From a Mess to a Messenger

John 21:15 (NKJV)
John 21:16 (NKJV)
John 21:17 (NKJV)

4/7/13
FABC
Pastor Fred Luter, Jr.

The last time we talked about Peter, he was tore up from the floor up because he found himself doing something that he said he'd never do. He denied Christ...

Peter was one of Jesus' hand-picked disciples.

Matthew 26:31-35- tells the story of how bold Peter was. He said, "even if all were made to stumble b/c of you, I will never be made to stumble... Even if I gave to die with You, I will not deny You!"

Matthew 26:69-75- Peter cussed people out, denies Christ 3x and a rooster crowed. Peter then remembers what Christ said and wept bitterly.

Peter was a mess b/c he found himself doing something he said he'd never do.
Remember that Peter denied Christ b/c of (1) pride- Pride comes just before the fall, (2) prayerlessness- How do you expect to stand for Christ w/o a prayer life, and (3) his plan- Hanging with the wrong crowd will cause you to deny Christ.

But remember that God can turn your mess into a miracle.

Once we find Peter again in John, Christ has died and rose again. He revisits the disciples.

If we are going to get back on track...
1) Jesus revisits Peter
Verse 15
Jesus never rubs in Peter's face that he denied Him. He never even mentions it. He speaks directly to Peter. He doesn't address anyone else. remember that Judas had committed suicide. He addressed the one that He wanted to turn his life around.

It doesn't matter what you've done, but Jesus will revisit you because He loves you.

2) Jesus rebukes Peter
Jesus asks him the same thing 3x. Although Jesus loves Peter enough to revisit him, He loves him enough to rebuke him, to challenge him, to reprimand him. When Peter is asked if he loves Christ more than "these", He's possibly referring to the fish since they were fishermen and loved to fish or He's referring to the disciples. Regardless, nothing should be competition with your devotion to God. Do you love Christ more than people or material things? What are we putting before our Christ? Do you love Me more than "these"?

What is it that you are so preoccupied with that you choose it more than God? You spend more time with it more than you spend time with God.

Recognize that life is a spiritual warfare. Recognize it's the choices we make.

What's stopping us from having allegiance to our Father?

Jesus asked 3x because he felt like Peter owed him an explanation.

3) Jesus restores Peter.
Jesus asked Peter 3x. It's not that He was hard of hearing. Remember that Peter denied him 3x. So Jesus wanted to make sure that there was genuine repentance for every sin he committed. A lot of us are just sorry b/c we got caught, but Jesus wanted true remorse/repentance.

If you want to be restored and forgiven for your sins you've got to confess of your sins and have true repentance.

The million dollar question is: Did Jesus forgive Peter?

Acts 2- the Pentacost- Jesus told them to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit. On this day, God needed a messenger. verse 14- Peter raised his voice and started preaching the gospel. Verse 37- people asked Peter what must they do to be saved. Move forward to 1 Peter and 2 Peter and we can see how Christ works in Peter.

So the answer is yes. Christ forgave Peter and used him as a vessel.

Jesus didn't die so we can stay the same. He died so that we can become anew. Peter is an example of how Christ can work in our lives.

I'm so glad Jesus lifted me...

Jesus sets us free... And whom the Son sets free, is free indeed. He can turn a mess into a messenger... a mess into a miracle.

The same blood that covered Peter's mess is the same blood that can cover us.

AMEN