As we continued our focus for this year on Becoming a People of Excellence, the Lord led us to lift an exposition formed out of a wonderful text housed in John 21:15-17. Jesus shows up at the Sea of Tiberias and finds Peter and the other 6 disciples that were with him, in a boat fishing on the sea. Jesus asks them how many fish had they caught and they replied that they had toiled all night and caught nothing. Jesus responds and tells them to let down their nets on the side and they will catch plenty. When Peter sees that it is Jesus, he jumps in the water to hide from the Lord because of his guilt. Jesus, knowing that he had to prepare Peter for his next phase of ministry, needed to know where Peter's heart was. I dare say, that this same interrogative is being presented to the church today, Jesus Christ needs to know, before he moves us to the next phase of our ministries, do we really love Jesus. He needs to know where our heart lies before he can grant us favor in ministry. Here is the sermon outline:
Thesis: we express our complete love for Jesus Christ through our dedicated and devoted decision to serve Him without fear no matter the cost
I. How Christ Calls Peter
-Simon, son of John
-he calls him by his born name instead of the name Jesus gave him in Matthew 16, because that name represented strength and stability, which he no longer exhibited with his denials of Jesus
II. How Christ Catechizes Peter
-Do you love me more than these
-why did Jesus question Peter:
1. His fall caused Jesus to doubt his love
2. Will his function change the desire of his love
a. Do you desire your career more than you desire Jesus
b. Do you desire your companions more than you desire Jesus
c. Do you desire your collections more than you desire Jesus
III. How Christ Challenges Peter
-feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep
-Jesus challenges Peter, that if he truly loves him, he will serve his church
1. Support Christ's Church
2. Shepherd Christ's Church
3. Shield Christ's Church
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