- Three times Peter had denied Jesus.
- Not only did he deny him and curse and swear that he did not know Him, but Jesus predicted that He would do it!
- Peter completely turned his back on Jesus.
- This was an Epic Fail!
- Imagine how low Peter felt.
- Imagine how depressed he became.
- And here we find him returning to the only thing he knew - fishing.
- But even in this guilty and low state of mind, we find Christ restoring Him.
- Jesus comes to where Peter is!
- He seeks him out for the purpose of restoration.
- Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him.
- When Peter answered "Yes", Jesus tells Him to take care of and feed his sheep.
- In other words - "I have great use for you, Peter"
- Jesus took time to sit down and share breakfast with his friend and disciple.
- It's one thing to forgive someone - It's another thing to restore them.
- Have you had any Epic Fails in your life?
- Have you totally messed something up?
- Never let that sin or that mistake stand between you and Jesus.
- This morning, receive His forgiveness and forgive yourself.
- Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.
- And sometimes we may receive forgiveness but we find it hard to see how God can do anything great with our Broken pieces.
- But just as Jesus saw great value and purpose in Peter - He sees great value and purpose in you!
- Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- Jesus didn't give his life for you because you were perfect; He died for you because He knew you were a sinner.
- So don't stop with receiving forgiveness - Allow Him to restore.
- It's a 3 step process:
- Acknowledge, Repent, and Receive...
- Acknowledge your sin.
- Repent of it - Turn from it.
- Receive the forgiveness and Restoration He has for you.
- No go on and serve Him and fulfill the purpose He has for your life!
- There is nothing that you have done that is to great for Him to not forgive.
- There is no vessel to broken that He cannot restore.
- You are still of great value and worth to Jesus.
- Allow Him to speak that to your heart.
- Allow Him to seek you out and restore.
- Allow Him to use you and work through you to restore others.
- Have a great Tuesday!