Breakfast on the Seashore

Good evening to you. We welcome you to our Sunday evening Lifestream service on this Easter Sunday, rejoicing that we can meet in this way, saddened by the circumstances that hinder our gathering and yet we bow to God's sovereign ways in his providence and the way he has ordained things in these it's been five weeks now since we've been able to meet his congregation. Indeed, the absence of the heart makes the heart grow fonder. Not being able to meet creates a longing in our hearts for the day and the time when these restrictions will be lifted and we will be able to gather once again it is good that there is a longing and there is a missing of these means of grace. I've enjoyed the prelude music that's played took seven minutes before we go live in. That is to augment and to encourage you in the great hymns of the faith are glad we have such a heritage. I love this hymn that was played earlier sound his praises. Rejoice and be glad the Redeemer have come go look on his cradle his cross and his tomb sound is praises tell the story of the Lamb that was slain sound.

His praises tell with gladness liveth again.

I was able to enjoy this mornings message from this place and was very encouraged and I know you are as well that we have these opportunities tonight. I'm going to visit one of the resurrection scenes not on resurrection Sunday, but sometime after been an encouragement to me to consider this portion and I'm looking forward with eagerness to preach it to you this evening. It is the foundation of our Christian faith, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from it. We have no hope or faith is vain. It's empty. The Bible tells us that he was raised for our justification. God's declaration that we are free from condemnation that we have right standing with him is absolutely dependent upon the resurrection because the resurrection is God's vindication that he accepted the sacrifice of Christ on behalf of sinners, so that plus many other reasons we have for rejoicing tonight. For those families who knew of earthly separation this week. George Zentz and Bob Rose asked those families of the resurrection means anything more to them now than it did before. I trust that it is become a sweet consolation to them, knowing that because Jesus lives. We who believe upon him shall live also that there is a glad inglorious future day of resurrection awaiting all the saints of God.

So thank you church for for praying for and for ministering to each other.

Praying for your pastors, for during this season for however long it will continue were grateful for your faithfulness and how God is keeping us by his grace will you join me as we look to the Lord and ask his blessing on our evening service here father how we thank you that you are the God who inhabits eternity. We thank you that from everlasting to everlasting you are God, we thank you for the perfections of your person. The perfections of the Godhead. I we rejoice that all is well in the father's house this evening. I we rejoice that there is a place been read that has been reserved for all the saints of God together someday free from strife, free from sin, free from corruption, free from the distractions that would hinder us in our worship of you. We thank you for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that he is the victor that he is seated at your right hand that he ever lives to make intercession for the saints. We are amazed as we contemplate his personhood at your right hand and at your throne that he is seated there and his perfect humanity bearing the scars of Calvary. The nail prints in his hands and his feet. The spirit was thrust in his side. We thank you for him that he is a sympathizing great high priest, and he's touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He was tempted at all points such as we and yet without sin.

And for that we are so grateful we asked our God, that you would cause your word to run and be glorified this evening. We thank you for your revelation that has been preserved force that is authoritative that is relevant for the needs of our lives.

Even this evening. We thank you that it is trustworthy that we have a clear word from you. We thank you for the record of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead of those who were touched in Palestine during the historical time in history and that we can revisit those scenes in by your spirit, you're able to take that word and minister it to our hearts. Even this evening. Lord we look to you for that.

This evening we ask you to help us help me as I preach, help those who were listening and help those who will listen. In the future receive our worship receive our praise for being our God for the provisions that you made for sinners like us Lord you were under no obligation to send a Savior. You are under no obligation to redeem the lost. You could have done with humanity. What you did with the angelic hosts who rebelled against you cast them forever into the abyss with no hope of salvation, yet it pleased you to glorify your own namesake and glorify the praise of your own glory to give your son that sinners believing upon him might be saved. We thank you for the glorious salvation we have in our Savior make it precious to us more precious to us each passing day. Again, we commit this service to you.

