“Loving Jesus from the heart is the main thing to focus on in your relationship with Him.”
Sermon Title: HOW TO FOLLOW JESUS
Scripture Text: JOHN 21:15-23
Sermon Notes:
JOHN 20:31
31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
JOHN 21:15-23
15 Then when they broke fast, 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 the 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, Feed 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 a 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.
18 Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you wished. But when you grow old, you shall stretch forth your hands and another shall gird you and carry you where you do not wish.
19 He spoke this signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me.
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following (the one who also leaned on His breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he who betrays You?)
21 Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, Lord, and what of this one?
22 Jesus said to him, If I desire that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.
23 Then this saying went abroad among the brothers, that that disciple should not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him, He shall not die, but, If I desire that he remain until I come, what is that to you?
JOHN 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me;
Motives of serving:
1. Noble motives
2. Carnal motives
JOHN 21:15-16
15 Then when they broke fast, 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 the 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, Feed My sheep.
I. A HEART THAT LOVES JESUS
John 21:15-16
15 Then when they broke fast, 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 the 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, Feed 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 a 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.
“Loving Jesus is at the heart of a relationship with Him.”
“Loving Jesus from the heart is the main thing to focus on in your relationship with Him.”
How do I develop and maintain genuine love for Jesus from the heart?
“Loving Jesus from the heart is the result of experiencing His abundant grace.”
“If you love Jesus, serve Him by feeding His sheep.”
II. A WILL SUBMIT TO CHRIST
John 21:18-19
18 Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you wished. But when you grow old, you shall stretch forth your hands and another shall gird you and carry you where you do not wish.
19 He spoke this signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me.
Things to learn:
1. Don’t pretend that trials are pleasant.
2. Following Jesus does not guarantee an easy life or a peaceful death.
“The Lord is an honest recruiter, He tells you upfront to count the cost of following Him.”
3. Our aim should be to glorify God by our death.
4. The way to glorify God in our death is to follow Him while we live.
III. EYES THAT ARE FOCUSED ON CHRIST
JOHN 21:21-22
21 Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, Lord, and what of this one?
22 Jesus said to him, If I desire that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.
Lesson to learn:
1. Only God has the right to determine our course
2. The Lord uses the different personalities of each person for His purpose and glory.
3. It’s not profitable to compare our ministries to others.
JOHN 21:22
“Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’
TO FOLLOW CHRIST:
I. OUR HEART MUST BE DEVOTED TO HIM
II. OUR WILL MUST BE YIELDED TO HIM
III. OUR EYES MUST ONLY SEE HIM