You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
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That in spite of your failures, you can be vital in His mission.
Rather than seeing yourself relegated to the sidelines, just looking on and supporting others, left out of the action,
God wants you to know that you can be instrumental in His plans to love this world back to life.
Even though you've failed badly and often.
We're going to see that in John chapter 21.
As we see, Jesus is eager for failures to become followers and then feeders of His people.
This is our penultimate week in John's Gospel.
I've been waiting two years to use that word, penultimate.
So there we go.
You can look up what it means.
It means next week is our last week.
We're in a story where Jesus reveals Himself again to His disciples.
Especially Peter.
He's helped them catch fish.
He's invited them to breakfast.
And now He wraps up the meal and sets His sight on the one who has failed Him in His darkest hour.
How will this go?
John 21 at verse 15.
The word of God that you might know Him.
That you might know how to relate to the one who made you.
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.
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.
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.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young,
you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted.
But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands
and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.
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.
Jesus, you've called all of us to follow you.
And all of us here have failed in that.
Especially me.
And you know that.
And so we ask your help.
We all need it.
We need your spirit to speak your word to us
and to help our ears to hear and our hearts to be transformed.
So please speak to us, we ask in your name.
Amen.
Walt Disney was once fired from a newspaper job
for failing to have imagination.
Oprah had her news show fail and got demoted early in her career.
Michael Jordan famously failed to make his high school basketball team.
And we love those comeback stories, don't we?
Failure turned to success.
But that's just with people who've never really let someone else down, right?
I mean, they just needed to work harder and be better
and no harm, no foul for the past.
They could still be great, right?
But we've let someone down.
Not just someone.
We've failed God.
I felt that way as a pastor
when people I was supposed to help
were hurt instead.
When I realized my pride,
my self-focus
kept me from loving well
the people God called me to love.
We've all failed.
Failed God in different ways, haven't we?
We've failed at marriage.
We've been silent
when we should have spoken about Jesus.
We've blown it with our kids.
We've spent seasons of life
living for ourselves
rather than living for Jesus.
We've lied
because we thought that we could trust ourselves
more than we could trust Jesus.
we've even repeated
the same awful sins
time and again
after asking His forgiveness.
Certainly,
God has better options
for His kingdom.
I'll ride the bench.
Certainly, God has better options
for close relationship with Him.
I'll just stand over here at a distance.
Certainly, God has better options
for fruitful ministry
in His church.
I'll just watch others.
I'll focus elsewhere in life.
I'll be good at something else.
I bet Peter can relate
to those feelings
you and I may have had.
After publicly proclaiming
that even if everyone else
failed Jesus,
He would never let Him down,
Peter did what?
Well, He fell asleep
when asked to pray
and then He denied
three times
in one night
that He even knew Jesus
right as Jesus
was headed to the cross.
I mean,
this ought to be
a pretty simple
leadership decision
for Jesus, right?
We know how this goes.
If He's any kind
of good leader,
we expect a leader
to demand loyalty,
to root out
any traitors,
to build a strong team.
We see it all the time,
right?
This is how a leader leads.
Well,
as so often the case,
Jesus is different
from what we expect
of a leader.
In fact,
He is so good
and so powerful
that He doesn't have to draft
the top performers
for His team.
Instead of running
Peter off,
Jesus welcomes
him back in
and He reinstates
him publicly.
Instead of permanently
sidelining you,
when you fail,
Jesus wants you
on His team
and on His mission.
See,
Jesus
makes failures
into followers
and He loves
doing this.
This is just one
of many examples
where Jesus
encounters people
who have messed up
big time
and invites them
to follow Him.
Right?
There's the woman
at the well.
Think of one of His
most famous stories,
the parable
of the prodigal son.
Think of the sinful woman.
There's many,
many in the Gospels
but this one
is especially
instructive for us
because we have seen
as we've gone
through the Gospel of John
and we can relate
to so much
of Peter's story.
And it's helpful
because Peter's been
on the team
for a while
and Peter fumbled
at the goal line
in the fourth quarter.
Peter,
if you ever feel
insignificant
to Jesus
or to His kingdom
because of something
in your story,
I want you to listen
this morning
to how King Jesus
operates
so unexpectedly.
You might even expect
that if Jesus
was going to reinstate Peter,
bring him back
on the team
so to speak,
He would have to
highlight His strengths.