Now ask that you would own it asked that you would bless it asked that you would cause it to bear fruit and draw attention to him who loved us and gave himself for us and is seated at your right hand even praying for snow, we pray the glorious name of Jesus a man like to turn in the Gospel of John.

This evening read from John chapter 21 John chapter 21 like to begin to read in verse one, and I'll read on down through verse 19 hear the word of the Lord. After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberius, and in this way, he showed himself Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and to others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, we're going with you.

Also, they went out and immediately got into the boat and that night they caught nothing.

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore. Yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, children have you any food they answered him, no, and he said to them, cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.

So they cast and now they were not able to draw in it because of the multitude of fish therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, it is the Lord now.

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord. He put on his outer garment, for he had removed it and plunged into the sea, but the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land but about 200 cubits, dragging the net with fish, then as soon as they had come the land they saw a fire of coals.

There and fish laid on it and bread.

Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish which you have just caught Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land full of large fish, 153. And although there were so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them come and eat breakfast yet none of the disciples dared ask him who are you, knowing that it was the Lord Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

So when they had eaten breakfast. Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonah, do you love me more than these he said to him. Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

He said to him, feed my lambs.

He said to him again the second time Simon son of Jonah, do you love me, he said to him. Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. He said to him, tend my sheep. He said to him the third time Simon son of Jonah, do you love me Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time. Do you love me and he said to him, Lord, you know all things you know that I love you.

Jesus said to him, feed my sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you when you were younger you girded yourself and walked where you wished. But when you are old you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you carry you where do not wish this he spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God and when he had spoken this he said to him, follow me. The text tells us in verse 15 that this was her again. I'm sorry.

In verse 14 that this was the third time that Jesus had showed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. What is caught my interest in recent days is how the gospel writers conspicuously draw our attention, not so much to the fact that Jesus appeared to his disciples and he appeared to others, but there seems to be an extra measure of concern to communicate that Jesus had a particular interest in Peter and Simon and we see that a couple of times. Mark chapter 16 in verse seven we have the record of the angel speaking to Mary who came to the tomb and the angel said go tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you went to Galilee. There you will see him in Matthew's account, Matthew chapter 28 the angel said something very similar, and then in verses nine and 10. It says this that Jesus himself said, go and tell my brother and to go to Galilee and there they will see me so Jesus appears and speaks and gives these instructions. The two men that had the encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus 7 miles from Jerusalem. On that same resurrection day Easter morning they were walking in the stranger appeared in they conversed with him and in the passing of time it became clear to them.

Jesus revealed to them that he was the resurrected Christ. They went back into Jerusalem to report this incident, but what's interesting is what is recorded in Luke chapter 24 verse 31 it says then their eyes were opened and they knew him so they rose up that very hour in return to Jerusalem and found the 11 and those who were with them gathered together say the Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon, and I was struck by that.

Why the reference to Simon is mentioned before that he appeared us.

The Lord is risen indeed and is appeared to Simon and they told about the things that it happened on the road and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread so soft that they didn't mention their own experience. But before they mentioned their experience. It was a profound experience. They mentioned that the Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon three times the Scripture single out the fact that Jesus appeared to Peter. It's in that first Corinthians 15 account read that quickly to first Corinthians 15 talks about. Well let me begin to read it verse one of first printing 15 moreover brethren I declare to you the gospel which I preach to you which also you received and in which you stand.

By which also you are saying.

If you hold fast that word which I preach to you, unless you believe in vain. For I delivered to you. First of all that which I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and then verse five and that he was seen by Cephas, then by the 12. So again, the question why is Cephas, why is Peter singled out could've said he appeared to the disciples says he was seen by Cephas, then by the 12.

So again, the record of Scripture is such that it draws our attention to Peter and why he is singled out, you say well perhaps he singled out because of his denial of Christ and perhaps that is true, but again I was taken back a bit as I read the accounts of the resurrection and all the events that transpired during passion week and Peter's denial is boasted in his denial are infamous.

He's known for that. And passage that were looking at tonight draws attention to that. But are you aware that were told in Matthew chapter 26 Peter was boasting that he would not deny his Lord.

We have these words. Jesus said to them, all of you will be made to stumble because of me this night, for it is written, I will strike the shepherd and the flock scattered, but after I have been raised. I will go before you to Galilee. Peter answered and said to him, even if all are made to stumble because of you I will never be made to stumble. Jesus said to him, assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. Number all aware of that. That's in our mind, but notice what the next verses, Peter said to him, even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you and so said all the disciples and so sad all the disciples so Peter wasn't the only one boasting of his in his self-confidence that he won deny the Lord that he would die for the Lord. Now back to our passage in John chapter 21 what I want to do is we look at this passage tonight is to draw your attention to a number of statements here now make some comments and observations and will walk through the text and are purpose is to get ourselves to verse 15 and concentrate there, but it'll take us a little time so follow with me is we consider this passage John 21 and the title my message tonight is breakfast on the seashore breakfast on the seashore. When you see number one and abrupt change in geographic folk and abrupt change in geographic focus. Verse 21 says after these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberius, and in this way, he showed himself deceived Tiberius that is the sea of Galilee that is Lakin*all those same references are to the same body of water all the way up in the north 60 miles or so from Jerusalem at the epicenter where all these activities have been taken place. Here is an abrupt change in the geographic focus Galilee again 60 miles further to the north. After these things. That's a reference of time and again we do not know how much time is gone by. We do know. Toward the end of John chapter 20 that there had been two appearances of Jesus in an upper room in Jerusalem. The first was on the resurrection day in the evening. The disciples were gathered there with the doors being locked in Jesus appeared in their midst and that it that appearance of Jesus was minus Thomas, the disciples then after the fact informed Thomas that Jesus had appeared to them and he said and I I will not believe unless I put my fingers into his nail prints and eight days later, Jesus appears, it would seem in the same upper room there in Jerusalem. Thomas being present Jesus saying Thomas put your fingers in my nail prints.

Thomas didn't need that Thomas gave this wonderful declaration, my Lord and my God and Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believe Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

And then there's this summary statement in John chapter 20 verses 30 and 31. Truly, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God and that believing you may have life in his name and then the next verse, chapter 21 verse one transports us to the sea of Tiberius, so an abrupt change in geographic focus. Number two I want you to see an interesting declaration verse to Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and to others of it of his disciples were together so seven men work together. Simon Peter verse three says to them. I am going fishing. An interesting declaration. I am going fishing now. There's a lot of ink been spilled and speculation of what exactly he meant by that is done with this following Jesus of Nazareth that he was going back to what he was feeling familiar with, he was going back to his vocation and despite the fact that there's a lot of speculation about that.

I really question and here's why question, a question that because the reason Peter and these disciples, these other six men are in Galilee is because Jesus told him to go to Galilee and there I will meet you there. I will see you the message came from the Angels. Jesus himself said that to marry so they are where they are in obedience to the instructions that were given. It's been three years since Peter left his vocation of fishing. That's what he knew that's what he was familiar with and whether a man just for old time sake just for memory sake. I'm going fishing. That's his plausible explanation as well. He's making a change of vocation is turning his back on this disappointing three year venture. I don't believe that that's true. And again, let me take another reason why don't believe that is true despite the fact that were told in the Scriptures that Jesus appeared to Simon three different times were told that he appeared Simon. There is no record of that meeting, not a single passage of Scripture that gives description of what transpired in that meeting that Jesus had with Peter but were told that Jesus appeared to Peter, and I believe that it was there in that personal private meeting that Peter demonstrated repentance and remorse and that he was forgiven by Jesus for his denial and for his failure say with and what's all this later on in John chapter 21 to that in a moment. So number one abrupt change in geographic focus number two an interesting declaration by Peter he was going fishing and the other men said well if you're going fishing were going with you. Number three, a return to familiarity this and again this is what they were familiar with this is there sin their blood. I can see them in the boat and the water splashing against the boat in the breeze that they were feeling in the nets that they had were so fond of and the surroundings it, when it all came back to them very, very familiar. It's as they went out immediately got into the boat and that night they caught nothing with that statement they caught nothing. I simply said, a repeated night of fruitless toil. A repeated night of fruitless toil because were told in Luke chapter 5 that they had been on the same body of water fishing all night and work cleaning their nets and Jesus used Peter's boat as a pulpit, pushed out to see and told Peter Castor net on the other side of the boat, which he did. So this isn't the first night that these men fished all night and caught nothing and those of you that fish know that that's probably more the case than not there's enough a lot of fish.

The don't get caught a lot of empty fishing trips, but these men no doubt were not the only ones on the lake.

That's what men did. That's when they fished at night, but a repeated night of fruitless toil they had fished all night casting the nets casting the nets casting the nets and no fish.

Number five I want you do see an uninvited serious bystander revealed verse four says, but when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore. Yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Morning is dawning. The sun is coming up. There's a shadow of a person on the seashore can make out who it is just can see a man there. I don't know who it is simply a man mysterious bystander now were told that it is Jesus at this time. They don't know it's Jesus which leads to an embarrassing question. The task in verse five then Jesus said to them, children have you any food that's an interesting way of saying have you caught any fish. I call that an embarrassing question because when you fished all night and you haven't caught anything. The last question you want to hear is well. What did you get now if you had a successful day on the lake and you come in the dock. Your wanting people to ask you how did it go so you can show well. We had a great got this we got that.

But here is an embarrassing question that's asked children. Have you any food in there simple reply is no, nothing more to be said no we don't have any food and then number seven I call this a reminiscent command a reminiscent command verse six he said to them, cast the net on the right side of the boat to here's a command and only command, but a promise that if they'll do what he's commanding that they will meet with success. These are not novices.

These are season fishermen.

They have fished all night and it really doesn't matter which side of the boat you through the net over whether you're going to catch fish or whether you're not. That's the logic and yet a reminiscent command, reminiscent because of what transpired earlier in their lives.

Number of years ago, Artie made reference to that time when Jesus got into Peter's boat launch doubt it tells us in Luke five into the deep. He says to Simon launch out and let down your nets for a catch, but Simon answered and said to him master. We have toiled all night and caught nothing.

Never the less, at your word.

I will let down the net and when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their net breaking. That's Luke chapter 5 many years well in many years, but several years earlier. That's why I'm referring to this as a reminiscent command it so akin to what Jesus and commanded earlier. It would've been hard not to connect the two occasions a reminiscent reminiscent command cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some and then latter half of verse six.

I call a fisherman's dream, so they cast and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish on is that happen will depends on who's given the command. Skeptics will say well I don't understand. How did God enable Noah to get all the animals on the ark animals are while same way fish ended up in these fisherman's net one who created them, controls them, commands them in these fish ended up in the nets of these seasoned fishermen a fisherman's dream. The latter half of verse six and then what I call an aha moment and aha moment verse seven. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, it is a little harder.

It all came together for him.

This is too much a coincidence. I remember this has to be the Lord, and aha moment now and Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord he didn't hear that it was the Lord he just heard the declaration of John at Sue's being referred to the other disciple whom Jesus loved. That's many times what I many times with several times in the Scriptures, a reference to John when Simon heard that it was the Lord. He put on his outer garment, for he had removed it and plunged into the sea and I refer to this as an active customary impetuous, this is Peter. This is his character.

It's the Lord waiting for the boat to get to shore.

I'm jumping in to get to him as quick as I can. So it seems was his motive. That's the end of verse seven with the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from land but about 200 cubits, dragging the net with fish, then as soon as they had come to land they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid on it and bread. Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish which you have just caught.

