WEBVTT

00:00:00.420 --> 00:00:01.640
 Let's read together.

00:00:04.980 --> 00:00:10.419
 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.

00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:12.960
 And he revealed himself in this way.

00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:20.980
 Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:23.920
 Simon Peter said to them, I'm going fishing.

00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:27.120
 They said to him, we'll go with you.

00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:30.920
 They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:36.399
 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

00:00:36.620 --> 00:00:39.000
 Jesus said to them, children, do you have any fish?

00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:40.600
 They answered him, no.

00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:45.120
 He said to them, cast the net on the right side of the boat and you'll find some.

00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:50.320
 So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because of the quantity of fish.

00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:55.180
 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, it is the Lord.

00:00:55.179 --> 00:01:02.979
 When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:10.319
 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

00:01:11.060 --> 00:01:15.659
 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place with fish laid out on it and bread.

00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:18.379
 Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish that you have just caught.

00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:25.399
 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them.

00:01:26.039 --> 00:01:28.959
 And although there were so many, the net was not torn.

00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.799
 And Jesus said to them, come and have breakfast.

00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:35.099
 Now none of the disciples dared ask him, who are you?

00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:36.399
 They knew it was the Lord.

00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:40.359
 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so would the fish.

00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:46.120
 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:49.480
 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,

00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:54.980
 Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?

00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:01.939
 He said to them, he said to him, yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:04.579
 He said to him, feed my lambs.

00:02:04.579 --> 00:02:08.680
 He said to him a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?

00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:12.919
 He said to him, yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:15.340
 He said to him, tend my sheep.

00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:19.579
 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?

00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:24.219
 Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, do you love me?

00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:26.680
 And he said to him, Lord, you know everything.

00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:28.780
 You know that I love you.

00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:31.419
 Jesus said to him, feed my sheep.

00:02:31.419 --> 00:02:37.599
 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted.

00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:44.459
 But when you were old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.

00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:48.859
 This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.

00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:52.060
 And after saying this, he said to him, follow me.

00:02:53.359 --> 00:02:56.419
 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them,

00:02:57.179 --> 00:02:59.639
 the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper,

00:02:59.639 --> 00:03:01.919
 and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?

00:03:01.979 --> 00:03:05.879
 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man?

00:03:06.959 --> 00:03:12.759
 Jesus said to him, if it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?

00:03:13.519 --> 00:03:15.619
 You follow me.

00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:24.859
 Well, this morning, for our send-off Sunday, we're looking at the final chapter of John's gospel.

00:03:24.860 --> 00:03:32.640
 Some of Jesus' last words to his disciples before he would leave them on earth and return to the Father.

00:03:34.160 --> 00:03:40.900
 This season of the year is a time of looking back to the past and looking forward to the future.

00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:45.780
 And whether you're graduating or moving on or whether nothing in your life is changing

00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:48.860
 and everything is simply just the same as it was,

00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:54.099
 it's a good opportunity periodically to look back and to look forward.

00:03:56.360 --> 00:03:58.939
 So we're going to look into this passage this morning.

00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:04.360
 As Jesus, what we'll see is that as Jesus equips his disciples for the future,

00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:09.439
 he does it by reminding them of the past

00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:13.139
 in three particular ways.

00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:16.759
 This closing chapter of John is fascinating in that

00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:22.459
 what Jesus says and does points back to at least three prior incidents

00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:26.759
 in the course recorded in the New Testament gospels

00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:29.600
 that Jesus and his disciples have already been through.

00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:31.339
 One at the beginning of Jesus' ministry,

00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:32.819
 one at the middle,

00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:34.920
 and one toward the end.

00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:38.600
 And I think Jesus deliberately orchestrates the way this scene unfolds

00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:43.180
 in order to sort of replay these prior events in his disciples' minds.

00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:45.839
 It's as if he was, you know, if you're graduating,

00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:48.480
 perhaps you may walk around the campus this weekend

00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:52.240
 and remember the first day that you arrived

00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:56.759
 and a conversation that you had during sophomore year with a friend

00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:00.019
 or perhaps something that happened just last week.

00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:02.600
 And you'll have these memories that are triggered in your mind

00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:05.120
 as you look at the places where you've been

00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:06.759
 and the people you've been with.

00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:08.599
 Or it's sort of like,

00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:11.019
 so this last chapter is a bit like that

00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:13.759
 or it's a bit like watching the highlights on SportsCenter

00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:15.000
 after a baseball game.

00:05:15.740 --> 00:05:17.879
 And they point out the defining moments of a game

00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:20.759
 or the end of a symphony where the theme and the variations

00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:23.420
 are woven together in a grand climax

00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:25.980
 or a surprising conclusion of a movie

00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:29.480
 that puts a new twist on various strands of the plot.

00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:33.920
 So what we want to, the main point here

00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:35.700
 is that Jesus equips us for our future

00:05:35.700 --> 00:05:37.520
 by reminding us of our past.

00:05:38.400 --> 00:05:40.259
 So I want to look at three lessons that he teaches us

00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:41.640
 looking back and looking forward.

00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:45.540
 So first, Jesus teaches us to abide in him.

00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:49.700
 The story begins with Simon Peter and six disciples

00:05:49.700 --> 00:05:52.060
 going fishing in the Sea of Galilee,

00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:54.319
 or here it's called the Sea of Tiberias.

00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:56.879
 Now it's a bit of an ambivalent beginning.

00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:00.240
 You know, if you've read the Gospel of John,

00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:01.379
 the last couple of chapters,

00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:02.519
 Jesus has been crucified.

00:06:03.159 --> 00:06:04.899
 He's now risen from the dead.

00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:07.019
 He's revealed himself to his disciples.

00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:10.980
 And now we see the disciples are sort of hanging out.

00:06:11.719 --> 00:06:13.279
 Peter's like, let's go fishing.

00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:15.839
 And they're like, sure, we'll go with you.

00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:17.740
 Now on the one hand,

00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:20.040
 fishing is a perfectly legitimate activity

00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:21.040
 for Jesus' disciples.

00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:24.100
 One person said even though Jesus was crucified

00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:25.259
 and now is risen,

00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:26.719
 his disciples still have to eat.

00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:28.819
 And that's very reasonable.

00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:30.259
 And according to Matthew and Mark,

00:06:30.339 --> 00:06:32.899
 Jesus had actually told them to go to Galilee

00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:34.100
 where he would see them.

00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:35.779
 On the other hand,

00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:37.339
 I think in these first few verses,

00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:39.180
 the disciples seem rather aimless,

00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:40.860
 even a little bored,

00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:42.360
 and powerless.

00:06:43.339 --> 00:06:44.420
 They fish all night.

00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:46.339
 Experienced fishermen,

00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:48.259
 then they catch nothing.

00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:50.300
 Now, of course,

00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:51.459
 this wasn't the first time

00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:53.000
 that they had found themselves

00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:54.000
 in such a situation.

00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:56.639
 The whole situation would have reminded them

00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.659
 of what we read earlier

00:06:57.659 --> 00:06:59.300
 in the service from Luke 5.

00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:02.240
 This is the first flashback from the past.

00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:04.480
 At the beginning of Jesus' ministry,

00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:06.180
 when he first called these men

00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:07.060
 to follow him,

00:07:08.159 --> 00:07:09.480
 if you want to turn back there,

00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:11.319
 the same guys,

00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:12.539
 at least Simon Peter

00:07:12.539 --> 00:07:13.519
 and the sons of Zebedee,

00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:15.039
 were fishing in the same lake.

00:07:15.580 --> 00:07:17.000
 Luke calls it the Lake of Gennesaret.

00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:18.540
 John calls it the Sea of Tiberias.

00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:19.400
 It's the same thing.

00:07:19.900 --> 00:07:20.900
 It had multiple names.

00:07:21.400 --> 00:07:22.560
 And they fished all night

00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.480
 and they had caught nothing.

00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:25.939
 And then Jesus had come along

00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:27.320
 and he had the nerve

00:07:27.320 --> 00:07:28.939
 to give these experienced fishermen

00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:31.500
 advice on how to catch some fish.

00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:33.379
 He had said,

00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:34.300
 go out into deep water,

00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:35.660
 let down your nets for the catch.

00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:37.879
 At first, Peter was protesting,

00:07:38.780 --> 00:07:41.040
 but we've worked all night.

00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:41.840
 We've caught nothing.

00:07:42.580 --> 00:07:44.000
 He says, okay, fine, I'll do it.

00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:44.540
 Does it?

00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:45.939
 Lo and behold,

00:07:46.760 --> 00:07:47.420
 the nets are full.

00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:50.180
 And so when the same kind of thing

00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:50.700
 happened again,

00:07:50.760 --> 00:07:52.300
 the disciples immediately recognized

00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:54.319
 who it was standing on the shore

00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:56.020
 in the early morning light.

00:07:56.540 --> 00:07:57.420
 It's the Lord.

00:07:58.680 --> 00:07:59.600
 Both times,

00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:01.680
 the disciples had been working hard

00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:02.620
 apart from Jesus

00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:05.560
 and their work had resulted in nothing.

00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:07.560
 And when they heard

00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:08.879
 and obeyed Jesus' voice,

00:08:09.580 --> 00:08:11.400
 their nets were filled to overflowing.

00:08:12.700 --> 00:08:14.480
 What's Jesus trying to remind them of?

00:08:15.460 --> 00:08:16.620
 He's trying to remind us

00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:17.280
 of our dependence.

00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:19.259
 Now, of course,

00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:20.180
 in a general sense,

00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.100
 all of us are dependent on God

00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:22.879
 as his creatures.

00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:25.600
 The scientist Stephen Jay Gould

00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:26.640
 wrote,

00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:28.140
 the laws of science

00:08:28.140 --> 00:08:30.460
 contain many fundamental numbers

00:08:30.460 --> 00:08:32.379
 like the size of the electric charge

00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:33.240
 of the electron

00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:35.560
 and the ratio of the masses

00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:37.340
 of the proton and the electron.

00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:40.340
 Maybe you understand those things,

00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:40.820
 maybe you don't.

00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:41.540
 But he says,

00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:42.519
 the remarkable fact

00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:44.080
 is that the values of these numbers

00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:44.759
 seem to have been

00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:46.160
 very finely adjusted

00:08:46.160 --> 00:08:47.620
 to make possible

00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:48.800
 the development of life.

00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:49.500
 Now,

00:08:49.540 --> 00:08:50.120
 Stephen Jay Gould

00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:50.920
 is an agnostic

00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:52.200
 or was an agnostic,

00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:54.899
 but he and many other scientists

00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:56.639
 recognize that we live

00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.220
 in a universe

00:08:57.220 --> 00:08:59.440
 that seems amazingly fine-tuned

00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:01.420
 to sustain physical life.

00:09:01.419 --> 00:09:03.579
 And we've discovered

00:09:03.579 --> 00:09:04.500
 the laws of gravity,

00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:06.399
 we peer into the mysteries

00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:07.419
 of quantum mechanics,

00:09:07.599 --> 00:09:09.439
 we marvel at the capacities

00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:10.399
 of human brain,

00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:11.879
 but we did not create

00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:13.059
 and we do not sustain

00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:14.279
 any of these things,

00:09:14.339 --> 00:09:14.939
 even though

00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:17.399
 that is what sustains

00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:18.719
 our physical life every day.

00:09:19.719 --> 00:09:20.479
 These things that we

00:09:20.479 --> 00:09:22.399
 don't even think about.

00:09:22.839 --> 00:09:24.360
 The laws of the universe

00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:25.799
 that remain constant

00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.659
 and the way that God

00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:28.939
 upholds our lives,

00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:31.000
 even if we don't recognize him.

00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:33.220
 We're fundamentally dependent

00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:34.320
 on God as his creatures

00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:36.140
 in a very basic way.

00:09:37.680 --> 00:09:37.940
 You know,

00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:39.140
 in a more particular way,

00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:40.540
 Jesus is reminding us,

00:09:41.020 --> 00:09:42.560
 those of us who believe in him,

00:09:43.400 --> 00:09:44.720
 that we're absolutely dependent

00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:46.540
 on him as his disciples.

00:09:48.020 --> 00:09:49.160
 Jesus said in John 15,

00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:50.300
 I am the vine,

00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:52.060
 you are the branches.

00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:54.680
 If you abide in me,

00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:56.260
 you will bear much fruit,

00:09:56.260 --> 00:09:57.260
 and apart from me,

00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:59.240
 you can do nothing.

00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:01.860
 Now what does it look like

00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:04.080
 to abide in Jesus,

00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:05.740
 to live in dependence upon Jesus?

00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:06.980
 Well, Jesus talks about

00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:08.319
 abiding in his word,

00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:11.399
 letting his word constantly

00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:13.200
 be sinking into our hearts

00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.220
 and shaping our lives.

