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What Does God Do When I Fail? Pastor Gene Friberg Trinity Bible Church 11/19/06 Introduction: John 21:17-18 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. NKJV Have you ever helped someone that has fallen? I remember my mom had to call 911 because my dad had fallen and couldn’t get back up and she was too weak to help him. What is needed to help someone up? I thought of three things, maybe you can think of more.
God fits those requirements to help anyone today. We will see from what happened to Peter in John 21 that God is willing to restore the fallen. If you or someone you know is in a bad way, I’m here to tell you God cares and will help them. I. Faithful John 21:3-13 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No." 6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?" — knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. NKJV A. Industry The Disciples, led by Peter, decide they must do something. Industry is good. Perhaps you remember the old proverbs? · Idle mind – devil’s workshop · Idle hands – devil’s tools B. What happens when we don’t pray? We see here how our best plans compared to God’s plans are pretty worthless. Planning (or industry) without praying is not good. God delights in our useful activity, but He desires a relationship with us that is more than one-sided. Too many make decisions what they want to do and then ask God to bless their efforts. That is not the way of a disciple of the Lord Jesus. When they go without seeking His wisdom what happens? Did they fish? Yes, but - that night they caught nothing. C. Prospering our way. Did Jesus need them to bring the net in so they could eat breakfast together? Where did he get the bread and fish that was already on the BBQ? If you are prospered in your business or personal life, that’s great. But you would be wise to consider that He doesn’t need anything you have; you need what He’s got! He is faithful and is more than able to give you out of His bounty. II. Failure. A. They failed to be witnesses. In Jerusalem they were hiding, in Galilee they were fishing. How about you? Are you the brightest light for Jesus at work? At school? In your neighborhood? On the radio program this past week, Amy’s friend stated, “You should shine so bright you attract people in the shopping mall”. I don’t agree with the Arminian twist to that statement, but Amy shared an interesting illustration. On her wedding day, she had her make-up and hair done, and veil woven into hair, but not purchased shoes yet! Off to Ridgedale shopping mall, everyone thought she was either late for her wedding or on drugs so they hurried to help her. Her veil and her makeup revealed something special was happening that day to her. The application? Does the way we look reveal something special about our relationship with Jesus so that others can see it? *A man was boasting on the train that he could guess anyone’s occupation just by looking at him. Others bet him that he would be wrong and they chose complete strangers in another car to test his ability. Sure enough, one after another, he was right. The last fellow he looked at he confidently stated, “You are a pastor aren’t you?” The man said, “No, as a matter of fact I work for the railroad and I’ve been so sick for the past three months that my boss is sending me to the ocean to get some sun and fresh air in hopes I can recover!” Do you fail as a witness for the Lord Jesus? Would you be a better salesman for fresh lemons than for fresh fire? B. Peter failed when he denied Jesus. John 21:15-18 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. NKJV The reason Jesus asked it three times is obvious. Peter was to come full circle with what had happened just a couple weeks earlier. When Jesus had announced they would all forsake Him and flee, Peter rebuked the Son of God and said, “Not so Lord”. As if to tell the Holy One He didn’t know what He was talking about. Then Peter failed when he denied three times he knew Him. Here, by the sea shore, he was asked three times and the answer was just as it ought to be - “Lord, You know all things. Consider the last time you failed God. What did you do? What if He came and confronted that sin, how would He do it in a way that would restore you? Peter got just what he needed and I’m sure that you would too. III. Future A. Pillar not Pope. This chapter is all about the next 30 years for the church. Peter was never going to be the “Vicar of Christ” or the “Holy Father” or the “Pope”. But he was going to be an important part of the foundation of the new movement called “Christianity”. He was going to be a pillar in the Jerusalem church along with James and John. The other apostles knew that Peter had done worse than them, they forsook and fled but Peter denied he even knew Jesus. This restoration was made public for their sakes, so they could see that the Lord had forgiven and recommisioned Peter. B. Personal. Not only did the other apostles need to know Peter was restored but he needed to know it too. There are two kinds of sorrow. (2 Cor. 7) The sorrow of the world produces death. The sorrow that God brings produces life. Judas sorrowed unto death. He was very sorry but unrepentant. Peter’s sorrow led him to repentance and to life. Peter needed to know “all is well” between him and the Lord. Maybe you do too, if that’s true, we will have a time of prayer for you at the end of this service. C. Potential. 1 Peter 5:5-11 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV Remember who wrote these words. It’s as if he wanted us to know how to safeguard the potential we all have in Christ. How does one stay safe in a world full of temptations? By boasting, “Though others are weak, though others fail, I’ll never fail!?” Is that the lesson Peter learned? Or did he keep his eyes low, and humble himself before God? 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Conclusion: (1 Peter 5:5-11) You do have an enemy. But it’s not Jesus! When you do wrong, you may feel like its God that is against you. But that is just a feeling and not necessarily the truth. Really, it’s Jesus that will draw you back into fellowship with Him. The devil is an opportunist. He tempts you to sin, then lays on you condemnation for doing the sin telling you all kinds of guilt ridden stuff about how God is fed up with you, etc. etc… But John 21 tells us a different story and Peter knows it when he writes to Christians what to do and who their enemy is. May you take his words seriously and follow them is my prayer. (Closed with video - He's Alive Written and performed by Don Francisco) |