Embracing Restoration and New Beginnings in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Restores and Calls Us to New Purpose

After the resurrection, Jesus meets His disciples by the Sea of Galilee, repeating the miracle of the great catch of fish and inviting them to breakfast. This moment is not just about provision, but about restoration—especially for Peter, who had denied Jesus three times. Jesus intentionally recreates the setting of Peter’s failure, not to shame him, but to offer a second chance and a new commission: “Feed my sheep.” In this, we see that Jesus is the God of second chances, who meets us in our places of failure and calls us forward into renewed purpose and mission. [49:35]

John 21:15-17 (ESV)
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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 a second time, “Simon, son of John, 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 John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense Jesus inviting you to revisit a place of past failure—not to shame you, but to offer you restoration and a new calling?

Day 2: True Love for Jesus Means Loving What He Loves

Jesus’ conversation with Peter reveals that love for Him is not just about words or feelings, but about action—specifically, loving and caring for His people. Jesus tells Peter that if he truly loves Him, he will “feed my sheep.” This challenges us to move beyond lip service and to demonstrate our love for Christ by loving and serving others, especially those whom He loves. Real love is sacrificial and seeks the good of others, aligning our hearts with the heart of Jesus. [01:17:16]

John 21:17 (ESV)
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that Jesus loves, and what is one practical way you can show love to them today as an act of love for Christ?

Day 3: Comparison Steals Joy—Embrace Your Unique Calling

When Peter asks Jesus about John’s future, Jesus redirects him: “What is that to you? You follow me.” This is a powerful reminder that comparison is a thief of joy and purpose. God gives each of us unique gifts, callings, and limits, and our responsibility is to be faithful with what He has entrusted to us—not to measure ourselves against others. Biblical success is obedience to God’s call for your life, not achieving what someone else has. [01:21:12]

John 21:21-22 (ESV)
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to compare yourself to others, and how can you refocus today on faithfully following Jesus in your unique calling?

Day 4: Contentment in Every Season Is Found in Christ

Our culture constantly pushes us to want more, to be somewhere else, or to have what others have. Yet Scripture teaches us to be content in every circumstance, trusting that every good and perfect gift comes from God in His timing. The apostle Paul learned to be content whether in plenty or in want, because his strength and satisfaction were found in Christ alone. Contentment is not complacency, but a deep trust that God knows what is best for us in every season. [01:33:06]

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Reflection: What is one area where you struggle with discontentment, and how can you invite Jesus to give you strength and peace in that area today?

Day 5: God Brings Us Full Circle for Healing and Growth

God often brings us back to places, people, or situations from our past—not to reopen old wounds, but to offer healing, reconciliation, and growth. Like Peter at the charcoal fire, we may find ourselves facing old hurts or failures, but God’s purpose is to set us free and move us forward. When we allow God to heal what He reveals, we are no longer held captive by the past, but can step into the destiny He has for us. [01:09:34]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Reflection: Is there a person, place, or memory from your past that God is bringing to mind for healing or reconciliation? What step can you take today to allow God to bring freedom and newness in that area?

Sermon Summary

Today was a day of honoring legacy, embracing new beginnings, and reflecting on the God of second chances. We celebrated Rich and Don Herman, who have faithfully served for 29 years, as they follow the Spirit’s leading to a new season with their family. Their steadfastness through the church’s ups and downs is a living testimony of faithfulness and spiritual parenthood. As we send them out, we’re reminded that in God’s kingdom, no one simply leaves—they are sent, commissioned to carry the love and impact they’ve sown here into new places.

Turning to John 21, we see the disciples in a moment of uncertainty, returning to old routines but finding them fruitless without Jesus. The miraculous catch of fish echoes their original calling, showing that true fruitfulness comes only from abiding in Christ. Jesus orchestrates a full-circle moment for Peter, bringing him back to a charcoal fire—the very setting of his denial. But this time, it’s a place of restoration, not shame. Jesus gives Peter a do-over, asking three times, “Do you love me?”—not to shame him, but to heal him and recommission him to care for the flock.

This encounter reveals that God often brings us back to places of pain or failure, not to reopen wounds, but to offer healing and a new beginning. We are invited to confront our hurts, forgive, and step into the freedom and purpose God has for us. Jesus’ restoration of Peter is a powerful reminder that our failures do not disqualify us; rather, God uses them as the soil for deeper calling and greater fruitfulness.

We are also challenged to examine our motives in love—true love is not just words or gestures, but loving what the other loves. For Jesus, that means loving and serving his people. Furthermore, we are cautioned against the trap of comparison. Jesus’ words to Peter—“What is that to you? You follow me”—remind us that our calling is unique, shaped by our God-given limits and seasons. Contentment is found not in striving for what others have, but in faithful stewardship of what God has entrusted to us. In every season, Christ gives us the strength to be content, to rest in his provision, and to trust his timing.