00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:16.039
 He talks about abiding in his love,

00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.840
 resting in the assurance

00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:20.720
 that we belong to him,

00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.600
 and nothing can snatch us

00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:23.539
 away from his hand.

00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:25.659
 And that if he was willing

00:10:25.659 --> 00:10:26.679
 to lay down his life

00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:27.519
 for us on the cross,

00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:28.299
 how much more

00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:29.500
 will he give us

00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:30.559
 all things that we need?

00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:33.219
 Jesus also speaks

00:10:33.219 --> 00:10:34.279
 about abiding in prayer,

00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:37.099
 coming before God every day

00:10:37.099 --> 00:10:38.639
 to ask for what we need,

00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.120
 abiding in communion

00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:40.919
 with God,

00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:41.459
 the Father,

00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:42.039
 Son,

00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:43.240
 and Holy Spirit.

00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:46.039
 And I think one of the

00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:47.279
 key indicators

00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.820
 of whether we're living

00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:50.120
 in dependence upon God,

00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.700
 whether we're abiding in Christ,

00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.620
 is our practice

00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.700
 of prayer.

00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:56.840
 Do we feel our need to pray

00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:59.120
 as much as you feel

00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.399
 the need to eat

00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.360
 in order to satisfy

00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.919
 your hunger every day?

00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:06.340
 In the Lord's Prayer,

00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:07.399
 Jesus taught us to pray

00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:09.419
 for our daily provision.

00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:10.860
 Give us this day

00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:12.279
 our daily bread,

00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:13.659
 for our daily pardon.

00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:16.519
 Forgive us our trespasses

00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.960
 as we forgive those

00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:19.159
 who trespass against us

00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:20.259
 for our daily protection.

00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:22.320
 Lead us not into temptation,

00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:24.019
 but deliver us from evil.

00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:25.419
 Do we feel that need

00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:26.680
 to pray every day

00:11:26.680 --> 00:11:28.120
 for our provision,

00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.139
 our pardon,

00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.180
 and our protection?

00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:32.340
 You know,

00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.259
 even if we don't feel

00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:34.379
 our need for prayer,

00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:36.379
 are we so convinced

00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.300
 of its importance

00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:38.720
 for our spiritual well-being

00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:40.320
 that we discipline ourselves

00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:40.920
 to do it?

00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:42.500
 You know,

00:11:42.540 --> 00:11:43.680
 if you're sick,

00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.360
 or if you're depressed,

00:11:45.420 --> 00:11:45.920
 or if you're taking

00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:46.820
 certain medications,

00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.580
 you might not actually

00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.759
 feel hungry.

00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:51.920
 You might not actually

00:11:51.920 --> 00:11:53.639
 feel like eating at all.

00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:56.720
 But if you want to,

00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:58.060
 if you want to care

00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:58.740
 for your body,

00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.500
 and if you want to promote

00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.759
 your own physical health,

00:12:01.800 --> 00:12:02.800
 you'll discipline yourself

00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:03.300
 to eat,

00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.980
 even if you don't feel

00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:05.700
 the need for it,

00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.720
 because you realize,

00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:08.440
 my body isn't functioning

00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:09.180
 the way it should.

00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:10.960
 And in order for me

00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:11.680
 to get better,

00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.240
 I will have to eat

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:14.240
 healthy foods.

00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:15.779
 And in the same way,

00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:16.940
 there can be that discipline

00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:17.519
 of praying,

00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:19.060
 even when we don't feel like it,

00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:20.340
 even when our spiritual senses

00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.540
 are a little bit dull,

00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:24.060
 and we have to discipline ourselves

00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:24.519
 and say,

00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.139
 I need to pray.

00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:27.460
 Even though I feel

00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.060
 self-sufficient,

00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.180
 even though I feel like

00:12:29.180 --> 00:12:31.720
 I'm not in

00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:33.840
 a desperate situation,

00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:34.460
 I need,

00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:36.360
 I'm absolutely dependent

00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:36.780
 on God,

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.580
 and I need to be

00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:38.480
 in prayer.

00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.879
 So God reminds us

00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.500
 of our dependence.

00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:44.100
 You know,

00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.120
 sometimes God reminds us

00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:45.680
 of our dependence

00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:47.340
 in a situation like

00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:48.759
 the disciples found themselves in.

00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:49.700
 They fished all night

00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.400
 and caught nothing.

00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.740
 Maybe you've been searching

00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.840
 for a job all year,

00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:56.480
 and you still haven't found one.

00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:59.500
 Sometimes God reminds us

00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.080
 of our dependence

00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:02.000
 through hard situations,

00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:05.019
 sickness or job loss,

00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:06.299
 loneliness.

00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:07.559
 But you know,

00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.620
 it's also a blessing

00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:11.860
 when God sustains us

00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.120
 in our dependence on Him

00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:15.039
 through a time of prosperity,

00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:17.220
 when everything's going well,

00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.779
 and when you have the job

00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:19.539
 you always wanted,

00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.220
 and when you have

00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:21.679
 great friends,

00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:23.820
 and you might otherwise

00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:25.039
 be tempted to embrace

00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.000
 the illusion that

00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.299
 we are self-sufficient

00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.299
 and self-made.

00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:30.000
 It's a blessing

00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:30.960
 when God sustains us

00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.899
 in dependence on Him.

00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:33.720
 Whether it's in a time

00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.279
 of adversity

00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.480
 or a time of prosperity,

00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:38.000
 it's true nonetheless.

00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:40.580
 And so Jesus reminds us

00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:40.919
 of that.

00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:44.620
 Now Jesus reminds them

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.299
 of their dependence

00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:46.100
 by pointing back

00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:47.080
 to this first episode,

00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:48.940
 but He also provides for them

00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:49.639
 in great abundance.

00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.679
 What happens

00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:54.600
 in Luke chapter 5

00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:56.080
 and in John chapter 21?

00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.519
 Well, they throw out the nets,

00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:58.500
 and then they get this

00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:00.419
 amazingly large catch of fish.

00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.240
 Now there's this interesting

00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.639
 difference between the two stories.

00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.219
 In Luke,

00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:07.719
 everything starts to fall apart.

00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:09.240
 The nets start breaking.

00:14:09.599 --> 00:14:10.740
 The boats start sinking.

00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:11.599
 Peter says,

00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:12.639
 Go away from me, Lord.

