1. Are we known as a DEVOTED follower of Jesus? (Acts 9:10)

“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias.”

Luke wants us to know that Ananias was a “disciple” of Jesus.

The word “disciple” is μαθητής, (math-ay-tes’), which means a learner, disciple, pupil.

Are you a student of the Word of God? Do you have a teachable spirit? Are you following the FLESH – your way or the SPIRIT – God’s way? What changes need to take place in order for you to become a DEVOTED follower of Jesus?

2. Are we DECISIVE when the Spirit of God leads? (Acts 9:10, 11)

“And to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”

Ananias hears the Word of God with instructions through a “Vision.”

The word “vision” is ὅραμα, (hor’-am-ah) which means a spectacle, vision, that which is seen.

Keep in mind, in those days, while the Holy Spirit had been poured out (Acts 2), the compilation of Scripture had not been fully canonized (put together). Therefore the Lord leading and guiding through “visions” may have been more common than today.

The warning is to be careful when people say “God gave me this vision”! Not to say it is not genuine, but “test the spirits” to see whether they be of God the Holy Spirit or evil spirits. (1John 4:1)

Notice the Spirit of God was specific.

Introduction: What fills up your LOVE TANK? Do you realize you have a LOVE TANK? Everybody has one. Where is it at? What does it take to fill it up? How can yours be filled? How can you fill your LOVED ones TANK? In 1 1 Corinthians, Chapter Thirteen, Paul identifies the biblical definition of Love. This consists of two (2) parts:

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

1. So how can we “fill up” each other’s LOVE TANK? (1Cor 13:1-6)

• Love that is Patient! (1Cor 13:4)

• Love that is Kind!

• Love that is honest! (1Cor 13:6)

2. How can we “siphon out” of each other’s LOVE TANK?

• Love that is “jealous”….envious – takes out of our LOVE TANK! (1Cor 13:4)

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”

• Love that is “selfish”!

“3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” (1Cor 13:4)

• