Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20051023.htm

JESUS CHRIST'S DISCIPLING OF SIMON PETER
Part III: Getting Peter To Forsake Himself To Follow Jesus At The Same Time
B. Uniting The Ideas Of Forsaking One's Self And Following Jesus
(John 21:15-22)
  1. Introduction
    1. When one we disciple has been "crushed" in his personal pride, often the experience is so depressing that usual efforts to encourage him falls on deaf ears as he can only focus on his pain and dread over the trial!
    2. Thus, the Lord may lead such a disciple to face a repeat trial, one where he must face what he feared and failed to handle so he can learn how to overcome and mature by faith in Christ.
    3. This process is very threatening to the disciple involved, so if a "Timothy" we are discipling currently experiences such a "repeat trial," we should follow Christ's wise example in helping him (as follows):
  2. Uniting The Ideas Of Forsaking One's Self And Following Jesus, John 21:15-22.
    1. The Scenario: To his bitter disappointment, Peter had denied Jesus three times after he had boasted he would not do so even if all the other disciples failed Jesus, Matt. 26:31-33; Luke 22:54-62. Crushed by his failure, Peter was led by Jesus to face that failure in a repeat trial for guidance in overcoming it, John 21:15-22. This lesson focuses on how Jesus guided Peter in this repeat trial to victory!
    2. We see 5 steps Jesus used to get Peter to see he was to forsake himself and follow Jesus, John 21:15-22:
      1. As we before learned, prior to taking Peter through the repeat trial, Jesus signaled He unconditionally accepted Peter, John 21:5-13: He caused Peter to catch a great amount of large fish without breaking his net (21:5-8, 11); He supplied fish and bread over hot coals to feed Peter (21:9); He urged Peter to share some of his catch for the meal (21:10) and then served him as a host would a guest (21:12-13)!
      2. Jesus guided Peter to face the challenge that had initially led to his spiritual defeat, 21:15a, 16a, 17a:
        1. <:I864,0,0,0>in accord with Peter's threefold denial, Christ three times asked Peter if he loved Him. Note how the third question caused Peter grief as it reminded him of his threefold denial in John 21:17b!
      3. Jesus guided Peter on what to do in contrast to his past failure -- to shepherd God's flock, 21:15-17:
        1. When Jesus first predicted Peter's threefold denial, He predicted Peter's restoration and directed him to strengthen His spiritual brethren through his victory over his failure, cf. Luke 22:32.
        2. Accordingly, in making Peter face his past failure of his threefold denial, He suggested Peter show His love to the Lord by shepherding His flock, the people of Christ, John 21:15c, 16c, 17c.
        3. [Christ's direction here unveils a revealing truth about the pastoral ministry: (a) in John 21:15c, Peter was to "feed My lambs" (boske ta arnia mou), or teach Scripture to immature believers; (b) in John 21:16c, he was to "shepherd, guide My sheep" (poimaine ta probata mou), or pastorally guide maturing believers by applying Scripture to life; (c) in John 21:17c, Peter was to "feed My sheep" (boske ta probata mou), to teach Scripture to maturing believers, expounding the deep things of the Word of God. This threefold command demonstrates the great weight Christ places on the exposition of Scripture to all believers: the measure of a pastor's love for Jesus Christ is seen in the degree of focus and dedication he displays in expounding and applying Scripture to God's people!]
      4. Jesus made Peter face and overcome the cause behind his failure -- his fear of crucifixion; Peter denied Christ to avoid that fate, so God led him to be crucified as Jesus was in victory over that fear, 15:18.
      5. Jesus made Peter forsake the pride that had led to his initial failure -- his tendency to compare himself with the other disciples, John 21:20-22 with Matthew 26:31-33:
        1. Peter's boast not to deny Christ had been made by comparing himself to others, Matthew 26:31-33.
        2. Yet, in contrast, Jesus directed Peter not to be concerned about what the other disciples would face versus what he would face for following Jesus; Peter was simply to follow the Lord, John 21:19-22!
Lesson Application: Like Christ did with Peter, God may arrange for one we disciple for Christ to experience a REPEAT trial where he must face his past failure and to overcome it. If our "Timothy" faces such a repeat trial, our part is to do what Jesus did with Peter: (1) we must gently, kindly but carefully direct him IN his repeat trial to FACE and OVERCOME his past failure GOD'S way! In so doing, may we (a) feed Scripture to the immature, (b) guide the maturing in applying Scripture to life and (c) expound Scripture's deep truths to the mature, and (2) direct our "Timothy" to do the same!