A New Beginning John 18:25-27; 21:7-23

SundayTeacher.com Lesson Password: Journey Illustrated Bible Life Password: Fishing

July 5, 2015 Prayer Requests Linda Anderson Ruth & Keith Gawith Lua McNew Helen Carpenter Tim – Brenda’s brother Ginny Jellison Lucy McKinney Richie & Mary Merryman Milton Davis & Kathy Davis Trenton Hattler Jack Enright Young families – Gods guiding in upcoming changes. Gods leading and direction in our Church Families College Students Keith McNew-Christ’s working in his life. James Alexander -- Dialysis Unspoken

SandraGreat Britain DavidMexico Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia RuthIndia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand Keith & Ruth Switzerland SarahSwaziland WayneAfrica PARIS CHURCHES PUT THEIR LOVE INTO PRACTICE Today, the Paris food ministry has evolved from weekly hot meals to a multi-pronged ministry of compassion that is reaching people in need across the city with food, the opportunity for developing loving relationships, and now one church is even providing temporary shelter to people with nowhere to live. The food ministry, an initiative of NYI of France, is run by local Nazarene church members from several churches in Paris, along with other people in the community who have caught the vision and joined the effort. The ministry has developed a relationship with three major grocery chains, representing 35 stores, which donate fresh produce and nonperishable food items that are near or past their expiration date.The association distributes food six days a week in six locations, feeding an estimated 200 families.

Praying for the US & Canada Richie Merryman: NY, NM, CA Alexanders: CA, OK, GA, QC Vanderpool: NM (SE ABQ) Jellisons: UT, TX, AK Shultzs: CA, DC, MA, BC Moores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QC Abby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QC Aliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEI L. Kilgore: VA, MI T. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DC Nielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RI Griffins: VT, OH, (Northeast) C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo Nation Adams: NM, CA, MA B. Brown: GA, OR, ON B. Vito: NY,ID ion.nazarene.org Multicultural Ministries hosts first Portuguese Conference It happened in Brockton, Massachusetts, June 26 and 27. Representatives from the seven Portuguese-speaking congregations in the USA — from Massachusetts to Rhode Island to New York — joyfully and expectantly gathered in the facilities of Nova Aliança church. The inspiring theme, “United to better Serve in the Kingdom,” informed the prayers, guided the worship, stirred the conversations, warmed up the hearts of the delegates, and filled the minds of both the keynote speaker and the workshops presenters.

John 18(NIV) 25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. 6

Failure Jesus had predicted and warned Peter concerning the denial, why did Peter still deny Jesus? What does Peter’s action tell us about human nature and the condition of the heart? What is the lesson for us?

John 21(NIV) 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

John 21(NIV) 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 9

Forgiveness Do you think it was important that this episode took place in Galilee? What did the great catch of fish represent to Peter and the other disciples? What emotions do you think Peter felt in this meeting with Jesus? 10

John 21 (NIV) 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” 11

John 21 (NIV) Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” 12

Feeding, Future, Focus This encounter with Peter followed the outline: Question Response If Then Else Why did Jesus confront Peter in this way? Was Peter trying to change the subject? 13

Next Week Unit 1: Prayers & Sermons of God’s The Spiritual Journey of Peter Lesson 6: Obedience without Limits Acts 11:

Wesley’s Guidance I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: Just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: For this very end he came from heaven. He [has] written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri [that is, a person, comparatively speaking, of one book]. 15

Wesley’s Guidance Here then I am, far from the busy ways of [life]. I sit down alone: Only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book, for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: —“Lord, is it not [your] word, ‘If any... lack wisdom, let [them] ask of God?’ [You ‘give... liberally and ungrudgingly.’ You have said, ‘If any are willing to do your will, they shall know it.’] I am willing to do, let me know, [your] will 16

Wesley’s Guidance ” I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” I meditate [upon these] with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I [do and] teach (Wesley’s Works, Vol. 5). 17

Summarizing Wesley’s Guidance 1. Go to a private place 2. Read the scripture 3. Pray for understanding of the scripture 4. Be willing to obey God according to what you learn 5. Compare passages of scripture that deal with the same topic 6. Meditate on the scripture’s teaching 7. If you do not understand, consult with other Christians and read the writing of Christians from the past. 18