." 0:32:40.558,0:32:44.388 Wouldn't that be enough for now? 0:32:44.388,0:32:45.959 Well, apparently not, 0:32:45.959,0:32:48.498 because Peter turns and looks at John 0:32:48.498,0:32:50.145 and says what about him? 0:32:50.145,0:32:51.417 What about him? 0:32:51.417,0:32:53.206 Why did Peter do that? 0:32:53.206,0:32:55.085 It may have been if he realizes 0:32:55.085,0:32:57.615 he's going to die, he was close to John, 0:32:57.615,0:33:00.504 he wonders is this his fate too. 0:33:00.504,0:33:02.447 What are You going to do with John? 0:33:02.447,0:33:07.065 What about John's future? 0:33:07.065,0:33:09.376 And Jesus in essence said: 0:33:09.376,0:33:12.134 What about John? 0:33:12.134,0:33:15.837 Was I talking about John? 0:33:15.837,0:33:20.402 Is My business about [br]John's future your business? 0:33:20.402,0:33:21.555 Or as we would say: 0:33:21.555,0:33:27.725 This is on a need-to-know [br]basis and guess what? 0:33:27.725,0:33:30.715 What is that to you? 0:33:30.715,0:33:33.115 Follow Me. 0:33:33.115,0:33:37.524 See, we're called not to be [br]distracted by others, 0:33:37.524,0:33:39.424 and Christ called us - 0:33:39.424,0:33:41.785 especially by those we love 0:33:41.785,0:33:43.456 and are closest to. 0:33:43.456,0:33:45.495 We're not to be distracted by others 0:33:45.495,0:33:48.274 and their calling, God's will for them, 0:33:48.274,0:33:50.005 their situations. 0:33:50.005,0:33:52.864 And Peter was distracted 0:33:52.864,0:33:55.087 with a viewpoint, an attitude, 0:33:55.087,0:33:57.384 nosiness, meddling, wondering 0:33:57.384,0:34:00.255 about what was not his business. 0:34:00.255,0:34:06.134 How easy is it for people to become 0:34:06.134,0:34:12.036 a distracting hindrance to [br]our single-eyed devotion. 0:34:12.036,0:34:15.026 Our minds can so easily be 0:34:15.026,0:34:21.816 on other's path more than our own path. 0:34:21.816,0:34:26.045 If John's future was [br]Peter's responsibility, 0:34:26.045,0:34:28.736 Jesus would have mentioned it to Peter. 0:34:28.736,0:34:29.795 He did not say: 0:34:29.795,0:34:31.467 Peter, here's your new commission. 0:34:31.467,0:34:33.687 Love Me, feed My sheep, die for Me, 0:34:33.687,0:34:36.164 and oh, here's information about John 0:34:36.164,0:34:38.127 because you're responsible for him also. 0:34:38.127,0:34:40.256 He didn't say that. 0:34:40.256,0:34:43.396 Jesus restores the fallen Peter, 0:34:43.396,0:34:45.369 reaffirms his calling, 0:34:45.369,0:34:52.237 and has to rebuke the nosy Peter. 0:34:52.237,0:34:54.946 Peter should leave all distractions alone 0:34:54.946,0:34:56.438 because they weren't his. 0:34:56.438,0:34:57.716 What is that to you? 0:34:57.716,0:34:59.496 What business is that of yours? 0:34:59.496,0:35:02.827 And how often do we need to hear this? 0:35:02.827,0:35:04.836 Well, I don't think that church over there 0:35:04.836,0:35:06.847 is quite doing right. 0:35:06.847,0:35:09.306 What's that to you? 0:35:09.306,0:35:10.426 You follow Christ. 0:35:10.426,0:35:12.568 Well, I don't think they [br]have the right view 0:35:12.568,0:35:14.716 of which translation of the Bible to use. 0:35:14.716,0:35:17.436 What's that? That's none of your business. 0:35:17.436,0:35:18.884 You follow Christ. 0:35:18.884,0:35:20.865 Well, I think they're too young 0:35:20.865,0:35:25.414 to be going to the mission field. 0:35:25.414,0:35:29.685 How much are we carnally curious 0:35:29.685,0:35:33.035 about other people's issues 0:35:33.035,0:35:36.345 when we haven't even [br]fully dealt with our own 0:35:36.345,0:35:39.367 and we aren't fully obeying Christ 0:35:39.367,0:35:45.947 as to what He's shown us to do? 0:35:45.947,0:35:50.118 Jesus declines to [br]satisfy Peter's curiosity. 