Key Takeaways

1. God Brings Us Full Circle for Healing and Restoration God often leads us back to the very places or relationships where we experienced pain or failure—not to shame us, but to offer a new opportunity for healing and reconciliation. Like Peter at the charcoal fire, we are given “do-overs” so that our past does not define our future. Embracing these moments with humility and openness allows God to transform wounds into testimonies of grace. [61:40]
2. Fruitfulness Flows from Abiding, Not Striving The disciples’ fruitless night of fishing is a vivid picture: apart from Jesus, our efforts—even in familiar territory—yield little of eternal value. True spiritual impact comes not from our expertise or striving, but from listening to and abiding in Christ. When we surrender our plans and follow his direction, he brings abundance and purpose beyond what we could achieve on our own. [55:04]
3. Restoration Requires Facing Our Pain, Not Avoiding It Jesus’ threefold question to Peter, “Do you love me?” is not meant to rub salt in the wound, but to bring the wound into the light for healing. Avoiding our hurts or pretending they don’t exist keeps us stuck; facing them with Jesus leads to freedom and renewed calling. God’s restoration is thorough—he deals with the root so we can move forward unburdened. [73:37]
4. True Love Means Loving What Jesus Loves Jesus doesn’t just ask for words of love; he calls us to love his people, to “feed my sheep.” Our love for God is most authentically expressed in how we care for those he loves, especially his church. This kind of love is sacrificial, practical, and often requires us to step outside our comfort zones to serve others in tangible ways. [77:16]
5. Comparison Steals Joy; Contentment Honors God’s Design Jesus’ response to Peter’s question about John—“What is that to you? You follow me”—is a call to focus on our unique journey. God gives each of us different gifts, capacities, and seasons, and we are only responsible for stewarding what he has entrusted to us. Contentment is found in embracing our God-given limits and trusting that every good and perfect gift comes in his timing, not ours. [81:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:40] - Honoring Rich and Don Herman
[36:01] - Reflections on Legacy and Sending
[41:04] - Prayer of Blessing and Reception Details
[45:57] - Celebrating Angelica’s Life
[46:31] - Introduction: God of Second Chances
[47:09] - Reading John 21: The Miraculous Catch
[52:27] - Disciples’ Disorientation and Waiting
[54:04] - The Miracle and Its Meaning
[56:19] - Full Circle, Higher Level: God’s Timing
[57:54] - When Old Ways No Longer Work
[59:23] - God’s Discipline and New Purpose
[60:52] - The Charcoal Fire: Restoration Setup
[62:47] - Personal Story: Returning to Places of Hurt
[70:13] - Jesus Restores Peter: Do You Love Me?
[77:16] - Loving What Jesus Loves
[81:28] - The Trap of Comparison
[84:08] - Embracing Our God-Given Limits
[93:06] - Learning Contentment in Every Season
[96:56] - The Unwritten Deeds of Jesus
[98:08] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[101:26] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[103:51] - Closing Worship and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 21:1-22 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter together, but especially focus on verses 1-22.)

Observation Questions

After Jesus’ resurrection, what were the disciples doing by the Sea of Tiberias, and what was the result of their efforts before Jesus appeared? ([47:28])
What is significant about the charcoal fire that Jesus prepared for the disciples, especially in relation to Peter’s past? ([01:00:24])
How many times does Jesus ask Peter, “Do you love me?” and what does He command Peter to do each time? ([49:35])
When Peter asks about John’s future, how does Jesus respond, and what does this reveal about following Jesus? ([50:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to bring Peter back to a charcoal fire, the same setting as his denial, for this moment of restoration? What does this say about how God deals with our failures? ([01:00:52])
The disciples fished all night and caught nothing until Jesus directed them. What does this teach about the difference between striving in our own strength and abiding in Christ? ([55:04])
Jesus’ repeated question, “Do you love me?” seems to cause Peter pain. Why is it necessary for Jesus to address Peter’s failure so directly, and what does this process accomplish? ([01:13:37])
When Peter compares himself to John, Jesus tells him, “What is that to you? You follow me.” What does this reveal about comparison and our unique callings? ([01:21:28])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about God bringing us “full circle” to places of past pain or failure, not to shame us but to heal and restore us. Is there a place, relationship, or memory in your life where you sense God inviting you to revisit for healing? What would it look like to respond with openness and humility? ([01:01:40])
The disciples’ efforts were fruitless until they listened to Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you feel like you’re striving but not seeing fruit? What might it look like to surrender your plans and listen for Jesus’ direction this week? ([55:04])
Jesus asked Peter to “feed my sheep” as a sign of love. Who are the “sheep” God has placed in your life right now? What is one practical way you can care for or serve them this week, even if it’s outside your comfort zone? ([01:17:16])
The sermon challenged us to love what Jesus loves, not just say we love Him. What is one thing or group of people Jesus loves that you find difficult to love? What step could you take to grow in this area? ([01:17:43])
Comparison was described as a “joy killer.” In what ways do you find yourself comparing your journey, gifts, or season of life to others? How does this affect your contentment and joy? ([01:21:28])
The idea of embracing our God-given limits was highlighted. What is one limit (time, energy, resources, season of life) you need to accept right now? How could accepting this limit help you find more peace and contentment? ([01:24:08])
Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11-13 were referenced about learning contentment in every season. What is one area where you struggle to be content? What would it look like to trust God’s timing and provision in that area this week? ([01:33:06])

