REACH: The Motive – John 21:1-19

  

As a church, Lakeside spends the month of August focusing on global missions, leading up to REACH BBQ for Global Missions. We highlight each of our missionaries who will receive support from the fundraiser. It is a good time to stop and dwell on the heart of God for all people.

 

The next four weeks in youth group we will be focusing on REACH – our part in global missions. We will discuss The Motive, THE Cause, The Promise and The Vision.   

 

The Motive – John 21:1-19

 

I’m a big fan of crime drama TV series. I like the funny shows, like Psych, to the serious ones like Law and Order. In all the TV dramas, and in real life, when a crime happens the question is asked, “what is the motive?”

 

The question is trying to get to the heart of why a person would do this act. If you can figure out the motive, you can identify the culprit. At least that is how it works on TV.

 

But it is not just in TV dramas where we see motives. We see it in art, in science, in politics, in music, and in sports. Motives are desires of the heart that cause someone to act to attain a specific goal. A criminals jealousy causes them to commit a crime. An artist’s wonder is captured in a painting. A scientists desire to explain the complex leads to a ground breaking formula. A politicians desire to help her community leads to new legislation. And so on.

 

In order to understand the motive for Christians to share the Gospel, I want to examine one of the last conversations Jesus had with his best friend Peter in John 21.

 

READ John 21:1-19

 

Context:

It’s only been days since the crucifixion and resurrection. Really, it has been a whirlwind for the disciples, and especially Peter. They had all walked away from their jobs and families for three years to follow the rabbi, only to be surprised at his death. Their hope, their vision, and their purpose died on a Roman cross just a few days ago. Peter, in all his self-confidence, found himself denying his best friend three times when he was needed the most.

 

They were all astonished with the news of Jesus’ resurrection, and almost couldn’t believe their own eyes at His appearance. You can imagine the internal and mental exercises they struggled with at first, “did I really see Him?”, “is my mind playing tricks on me?”, “the other guys saw Him too didn’t they?”  and so on.

 

We see in John 21 where the disciples were awkwardly waiting in a room not knowing what to do. It’s not like it was before Jesus died. He isn’t there to tell them what to do or where to go. That’s when Peter said, “I’m going fishing,” and they all joined him.

 

A Miracle

 

These trained fishermen had been out fishing all night without success. They saw someone on the shore who said, “cast your net on the right side and you will find some fish.” When they did, their nets overflowed with fish! That’s when John realized the man on shore was Jesus.

 

“Hey Peter, that’s Jesus!” said John. Peter immediately put his clothes on and jumped in the water. I love this scene! Most people take off layers so they can swim. Peter, in his excitement to see Jesus, put clothes on and swam in.

 

Even though they knew it was Jesus and they all sat around a fire to eat with Him, they were all afraid to say anything. They had questions in the heads, like “who are you?”, which probably meant something like, “how in the world are you risen from the dead? We saw you die. People don’t rise from the dead, but you did! How can this be?” The resurrection was still fresh to them and they marveled at the possibility.

 

The Three-fold Restoration of Peter

 

Could you imagine sitting around a campfire with all your closest friends and your mentor calls out, “Hey Peter, do you love me more than these?” Everyone around the fire remembers that less than a week ago, you just publicly denied Jesus to save your own skin. The guilt and the shame are suffocating, but He is here, He is alive, maybe if I just pretend it didn’t happen He will let it go.

 

And then the questions comes up. I believe Jesus is referring to the fish, meaning “Peter do you love me more than your career?” It could mean, does he love Jesus more than the other disciples do. Or it could mean does he love Jesus more than he loves the other disciples. Yet, in a moment of uncertainty, Peter had gone back to his fishing boat. I think Jesus was calling on him to leave the boat behind.

 

“Yes Lord, you know I do.” “Feed my lambs,” said Jesus.

 

A moment later, “Peter, do you love me”? “Yes Lord, you know I do.” “Tend my sheep,” said Jesus.