Right?
Overlook some
of these failures
and kind of build up
the good things
that He's done,
the things He's said
over the years.
Yeah, certainly
Peter's got some
good things to include.
Maybe they'll outweigh
the bad.
That's how Jesus
will do it.
He'll focus on that.
No?
Jesus very intentionally
here makes Peter face
rather than ignore
his failure.
Look at all the things
He does.
He takes Peter
back to his home.
He meets him back
in his old trade,
fishing,
and He calls Peter
by his old name.
Not the rock,
the name Jesus
has given him,
but Simon,
son of John.
And He brings Peter
here in this story
around a charcoal fire.
The first time we read
a charcoal fire mentioned,
Peter is warming himself
by it in the high priest's
courtyard
while denying Jesus.
Can't you imagine
after that night
that he remembers
vividly
how it felt,
how it smelt?
That night is etched
in his mind.
This is the only other
mention of a charcoal fire
in the whole New Testament.
Jesus brings him there
and then Jesus asks Peter,
do you love me
more than these?
Probably meaning
the other disciples
sitting nearby.
Do you love me
more than they love me,
Peter?
Do you love Jesus
more than these?
Don't forget
your prideful boasts.
Note Peter's humility
in response
that first time.
There's no more
than these
in Peter's answer,
is there?
He knows.
He's not better.
But then the gut punch,
you know it,
you saw it
when we read the text.
Jesus asks
how many times?
Three times.
The third time
we're told
grieved
or hurt
Peter,
Jesus,
this is painful.
It's hard
to face our failures,
especially
when we've let
Jesus down.
Yeah.
Jesus replies,
I know it hurts,
but you can trust me,
I'm a skilled surgeon.
I cut
only to remove
the infection.
I hurt
only to heal.
See,
Jesus has not
brought Peter out here
to shame him publicly,
has he?
He hasn't brought him here
to mock him
or yell at him
or kick him
off the team.
It's not what happens.
He wants Peter
to see his
powerful forgiveness
for all of his
sins
and failures.
He doesn't leave
Peter wondering,
I remember all those
nice things
Jesus used to say,
what would he say
if he talked with me
after my denial
of him?
After my abandoning him?
After my failure?
How would he
feel about me now?
Jesus doesn't
leave Peter there.
Three times
Peter denied.
Three times
Jesus
restored.
See,
if you deny
your sin,
if you hide it,
if you seek
to downplay it,
how will you
receive the
blessed assurance
of Jesus'
forgiveness
for that sin?
Maybe I can
only serve
if no one
knows.
maybe
Jesus only
uses the
really the
good version
of me
that I let
others see.
No.
Jesus says,
you,
the real
you,
the failed
version,
I'll take
that one.
I want him,
I want her
and he sees it
and knows it all.
He wants your
real sin.
And he knows
what to do
with it.
just as he
does here
for Peter.
I think a
beautiful way
to see the
reality
of this
forgiveness
in the place
of shame,
the difference
that it makes
in our lives,
is to look at
Peter's response
to Jesus
in these two
fishing miracles.
We mentioned
this last week.
This is a very
similar story
at the beginning
of chapter 21
where Jesus
fills up
Peter's nets
full of fish.
Three years
ago,
when Jesus
filled Peter's
nets the first
time they met,
Peter recognized
the uniqueness
of Jesus
and what was
his response?
Get away!
I'm a sinful
man!
Keep away
from me,
God!
you know
that feeling?
It's different
this time,
isn't it?
This time
after seeing
Jesus suffer
and die
for his sins,
the risen
Jesus
fills
Peter's
nets
and Peter
does what
as soon
as he
knows
who it
is?
He
throws
himself
out of
the boat
and swims
to Jesus
as fast
as he
can.
I just
want to
be near
him!
Not
get this
guy away
from me
but how
close
can I
get?
Listen,
does Peter
love
Jesus?
Is the
Pope
Catholic?
No pun
intended
here.
This is
passage
about
shepherds
not about
a Pope
I assure
you.
Some of
you are
wondering.
Peter
loves
Jesus
doesn't
he?
Get me
near him!
He is
sure of
it now.
Jesus
you know
I love
you.
Some of
you may
be here
this
morning
and you
are
wondering
well
neat
story
am I
safe
to come
to Jesus
with
my
failures?