Question who caught these fish who caught these fish hundred and 53 them, who caught them well that's an interesting question, reminds me of the father and the son who went on a fishing trip and when I got back to the house. The father said to the sun. Let's show your mother the fish you caught. Here's a picture on the phone of fish in them holding it up but the sons more honest in the father and the sons says to the father will you looked at all I did was relayed in question who caught the fish. The father or the son back to the text verse 10 says Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish which you have just caught. The disciples are, like that, son. On admission trip right but they didn't really catch them. They did what Jesus said they threw the net into the water. On the other side and hundred and 53 fish interesting is an out God communicates these things to us why.

After dragging the fish in the net safely to shore. We find a surprising breakfast prepared a surprising breakfast prepared verse nine. Then, as soon as they had come the land they saw a fire of coals. There and fish laid on it and bread a surprising breakfast prepared word Jesus get the fish well if he can command 153 she fish to appear in the net. We don't need to wonder where he got the fish simply, Jesus is preparing fish for morning breakfast a surprising breakfast prepared and as soon as they come.

The land they saw a fire of coals there and for fish laid on Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish which you have just caught Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land full of large fish, 153. And although there were so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them come and eat breakfast company breakfast. These men had fished all night. No doubt they were hungry but it was something about this scenario that perhaps hindered their appetite. We don't know Jesus said to them, need breakfast. I've entitled this next set section and awkward silence and awkward silence.

Jesus said to them, need breakfast yet none of the disciples dared ask him who are you, knowing that it was the Lord Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them and likewise the fish.

This is now the third time Jesus showed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. I believe it was an awkward silence because it was this issue still lingering in the air. These disciples had known of Peter's public denial of Christ promises in this group is lack of faith is kind of hanging in the air. Jesus had the common basically show himself.

Acquiesce to his demand before he would be laid their hearts were full of so many questions. Was he going to ask us what we doing fish and why are you more concerned about the resurrection and the art about these fish yet that's not mention so I don't think it took them very long to eat breakfast because there were too many words communicated at least the Scriptures don't reveal the was anything communicated and awkward silence, then, that brings us to the restoration of Peter is my Bible has that heading above it. Jesus restores Peter and I referred to this as a disciple publicly restored and recommissioned a disciple publicly restored and recommissioned nursery parts to this. There is Christ's question and there's three things to know about his questioning. Then there is Peter's response and then there is Christ's command. So Christ's question. Peter's response in Christ command. Let's look at those three things in the latter half of this section, the first thing I want you to note with me about Jesus's question to Peter is the name by which Jesus addresses him. Verse 15 so when Nadine breakfast.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonah, do you love me more than these. Simon, son of Jonah.

That's his old name is the name that he had when Jesus first called him to be a disciple in the name Simon draws our attention to a play on words.

His name means pebble or unstable one. Jesus comes to this fisherman. Three years earlier and says you'll no longer be Simon you will be Cephas, Peter R. Rock.

Jesus is declaring that he is going to make him a solid and a courageous person. Peter is a man under construction and everyone for whom God is saved is in the same situation where men and women under construction God who is begun a good work in us is going to continue it until the day of Jesus Christ. Is he matures us and grows us and changes us and develops us. That's what he's doing here with Peter. The second thing I want you to know with me about the question.

The Jesus has is the words that Jesus uses for love our English Bible doesn't reveal this to us at something that you have to depend upon the Greek language to pick up on but there are two words for love being used in this section 1 is agape love. God's kind of love and the other is for Leo humankind of love, a friendship kind of love both of those are being used we have again this play on words that gives us insight as to what Jesus is driving at is he questions Simon verse 15 when they had eaten breakfast. Jesus said to Simon, Simon son of Jonah, do you love me more than these in the word Jesus uses for love is the highest level of love. Do you love me in a God kind away.

