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Explore the story of Peter's denial of Jesus and his subsequent restoration, reflecting on the different types of love and the importance of humility in our relationship with Christ. Discover how true love for Jesus can lead to a transformed life.
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Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Do You Love Jesus?John 21:15-19 Peter had denied Jesus three times - could he be forgiven and used again?
Review It was about 2 weeks after Jesus denied Jesus and he and 6 other disciples were now in Galilee waiting Peter and the others fished all night without catching anything They did not recognize Jesus who questioned them & then told them to fish on the other side of the boat
Review John recognized it was Jesus and told Peter who jumped into the water and swam to shore Jesus already had a fire going and breakfast ready when they reached shore with their large catch The breakfast and large catch were indicators that Jesus would provide for them
What Depth of Love?John 21:15-17 Two different Greek words are used for “love” and “know” in this passage Jesus calls him Simon each time instead of Peter
First Question John 21:15 Peter had boasted of his commitment, but now Jesus questions him to expose his heart ajgavph /agape was rare in Greek literature until the NT used it to describe Jesus’ love stovrgh / storge was the term for natural familial affection
First Question John 21:15 filevw /phileo and filiva /Philia refer to love that extends outside the family or natural group - a friend ejpiqumiva / epithymia refers to strong desire or passion ejrovV / eros is love for what the beholder finds beautiful and desirable - romantic love
First Question John 21:15 ajgapavw /agapaō “a free and decisive act determined by its subject” ajgavph /agape is a love given irrespectively to the merit of the one loved, a love of commitment & self sacrifice
First Question John 21:15 ajgavph /agape is the love of God for the world and that we are to have for God & other believers Does Peter love Jesus more than “these”? Not a reference to the others The scene indicates the question is whether Peter loves Jesus more than fishing - his old life
First Question John 21:15 Peter is humbled & does not boast again. He only claims to filevw /phileo Jesus Peter appeals to Jesus’ knowledge (oi]da /oida) - His omniscience Jesus commands Peter to “Tend (bovskw / boskō - feed) My lambs” - care for vulnerable believers
Second QuestionJohn 21:16 Jesus questions Simon again about his love (ajgapavw /agapaō) & Peter answers again he loved (filevw /phileō) Jesus commands him to “Shepherd My sheep” which involves total care of the flock, not just feeding
Third Question John 21:16 Jesus’ third challenge uses the word Simon had been using for love - filevw /phileō Peter answers with an appeal to Jesus’ omniscience and personal knowledge of Peter
Third Question John 21:16 “You know (oi]da /oida) all things” is an appeal to Jesus’ omniscience about all information and facts “You know (ginowvskw /ginoskō) that I love you” is an appeal to Jesus’ personal experience with Peter
Third Question John 21:16 Jesus responds by commanding him to “Tend My Sheep” - restoring Peter to teach & lead Jesus’ followers All Christians will fail at times with both sins of omission and comission - but the humble can be restored
Third Question John 21:16 1 John 1:8-9 applies to both non-Christians for salvation and Christians in their daily walk with the Lord Confession is also key to having a good relationship with other humans
Third Question John 21:16 Humility is necessary for both salvation (Eph. 2:8-9) and walking properly with the Lord (1 Peter 5:6)
Future GoryJohn 21:16 Jesus prophecies that Peter will die by crucifixion when he is old - he will fulfill his boast of John 13:37 Tertullian and Eusebius state that Peter was crucified by Nero - upside down by his own request
Future GoryJohn 21:16 Peter would have welcomed this prophecy because it meant he would be faithful to Jesus to the end
It is easy to be a Christian in a society that favors Christianity, but how would you do if persecuted? True Christianity is bound up in a love for Jesus so great that following Him is the only thing that is important
What answer would you give if Jesus questioned the level of your love for Him? Peter failed, yet was restored after becoming humble and was then successful - God can do the same in your life
Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