1. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
Differences in How We Serve “Follow Me”

2. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
Differences in How We Serve
Jesus tells Peter about the differences between him and John.
Peter is always first at everything – an impetuous activist.
John is more behind the scenes – a quiet intellect.

3. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
Differences in How We Serve
These verses talk about the differences between youth and old age.
Youth is often characterized by confident preparation, bright plans, first steps, and self-reliance.
Weaknesses of youth include lack of experience, foolishness, and undisciplined passion. They become headstrong in their self-reliance.

4. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
Differences in How We Serve
These verses talk about the differences between youth and old age.
Old age brings experience, wisdom, and discernment along with suffering.
As life happens, things will be done to us against our inclination but for God’s glory and His Kingdom’s sake.
The older can become concerned with their own affairs, keeping with the way things have always been done, even selfish.

5. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
Differences in How We Serve
There are various forms of service.
Peter’s calling was as a “fisherman” in evangelism.
Paul’s calling was as a “tentmaker” in building up and ordering the church of God.
John’s calling was as a “mender of nets” in restoring that which had been broken.

6. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
“Follow Me”
Jesus tells Peter and John to “follow me” to make a point.
If we follow Jesus, then our eyes will be on Him and nothing else.
If our eyes are on Jesus, we will see something about Him, but we will also see something about ourselves and our inadequacies!

7. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
“Follow Me”
What does it mean to follow Jesus? We are told in Luke 9:23-25.

8. Luke 9: (NASB)
23  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
24  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.
25  For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

9. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
“Follow Me”
What does it mean to follow Jesus? We are told in Luke 9:23-25.
Deny yourself
Take up your cross

10. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
“Follow Me”
What is self-denial?
We must renounce sin.
We must repent and move in a holy direction.
We must renounce anything that is not God’s will for our lives.

11. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
“Follow Me”
What does it mean to take up my cross daily?
The cross symbolizes death.
We are to die to self and be alive in God.
We are to follow Him to death.
We are to embrace God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. “Yes Lord, what do you want me to do?”

12. A Great Invitation John 21:18-23
Application
Who is in charge of your life?
Are you in denial?
Or, are you in self-denial?
How is your cross carrying going?