 

A third time, “Peter do you love me?” This time, Peter was grieved at the question, and wondered why he was asked a third time. “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep.”

 

And then after that, Jesus seems to summarize the rest of Peter’s life and how he will die. Jesus concludes this conversation with, “follow me.”

 

In this unfolding conversation, we see Jesus helping Peter walk back his denials of Christ. Three times Peter said he didn’t know Jesus, and now three times he declares his love for Jesus. Not only is Jesus giving Peter an opportunity to declare his love, but He also charges Peter with caring for the flock.

 

It’s as if Jesus said, “hey Peter, I have a big task for you. I want you to care for my church, but not because you love the church. You need to love me above all else. If you love me, you will tend to my sheep.”

 

The language Jesus uses is that of a shepherd and his sheep. A teaching method Jesus has used on several occasions.

 

John 10:14–15

¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

 

So in this passage, Jesus, the good shepherd, is charging Peter with the care of His flock. In this reference, I am sure Jesus is calling to mind in Peter the other teachings about His flock.

 

John 10:16

¹⁶And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

 

There are some sheep who are not Jewish believers, they aren’t part of the flock yet. They need to hear the Gospel, the Words of Christ, and they will join the flock. Peter’s love for Jesus would compel him to protect and feed those in the church, but he would also go out and preach the Gospel to those who had not yet believed. This is the plan Jesus had for Peter since the beginning.

 

Matthew 4:18–20

¹⁸While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

 

“Peter, leave those fish behind and I will teach you how to fish for men!” By “fish for men,” Jesus stated from the beginning, that He was going to teach Peter how to reach people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. It started with the command, “follow me!”

 

One of the last phrases Jesus said to Peter was, “follow me!”

 

Following Jesus is a daily call. It’s something we will never arrive at this side of heaven. But when we follow Jesus, we will love Him and we will feed His sheep.

 

Love, Follow, Feed

 

The motivation for being a global missionary is loving Jesus first in our lives. Principles we can gather from Peter’s experience here is that Jesus doesn’t give up on us because we have failed Him. He died and rose again to cover our sins. Instead, He asks us to love Him and follow Him.

 

When we love and follow Him, He will lead us into opportunities to tell others about Him. If you want to impact this world for Christ, seek to love Jesus more each day and follow Him. He will open doors for you to share His Good News with a dying world.

 

Are you sharing Jesus with others? Why or why not?

 

If you are a Christian and you are not sharing Jesus with others, what is your motivation for silence? Are you trying to please the crowd? Are you afraid of being unpopular? What is your desire?

 

When we are not sharing our faith, we need to gauge our love for Jesus. Peter’s love for Jesus led him to go all over preaching the Gospel and ultimately give his life as a martyr for his faith in Jesus. What is your love for Jesus leading you to do?

 

Your number one responsibility is to grow in your love for Jesus. When you love someone, you are excited about that person and proud of being associated with that person. When you are excited about something, you will talk about it. Consider your attitude and words from this past week. How did you feel about Jesus? How often did you talk about Jesus?

 

Not happy with your answers? Spend time with Jesus today, and ask Him to help you love Him more and more. He loves you, and we love Him because He first loved us. Allow the love of Jesus to be your motivation today!

Stand Firm In The Lord – Philippians 4

Read Philippians 4

 

As we approach this last chapter in Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi, we see him emphasize what he wants the Philippians to walk away with, standing firm in the faith. Paul began the letter with the encouragement to be joyful because “He who began a good work in you will complete it…” (Phil 1:6). God began the work of salvation and He will continue working on His people until He returns and makes all things new.

 

This truth needs to undergird our lives and our worldview. Only in being established in Jesus Christ will we understand the fullness of life (John 10:10) and the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus (Phil 3:7-8).

 

This fourth chapter is about standing firm and living out our faith. Paul starts this section by exhorting to sisters in the church to agree in the Lord. I find it interesting he moves from:

 

Philippians 4:1

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

 

To addressing conflict. Not only does he address conflict, but he names names. These two ladies have their names in the New Testament as examples to us, and Paul deals with it masterfully.