00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:13.539
 I'm a sinful man.

00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.899
 They can't handle

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:16.219
 the abundance

00:14:16.219 --> 00:14:17.399
 that Jesus provides.

00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.019
 But in John,

00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:23.879
 verse 11 points out,

00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.339
 although there were so many fish,

00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:27.059
 the net was not torn.

00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:29.719
 And when Peter sees Jesus,

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:31.459
 he runs to Jesus

00:14:31.459 --> 00:14:32.860
 because he knows

00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.379
 He's the Lord.

00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:34.819
 Now,

00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.019
 what's the significance

00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.939
 of this detail?

00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:37.159
 Well,

00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:38.679
 the nets full of fish

00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:40.039
 are a symbol

00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.279
 of the disciples' calling.

00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.120
 Right?

00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:42.799
 Jesus had said,

00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.939
 Don't be afraid.

00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.899
 From now on,

00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.419
 you will be fishers

00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.079
 of man.

00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:49.779
 Right?

00:14:49.839 --> 00:14:50.240
 This is a,

00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.159
 I will send you out

00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:53.220
 into all the world

00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:55.120
 with the good news

00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:55.939
 of Jesus Christ

00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:57.199
 to welcome people

00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:58.579
 and to gather people

00:14:58.579 --> 00:14:59.839
 into my kingdom.

00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.019
 And you know,

00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:03.720
 that calling

00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.860
 that Jesus gives us

00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.059
 to proclaim

00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:06.519
 the gospel

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.259
 of Jesus Christ

00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.860
 and to bring

00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:09.079
 all kinds of people

00:15:09.079 --> 00:15:10.039
 from all over the world

00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.860
 into his kingdom

00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:12.039
 can feel overwhelming

00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.839
 and intimidating.

00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.240
 We might feel like

00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:17.019
 Peter and the other disciples

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.579
 did in Luke.

00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.360
 The nets are breaking.

00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:20.120
 You might think,

00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.199
 you know,

00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:22.899
 what if God brings

00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.779
 a whole bunch of people

00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.240
 who are totally different

00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:25.639
 than me

00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.480
 into our church?

00:15:27.339 --> 00:15:28.279
 Or what if God brings

00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.099
 people into my life

00:15:29.099 --> 00:15:29.899
 who have overwhelming

00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:31.279
 physical needs?

00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:33.599
 Or what if I'm asked

00:15:33.599 --> 00:15:34.259
 to take on

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:36.099
 a position of leadership

00:15:36.099 --> 00:15:36.860
 and responsibility

00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.519
 that I feel like

00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.339
 is over my head?

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:40.600
 Now it's true,

00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:41.820
 following Jesus

00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:42.720
 can feel overwhelming

00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.480
 at times.

00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.540
 But what Jesus wants

00:15:45.540 --> 00:15:46.519
 to reassure

00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.680
 his disciples here

00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:49.540
 is that he's promised

00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.500
 to be with us

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.480
 and to equip us.

00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:52.600
 And that we can

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.420
 depend on him,

00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.660
 we can abide in him,

00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:57.399
 and he'll equip us

00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.220
 for whatever task

00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.980
 he calls us to.

00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:01.920
 Although there were

00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:02.500
 so many fish,

00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:03.400
 the net was not torn.

00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:05.440
 That we,

00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:07.780
 and the net

00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:08.560
 in one sense

00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:09.080
 can represent

00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.820
 the promises

00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:11.840
 of the gospel of Jesus.

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.460
 Jesus says,

00:16:12.880 --> 00:16:13.640
 anyone everywhere

00:16:13.640 --> 00:16:14.560
 who believes in him

00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:15.620
 will have eternal life.

00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:19.120
 He's a merciful Savior,

00:16:19.260 --> 00:16:20.280
 and anyone who comes to him

00:16:20.280 --> 00:16:21.840
 will not be driven away.

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:24.220
 The promises are true,

00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:25.300
 and they will hold,

00:16:25.420 --> 00:16:26.720
 and they will not break.

00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:27.940
 And that's what

00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:28.980
 Christ has given us.

00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.680
 So that's the first thing.

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.240
 Jesus calls us

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.100
 to abide in him

00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.380
 by reminding us

00:16:32.380 --> 00:16:32.920
 of our dependence.

00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.979
 Second, he calls us

00:16:34.979 --> 00:16:37.139
 to invest for him.

00:16:38.079 --> 00:16:39.039
 Now this is verse 9

00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:39.620
 through 14.

00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.579
 When they got on land,

00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.699
 they saw fish and bread

00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:44.259
 prepared by Jesus.

00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.000
 Jesus was acting

00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.539
 as a host.

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.299
 He had cooked breakfast

00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:47.419
 for them,

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.319
 inviting his disciples

00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:49.139
 to share a meal.

00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:50.719
 And verse 13 says

00:16:50.719 --> 00:16:51.439
 he took the bread

00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:52.519
 and gave it to them.

00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:54.179
 Now, once again,

00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.059
 Jesus was deliberately

00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.939
 reminding them

00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:57.919
 of an episode

00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:58.679
 from the middle

00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:00.139
 of his earthly ministry

00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:02.019
 when he had fed

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.480
 a whole crowd of people,

00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.879
 5,000 men plus women

00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.259
 and children,

00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:07.639
 with bread and fish.

00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.400
 And when he took it

00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:11.160
 and gave it to the people.

00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.259
 In the Gospel of John,

00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:15.920
 it appears in chapter 6.

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.339
 It's the only one

00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.099
 of Jesus' miracles

00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.200
 recorded in all four

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.319
 of the Gospels.

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:21.920
 So if you want,

00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.859
 you can flip back

00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.779
 to John chapter 6,

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.960
 this event that Jesus

00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.619
 was reminding

00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:27.639
 his disciples of.

00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:30.120
 Now, what was the point?

00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.860
 Why did Jesus want

00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:32.040
 to remind his disciples

00:17:32.040 --> 00:17:34.240
 of this particular event?

00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.520
 On the one hand,

00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:37.180
 it was a symbol

00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.240
 of his abundant provision.

00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.380
 Going along

00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.080
 with the first point,

00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:41.620
 with only five small loaves

00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:42.820
 of bread and two small fish,

00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:44.900
 Jesus fed a large crowd

00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:46.920
 and there were 12 baskets

00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.660
 full of leftovers

00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.300
 at the end,

00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.759
 one for each of the disciples.