Do you agape me you love me in that way. Peter and do you love me more than the more than these that could be a reference to the love me more than these boats in this fishing tackle. You love me more than the or do you love me more than these these other men. I think in the context of Peter's posting that his boasting was, though.

Although all others will deny you. I will not deny you is boast was it his love was greater than the others so much greater that it would insulate him from failing where the others would, I believe that that is really what Jesus is driving at. Do you love me more than these.

That was your boast. That is what you confess. He that is Simon said to him. Yes, Lord, you know that I love you I remember is boast before was a boast of self-confidence. He was deceived about himself. He thoughts more of himself than he ought to ought and he's learned through this humiliating experience because what he says here is an response to the question by Jesus, Simon, do you love me, do you agape me do you love me with the highest level of love, and Simon wasn't going to make that boast. Peter was not going to make that boast. He says Lord you know that I for Leo. You know I have a fond brotherly affection. That's all he was able to muster. He was being as honest as he could be. He wasn't going to boast beyond what was true of himself. You know that I love you. Jesus said, feed my lambs. He said to him again a second time and notice the second time is void of more than these more than these is only mentioned the first time the second time Simon son of Jonah, do you love me simple again.

Do you love me, do you have this highest level of love for me.

He said to him. Yes, Lord, you know that I for Leo you you know that I have a brotherly affection for you. He said 10 my sheet he said to him the third time, Simon son of Jonah, do you love me and here's where things get interesting.

Jesus meets Peter at his level. Jesus comes down and says to Peter, not Peter, do you agape me but he looks Peter NEI nieces Peter, do you for Leo me, do you have a brotherly affection for me is that the level of your love for me that's what Jesus asks Peter.

Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time. Do you love me and he said to him, Lord, you know all things you know that I for Leo.

You know that I have a brotherly affection for you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep. This is so encouraging to me that Jesus comes down and meets Peter worries at Peter wasn't willing to boast that he had a godlike love for Jesus. He boasted like that before and failed miserably. And he wasn't going to make that mistake again. So he says to Jesus you know all things you know I have a fond affection for you in here Jesus comes down and meets Peter worries at any says Peter, do you have really a fond affection for me in a sense he saying to Peter, Peter, if that's what you've got. If that's the level of your love for me then in your honesty and transparency.

I will meet you where you're at because you gonna reveal to him through some veiled language that Peter is going to lay down his life for Jesus he's going to die a martyr's death. Jesus is basically telling us that Peter will grow to the place that he has a godlike love for Jesus and the question for all of us is do we love the Lord God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.

Because the command there is to love God without highest level of love and Franz will say well I do love the Lord. I have forsaken all to follow him. And yet, my love is not what it ought to be.

I wish I love the more I wish my love love was deeper. Let's trust the Lord that he's going to meet us at our point of need and he's going to grow us in our love and we will grow in our love for him.

So that's the second thing and then the third thing I want you to see here is why it is that Jesus asked three times whether Peter loved him the answer is obvious is because of Peter's threefold denial.

Peter denied three times that he knew the Lord now Jesus asks him to affirm publicly three times that he loves him. Doesn't seem cruel to you that the Lord would ask Peter three times in front of the others, whether he loved him clear reference to his earlier threefold denial and I would suggest to you that it is in cruel fact, it's absolutely necessary because this is what public confession and public restoration looks like it's not cruel. The Bible calls for public confession of sin and it is how Peter can pick up and go on with Jesus. So I want you to note with me.

Peter's response would looked at his response. But there's one additional thing I like to draw your attention to, and it is each time when he's asked if he loves the Lord. He says yes Lord you know that I love you. You know that I love you Peter repeats this appeal to God's knowledge.

I might've said was I know my own heart I swear that I love you but he doesn't do that. Peter said that before, and he been wrong. There could be no confidence in his self-knowledge, what confidence there could be would have to be in Christ. Knowledge of him, warts and all. Therefore, he appeals to Jesus, Lord, you know you know you know me better than I know myself is what is saying, in essence, it's good because there's a joy in an awareness of God's knowledge of us that God knows the worst about us and he loves us anyway will never have to wonder in fear.

