Text: John 21:15-19

Forget Past Mistakes – Peter made his share of mistakes, but he could not let them hinder his service to Christ in the future

Feed the Flock – teach & lead others in the way of Christ

Endure Persecution – Peter would eventually suffer death for his faith, he needed to be willing to face this

Don’t Worry About Others – After hearing his instructions, he asked about John. Jesus told him that his fate was of no concern to him, but that he must follow Christ himself.

Three Sins

Abraham & Hagar – attempted to help God instead of waiting for His way (Genesis 16:1-2; 17:16-21)

The Daughters of Lot – got their father drunk & laid with him to preserve their family (Genesis 19:31-36)

Esau & His Birthright – despised his birthright, sold it to Jacob for a meal (Genesis 25:32,34)

Trouble for Generations

Four Nations

• Four different peoples came as a result of these sins: Ishmaelites, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites
• All four of these caused trouble for God’s people generations later (Psalm 83:1-8)

Sin has Consequences

• Spiritual consequences
• Physical consequences
• Consequences for others

Text: John 18:37-38

What is truth? It depends on our perspective. Truth can be…

Comforting or Uncomfortable

• The word of God is intended to comfort us (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
• The truth is uncomfortable for some — convicts us of sin (John 16:8), exposes all of our flaws (Hebrews 4:12-13), calls us to sacrifice (Luke 9:23)

Encouraging or Discouraging

• The word of God is able to build us up (Acts 20:32); provides encouragement (Romans 15:4)
• Discouraging to others when it’s different than they expect and requires a change in attitude & life (Matthew 19:16-22)

Unifying or Divisive

• Unity is to be based on God’s word (John 17:20-21)
• Many believe teaching the truth is divisive; instead they opt for unity in diversity

Inclusive or Exclusive

• Truth is inclusive — the gospel is for all (Mark 16:15)
• Many think it is exclusive because not all will be saved (Matthew 7:13-14) — problem is not that truth is exclusive, but that they have excluded themselves from the truth

Good News or Bad News

• Message of grace, salvation, forgiveness, hope & eternal life
• The same message for others is a message of death (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) — speaks of judgment & punishment (Romans 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

Conclusion — it all comes down to whether we accept the truth or reject it

Read the article: What is Truth?

Text: John 18:37

Jesus Claimed to be a King (John 18:36-37)

Some Mock His Kingship (John 19:1-3)

Some Reject His Kingship (John 19:14-15)

Some Affirm His Kingship, but with Ulterior Motives (John 19:17-22)

We Must Accept Jesus’ Claim

Text: Proverbs 27:23-27

Current Economic Turmoil — yet we still have obligations (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 4:28)

Our Responsibility

• Take care of yourself — “your flocks … your herds“
• Be good stewards — do not neglect your flocks, know their condition

Economies Can Collapse — “riches are not forever”

• How can we survive without a strong economy? Farming, ranching, hunting for food. Making homemade goods necessary for one’s household. Selling or bartering goods and services to obtain other things we need.
• The shepherd did not need a functioning national economy to survive

Governments Can Fall — “…nor does a crown endure to all generations”

• Many believe government is the answer to fix the economy — it  is not God’s answer
• God ordained civil authorities with a much more limited role (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:2)
• Christians were told to separate from Rome before their fall, which brought an economic collapse (Romans 18:4,11ff) — Could we survive a government collapse?

God’s Providence Remains

• Not the common definition of providence, but what God has provided in creation
• Plants and animals for food (Genesis 1:29; 9:3)
• Proper conditions for survival (Acts 14:17)
• We can produce things we need, or to sell & trade
• Common theme — work hard (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
• What if one is unable to work? God has made provisions for such people (Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 5:4,16; Acts 4:32-35)

Conclusion

• Is it wrong to derive some benefit from the national economy or government? No
• But we must be able to survive with or without them
• God has made it possible for us to do this — we must take advantage of what He has provided

Read the article: Know Well the Condition of Your Flocks

Text: John 18:1-3

What Judas Brought to the Garden

• Roman cohort — the military of the world empire of the day; would later be overthrown (Daniel 2:44)
• Officers from the chief priests — those who should have been the spiritual leaders of the people; but they were not helping them (Matthew 9:35-36)
• Some of the Pharisees — supposedly the sect that followed God’s laws most strictly; yet they added to God’s law and neglected His instructions (Matthew 15:7-9; 23:23)
• Lanterns and torches — necessary because they came at night; darkness provides a cover for evil (John 3:19-20)
• Weapons — instruments used to capture a dangerous criminal (Luke 22:52)

What Jesus Brought to the World

• Divine kingdom — spiritual in nature (John 18:36), would endure forever (Matthew 16:18-19)
• Better priesthood — sinless, sacrificed His own life, continues to hold His priesthood (Hebrews 7:24-27)
• Law of liberty — free from sin (Romans 6:22) and from following the commands of men (Colossians 2:16)
• Light of the world — if we follow Him we walk in light (John 8:12)
• Sword of the Spirit — not carnal weapons, but divinely powerful (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:17)

Read the article: What Judas Brought to the Garden