00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:51.380
 But you know,

00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.620
 the story isn't just about

00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:54.259
 Jesus' amazing provision,

00:17:54.840 --> 00:17:55.800
 amazing though it was,

00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:57.080
 but also Jesus'

00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.500
 insistence that his disciples

00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.000
 be involved in the process.

00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:00.519
 If you go back

00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.439
 to John chapter 6,

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.220
 verse 5,

00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:03.899
 it says,

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.419
 Jesus saw that a large crowd

00:18:05.419 --> 00:18:06.639
 was coming toward him

00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.579
 and he said to Philip,

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.679
 where are we to buy bread

00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:11.679
 so that these people may eat?

00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:13.720
 Verse 6 said,

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:15.179
 he said this to test him

00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:16.019
 for he himself knew

00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.720
 what he would do.

00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:20.639
 Jesus intentionally involved

00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.299
 his disciples

00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.939
 in his ministry.

00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:26.019
 Now, Jesus was

00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.440
 the Lord of all creation.

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.660
 All things had been

00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.220
 made through him.

00:18:29.320 --> 00:18:29.940
 If he, I mean,

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.779
 if he could really do

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.440
 this miracle

00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.860
 and multiply five loaves

00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:34.000
 of bread and two small fish

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.120
 to feed 5,000 people,

00:18:35.340 --> 00:18:36.200
 he didn't really need

00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:36.960
 the five loaves of bread

00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.720
 and two small fish.

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.160
 He could have

00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.960
 made it out of thin air.

00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.820
 But no, he says,

00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.960
 I want you

00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.100
 to be invested

00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:47.580
 in this with me.

00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.779
 He received

00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.840
 a small boy's lunch,

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.720
 willingly offered.

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.400
 He involved

00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:53.940
 the disciples

00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.980
 in organizing

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.460
 the people

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:55.980
 and distributing

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.420
 the food

00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.440
 and cleaning up afterwards

00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.660
 and in John 21,

00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.299
 Jesus followed

00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.000
 the same pattern.

00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.460
 He says,

00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.200
 he was already

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.799
 cooking the fish

00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.100
 and bread

00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:03.740
 on the fire

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.240
 and Jesus says,

00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:06.779
 bring some of the fish

00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:08.500
 that you have caught.

00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.579
 You see,

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.319
 Jesus is sufficient.

00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.180
 Jesus can accomplish

00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.240
 his work on his own

00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.500
 but he calls us

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.539
 to be invested

00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:17.460
 alongside him.

00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.019
 And even though

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.980
 our resources

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:22.440
 may seem insignificant

00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.360
 and insufficient

00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.700
 compared to his,

00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:26.319
 he multiplies them

00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.740
 for the good

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.339
 of his people

00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.240
 and the glory

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.740
 of his name.

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.240
 So let me ask us,

00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:31.960
 brothers and sisters,

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.779
 can you remember

00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.319
 a time

00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:35.680
 when Jesus called you

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:38.039
 to invest sacrificially

00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.360
 from your own

00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:40.400
 limited resources

00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:42.860
 and then he multiplied

00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:44.160
 what you offered him?

00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.039
 Offered to others

00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.579
 in his name.

00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:49.159
 Maybe you heard

00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:49.480
 that someone

00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:49.939
 in the church

00:19:49.939 --> 00:19:50.419
 was sick

00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:53.039
 and you took

00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.460
 the initiative

00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.919
 to make dinner

00:19:54.919 --> 00:19:56.039
 and bring it over

00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.720
 to their house

00:19:56.720 --> 00:20:00.179
 and encourage them.

00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:01.579
 And maybe they sent you

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.639
 the sweetest thank you note

00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.639
 about how much

00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.359
 it meant to them

00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:05.559
 to know that

00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.980
 they have a church family

00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:08.539
 and they have people

00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.619
 who care for them

00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.759
 in that kind of way.

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.439
 Or maybe you took

00:20:12.439 --> 00:20:13.199
 the time to meet

00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:14.059
 one-on-one

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.859
 for several months

00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:15.199
 with someone

00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:16.220
 who had questions

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.019
 about Christianity

00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.200
 and they came

00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.960
 to faith in Jesus

00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.500
 and they're walking

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.579
 the same path

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.200
 with you now.

00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.100
 Maybe you took

00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.059
 the difficult step

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.799
 of gently confronting

00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:28.480
 a brother or sister

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.779
 who seemed to be

00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.339
 straying

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.600
 from the ways

00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:32.019
 of Jesus

00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.799
 and they listened.

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:34.980
 They listened

00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.620
 to what you said

00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.980
 and they changed

00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.620
 their ways

00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:40.259
 and they thank you

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.740
 for it.

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.440
 Maybe you introduced

00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.200
 yourself to someone

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.680
 new before

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.500
 or after church

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.940
 even though

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.560
 you're naturally

00:20:46.560 --> 00:20:47.299
 an introvert

00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:49.080
 and they were

00:20:49.080 --> 00:20:50.900
 standing 10 feet away

00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.940
 not talking to anyone

00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.680
 alone and you were

00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:54.080
 standing by yourself

00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:54.720
 and honestly

00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.240
 you would have been

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.779
 more comfortable

00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.840
 just standing 10 feet

00:20:56.840 --> 00:20:57.460
 away and not saying

00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:57.799
 a thing.

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.340
 But you thought

00:20:59.340 --> 00:21:01.460
 because let me go

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.400
 and introduce myself

00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:03.560
 because that would be

00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.340
 a blessing to them

00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:05.799
 even if it's not

00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.860
 my personality type.

00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.160
 And maybe they now

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.860
 tell others how

00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:10.180
 welcoming they found

00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.960
 this church to be.

00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:12.640
 Now I know

00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:14.140
 it doesn't always

00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:14.799
 work that way

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.220
 right?

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.620
 Sometimes you invest

00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:19.200
 and you give

00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.860
 and you

00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:22.860
 share God's word

00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.460
 and share what

00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.140
 he's given you

00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:26.160
 and you don't see

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:27.740
 multiplying fruit

00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.279
 of your labor

00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.880
 in the Lord.

00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.160
 Jesus was very

00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.259
 realistic about this

00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.019
 in the parable

00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.579
 of the sower.

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.579
 Jesus says

00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.380
 sometimes the word

00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.680
 falls along the path.

00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.700
 People don't want

00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.340
 to hear it at all.

00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.319
 They just brush you aside.

00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.400
 They don't thank you

00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.940
 at all for the ways

00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.360
 that you're trying

00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.079
 to do good to them

00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:46.519
 spiritually.

00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:47.400
 They don't even care.

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.759
 He says sometimes

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.380
 the word falls

00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:51.240
 on rocky ground

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.480
 and people get

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.220
 really excited

00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.240
 about it for a little while

00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.960
 but then when the

00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:56.100
 going gets tough

00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:56.620
 the excitement

00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.400
 doesn't last.

00:21:58.620 --> 00:21:59.259
 He says sometimes

00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.880
 the word falls

00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.500
 among thorns

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:03.039
 and it gets choked

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.980
 out by the worries

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.600
 and cares

00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.500
 and riches

00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.240
 of this life

00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.579
 and it doesn't mature.

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.920
 But he says

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.579
 sometimes

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:12.339
 the word falls

00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:13.259
 into good soil

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.419
 and takes root.

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:15.939
 And he says

00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:16.699
 through perseverance

00:22:16.699 --> 00:22:17.419
 over time

00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.379
 it multiplies

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.119
 thirty, sixty

00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:20.220
 or even a hundred

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.099
 fold.

00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:23.039
 And you know

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.619
 doesn't that make

00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:24.359
 it all worth it?

00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:27.179
 When we see Jesus

00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.460
 taking our humble

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.299
 offerings

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.159
 our humble efforts

00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:30.740
 that we offer

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.279
 to him

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.839
 as expressions

00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.399
 of worship

00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.599
 and share

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.259
 with others

00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:37.700
 and in some cases

00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.920
 he multiplies

00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:39.839
 them far more

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:41.079
 than we could

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.920
 ever expect

00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:43.039
 or imagine.

00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.759
 So Jesus

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.819
 is encouraging us

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.980
 invest

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.019
 for him.

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.500
 Abide in him

00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.480
 invest

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.519
 for him

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.900
 and don't

00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.539
 hold back.

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.720
 Bring what you have

00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.579
 to Jesus

00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.299
 and let him

00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.259
 multiply what you offer.

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.420
 Third

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.940
 abide in him

00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.860
 invest for him

00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.460
 and finally

00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.539
 be restored

00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.519
 through him.

00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:09.539
 Jesus reminds us

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.160
 of our dependence

00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:12.160
 he reminds us

00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.840
 of his power

00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:13.500
 to multiply

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.320
 what we invest

00:23:14.320 --> 00:23:15.539
 in his kingdom

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.120
 but finally

00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.980
 he reminds us

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.180
 of our failure

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.440
 and his forgiveness.

00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.019
 You know

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.799
 when we look back

00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.340
 honestly

00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:24.799
 on our lives

00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.220
 whether it's

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.180
 just the last week

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:27.960
 or the last year

00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:29.880
 or the last decade

00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:33.140
 we look honestly

00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:34.380
 we will be reminded

00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.140
 not only

00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:36.700
 of our dependence

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.259
 on him

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.799
 and his abundant

00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.740
 provision for us

00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.860
 or our investment

00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.460
 in his kingdom

00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.660
 and his multiplying

00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.340
 of our efforts

00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.480
 but we will also

00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.039
 be reminded

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.880
 of our shameful

00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.480
 failures

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.640
 and our darkest

00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.160
 moments.

00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:50.519
 verse 9 says

00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.440
 Jesus made a charcoal

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:51.940
 fire

00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:53.519
 on the beach

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:55.799
 the only other time

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.940
 in the entire Bible

00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.160
 where a charcoal

00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:59.019
 fire is mentioned

00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.840
 is three chapters

00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.320
 beforehand

00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.500
 in John chapter 18

00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.120
 verse 18

00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:05.779
 and Jesus was on trial

00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:07.580
 before the high priest

00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.160
 and Peter

00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.480
 was standing

00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.080
 in the courtyard

00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:10.880
 and the servants

00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:11.440
 and officers

00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.460
 had made a charcoal

00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:14.039
 fire because it was cold

00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.519
 and three times

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:17.240
 someone asked Peter

