1. A Sermon Series on Prayer
Deeper Prayer Life
A Sermon Series on Prayer

2. The Key to Prayer:
Loving God Completely
John 21:15-23

3. Prayer is and should be born out of a growing love relationship between God and his children. Otherwise, it is unreal and merely a futile activity that shows off religiosity.

4. As Jesus publicly reinstates Peter into leadership, he asks the most important question: “Do you truly love me?”

5. Nothing is more important in the Christian life than our love for Jesus Christ! Everything else will not matter if we do not truly love Him.
Loving God completely requires three elements.

6. A lifestyle of loving God!
Total Devotion:
A lifestyle of loving God!
(vv )

7. “‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’”
Total Devotion: A lifestyle of loving God! (vv ).
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?.’”
“‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’”
“Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’”

8. “Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?.’”
Total Devotion: A lifestyle of loving God! (vv ).
“Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?.’”
“He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’”
“Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’”

9. “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?.’”
Total Devotion: A lifestyle of loving God! (vv ).
“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.’”
“Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

10. Our love for Jesus determines our readiness to serve the Lord.
Total Devotion: A lifestyle of loving God! (vv ).
Our love for Jesus determines our readiness to serve the Lord.
Delight yourself in the love of the Lord!

11. A lifestyle of obeying God!
Total Surrender:
A lifestyle of obeying God!
(vv )

12. Total Surrender: A lifestyle of obeying God! (vv. 18-19).
“I tell you the truth, 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.”

13. Total Surrender: A lifestyle of obeying God! (vv. 18-19).
“Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’”

14. Settle the matter of death before you serve the Lord!
Total Surrender: A lifestyle of obeying God! (vv ).
A Christ-centered life determines our fruitfulness in serving the Lord.
Settle the matter of death before you serve the Lord!

15. A lifestyle of trusting God!
Total Dependence:
A lifestyle of trusting God!
(vv )

16. Total Dependence: A lifestyle of trusting God! (vv. 20-23).
“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?’)”

17. “When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’”
Total Dependence: A lifestyle of trusting God! (vv ).
“When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’”
“Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’”

18. Total Dependence: A lifestyle of trusting God! (vv. 20-23).
“Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers 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?’”

19. A steady pursuit of Jesus determines our success in serving the Lord.
Total Dependence: A lifestyle of trusting God! (vv ).
A steady pursuit of Jesus determines our success in serving the Lord.
Do not take off your eyes on Jesus!

20. Wounded people cannot love!
Question
Why is it that we want to love God so much but in fact love Him so little?
Wounded people cannot love!
“I’m hurt!”

21. Doubtful people cannot love!
Question
Why is it that we want to love God so much but in fact love Him so little?
Doubtful people cannot love!
“I doubt!”

22. Helpless people cannot love!
Question
Why is it that we want to love God so much but in fact love Him so little?
Helpless people cannot love!
“I can’t!”

23. Busy people cannot love!
Question
Why is it that we want to love God so much but in fact love Him so little?
Busy people cannot love!
“I’m too busy!”