0:35:50.118,0:35:52.366 It is no business of Peter's 0:35:52.366,0:35:54.875 what's going to happen to John. 0:35:54.875,0:35:57.176 Even if the Lord wills [br]for John to stay alive 0:35:57.176,0:35:58.314 even to His return, 0:35:58.314,0:36:01.686 why would Peter even need to know that? 0:36:01.686,0:36:02.845 He doesn't need to know. 0:36:02.845,0:36:04.986 He doesn't need to know [br]anything about John. 0:36:04.986,0:36:06.473 How much do we need to know 0:36:06.473,0:36:08.385 about God's purpose and will for others? 0:36:08.385,0:36:11.458 Even those we're closest to? 0:36:11.458,0:36:13.296 How much do we really need to know? 0:36:13.296,0:36:16.155 Elders and pastors need to know. 0:36:16.155,0:36:18.934 Church leaders need to know more, 0:36:18.934,0:36:21.228 oftentimes for the protection. 0:36:21.228,0:36:23.406 But generally speaking, 0:36:23.406,0:36:25.094 how much do we need to know 0:36:25.094,0:36:28.676 about God's business [br]in other people's lives? 0:36:28.676,0:36:33.872 What is that to you, [br]O thou nosy Christian? 0:36:33.872,0:36:35.994 Mind your own business. 0:36:35.994,0:36:39.636 Keep to your own stuff. 0:36:39.636,0:36:41.965 You know, one of the greatest examples 0:36:41.965,0:36:45.165 of this mistake is Josiah. 0:36:45.165,0:36:47.546 He reigned 31 years in Jerusalem. 0:36:47.546,0:36:49.433 He became king when he was 8 years old. 0:36:49.433,0:36:51.000 At 16 years old, the Bible says 0:36:51.000,0:36:53.285 he began to seek the Lord seriously. 0:36:53.285,0:36:54.926 He began to seek the God of David. 0:36:54.926,0:36:57.315 And he began purging Jerusalem 0:36:57.315,0:36:59.646 of idols and carved images. 0:36:59.646,0:37:02.586 One of the best kings in Israel's history. 0:37:02.586,0:37:06.667 And 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles [br]gives his record. 0:37:06.667,0:37:08.416 He kept the Passover in Jerusalem. 0:37:08.416,0:37:11.075 He appointed priests to their offices 0:37:11.075,0:37:14.145 and encouraged them in the [br]service of the house of God. 0:37:14.145,0:37:15.906 He put the ark in the temple 0:37:15.906,0:37:17.114 that Solomon built. 0:37:17.114,0:37:18.986 He cut down the altars of Baal. 0:37:18.986,0:37:21.194 And he was present himself 0:37:21.194,0:37:25.253 when his men cut those altars to Baal down 0:37:25.253,0:37:26.506 the Bible says. 0:37:26.506,0:37:28.867 He told the priests: Consecrate yourselves 0:37:28.867,0:37:31.037 and prepare for your brothers to do 0:37:31.037,0:37:33.305 according to the Word [br]of the Lord by Moses. 0:37:33.305,0:37:35.386 The singers, the sons of Asaph, 0:37:35.386,0:37:38.536 were under Josiah's leadership in Israel. 0:37:38.536,0:37:40.515 And the Bible says, 0:37:40.515,0:37:43.188 "...No Passover like it had [br]been kept in Israel 0:37:43.188,0:37:45.535 since the days of Samuel the prophet." 0:37:45.535,0:37:50.105 2 Chronicles 35 summarizes Josiah's life. 0:37:50.105,0:37:51.907 The rest of the acts of Josiah 0:37:51.907,0:37:53.714 and his good deeds 0:37:53.714,0:37:56.177 are written in the book of the kings. 0:37:56.177,0:37:57.860 But you know what? 0:37:57.860,0:37:59.911 You remember his major misstep. 0:37:59.911,0:38:03.371 One big misstep cost him his life. 0:38:03.371,0:38:05.811 He didn't apostatize [br]and worship the Baals. 