Hope for the failures

John 21:14-19

There are people who've become paralyzed by failure. For those of us who struggle with this, there is hope.

In this passage, this hope is shown. Peter is one of the closest disciples of Jesus. He is the inner circle. And Peter fails. But look at how Jesus treats Peter...

Jesus calls us to face our failure

Jesus reminds Peter of his failure. Not just once, but three times. In front of a fire, just like where Peter failed Jesus. He makes Peter face it and own it. Peter answers humbly and tentatively. Jesus wanted to teach Peter something. Jesus asked the question in order to teach Peter something. Failure comes because we don't love Jesus. It comes because we depend on our own strength. We need to love and trust Him.

We come to Jesus because He died for our failures.

Jesus knew that Peter was going to fail. Jesus predicted as much. He knew what was going to happen. But Jesus paid for those failures. That is why we are drawn to Christ. His death paid for it all.

Jesus redeems and restores our failures

Grace is not the way the world works. Ex-cons don't really get a second chance. But look at how Jesus treats Peter after his failure. Peter is called again to shepherd and pastor the church. After the monumental failure. God restores him back to a fisher of men. The failure does not break Peter, but rather it makes him more useful for God. God takes us through failures and can make us more useful for God's purposes.

Our response

The proper response to a God who loves, forgives, restores, redeems, and loves...is to lay down our lives and submit to Him. Those who are forgiven much... Love much.

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"Sent"-ness

{John 20}

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

[Pastor Steve Huber - Liberti Fishtown]

This is a trinitarian sending. The sending involves Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. This "sent"-ness needs to be refreshed. We are sent as a church. We are sent individually as well. There are people around you who think they hate Christianity... but it is clear that they do not understand the Gospel. We should pray for God to open our eyes to those around us who need to hear the Gospel.

What are we sent to do? What is it we are supposed to do? John 14:12-14 refers to "works." The disciples had watched what Jesus had done. He had raised people and healed people. Jesus said he was going to leave. So does the works of God stop when Jesus leaves? No... Jesus will continue the work through the people...

If you feel like a guy with a Red Ryder BB Gun, you are. But no worries, God has a Howitzer. God can change things and do things that we cannot. This happens when we pray in line with God's will. Not praying for us to be wealthy. Not praying for ourselves. But praying in line with God.

Jesus' presence fights against our selfishness. We often ask ourselves, what do we like. But there is also the question of what would best serve our mission and out community. When we remember Jesus' presence, it helps us to focus less on ourselves. It helps us handle the fear of risk. We are willing to take chances because in Christ, we have all need. His presence reminds us what success means. Not ministry success. Not relationship success. Not financial success. But living your life in the full freedom of Christ. Not shackled by our successes.

Prayer & Challenge...
Your "sent"-ness would be renewed. Sent to do His work. Sent to share the words of life.