 

Failing to Stand Firm – Philippians 4:2-3

 

Several years ago, a friend asked me to proof read a letter they had written to friend from church whom they had a sharp disagreement over. I read the letter and saw that this person had made their position very clear, but was very heavy handed.

 

I asked, “what is the goal of your letter? Do you want to continue your conversation with them and deepen your friendship, or would you prefer to end your friendship and “win” the argument, which might result in them leaving the church?” In order to continue the conversation and preserve the friendship, the entire letter had to be rewritten. And praise God it was.

As an aside, that is a good practice, to write out the letter you want to send, wait 24 hours and/or have someone else read it, before sending it. Watch at how much you change in 24 hours.

 

The letter changed from “winning an argument” to “preserving a relationship.” There is a fair way to disagree and process conflicts, and there are unfair ways. Paul gives us a few helpful tips on handling conflict:

 

Paul acknowledges there is a disagreement between two faithful Christian sisters. He recognizes their partnership in the ministry and how they have worked side by side with him. He acknowledges their genuine faith and he pleads for unity and resolution. He even asks a “true companion” to help guide them to that end.

 

The true companion would have been a leader or pastor in the church of Philippi. Someone who could graciously facilitate helpful conversations between the two. It is important to remember the important things first, who are we arguing with, what is our relationship, and take steps to preserve the relationship. Seeking counsel is a wise thing to do.

 

Five Practices of Standing Firm – Philippians 4:4-9

 

Moving on from conflict to giving a pattern for a strong foundation in Christ.

 

1.    Rejoice in the Lord always – 4

Paul again repeats the importance of rejoicing in the Lord. When we focus our attention on Jesus, we will find ways to rejoice, even in the difficult times.

 

2.    Be reasonable – 5

Today more than ever we need reasonable people. One translation uses “gentle” as the word here. In our conversations and our lifestyles, are we reasonable people who are easy to approach and talk to or are we opinionated and difficult.

 

I strive to be a person who is reasonable and someone people can have a conversation about difficult things with. It started in High School when a buddy of mine had the same belief, but he was very argumentative and opinionated in his delivery. I noticed how he turned people away.

 

I changed my delivery to seek to serve the person in the conversation, and it opened up doors for me. One day at the lunch table a friend said to him, “I don’t want to talk to you about this, if I want to know more about it I will talk to Brad.” I thanked God for the opportunity to learn at a young age the importance of being reasonable.

 

3.    Don’t be anxious – 6-7

This is a tough one right?! Don’t worry, it’s easier said than done when we are new or out of practice. Our default seems to be worry, it’s a natural response to things. Anxiety issues are on the rise and they are difficult ones to deal with. To not worry is supernatural. It doesn’t come easily but must be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Remember, “He who began a good work in you will perform it!” When we are tempted, He wants us to take our worries to Him in prayer, making our needs known to Him and thanking Him for His provisions for us. When we ask for His peace, He will give it to us. His peace is active and it will guard our hearts and our minds when we are in Christ Jesus.

 

 

4.    Think about these things – 8

How can we rejoice always? By filtering our thoughts and influences through the grid of Philippians 4:8. The above picture shows impurities being filtered out of water. We need to filter out the impure thoughts and influences in order for us to think clearly. This means the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the social media personalities we follow, the type of articles, blogs or vlogs we follow. Do they align with this grid?

 

Do you know what is a complete fulfillment of this grid? Jesus Christ. Jesus is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of our praise. Think about Him daily! Spend time with Him! Dwell on His loving kindness and His joy will fill your heart.

 

5.    Practice what you have seen – 9

Paul exhorted the Philippians to look to his example in what he said, how he said it and how he lived. He taught them truth to walk in and gave them a pattern to follow. It’s important that we look to mature believers in our lives, people who demonstrate the Christ centered life and follow their example.