I mean
I have
never been
a follower
of Jesus
before
and I have
failed
like Peter
and a lot
worse
and more
than three
times.
A lot
of times
I get
around
Jesus
people
and I
feel
shame.
if that's
how you
feel this
morning
I want
you to
listen
to
Jesus
not
to
anything
else.
The
invitation
of
Jesus
is for
everyone
who will
come
for
all
who will
believe.
He doesn't
deal with
you
according to
the size
of your
sins.
He deals
with you
according
to the
size
of his
forgiveness
and it's
huge
way
bigger
than
any
of
our
sins.
So
take
it
from
Peter
you
can
throw
yourself
on
Jesus
and
he
will
not
shame
you
instead
you know
what he
does
with
shame
he
will
take
your
shame
and
he
will
put
it
on
himself
and
carry
it
to
the
cross
so
that
you
will
be
forgiven
forever
that's
what
he
does
with
the
sin
and
shame
that
you
feel
so
that
you
but
you
can
live
now
with
purpose
and
significance
with
him
because
of
his
forgiveness
for
you
can
come
all
of
you
all
of
us
need
a
savior
like
that
notice
this
emphasis
in
this
passage
what
does
Jesus
ask
Peter
do
you
love
me
three
times
the
same
question
yes
I
know
the
Greek
verb
changes
but
I
don't
read
much
into
that
for
several
reasons
including
that
I'm
not
that
smart
Jesus
is
saying
do
you
love
me
notice
what
he's
not
asking
he
doesn't
ask
his
top
prospect
how
do
you
do
in
crunch
time
in
the
past
tell
me
about
when
the
game
was
on
the
line
how
did
you
do
Peter
he
doesn't
ask
that
question
does
he
he's
not
focused
on
Peter's
performance
in
the
past
or
his
promises
about
the
future
I
know
what
I
would
have
asked
but
Jesus
doesn't
ask
will
you
commit
to
never
failing
me
again
Peter
couldn't
commit
to
that
could
he
does
get it
wrong
again
but
no
Jesus
doesn't
focus
on
either
of
those
does
he
focuses
on
the
heart
do
you
love
me
see
that's
actually
the
real
issue
with
our
sin
isn't
it
it's
the
place
we
really
need
forgiveness
and
restoration
it's
not
just
something
we've
done
it's
our
hearts
do
you
love
me
is
the
question
Jesus
doesn't
merely
want
some
outward
behavior
modification
for
Peter
he
doesn't
want
him
to
perform
better
under
pressure
at the
fire
the
next
time
does
he
wants
to
know
do
you
love
me
in
1st
Samuel
16
God
is
looking
for
a
leader
to
point
his
people
to
him
and
he
tells
us
that
while
men
look
at
outward
appearances
physical
attributes
resumes
of
performance
God
looks
where
at
the
heart
not
at
past
or
future
performance
David
the
shepherd
is a
man
after
God's
own
heart
but
he
will
blow
it
big
time
as
king
right
adulterer
murderer
liar
but
we
read
some
of
David's
repentance
together
earlier
in this
service
didn't we
from
Psalm
51
when
David
fails
God
it
grieves
him
that he
sinned
against
God
why
because
his
heart
loved
God
right
David's
heart
already
before
Jesus
came
loved
a God
who would
forgive
him
how much
more
should
we
on this
side
of the
cross
look at
what
Jesus
has done
and said
if ever
I love
thee
my
Jesus
tis
now
this
is my
story
my song
praising
my
savior
all the
day
long
right
his
mercy
is
more
I
can
throw
myself
out of
the boat
and rush
to him
with a
boatload
of sins
right
my sins
they are
many
his
mercy
is
more
amen
that's
our
joy
and
Jesus
joy
is to
make
failures
into
followers
after all
that's the
only kind
of people
there are
right
Jesus
takes
failures
and makes
them
followers
and when
he does
it
he doesn't
immediately
remove all
of our
failures
does he
he doesn't
take all
of our
struggles
away
but he
does love
to make
failing
followers
into
feeders
or
leaders
if you
prefer
and you
don't like
so many
F's
those who
feed his
people
followers
become
feeders
followers
become
leaders
with
Jesus
that may
sound
simple
but that's
not what
we would
expect
notice
the pattern
though
all three
times
here
do you
love
me
yes
then feed
my lambs
take care
of my
sheep
feed my
sheep
it's a
similar
idea
the point
is the
close
connection
do you
see it
between