00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.079
 Peter

00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.640
 you aren't

00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.420
 one of

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.460
 that man's

00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.819
 disciples

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.480
 are you

00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:24.700
 and three times

00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.319
 he replied

00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.660
 I'm not

00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:29.539
 Peter said

00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.120
 more than a few

00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:31.079
 stupid things

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.680
 in the course

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.059
 of his

00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.599
 life with Jesus

00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.200
 but that night

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.779
 had been the worst

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.359
 of them all

00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:37.859
 the same night

00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.200
 that Jesus

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.839
 was handed over

00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.319
 to die

00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:42.019
 and what we see

00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.379
 here

00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.980
 is that knowing

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.659
 his past

00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.439
 failure

00:24:45.439 --> 00:24:47.339
 Jesus pursues

00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:47.939
 Peter

00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:49.599
 with forgiveness

00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:51.460
 you know

00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.059
 Jesus doesn't

00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.519
 wait

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.720
 for Peter

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.480
 to approach him

00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.099
 with repentance

00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:57.700
 instead

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.720
 he pursues him

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.819
 with forgiveness

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:01.480
 sometimes

00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.039
 if we have been

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.319
 wronged

00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.079
 our response

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.419
 is simply

00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:04.939
 to wait

00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:06.480
 for the other

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.259
 person to approach

00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.000
 us with repentance

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.720
 we say

00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.480
 they wronged

00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:09.839
 me

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.019
 they ought

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.319
 to take

00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:11.740
 the initiative

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.099
 to make

00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.720
 amends

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:14.140
 if they

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.539
 genuinely

00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.039
 repent

00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.299
 I'll consider

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.700
 forgiving

00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.079
 them

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.319
 but they

00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.599
 ought to

00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:18.880
 make the

00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.519
 first move

00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.539
 but that

00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:20.799
 is not

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.160
 what Jesus

00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.599
 does

00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.819
 here

00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.839
 or with

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:23.980
 us

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.359
 generally

00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.859
 Jesus

00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.240
 doesn't

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.480
 wait

00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:26.839
 for us

00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.420
 to repent

00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.259
 he

00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.259
 graciously

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.859
 pursues

00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.259
 us

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.400
 with his

00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:31.759
 forgiveness

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.759
 now

00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.119
 how does

00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.339
 Jesus

00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.880
 do that

00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.880
 well

00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.319
 first

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.919
 he

00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.259
 brings

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.460
 us

00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.740
 face

00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.919
 to

00:25:36.919 --> 00:25:37.379
 face

00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:38.500
 with

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.659
 our

00:25:38.659 --> 00:25:38.939
 past

00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:39.299
 failure

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:41.059
 Jesus

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.460
 approached

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:41.679
 Simon

00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:41.960
 Peter

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:43.259
 and took

00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.359
 him

00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:43.799
 aside

00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.679
 Simon

00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:45.939
 son

00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:46.079
 of

00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.399
 John

00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:47.379
 do

00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:47.500
 you

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:47.700
 love

00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:47.879
 me

00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.099
 more

00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.240
 than

00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.639
 these

00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:50.079
 now

00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.159
 you

00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:50.319
 might

00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.599
 wonder

00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:50.799
 why

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:50.960
 does

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.200
 Jesus

00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.659
 apparently

00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.319
 compare

00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.220
 Simon's

00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.480
 love

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:53.659
 for

00:25:53.659 --> 00:25:53.939
 Jesus

00:25:53.939 --> 00:25:54.220
 with

00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.339
 the

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:54.539
 other

00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:54.960
 disciples

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.259
 love

00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.419
 for

00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:55.659
 Jesus

00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:55.879
 why

00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:56.039
 does

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.139
 he

00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:56.419
 ask

00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:56.619
 him

00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:56.939
 do

00:25:56.939 --> 00:25:57.079
 you

00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:57.259
 love

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.399
 me

00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:57.639
 more

00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:57.819
 than

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.000
 they

00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.299
 do

00:25:58.299 --> 00:26:00.599
 well

00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:00.759
 on

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:00.859
 the

00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.019
 night

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.159
 that

00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:01.339
 Jesus

00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:01.559
 was

00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:01.960
 arrested

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.379
 that's

00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:02.759
 exactly

00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.000
 what

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.259
 Peter

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.639
 said

00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:06.839
 you

00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.000
 will

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.240
 all

00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.439
 fall

00:26:07.439 --> 00:26:07.839
 away

00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:09.240
 but

00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.500
 after

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.700
 I'm

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:09.939
 raised

00:26:09.939 --> 00:26:10.159
 up

00:26:10.159 --> 00:26:10.319
 I'll

00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:10.439
 go

00:26:10.439 --> 00:26:10.619
 ahead

00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:10.740
 of

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:10.799
 you

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:10.939
 to

00:26:10.939 --> 00:26:11.359
 Galilee

00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.319
 and

00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:12.539
 Peter

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:12.980
 immediately

00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.460
 replied

00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:13.740
 even

00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:13.980
 though

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.339
 they

00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.659
 all

00:26:14.659 --> 00:26:14.899
 fall

00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:15.200
 away

00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:15.879
 I

00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.659
 will

00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:17.059
 not

00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:19.779
 and

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:19.980
 later

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.179
 that

00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:20.399
 night

00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:20.819
 Peter

00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:20.980
 had

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.220
 denied

00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.500
 Jesus

00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:21.740
 three

00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.200
 times

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.619
 and

00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:23.740
 so

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:23.980
 Jesus

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.319
 asked

00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:24.460
 do

00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:24.539
 you

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:24.779
 love

00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.019
 me

00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.619
 more

00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.000
 than

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.500
 these

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:28.419
 in

00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:28.579
 other

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:28.740
 words

00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:28.859
 he

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:28.960
 was

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.259
 bringing

00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.559
 Peter

00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:29.759
 to

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.240
 face

00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.879
 this

00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.419
 question

00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:31.679
 would

00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.879
 will

00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.379
 you

00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.019
 confuse

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.819
 your

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.200
 love

00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.779
 me

00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.379
 with

00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:36.539
 a

00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:36.839
 false

00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.240
 sense

00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.419
 of

00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:38.079
 superiority

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.899
 over

00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.179
 all

00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:39.319
 the

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.539
 other

00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.019
 disciples

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.779
 and

00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:41.899
 I

00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:42.059
 think

00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.279
 Peter

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.539
 got

00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:42.679
 it

00:26:42.679 --> 00:26:42.899
 because

00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:43.059
 he

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.299
 didn't

00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.659
 say

00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:44.220
 yes

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.539
 Jesus

00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:44.759
 I

00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.019
 love

00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.139
 you

00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.319
 more

00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:45.480
 than

00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:45.679
 they

00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:45.879