Sermon Clips

Many times we go, man, it just seems really easy for other people, doesn't it? Have you ever had that? Why is it so hard for me? It's because when you have said, holy Spirit, I want you to shape my life. I want you to do things in my life. I want to be more like you. That means he prunes you and sometimes he puts obstacles in your path and you're going, what's the deal? That's what they were doing. Jesus was doing the disciples saying, hey, hey, you can't go back to that. I'm going to make it really hard for you to go back to that because you've got another purpose. And sometimes God does that in our lives a lot. He's disciplining us so that we'll produce fruit because we've asked him to do that. [00:58:53] (50 seconds) #PrunedForFruitfulness

God will always bring you back to the place. Say it's time to confront your hurt and your pain. You make the decision whether you will do that or you run away. I can't go there. But he's giving you an opportunity. Why? Because that hurt and that pain and that unforgiveness will steal your destiny. It rips you off. It's the devil's plan. Don't give into it. Don't give into it. And that's what Jesus was doing to Peter. [01:09:39] (38 seconds) #HealingBreaksCaptivity

There's a saying we have in the greatest journey, whatever God reveals, he wants to heal. Whatever God reveals, he wants to heal. You see, Jesus is not pushing on this saying, hey, hey, I want you to feel bad. Look how you wronged me, Peter. I want you to feel as bad as possible for how I want you to really feel bad for your sin. That's not what he's saying. He's saying, this thing, Peter, it needs to be dealt with because you can't go where you need to go unless you get rid of that Pain and that failure and all the stuff that's holding you back. [01:13:18] (43 seconds) #ForgivenToFollow

Some of you feel like your pain, your failure, is too much for God to use you. Let me just tell you, if his greatest disciple denied him three times out loud and then looked at him in the face, which we saw and denied him, Jesus can come right around and say, you're forgiven. He can forgive anybody. Don't let your failure keep you from following Christ into the thing he has for you. That's a lie from the enemy. [01:16:03] (45 seconds) #LoveThroughAction

``He says, peter, do you love me? What does he say? Well, if you love me, then you'll feed my sheep. You know, true love is loving the thing the other person loves. Bible says Jesus loves the church like a husband loves his bride. He gave himself. He died for the church. Jesus saying, if you want to show me that you love me, I don't need more words, Peter, those things are empty. Love what I love, feed my sheep, take care of my church. That's how you show me your love. I don't need your empty words. I need love what I love. [01:17:12] (43 seconds) #MindYourOwnJourney

Loving God isn't just coming up here, throwing up your hands and worshiping and singing. Anybody can do that. But if you do those things and you go out and you're disobedient to God, the Bible says you actually don't love God. You're just giving them lip service. [01:19:22] (20 seconds) #StewardYourGift

The culture tells us if you're not building something huge and impressive, you're not successful. But biblical success is obedience to what he's called you to do. That's all you're responsible for. That's all you're going to be judged for on this earth, in heaven. What did you do with what I gave you? I'm not concerned about what I gave somebody else. And that you did that with that. No, what did you do with what I gave you? That's all you're going to be responsible for. [01:27:45] (30 seconds) #TrustGodsTiming

Listen to what Paul says. Not that I'm speaking of being in need. For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low. I know how to be abound in every circumstances. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Now, do you see the context in this verses? It's not that you can go out, win a football game. I can do all things who strengthens me. Not that you can go at your work and do a great presentation. All those things that. That's not the context here. He's saying you want to be content. You can be. You have the strength in Christ to do all things. Wow. Jesus gives you the strength to rest in what he's given you at the time that he's given you. [01:32:55] (63 seconds)

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