loving
Jesus
and loving
the people
Jesus
loves
love
that's
how
you're
going
to
live
a
life
of
love
with
Jesus
you
don't
do
it
in
isolation
somewhere
on
your
own
you
do
it
with
other
people
Jesus
says
living
in
relationship
with
me
means
loving
my
people
my
church
he's
told
Peter
that he's
going
to
fish
for
men
Peter
your
daily
life
what
you
do
every
day
will
be
about
people
that's
the
connection
for
everyone
who
loves
Jesus
love
Jesus
love
other
people
so that's
not just
for pastors
right
it certainly
is for
us
and it
better
be
but I've
told you
before
that in
the most
important
sense
Southwood
all of
you
are
pastors
you're
to pray
for people
you're
to point
them
to
Jesus
you
demonstrate
that you
love
Jesus
how
by
patiently
listening
to
that
guy
in
your
grace
group
who
drives
you
crazy
because
he
always
talks
the
whole
time
you
show
your
love
for
Jesus
by
reminding
your
sister
who
is
despairing
of
how
much
Jesus
loves
her
by
caring
for
the
needs
of
the
ones
who
have
no
one
else
to
care
for
them
Jesus
says
that's
when
you
do
that
you
love
me
think
how
remarkable
this
is
right
Jesus
finds
the
biggest
failure
around
in the
moment
and
asks
him
to
care
for
what
is
most
precious
to
Jesus
now
you
would
never
do
this
I
want
to
prove
it
to
you
I
want
you
to
think
about
you
and
your
spouse
going
on
a
trip
far
away
and
you
have
to
leave
your
kids
with
somebody
your
precious
kids
you
have
to
leave
them
with
somebody
most
of
us
struggle
to
leave
them
even
with
their
grandparents
you
certainly
are not
going
to
find
the
person
who
has
just
let
you
down
and
disappointed
you
in the
biggest
possible
way
and say
here
will you
take
care
of
my
kids
you
wouldn't
do
it
Jesus
is
always
surprising
us
isn't
he
Jesus
having
just
bought
his
sheep
his
sheep
right
we
don't
possess
them
they're
his
he
has
bought
them
at
the
cost
of
his
own
precious
blood
right
you
gotta
remember
how
precious
they
are
to
him
he
now
turns
to
Peter
who
has
just
abandoned
and
denied
him
and
says
you
feed
my
sheep
what
incredible
grace
right
if we
didn't
know
that
Jesus
had
promised
never
to
leave
his
followers
alone
we
would
call
him
irresponsible
do
you
love
Jesus
love
the
people
Jesus
loves
and
secondly
love
the
way
Jesus
loves
what
I
mean
by
that
is
that
Jesus
here
is
showing
us
how
to
love
other
failures
because
that's
the only
kind
of
people
there
are
right
we
don't
ignore
sin
we
don't
downplay
sin
but
because
we
know
that
we
can
take
sin
to
Jesus
we
don't
shame
other
people
we
don't
write
them
off
give
up
on
them
never
we
don't
kick
them
while
they're
down
and
sometimes
the
church
of
Jesus
has
been
known
for
doing
exactly
that
God
forgive
us
but
Jesus
says
feed
my
sheep
tend
my
lambs
the
words
mean
they're
hungry
and
they
need
nourishment
they're
weak
they need
protection
they're
confused
they need
guidance
even
they're
going to
need
redirection
how
will
you
know
how
to
help
someone
who's
like
that
you
know
Peter
I've
got
the
perfect
plan
love
my
sheep
the
way
you
needed
me
to
love
you
love
my
sheep
the
way
I
have
loved
you
and
am
loving
you
again
right
now
you
know
who
will
know
how
to
feed
a
failing
follower
a
failing
follower
I
told
you
Jesus
isn't
waiting
for
you
to
get
your
life
together
to
have
a
PhD
and
publish
a
book
before
you
can
love
his
people
he's
calling
you
to
taste
his
love
and
share
his
love
he's
calling
you
to
drink
deeply
from
the
well
of
his
mercy
and
then
show
other
people
where
the
well
is
he's
calling
you
to
experience
his
grace
so that
you
have
grace
that
you
can
express
to
someone
else
right
around
you
today
that
by
the
way
is
why
I
think
Jesus
doesn't
build
Peter
back
up
to
leadership
by
focusing
on
his
resume
of
success
but
rather
by
reminding
him
what
he
had
no
room
to
boast
he
had
failed
repeatedly
Peter
remember
you've
tasted
!
your
need
for
Jesus
that's
the
thing
you
need
on
the
tip
of
your
tongue
!
