Restoration and Purpose: Jesus' Call to Follow
Summary
In my sermon, I began by welcoming the congregation to a new series titled "Kingdom Here," bridging the gap between the previous series "Kingdom Come" and the current one. I emphasized the already-but-not-yet nature of God's kingdom and recapped the themes of temptation, trust, obedience, and Jesus' anointing that we had explored. I highlighted the importance of resisting temptations, just as Jesus did, and the significance of trust and obedience in our spiritual journey.
I then delved into the story of Peter's restoration, which is a powerful narrative of grace and redemption. I recounted how, after Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples returned to their old lives, fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Despite their professional expertise, they caught nothing until Jesus, unrecognized at first, instructed them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous catch of 153 fish. This specific number intrigued me, as some theologians suggest it symbolizes the completion of their fishing vocation and the diversity of people they would reach in their new mission.
I reflected on the significance of Jesus' pursuit of the disciples, particularly Peter, who had denied Him three times. Jesus did not condemn them for their failures but instead provided for them both physically, with a meal on the shore, and spiritually, by affirming their calling. This act of provision and presence was a testament to Jesus' unending love and commitment to His followers.
The heart of my message focused on the restoration of Peter. I revisited the night of Jesus' betrayal, where Peter vehemently denied knowing Jesus three times. Yet, in a poignant post-resurrection encounter, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, paralleling Peter's earlier denials. Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus commissioned him to feed and take care of His sheep, symbolizing Peter's reinstatement and the continuation of his calling.
I concluded by emphasizing the personal nature of Jesus' relationship with us, which transcends intellectual understanding and transforms every aspect of our lives. Jesus calls us not to perfection but to a relationship with Him, to walk alongside Him in the unique design and purpose He has for each of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Recognizing Jesus' relentless pursuit is essential in our spiritual walk. Just as Jesus pursued the disciples after His resurrection, He continues to pursue us, showing up in various moments of our lives to draw us closer to Him. This pursuit is not deterred by our failures or denials, as seen in Peter's story. ([36:02])
2. Jesus' provision is both physical and spiritual. In the story of the miraculous catch and the meal on the shore, Jesus nourished the disciples' bodies and souls. This dual provision is a reminder that Jesus cares for our entire being and is present in our everyday needs. ([40:27])
3. The restoration of Peter is a powerful example of Jesus' grace. Despite Peter's denials, Jesus gently restored him through a series of questions that mirrored his denials. This restoration is available to us, no matter how far we feel we have fallen. ([44:13])
4. Responding to Jesus' call to follow Him is a lifelong journey. Jesus' call to Peter to follow Him, despite the cost, is a call to all of us. It is a call to embrace the mission and purpose Jesus has for our lives, even when it leads us through challenging paths. ([56:03])
5. Jesus meets us where we are and affirms our vocation in love. The story of Peter's restoration is a reminder that Jesus does not leave us unfinished. He is faithful to complete the work He started in us, and He lovingly restores us to continue His work in the world. ([52:00])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Kingdom Here"
#### Bible Reading
1. John 21:1-14 - The miraculous catch of fish and Jesus' appearance to the disciples.
2. John 21:15-17 - Jesus' restoration of Peter.
3. Matthew 4:18-22 - The calling of the first disciples.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the disciples doing when Jesus appeared to them in John 21:1-14?
2. How did the disciples initially respond to Jesus' instruction to cast their nets on the other side of the boat? ([32:06])
3. What specific number of fish did the disciples catch, and why might this number be significant? ([42:41])
4. How did Jesus restore Peter after his denials, according to John 21:15-17? ([49:58])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to appear to the disciples while they were fishing, an activity they were familiar with? ([32:53])
2. What is the significance of Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him, and how does this relate to Peter's earlier denials? ([49:58])
3. How does the story of the miraculous catch of fish and the meal on the shore illustrate Jesus' provision for both physical and spiritual needs? ([40:27])
4. In what ways does Jesus' restoration of Peter demonstrate His grace and commitment to His followers, despite their failures? ([52:00])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus was pursuing you, even when you were not actively seeking Him. How did you recognize His pursuit, and what was your response? ([36:02])
2. Jesus provided for the disciples both physically and spiritually. In what ways has Jesus provided for your needs recently? How can you be more aware of His provision in your daily life? ([40:27])
3. Peter's restoration involved acknowledging his love for Jesus despite his past failures. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek Jesus' restoration? How can you take the first step towards that restoration this week? ([49:58])
4. Jesus called Peter to "feed my sheep" as a way to reaffirm his vocation. What is a specific way you feel called to serve others in your community or church? How can you start or continue this service? ([54:11])
5. The sermon emphasized that Jesus calls us to a relationship, not perfection. How can you shift your focus from trying to be perfect to deepening your relationship with Jesus? ([01:03:08])
6. Think about a time when you returned to an old habit or way of life because it was comfortable. How can Peter's story inspire you to embrace the new life and purpose Jesus has for you? ([48:09])
7. Jesus' call to follow Him is a lifelong journey. What is one specific step you can take this week to follow Jesus more closely, even if it leads you through challenging paths? ([56:03])
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of the sermon, reflect on their personal spiritual journeys, and find practical ways to apply the lessons learned.