 

If you know someone that you aspire to be like because you see Christ in them, talk to them about it. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to spend time with you so you can learn from them. This is basic discipleship.

 

The Power to Stand Firm – Philippians 4:10-23

 

Paul moves next to a very popular verse, but mostly quoted out of context. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He is saying that he has learned to stand firm even when he was poor or had hardship and when he had abundance and things were going his way. How? Because he learned to rely fully on Christ for his strength, not his material possessions of the state of his current circumstances.

 

God promises to give you the power and strength to stand firm when you rely on Him.

 

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

 

 

The Path to Joy in Christ – Philippians 3

 

 

Did you ever get annoyed when a teacher or a parent would repeat something over and over again? As a child I was annoyed by it, but I didn’t realize at the time that repetition was a technique used to help us remember important things.

 

Several years ago, I was complaining to my parents about my roommates not doing the dishes. Well, the did some dishes, but would leave others unwashed or not put away. In my frustration I said, “dishes are not done until they are ALL done!” My mom’s response was, “so you WERE listening!”

 

That was the phrase she used often in our home growing up. Ironically, she had to say it to me because my behavior when I lived at home was like my roommates at the time. I benefited from the repetition my mom used to teach me how to keep a kitchen clean.

 

Knowing this, when we see or hear repetition, it should cause us to pause and consider that the teaching being repeated is important and will have an impact on us later. In school, they will most likely appear on a test and the teacher repeats them to help prepare you.

 

If that is true, how important is it for us to pay attention when the Word of God repeats itself? God is trying to get something through to us.

 

Paul opens this chapter by repeating “rejoice in the Lord.” He’s reminding us of our goal is to enjoy our God by being in union with Christ.

 

How do we maintain joy in the Lord?

 

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing – 2-3

 

Paul begins this section stating there are some who are trying to distract the believers in Philippi from the main thing: Jesus Christ. He is describing the Judiazers who were teaching legalistic heresies. Paul is so harsh on the Judiazers because they were teaching a false way to God, one that appeals to our sinful nature of trying to earn our own way to God.

 

In Philippi it was Jewish legalism. What are false teachers teaching today that distracts believers from true joy in Christ?

 

I know you thought of some if not several different false teachers today. Some are easy to identify. However, I want you to think through false teaching that is easy to distract you from Christ. What is that?

 

In verse 3, Paul reminds us that we are not about the flesh, but we worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ. This means that our perspective has to be a continually surrendering of the fleshly norm and surrendering to the Holy Spirit for the glory of Jesus.

 

Does your views on life bring glory to Jesus or diminish the glory of Jesus?

 

Pause…

 

This is so important. Do you call yourself a Christian, but you hold views that diminish the glory of Jesus? Most likely the answer is yes, because these views creep in. That is what Paul is warning us about. Begin evaluating everything in your life and ask if it makes Jesus look good or reduces Him somehow.

 

Are your views about school, job, family, politics, health, safety, finances, etc. trusting in the finished work of Christ or is the “Jesus and…” view creeping in.

 

It’s Not About Building a Resume – 4-7

 

A few years ago an opportunity came up and I was asked to submit my resume. I had not looked at my resume since 2003. I couldn’t find a digital copy of it or even a printed copy. So I had to start over. I realized that it was a lot of work to build a resume.

 

Not only do you want to list qualities and achievements, but you have to word smith it so it sounds appealing. A resume is a tool trying to make you look better than others for the position or job, which is common practice in the workforce, but it won’t get you far spiritually.

 

Paul understood that it wasn’t about building a resume. He demonstrates here that he could hang with the best resumes, but that is foolishness. It is self-promotion and does not bring glory to Jesus.

 

Instead of an impressive resume being his goal, the knowledge of Jesus Christ became his goal. The knowledge of Jesus is of “surpassing worth” to the things of this world. So much so, that Paul counted all his pursuits from his previous life as rubbish.

 

It is an amazing thing to encounter a Christian who has this understanding. I knew a young man who was an amazing athlete and had made sports his god. Then he became a Christian and gave up the accomplishes of his life before Christ in order to make Christ supreme in his life. It was a beautiful thing.