Peter
that's
the
thing
you've
got
to
remember
as
I'm
sending
you
out
to
feed
the
sheep
all
of
us
then
can
do
this
because
we
all
know
what
it
tastes
like
to
need
Jesus
don't
we
all
of
us
must
do
this
when
you
see
your
failure
and
you
see
your
savior
you
ought
to
see
an
opportunity
to
help
other
failures
see
their
savior
amen
that's
how
it
works
it's
for
all
of
us
and
while
it
is
for
all
of
us
of
God's
people
these
south
what
are
the
kinds
of
humble
servant
leaders
that
you
should
look
to
follow
that
you
should
nominate
and
urge
to
lead
this
church
I
want
to
encourage
you
that
you
have
many
such
leaders
in
this
flock
if
you
don't
know
that
we're
going
to
honor
some
of
them
after
the
service
please
join
us
none
of
is
perfect
but
I
asked
a
group
Tuesday
night
of
elders
and
women's
advisory
team
members
the
question
that
if
you
look
down
at
the
bottom
of
your
sermon
notes
is
the
first
grace
group
question
printed
there
what
situation
or
struggle
in
your
life
do
you
think
will
keep
you
from
Jesus
or
from
leading
others
to
him
there
were
many
answers
that
came
right
away
failures
in
the
present
or
even
in
the
distant
past
and
the
conversation
as we
sat
there
for
several
minutes
became
one
of
honesty
and
then
of
celebrating
that
God's
grace
is
sufficient
and
that
was
evident
primarily
because
his
power
is
made
perfect
in
our
weakness
we
got
to
boast
of
our
weaknesses
to
one
another
because
it
made
God's
power
great
in
our
eyes
it
is
a
blessing
Southwood
to
have
many
in
leadership
who
are
like
that
and
they're
not
all
in
formal
leadership
positions
but
we
need
leaders
like
that
you
need
leaders
who
know
their
weakness
and
their
savior
then
they'll
love
their
savior
and
his
weak
sheep
right
that's
the
kind
of
leaders
God
gives
his
church
and
when
one
of
them
fails
to
exercise
the
appropriate
tenderness
and
grace
because
we
will
fail
and
Peter
did
fail
again
we
can
point
that
one
back
to
the
good
shepherd
who
never
fails
to
love
like
that
Jesus
loves
to
make
failures
into
followers
and
then
into
feeders
because
they
come
humbly
to
the
Savior
and
learn
to
love
the
way
Jesus
loves
finally
we're
to
love
to
the
extent
Jesus
loves
Jesus
repeats
the command
doesn't he
keep
doing it
never
stop
loving
Jesus
or
his
sheep
even
when
it
costs
you
feed
my
sheep
by
the
way
Peter
on
that
topic
that
will
cost
you
truly
I
say
to
you
verse
18
when
you
were
young
you
used
to
dress
yourself
and
walk
wherever
you
wanted
but
when
you
are
old
you
will
stretch
out
your
hands
and
another
will
dress
you
and
carry
you
where
you
do
not
want
to
go
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
follow
me
Jesus
says
all
the
way
to
the
cross
we
believe
Peter
was
crucified
under
the
reign
of
the
emperor
Nero
that's
a
difficult
message
to hear
for sure
isn't
it
let's
not
minimize
the
horror
of
the
cross
and
to
be
told
that
that's
coming
at
the
end
of
your
life
but
let's
also
not
miss
what
Peter
is
being
told
here
what
could
possibly
be
more
restorative
to
your
heart
and
to
leadership
in
Jesus'
church
than
to
be
told
that
you
would
be
crucified
like
Jesus
it
sounds
awful
and it
is
at
some
level
but
Peter
knows
it's
actually
the
most
beautiful
thing
to
follow
Jesus
into
that
one
would
lay
down
his
life
for
his
friends
just
think
about
what's
the
message
Peter
you
won't
you're
going
to
mess
up
at
times
Peter
but
you're
going
to
make
it
and
eventually
give
your
life
up
the
way
your
savior
gave
up
his