Devotional
Day 1: Pursued by Unfailing Love
God's relentless pursuit of us is a testament to His unyielding love and grace. Despite our shortcomings and the times we turn away, He seeks us out to bring us back into His embrace. This pursuit is not based on our worthiness but on His steadfast love and the value He sees in us. The story of Peter's restoration after denying Jesus three times is a powerful illustration of this truth. Jesus sought out Peter, not to condemn him for his failures but to reaffirm his place among the disciples and his role in the mission ahead. This encounter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee demonstrates that our past does not disqualify us from God's love or His plans for our future. He meets us where we are, with all our imperfections, and calls us back to Him, time and time again. [36:02]
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." - Isaiah 55:6-7
Reflection: Recall a moment when you felt distant from God. How did you experience His pursuit, and what changes occurred in your life as a result?
Day 2: Nourished in Body and Spirit
Jesus' care for us extends to every aspect of our lives, including our physical and spiritual well-being. The miraculous catch of fish and the subsequent meal on the shore with the disciples illustrate how Jesus provides for our needs in a holistic manner. He is concerned not only with our spiritual growth but also with our physical sustenance. This dual provision is a reminder that we are called to trust in His provision in every circumstance, whether we are in need of physical bread or the Bread of Life. Jesus' attentiveness to the needs of His disciples reassures us that He is intimately involved in the details of our lives and is always ready to provide for us in abundance. [40:27]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus' provision for both your physical and spiritual needs in your current season of life?
Day 3: Restored by Grace
The restoration of Peter is a poignant example of the grace that Jesus extends to each of us. Despite Peter's betrayal, Jesus did not cast him aside but instead offered him a path to redemption. Through a series of questions that mirrored Peter's denials, Jesus gently led Peter to reaffirm his love and commitment. This interaction shows us that our failures are not the end of our story. Jesus is ready to forgive and restore us, inviting us to step back into fellowship with Him and to continue the work He has entrusted to us. Our past mistakes do not define us; rather, it is Jesus' grace that shapes our identity and future. [44:13]
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." - Psalm 51:12
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to experience Jesus' restoration? How can you open your heart to His grace and allow Him to renew your sense of purpose?
Day 4: Called to a Lifelong Journey
Following Jesus is not a one-time decision but a lifelong journey of obedience and transformation. Jesus' call to Peter to "follow me" was an invitation to a life of service and sacrifice, a call that extends to each of us. This journey may lead us through challenges and require us to lay down our own desires, but it is also a path filled with purpose and the joy of being used by God. As we respond to Jesus' call, we embrace the unique mission and purpose He has for our lives, trusting that He will equip us for every good work. [56:03]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Reflection: What does following Jesus look like in your daily life? Identify one step you can take today to more fully embrace the journey He has called you to.
Day 5: Affirmed in Our Vocation
Jesus meets us in our current circumstances and affirms the calling He has placed on our lives. The story of Peter's restoration serves as a reminder that Jesus does not leave us unfinished. He continues to work in us, shaping and refining us for the tasks He has set before us. Our vocation is not just a job or a role; it is a divine appointment, an expression of God's love and a means through which we can serve others and bring glory to His name. As we walk in our calling, we can trust that Jesus will faithfully complete the good work He began in us. [52:00]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6
Reflection: Reflect on the vocation God has given you. How can you live out this calling with greater intentionality and reliance on Jesus' love and guidance?
Quotes
1) "I don't care how bad you think you are. I don't care how bad you think you've messed up. Jesus is still pursuing you as well. Secondly, we've got to begin embracing the restoration offered by Jesus, because there's this amazing restoration that he offers each and every one of us." [01:01:11]
2) "Jesus has a design and purpose for your life. It's probably not the same design and purpose that he has for my life or anybody else's life that's sitting next to you, but he has a specific design and purpose for your life. And it starts with the call for us to follow him." [01:01:11]
3) "Recognizing Jesus' pursuit. You have to remember these guys, just a couple of weeks earlier, had been with him, shared the Passover meal with him. Judas had betrayed them, left. They're still in the room with Jesus. And Jesus tells them, hey, by the end of the night, all of you guys are going to desert me. And they did." [36:02]
4) "Jesus meets peter right where he's at. Peter denied three times, Jesus asked him about his love three times, and Jesus restored Peter and he can restore you too. For me, this is such a powerful picture of grace and restoration because there are so many times that I have let Jesus down." [52:00]
5) "Jesus isn't calling us to be perfect. He's calling us to a relationship. He's calling us to walk alongside of him and what he has for each and every one of us. Again, I don't know where you're at today. Maybe you've never really experienced that way." [01:03:08]
6) "The risen lord meets his disciples where they are affirming their vocation and restoring them in love and that's what we just saw in this moment is Jesus is restoring in love. He's always faithful to complete the work he started in me." [54:11]
7) "This responding to the call to follow. And what we see in that, in John 21, 18 and 19, it says, I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked...but when you're old, you will stretch out your hands and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go." [56:03]
8) "Recognizing Jesus' relentless pursuit of us, that he relentlessly pursues us. He kept showing back up in the disciples' lives. And whether you consider yourself a follower or not, wherever you're maybe at on your spiritual journey, I just want you to know he's going to continue to pursue you." [57:49]
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