Sermon Central
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"The Only Thing That Matters”
Contributed by Andy Grossman on Jul 31, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: The question that Jesus will ask each of us is "Do you love Me?" The sermon prepares you to answer that question.
“The Only Thing that Matters”
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
John had turned away from the Lord. John was a backslider. He was a coward; a failure and a betrayer. He must have felt like he wasn’t worthy of being a member of “The Way” – the followers of Jesus – so he did what he knew. He went back to fishing.
Did you notice in the Scripture that we read earlier that Satan had to get permission to destroy Peter? That’s encouraging to me. We know Satan wants to destroy us. He is continually plotting and planning our destruction – prowling around like an angry lion, waiting for weakness on our part. But do you know nothing happens to you without God’s permission? Most bad stuff that happens to us are the consequences of our bad choices. But the attacks of the enemy upon us can only go so far and there is always an escape route and what God does allow can always be used for good. Listen to this.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Do you see that nothing happens to you without God’s permission? It may not be His will. He would rather you not go through this trial or temptation – but He will allow it if can be used for your good. Of course it all depends on your will. You have a choice. It can make you bitter – or it can make you better. Peter, I think, was in the bitterness part of the trial. I think he felt ashamed; I think he felt anger; I think he felt great regret.
Jesus didn’t leave him there – he hunted him down to restore the relationship. Notice that before any of this happened Jesus prayed for Peter. He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. He also put a limit on what Satan could do to him. Jesus prophesied that Peter would return to Him and gave him a mission and a ministry when he returned – “Strengthen your brothers”. That’s not too different from “feed my sheep” is it? When Peter’s relationship was restored – he had a duty; he had a job; he had a calling – “strengthen your brothers” “Feed the sheep”.
I want to say to you – no matter how badly you have blown it – God has not given up on you. He has provided a way of escape; He has prayed for you; He has a plan for your life. If you will turn back to Him; if you truly love Him, Jesus will be there. He will be there with open arms waiting for you to come to Him. Maybe He will have a few fish on the fire or some burgers on the grill. Jesus says,
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
There is something intimate and personal when you eat together. When you eat with someone you don’t like it isn’t a pleasant experience. It gives you an upset stomach. When you eat with someone you care about, like a sweetheart or a family, it is a special bonding expression of love. It is two people getting nourishment physically, emotionally and spiritually. Jesus sought and found Peter and Peter responded like Forest Gump did when he met Lt. Dan. He jumped off the boat and swam to shore and Jesus. Not too dignified - but real.