it's
going
to
be
beautiful
Peter
and
you're
going
to
glorify
God
what
hope
for
a
failure
right
who
would
have
thought
it
that
night
at
the
first
charcoal
fire
Peter
you're
going
to
glorify
God
now
death
by
crucifixion
is a
message
specific
to
Peter
but
aren't
we all
told
to
deny
ourselves
to
take
up
our
crosses
to
follow
Jesus
doesn't
he
say
that
his
offer
is to
lose
our
lives
in
order
to
find
them
in
him
and
since
Jesus
says
to
all
his
followers
that
life
with
him
involves
losing
life
in
anything
else
to
love
him
to
love
his
people
his
sheep
means
not
loving
the
things
of
this
world
that's
a
challenge
for
all
of
us
it
should
make
us
like
Peter
count
the
cost
but
it
should
also
as
it
did
for
Peter
encourage
us
because
when we
think
of
carrying
our
cross
it
points
us
back
to
the
amazing
love
of
Jesus
once
again
friends
he
went
to
the
cross
for
you
and
me
before
he
knew
if
we
would
be
good
followers
or
successful
leaders
he
went
to
the
cross
because
he
knew
we
didn't
merely
need
a
second
chance
to get
things
right
but
truly
a
second
life
with
him
through
his
perfect
living
and
his
perfect
sacrifice
see
your
failure
is
not
the
place
your
story
ends
your
failure
is
the
place
that
the
love
of
Jesus
begins
to
transform
your
story
in
fact
your
struggle
may
well
be
the
place
where
you
see
the
full
extent
of
Jesus
love
for
you
so
that
your
heart
is
enlarged
to
the
extent
that
it
will
need
to
be
to
love
other
failing
followers
in
the
story
of
Les Mis
some
of you
seen
it
recently
Jean Valjean
is a
failure
he's
a
thief
!
even
after
19
years
in
jail
he
is
cast
aside
as
worthless
by
everyone
except
a
priest
who
instead
of
shaming
him
for
his
repeated
failure
he's
a
thief
again
and
he's
caught
red
handed
instead
of
shaming
him
and
destroying
him
right
then
he
shows
him
grace
he
welcomes
him
as
he
says
purchases
his
soul
for
God
with
some
silver
candlesticks
he's
got
a
new
life
and
this
love
like
Valjean
has
never
experienced
this
love
transforms
Valjean
into
one
who
loves
who
loves
God
who
loves
orphans
and
prostitutes
and the
poor
and the
voiceless
who
loves
other
failures
others
as
he
realizes
to
love
another
person
is
to
see
the
face
of
God
he's
seen
it
and he
gets
to
show
it
and he
sees
it
more
my
brothers
and
sisters
you're
not
cut
from
God's
team
you're
not
you're
not
relegated
to
the
sidelines
by
the
powerful
love
of
Jesus
by
the
powerful
word
of
Jesus
by
the
powerful
grace
of
Jesus
you
are
in
the
game
and
in
his
game
plan
and
on
his
mission
in
spite
of
your
failures
he
has
drafted
you
onto
a
team
that
is
going
to
win
that
the
gates
of
hell
cannot
stand
against
because
it's
led
by
King
Jesus
there
are
so
many
that
are
hurting
in
need
of
his
love
so
many
struggling
around
you
in
need
of
his
strength
so
many
failures
like
us
in
need
of
his
grace
but
Jesus
is
with
us
follow
him
let's
go
pray
with
me
Jesus
you
are
calling
us
alongside
of
you
to
those
who
desperately
need
you
just
like
us
and
so
we
know
what
that
means
and
we
know
that
there
is
bread
for
beggars
like
us
convince
us
of it
again
today
and
convince
us
afresh
that
you
intend
to
empower
us
by
your
spirit
for
a
mission
that's
well
beyond
our
capacity
but
it's
not
beyond
yours
and
you're
going
to
do
exceeding
abundantly
!
beyond
what
we
would
ask
or
imagine
!
is at
work
in
this
church
and
we'll
be
sure
to
give
you
the
glory
for
that
we
praise
you
in
your
name
amen
for
more
information
visit
us
online
at
southwood.org