 do

00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.059
 he

00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.279
 just

00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.599
 said

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:48.000
 yes

00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.399
 Lord

00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:49.500
 you

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:49.659
 know

00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:49.819
 that

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:49.939
 I

00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:50.139
 love

00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:50.339
 you

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.439
 and

00:26:51.439 --> 00:26:51.519
 he

00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:51.720
 didn't

00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.000
 compare

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.339
 himself

00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:52.799
 anymore

00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.879
 because

00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:54.939
 he

00:26:54.939 --> 00:26:55.019
 had

00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.139
 been

00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:55.519
 humbled

00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:57.859
 and

00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:57.980
 then

00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.139
 two

00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.319
 more

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.839
 times

00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.799
 Jesus

00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.079
 asked

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.259
 Peter

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.599
 the same

00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:00.960
 question

00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.099
 do

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.220
 you

00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.419
 love

00:27:01.419 --> 00:27:01.700
 me

00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.960
 verse

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.319
 17

00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.539
 says

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:03.759
 Peter

00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:03.939
 was

00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.299
 grieved

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.460
 he

00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.620
 was

00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:04.900
 hurt

00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.820
 sometimes

00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.180
 it's

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.799
 painful

00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:08.360
 to be

00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.600
 brought

00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.160
 face to

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.480
 face

00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.740
 with

00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:09.960
 our

00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.680
 past

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.460
 failures

00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:13.759
 you

00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:13.840
 know

00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:13.980
 when

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.200
 Jesus

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.620
 pursues

00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:14.799
 us

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:14.920
 with

00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.080
 his

00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:15.460
 forgiveness

00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:15.740
 he

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.000
 brings

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.320
 us

00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:17.240
 face

00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.380
 to

00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:17.600
 face

00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:17.759
 with

00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:17.880
 our

00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.180
 past

00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.539
 failure

00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:18.799
 many

00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.080
 times

00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.259
 we're

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.620
 afraid

00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:19.799
 to

00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:19.940
 do

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.320
 this

00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.460
 past

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.480
 when

00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:21.519
 when

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:21.700
 we've

00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:21.819
 been

00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.319
 wronged

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.500
 or

00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:23.639
 when

00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:23.859
 others

00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.000
 have

00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.399
 wronged

00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:24.779
 us

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.339
 and

00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.460
 our

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.839
 instinct

00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.240
 is

00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.159
 pretend

00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:28.339
 that

00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:28.619
 nothing

00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.259
 ever

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.679
 happened

00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:30.619
 or

00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:30.879
 sweep

00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:31.000
 it

00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.159
 under

00:27:31.159 --> 00:27:31.359
 the

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:31.700
 rug

00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.460
 or

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:32.659
 make

00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.139
 excuses

00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:33.419
 for

00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:33.879
 ourselves

00:27:33.879 --> 00:27:34.059
 or

00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.460
 others

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:34.740
 or

00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.179
 we're

00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:35.439
 afraid

00:27:35.439 --> 00:27:35.619
 that

00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:35.740
 if

00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:35.859
 we

00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:36.220
 really

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.519
 face

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:36.700
 what

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.119
 happened

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.519
 that

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:37.659
 we'll

00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:37.879
 never

00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.079
 be

00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.220
 able

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.359
 to

00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.480
 get

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:38.819
 beyond

00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.099
 it

00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.480
 isn't

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:40.619
 that

00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:40.759
 why

00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:40.899
 we

00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:41.079
 don't

00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.279
 face

00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.419
 the

00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:41.819
 past

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.399
 because

00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:43.599
 we're

00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:43.799
 afraid

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.039
 if we

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.319
 really

00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:44.619
 face

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:44.720
 it

00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:44.859
 we'll

00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.059
 never

00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:52.039
 get beyond. And so we suppress and deny and minimize and blame and excuse and don't talk

00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:58.539
 about it and remain distant from each other, but Jesus doesn't do that. Jesus brings Peter face to

00:27:58.539 --> 00:28:04.879
 face with his greatest failure, precisely so that Peter will be able to move beyond it forever.

00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:12.519
 Jesus takes a far more painful route, and yet it is ultimately a far more healing and restoring

00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:19.740
 route. Jesus exposes Peter's shame, Peter's unfaithfulness, Peter's impulsiveness rooted in

00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:27.299
 his insecurity and fear and pride, and he does it not in order to rub salt on Peter's wounds,

00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:36.720
 not to punish him, not to shame him, not to exclude him. Instead, it's as if Jesus puts his hand on

00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:44.079
 Peter's shoulder and walks him back to the scene of his greatest failure by a charcoal fire in the

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:51.720
 early morning light where Peter had denied him. And in that same setting, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd,

00:28:52.680 --> 00:29:00.440
 calls Peter into a new future of faithfully following him. As you look back on the past year

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:06.940
 over the last few years or your time in New Haven, is there a dark night that haunts you?

00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:14.360
 Is there a failure or series of failures that has left a stain on your memory and shame in your

00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:20.440
 conscience and you wish you could forget? The good news of this passage is that Jesus forgives

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:27.480
 and heals and restores, even after our worst failures, that he walks with us to the place of our

00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:35.980
 sin and folly and shame. And in that same place, he stands with us as our Savior who was crucified,

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:43.120
 bearing our sins, and as our risen Lord who sets us free from bondage, and he calls us into a new

00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:51.960
 future of faithfully walking with him. He redeems and restores, and he even reinstates. Peter's past

00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:59.600
 past failure did not permanently prevent him from future usefulness in God's kingdom.

00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:05.039
 In fact, Jesus entrusts Peter with the responsibility to care for his people,

00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:13.819
 to feed my lambs, take care of my sheep. And in verse 18, Jesus says to Peter, he basically says,

00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:19.920
 one day you're going to die for me. Even though you deny me three times, even though you've said a bunch

00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:25.000
 of stupid things, and you still will say some more stupid things, you will be faithful to the end.

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:30.980
 In your life and even in your death, you will bring glory to God, so follow me.

00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:39.759
 The end result of Jesus' conversation with Peter is that Peter is no longer defined by his past

00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:46.840
 failure. Peter has been restored and commissioned and called to follow Jesus and glorify God all the

00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:56.079
 way to the end. This is the power of Jesus who pursues us with his forgiveness and calls us into a future

00:30:56.079 --> 00:31:07.240
 of following him. And Peter responds, verse 20 to 21, he says one more stupid thing.

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:13.440
 Even after all this, he turned and saw John and said, Lord, what about him?

00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.599
 Goodness, Peter.

00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:24.099
 Isn't it encouraging that Peter is one of the disciples? It means we, you can be in.

00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:32.500
 Jesus said, if I want him to remain alive until I come back, what is that to you? You follow me.

00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:41.559
 Abide in me. Invest for me. Be restored through me. And don't get distracted by comparing yourself to

00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:49.720
 someone else. Peter was called to an active life, public preaching, sometimes getting thrown in

00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:54.960
 prison for preaching about Jesus, being set free by angels, traveling from place to place, healing the

00:31:54.960 --> 00:32:00.180
 sick, raising a dead person to life. Even once, he was a doer, we might say. John was a thinker,

00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:07.340
 insightful and reflective and extensive writer, giving us not only his gospel, but three letters in the book

00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:13.720
 of Revelation. Peter's life ended in martyrdom, bringing glory to God in his death. John lived the longest of any

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:22.500
 of the apostles, as far as we know. Which was better? Wrong question. Their callings were just different.

00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:29.859
 They were both called to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, just to express that in different ways.

00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:36.460
 Some of you will be called to a life of influential leadership. Others of you will be called to a life of

00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:42.440
 faithful obscurity. Some of you will stay in New Haven the rest of your life until you die here. You might as well

00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:50.019
 reserve the cemetery plot in advance. Some of you will go and travel the world and move 20 times in your adult life.

00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:56.319
 Some of you will glorify God through public gifts of teaching and leadership. Others of you will glorify

00:32:56.319 --> 00:33:01.700
 God behind the scenes by serving and showing mercy and helping and administrating.

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:09.740
 And Jesus' final word in the Gospel of John is don't compare yourself to your brother or sister in

00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:19.779
 Christ. Don't be constantly looking at them. Simply look to Christ. He's the author and the

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:25.779
 finisher of our faith. He's the one who's gone before us and paved the way. He's the one who sent his

00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:36.399
 spirit to equip us for everything that he's called us to. Brothers and sisters, abide in Jesus, invest for

00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:40.539
 Jesus, and be restored by Jesus. Let's pray.