 

Paul’s New Perspective – 8-11

 

Paul was reprioritizing life. Anything that he used to pull meaning and purpose from he counted as loss in order to find his life in Christ alone. Why was he willing to do this?

 

Understanding that the Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ and is the only way to true life means a complete 180 change is necessary for a believer. It means that life is about Jesus. When you go through the dark night of the soul and realize that God loves you and has provided a way, in Christ, to have your sins forgiven and are given the righteousness of Christ, how could you pursue anything else?

 

Paul tells us that we don’t have to prove ourselves, we have to believe that Jesus is enough. Jesus resurrection gives us the hope and certainty of our own resurrection to be with Him forever.

 

So Paul considered all his accomplishments and accolades and considered them rubbish compared to knowing Jesus.

 

Straining Forward – 12-21

 

There are times that I feel like I’ve done enough and deserve to coast for a while. I think about all the good things I have done as a Christian and then I look around at others and think, “I’m doing more than these, can’t I just take a break?”

 

I’ve done the Christian School thing, the Bible Institute, the Christian College, and the seminary thing. I’ve gone on missions trips and led missions trips. I’ve read the Bible all the way through multiple times and memorized lots of verses. I’ve… NO!!!!

 

In the last section, Paul took his resume before Christ and counted it a rubbish. In this section, I think he is talking about even the good things he has done as a believer in Jesus he forgets and presses forward.

 

All the things I mentioned above are good things, but they are in the past. If I dwell on those, they build my affection for myself, even if at the time I did them I did for Christ. Walking with Jesus means learning from the past but pressing on to new things in Christ. The good things I have done in the past are the things God prepared for me and did through me. They weren’t about me and what God does next in me is not about me.

 

We will not “arrive” until we are with Jesus in eternity. Today, and every day, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and follow His example.

 

Your choice is this, walk in joy with Christ or walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Enemies of the cross focus on earthly things, their appetites and take pride in shameful things. Children of God walk with Jesus awaiting His appearance with great joy, not glorying in themselves, but glorying in Jesus Christ.

 

Today, take some time and ask yourself what do you find your worth and value in? Are you allowing your accomplishments or earthly position to be your value? What do you need to count as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus? Do you know the joy that is found in knowing Christ?

 

In Christ, you are so loved. Jesus knows everything about you, all your sins, failures and shame, yet He still loves you! He went to the cross for you. His resurrection conquered death, sin, guilt and shame. Knowing and experiencing His love will compel you to rejoice in Jesus!

The Mind of Christ - Phil 2:5-30

What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

 

First thing that pops in to my mind goes way back to Junior High. As if middle school wasn’t awkward enough, I had an experience that was super humiliating. Remember how awkward Jr High relationships were? Well I had final mustard up the nerve to talk with a young lady that I was interested in at the Sunday school picnic. We eventually ignored our friends and walked down the trail in the woods. We found a nice log that seemed to be the perfect bench.

 

Sitting there trying to be super smooth and win this girls affection is when it happened! I heard it before I felt it, “prffft”! A fart slipped out! I was shocked! I jumped a little and fell backward! A sneak attack fart had just ruined my walk.

 

There I was, back on the ground and feet sticking up on the log, looking up at the girl I wanted to win over. Not the best move, haha.

 

That was embarrassing! It was humiliating! And I will never forget it. I was humbled in that moment. That is an example of being humbled, but it is not an example of humbling myself. This story is one of embarrassment. Humbling yourself is a story of dignity.

 

Last week (Phil 2:1-4) we talked about >Me, looking at others as greater than ourselves. On our own, that is impossible to do. We are naturally born into sin demonstrated in the innate desires of selfishness and pride. It’s a “dog eat dog” and “survival of the fittest world,” right, “I’m going to get mine.”  

 

God’s call on His children is to flip the paradigm. From selfishness to selflessness. It starts with a way of thinking, our attitude, and then it flows into our actions. This week we are going to read about the definition of humility.