What if I do this. What if I fail in this way. What if something happens in my Christian walk in Gus's that's it. I I I had better hopes of you. You failed.

I'm done with you know he's omniscient, he knows all the worst about us and yet he loves us is why the Bible says that God demonstrates his love toward us in that while we were you what, yet sinners, Christ died for us, Christ knows the worst about us and loves us anyway and he knows the best about the other disciples knew of Peter's public denial of Christ and perhaps they wandered in their minds. Well is are other things that are hidden from us about this man, why would we want to follow him. He could be a key could be terrible in this way are terrible in that way. Jesus is publicly restoring Peter so that the others will have confidence in him.

That's an encouragement to us. So Jesus's question.

Peter's response number three a gracious command. The final part of this repeated exchange between the Lord and Peter is the Lord's gracious command words he say to them it's all in real in reference to lambs and sheep. The first first response, Jesus says, feed my lambs. If you love me feed my lambs. If you love me. Number two, verse 1610. My sheep if you love me. Number 17 feed my sheep. Notice notice with me. The personal pronoun. My my lambs my sheep my sheep. Jesus saying keep this in mind, Peter. These are not your sheep.

These are my sheep and your responsibility is to care for them to feed them to protect them minister to them. It's a bit surprising to us. We would think Peter failing so publicly and so grievously the way he did that. Perhaps he had disqualified himself ever from having a place of public ministry and yet that's not what happens at all. He's being restored is being entrusted again. He's been he's given greater responsibility and that begs the question what is the prerequisite for service to Christ. What is it is a giftedness visit personality is it relational skills.

What is it is this and this only its love for Christ is love for Christ fuels and motivates our service for him. Nothing else can substitute for nothing else will keep you serving nothing else will keep you from becoming disappointed and bitter when things don't go the way you want its love for Christ is love for Christ that issues desire to serve him.

Jesus is asking Peter, do you love me do you love me and take care, feed my sheep tend my sheep. I want to conclude tonight with its interesting how some things change and other things remain the same. You recall when Jesus first came to Peter and called him away from his fishing business.

He said follow me and I will make you fishers of fishermen. Here we are three years later, Jesus speaks concerning how Peter is going to die.

In verse 18 verse 19 says this he spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God and when he had spoken this he said to him, follow me, follow me and all that had transpired in Peter's life's instructions boiled down to something very, very simple.

Jesus had told him at the beginning, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Here he is three years into his following Jesus halting and stumbling balding at times and yet restored and back in service for God and what is he commanded to do. Follow me brothers and sisters those the instructions God has for us follow him, follow him.

How do we follow him we read his word. We understand what he said we trust the Spirit of God to give us a heart of obedience to his word. That's how we follow him.

That's how we stay straight and narrow.

That's how we honor the Lord in these days, following him. May God help all of us in these days to rejoice in his calling upon us to find joy in our service for Christ because he has set his affections upon us.

He has saved us. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them find joy in doing that follow him.

God help you to do that.

Shelley pray father how we thank you for preserving this portion of your word for us. We might examine it tonight and find hope and encouragement.

Lord were so much like a Peter are following is met with failure. Sometimes it seems that it's three steps forward and two steps back were too concerned about what other people think of us were too fearful were to doubting were to deceived about ourselves where oftentimes sometimes think more highly of ourselves and we ought to think. We thank you that you are a God who commanded us to humble ourselves before you, and if we will not humble ourselves. You take steps to indeed humble us that you might exalt us in your in your own time so we thank you for the life of Peter and for what we have learned in our learning about him. We thank you that you are committed to conform us into the likeness of your own dear son, we thank you father for your power to keep us by your grace, we would conclude this prayer by saying now on to him who is able to keep us from stumbling in the present is faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to God our Savior, who alone is wise to be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever a man