0:38:05.811,0:38:07.391 He didn't love like Solomon 0:38:07.391,0:38:09.264 loved a bunch of strange women 0:38:09.264,0:38:12.422 and let them pull his heart away 0:38:12.422,0:38:15.109 to false gods like Solomon did. 0:38:15.109,0:38:17.563 What did Josiah do? 0:38:17.563,0:38:20.720 He didn't mind his own business. 0:38:20.720,0:38:24.771 He began meddling in [br]affairs that weren't his. 0:38:24.771,0:38:26.801 He began to pick a fight with a dog, 0:38:26.801,0:38:29.900 but the dog didn't want to fight him. 0:38:29.900,0:38:31.281 But he picked the fight 0:38:31.281,0:38:33.691 and the dog had to fight him. 0:38:33.691,0:38:36.400 2 Chronicles says after [br]Josiah prepared the temple, 0:38:36.400,0:38:38.640 he heard about Neco, the king of Egypt, 0:38:38.640,0:38:40.412 who was going to war with someone 0:38:40.412,0:38:44.420 over near the Euphrates River. 0:38:44.420,0:38:48.859 And it's not Josiah's business;[br]it's not his battle. 0:38:48.859,0:38:50.979 He doesn't have a bone to pick. 0:38:50.979,0:38:53.911 Israel's welfare is not at stake. 0:38:53.911,0:38:58.432 But he couldn't leave it alone. 0:38:58.432,0:39:00.989 Josiah goes out to meet Neco 0:39:00.989,0:39:03.730 basically to pick a fight 0:39:03.730,0:39:06.322 when Neco wasn't coming to Israel. 0:39:06.322,0:39:09.631 And the Bible says, "Neco [br]sent messengers to Josiah," 0:39:09.631,0:39:13.380 and said this: What do we [br]have to do with you, O king? 0:39:13.380,0:39:15.342 What do we have to do with each other? 0:39:15.342,0:39:17.040 I'm not coming against you this day 0:39:17.040,0:39:18.100 but someone else. 0:39:18.100,0:39:20.533 Listen, I'm in a hurry. Stop! 0:39:20.533,0:39:22.631 Because God is with me, 0:39:22.631,0:39:27.580 lest He destroy you. 0:39:27.580,0:39:29.540 And here was Josiah's mistake: 0:39:29.540,0:39:31.220 The Bible says, "Nevertheless, 0:39:31.220,0:39:33.782 Josiah did not turn away from him." 0:39:33.782,0:39:36.721 He did not listen to the words of Neco 0:39:36.721,0:39:40.490 from the mouth of God, 0:39:40.490,0:39:42.031 but instead he came to fight, 0:39:42.031,0:39:43.910 and the archer shot Josiah 0:39:43.910,0:39:45.520 and he died and was buried. 0:39:45.520,0:39:47.211 And the Bible says all Jerusalem 0:39:47.211,0:39:50.039 and all Judah mourned for Josiah 0:39:50.039,0:39:51.901 and Jeremiah the prophet 0:39:51.901,0:39:55.710 lamented his death. 0:39:55.710,0:39:57.632 Neco was saying: 0:39:57.632,0:40:00.579 What is that to you? 0:40:00.579,0:40:02.380 You worship Jehovah. 0:40:02.380,0:40:05.100 What is that to you? [br]This isn't your fight. 0:40:05.100,0:40:06.951 You're not called to meddle here. 0:40:06.951,0:40:10.250 Watch meddling. 0:40:10.250,0:40:12.801 A dear favorite preacher [br]of mine said one time: 0:40:12.801,0:40:14.130 Watch out for meddling. 0:40:14.130,0:40:16.171 Don't meddle in what's not your business. 0:40:16.171,0:40:18.161 Don't be concerned about stuff 0:40:18.161,0:40:20.480 that's not for you to fix. 0:40:20.480,0:40:21.959 You follow Christ. 0:40:21.959,0:40:23.900 You stay focused on Him 0:40:23.900,0:40:25.400 and don't let people - 0:40:25.400,0:40:27.073 even those you love the most - 0:40:27.073,0:40:29.711 distract you from steadfast, 0:40:29.711,0:40:31.760 single-eyed obedience. 0:40:31.760,0:40:34.561 What is that to you, Peter? 