 

Read Philippians 2:5-11

 

This “mind” we are supposed to have doesn’t come from within yourself. It is an alien “mind”, meaning it is not natural to your disposition. It is a gift given to you if you are in Christ. Paul wrote this letter to believers. He wanted them to know that this “mind” is theirs in Christ Jesus. It’s a free gift and comes from the Spirit of Christ Himself.

 

You cannot will yourself to be truly humble, it is a result of setting your eyes (Hebrews 12:2) on Jesus and allowing His life and His words to transform your mind (Romans 12:1-2). He demonstrated the greatest act of humility in history.

 

What is the greatest “right” you have given up for someone else? The right to use your TV or borrow your phone? Give up your space in line? Allow someone else to get the credit?

 

To give up a right is to recognize that you have something you deserve, but you are going to relinquish it for the benefit of someone else. That is humility.

 

Jesus, before the incarnation, was in the form of God (Phil 2:6), and He was God (John 1:1). His existence was in complete harmony within the Trinity. His home was heaven. He needed nothing and lacked nothing. He deserved to be where He was and be served. Yet He did not lay claim to His “right” to stay in heaven, to stay comfortable and to be served by others.

 

He humbled Himself and became a man, in order to serve humanity. Not only that, he humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. In this amazing display of love and selflessness, Jesus flipped the paradigm and showed us that the way to exaltation begins with humbling ourselves (James 4:10).

 

It is because of Jesus humbled Himself that provided the way for us to be reconciled to Him. In Him, we are promised that we have been given the power to have the same mind. A mind that does not hold onto our selfishness or perceived rights, but humbles ourselves in order to serve others and make Jesus look good. It’s not easy, but is something we need to work out.

 

Read Philippian 2:12-13

 

We work out because God works in.

 

Paul is calling us to “work out our salvation,” but not “for our salvation.” Remember, he is addressing believers and his message is clear, we cannot earn our salvation. However, if we are saved, we need to put our faith into practice, or “work out” our faith. We practice our faith with “fear and trembling” recognizing it’s not about us, but about God.

 

God is working in you. He is creating a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10) and won’t give up on you (Phil 1:6). His work in you is shaping your will and your work (lifestyle) for “His good pleasure.” I like to rephrase that in this way, God is working in you for your greatest good, your deepest joy and for His glory.

 

What does living out the mind of Christ look like in a believers life?

 

Read Philippians 2:14-18

 

Bam! Verse 14 is convicting! I am pretty sure I grumbled and complained about something today. I know God does not like grumbling and complaining. The Israelites spent an extra 40 years wondering in the wilderness because of the grumbling and complaining. I cannot do this without God’s help and He gives us ways to grow and mature in this area.

 

We live in a “crooked and twisted generation”. It is feeding us perverted ways of thinking, inappropriate views of life, morals, ethics and so on. The movies, music, news and social media are pumping in these lies. How are we to shine as lights when we adopt so much of the world?

 

We do so by “holding fast to the Word of life!” We need to be in the Bible as much as we can. We need to memorize it, study it, read it and apply it. It is one of the major tools God has given to us to prepare us for this world.

 

He has also given us the power of prayer and communion with Him. We are in union with Christ, and we are to be walking and talking with Him, so much so that our mind conforms to His mind.

 

He has also allowed suffering to loosen our grip on this temporal world. Paul himself, is writing about joy from a prison cell.

 

Paul then points to two examples of brothers who are living this out: Timothy (Phil 2:19-24) and Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25-30).

 

As I conclude, what would Paul’s paragraph about you say? How are you allowing the mind of Christ to be worked out in your life?

 

Take a moment and write a few lines about where you are at today. After that reflection, write a prayer of thanksgiving for what Jesus has done and promises to do. Ask for the power to change and be more like Christ today.

 

Remember, humbling yourself isn't being humiliated, it is willfully giving up rights to benefit others for the glory of God.