In His Service

                “Follow Me” John 21:18-25 Death, it is not the final destination. Jesus has already proven that death was now defeated, but that we will all  die to the earthly tent of this body, but to arise one day in glory with a new body. Peter was now told by Jesus what manner he would die. Let's look at the first portion of the text. “ Very 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” Again Jesus tells Peter the absolute truth, “Very truly I tell you.” If there is anything Peter can trust, it is Jesus telling the truth, for he is the truth. Peter, having been restored and commissioned by Jesus, now hears Jesus tell him about Peter’s future. Up to now,...

        Redeeming Love John 21:15-25 Have you ever been grieved because of your failure,  and you are wondering where to go from here? You lost something so very important, that you believe there is no way to get it back. This was the elephant in the room in Jerusalem and around the campfire for Peter. Peter is still bearing the consequences of his denials in his mind and heart. He tried to go back to the old normal, fishing, and here Jesus comes and meets him where he is to redeem, restore, and recall the one he loves. Let's read the first portion of our text, “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Pet...

  “Go Fish” John 21:1-14 Have you ever gone fishing and caught nothing? You wonder if there are any fish where you fished. Such was the fishing expedition of seven disciples, but that day had really just begun for them. Let’s look at the first portion of the text, “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number ...