Fixing Your Focus

I. The Gentle Confrontation from Jesus (15-17)

A. Peter had experienced a personal implosion – His denials of John 18:15-27 & quitting the ministry in John 21:3

B. Peter had experienced gentle confrontation (15-16) – “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.” 16 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.”

C. Peter had gained clarity about his level of devotion (17a) – 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 uses those who have failed miserably in the past. Jesus uses those who are struggling in the present.

D. Peter experienced grace and was fully restored by Jesus (17b) – “Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

II. The Clear Communication of Jesus (18-19)

A. Lesson 1: Peter would no longer be self-governed (18a) – “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted…”

B. Lesson 2: God’s plan for Peter would involve hardship (18b) – “…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.”

C. Lesson 3: God’s ultimate goal for Peter’s life was God’s glory (19a) – “This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.”

D. Lesson 4: Peter’s primary calling was to follow Jesus (19b) – “…after saying this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Peter’s was originally called into his ministry with the words, “Follow Me.” 3+ years later, it is still the same message

III. The Unyielding Expectation from Jesus (20-22)

A. His loss of focus (20-21a) – “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against Him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?” 21 When Peter saw him…”

B. His lack of boundaries (21b) – “…he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

C. His lesson to learn (22) – “Jesus said to him, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” For the third time in his life, Peter is commanded to line up behind Jesus and to remain there