0:40:34.561,0:40:37.451 You follow Me. 0:40:37.451,0:40:40.546 And that's the final thing [br]the Lord said to him. 0:40:40.546,0:40:42.150 Not only: Love Me, 0:40:42.150,0:40:43.422 feed My sheep, 0:40:43.422,0:40:45.566 die for Me, 0:40:45.566,0:40:47.420 mind your own business, 0:40:47.420,0:40:49.270 but "Follow Me." 0:40:49.270,0:40:51.179 And the Lord says it twice here: 0:40:51.179,0:40:52.300 Follow Me. 0:40:52.300,0:40:53.681 And then at the end He says, 0:40:53.681,0:40:56.613 "You follow Me." 0:40:56.613,0:40:59.033 Just follow Me. 0:40:59.033,0:41:00.641 Love Me, 0:41:00.641,0:41:02.132 care for My sheep, 0:41:02.132,0:41:04.351 follow Me, feed them, love them, 0:41:04.351,0:41:05.302 watch out for them, 0:41:05.302,0:41:08.031 don't let anyone mess with My bride, 0:41:08.031,0:41:12.231 shepherd My sheep. 0:41:12.231,0:41:14.110 Follow Me. 0:41:14.110,0:41:16.790 And in closing, let's just think about 0:41:16.790,0:41:19.760 a couple of thoughts here. 0:41:19.760,0:41:22.819 First lesson is this: 0:41:22.819,0:41:26.741 Restoration for a backslider - 0:41:26.741,0:41:30.442 restoration for a failed disciple. 0:41:30.442,0:41:32.822 Restoration and not defeat 0:41:32.822,0:41:36.072 is Christ's purpose for every one of us. 0:41:36.072,0:41:38.093 You may have come here 0:41:38.093,0:41:40.993 out of a recent fall, out of defeat. 0:41:40.993,0:41:45.122 Maybe for months, you've [br]been in bad state. 0:41:45.122,0:41:47.311 Disappointments, failures, 0:41:47.311,0:41:50.262 secret things. 0:41:50.262,0:41:52.761 The Lord Jesus Christ says to you 0:41:52.761,0:41:55.353 this morning in your condition: 0:41:55.353,0:41:59.370 Love Me! 0:41:59.370,0:42:01.522 I want your heart's love. 0:42:01.522,0:42:02.831 Love Me. 0:42:02.831,0:42:04.762 Forget the past. 0:42:04.762,0:42:07.740 I'll clean you up. 0:42:07.740,0:42:09.642 I'm going to have those shepherd you, 0:42:09.642,0:42:10.843 care for you. 0:42:10.843,0:42:12.410 You may be the weakest lamb. 0:42:12.410,0:42:14.422 Just love Me. That's where you start. 0:42:14.422,0:42:16.851 Just love Him. 0:42:16.851,0:42:18.682 Just love Him. 0:42:18.682,0:42:21.243 Restoration, and not defeat, 0:42:21.243,0:42:24.951 is God's purpose for every child of God - 0:42:24.951,0:42:26.271 the younger sheep 0:42:26.271,0:42:28.930 down to the weakest lamb. 0:42:28.930,0:42:32.442 Secondly, failures don't disqualify you 0:42:32.442,0:42:36.351 necessarily from future growth 0:42:36.351,0:42:37.623 and future ministry. 0:42:37.623,0:42:41.011 Some failures will put people 0:42:41.011,0:42:44.022 properly out of the ministry. 0:42:44.022,0:42:48.192 But that's a small category, isn't it. 0:42:48.192,0:42:50.659 But failures - the worst of them - 0:42:50.659,0:42:52.701 don't disqualify you 0:42:52.701,0:42:55.614 from being restored in the love of Christ, 0:42:55.614,0:42:56.902 from following Him, 0:42:56.902,0:42:59.722 and being a blessing to love others 0:42:59.722,0:43:02.882 because you love Him. 0:43:02.882,0:43:06.531 Thirdly, it's the Gospel alone, 0:43:06.531,0:43:10.011 the love of Christ alone for His own 0:43:10.011,0:43:13.872 that is the healing remedy for anyone 0:43:13.872,0:43:16.961 who has fallen. 0:43:16.961,0:43:20.302 Backslider, I'll say what [br]Spurgeon said one time. 0:43:20.302,0:43:22.402 He lifted up his voice and said 0:43:22.402,0:43:24.133 there's a backslider here today. 0:43:24.133,0:43:25.732 Come back home. 0:43:25.732,0:43:27.252 And I say that to you today. 0:43:27.252,0:43:33.251 Backslider, love Him. 0:43:33.251,0:43:35.813 Follow Him. 0:43:35.813,0:43:39.632 How deep the Father's love for us! 0:43:39.632,0:43:48.182 Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus. 0:43:48.182,0:43:49.602 Let's sing that.