“Restoring Hope” A Special EASTER Message John 21:15-23

“FOUR VIGNETTES” As The Backdrop Of Our Text “FOUR VIGNETTES” As The Backdrop Of Our Text

VIGNETTE #1: “Palm Sunday” Jesus’ Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem VIGNETTE #1: “Palm Sunday” Jesus’ Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem

"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" John 12:13

VIGNETTE #2: “Prediction” Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial VIGNETTE #2: “Prediction” Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

"Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." Mark 14:30

VIGNETTE #3: “Rooster’s Crow” Peter Denies Jesus Three Times VIGNETTE #3: “Rooster’s Crow” Peter Denies Jesus Three Times

Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Luke 22:60-61

VIGNETTE #4: “153” Risen Jesus Shows up to the Disillusioned Disciples VIGNETTE #4: “153” Risen Jesus Shows up to the Disillusioned Disciples

Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. John 21:11

John 21:15-23 [ESV] 15 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." 16 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." 17 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. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are

John 21:15-23 [ESV] old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

HOW DOES THE RISEN CHRIST RESTORE OUR HOPE? 1)The Risen Christ restores OUR HEARTS for a new beginning. He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (v.17a)  Why ask this question? It was more for Peter.  Why ask three times? Threefold confession of love was for restoring Peter’s disillusioned heart in his threefold denial of Jesus.  Jesus can also restore our hearts as well if we surrender our hearts to him [Religion vs. Jesus = DO vs. DONE].

10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12

HOW DOES THE RISEN CHRIST RESTORE OUR HOPE? 1)The Risen Christ restores OUR HEARTS for a new beginning. He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (v.17a)  Why ask this question? It was more for Peter.  Why ask three times? Threefold confession of love was for restoring Peter’s disillusioned heart in his threefold denial of Jesus.  Jesus can also restore our hearts as well if we surrender our hearts to him [Religion vs. Jesus = DO vs. DONE].  Why? Jesus offers us an “exchanged life”: a new life in Christ!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

HOW DOES THE RISEN CHRIST RESTORE OUR HOPE? 2)The Risen Christ restores OUR PRIORITIES for a new love. Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (v.15b)  What was required of Peter for reinstating Peter’s leadership? Not competence, a to-do-list, or promises…  BUT, his matchless love for Jesus! That Jesus would be not just prominent but PREEMINENT in Peter’s heart.  What about us? This new love changes our priorities from a SELF-centered life to a life of JOY—Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.  Why? Because Jesus loved us first—he died & rose for us!

14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

HOW DOES THE RISEN CHRIST RESTORE OUR HOPE? 3)The Risen Christ restores OUR CALLING for a new direction. “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep… You follow me.” (vs.15, 16,17,22)  Jesus’ calling and reinstatement of Peter’s leadership gave Peter a new direction & meaning in life.  New direction for Peter? To follow Jesus in the way Jesus lived, loved, and served others!  What about us? Jesus calls us to follow HIM—not religion, rules, ideologies, but Jesus the Risen LORD—as his apprentice/follower.  In following Jesus, we are to keep our FOCUS ON JESUS not on how others are following Jesus!

Only Prerequisite That Matters Now [Jesus] gives him the even greater responsibility of teaching those who have been caught. What is the prerequisite for such service? What is the acceptable motive for leading and teaching others? It is not moral perfection in the teacher, otherwise, there would be no teachers. It is not an academic degree. It is not an overwhelming urge to “bring in Christ’s kingdom,” not the ability to raise more money… There is only one prerequisite. It is love for Christ issuing in the desire to serve Him… This love does not get wrapped up in mystical experiences. It cares for others. John said it well in his first letter, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). If we love Christ, we will love those others for whom He also died and we will do our best to serve them in love. - James Montgomery Boice

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Will you give your HEART/LIFE to Jesus for an exchanged life from the Risen Christ? 2.Will you surrender your PRIORITIES to Jesus for a matchless love the Risen Christ? 3.Will you say yes to your CALLING from Jesus to follow the Risen Christ?

Jesus, the Risen Christ, invites you to come to him TODAY: 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29