Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples
Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Do You Love Jesus? John 21: 15 -19 • Peter had denied Jesus three times - could he be forgiven and used again?
Review • It was about 2 weeks after Jesus denied Jesus and he and 6 other disciples were now in Galilee waiting • Peter and the others fished all night without catching anything • They did not recognize Jesus who questioned them & then told
Review • John recognized it was Jesus and told Peter who jumped into the water and swam to shore • Jesus already had a fire going and breakfast ready when they reached shore with their large catch • The breakfast and large catch were indicators that Jesus would
What Depth of Love? John 21: 15 -17 • Two different Greek words are used for “love” and “know” in this passage • Jesus calls him Simon each time instead of Peter
First Question John 21: 15 • Peter had boasted of his commitment, but now Jesus questions him to expose his heart • ajgavph /agape was rare in Greek literature until the NT used it to describe Jesus’ love • stovrgh / storge was the term for natural familial affection
First Question John 21: 15 • filevw /phileo and filiva /Philia refer to love that extends outside the family or natural group - a friend • ejpiqumiva / epithymia refers to strong desire or passion • ejrov. V / eros is love for what the beholder finds beautiful and desirable - romantic love
First Question John 21: 15 • ajgapavw /agapaō “a free and decisive act determined by its subject” • ajgavph /agape is a love given irrespectively to the merit of the one loved, a love of commitment & self sacrifice
First Question John 21: 15 • ajgavph /agape is the love of God for the world and that we are to have for God & other believers • Does Peter love Jesus more than “these”? Not a reference to the others • The scene indicates the question is whether Peter loves Jesus
First Question John 21: 15 • Peter is humbled & does not boast again. He only claims to filevw /phileo Jesus • Peter appeals to Jesus’ knowledge (oi]da /oida) - His omniscience • Jesus commands Peter to “Tend (bovskw / boskō - feed) My lambs” care for vulnerable believers
Second Question John 21: 16 • Jesus questions Simon again about his love (ajgapavw /agapaō) & Peter answers again he loved (filevw /phileō) • Jesus commands him to “Shepherd My sheep” which involves total care of the flock, not just feeding
Third Question John 21: 16 • Jesus’ third challenge uses the word Simon had been using for love - filevw /phileō • Peter answers with an appeal to Jesus’ omniscience and personal knowledge of Peter
Third Question John 21: 16 • “You know (oi]da /oida) all things” is an appeal to Jesus’ omniscience about all information and facts • “You know (ginowvskw /ginoskō) that I love you” is an appeal to Jesus’ personal experience with Peter
Third Question John 21: 16 • Jesus responds by commanding him to “Tend My Sheep” restoring Peter to teach & lead Jesus’ followers • All Christians will fail at times with both sins of omission and comission - but the humble can be restored
Third Question John 21: 16 • 1 John 1: 8 -9 applies to both non. Christians for salvation and Christians in their daily walk with the Lord • Confession is also key to having a good relationship with other humans
Third Question John 21: 16 • Humility is necessary for both salvation (Eph. 2: 8 -9) and walking properly with the Lord (1 Peter 5: 6)
Future Gory John 21: 16 • Jesus prophecies that Peter will die by crucifixion when he is old - he will fulfill his boast of John 13: 37 • Tertullian and Eusebius state that Peter was crucified by Nero - upside down by his own request
Future Gory John 21: 16 • Peter would have welcomed this prophecy because it meant he would be faithful to Jesus to the end
• It is easy to be a Christian in a society that favors Christianity, but how would you do if persecuted? • True Christianity is bound up in a love for Jesus so great that following Him is the only thing that is important
• What answer would you give if Jesus questioned the level of your love for Him? • Peter failed, yet was restored after becoming humble and was then successful - God can do the same in your life
Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
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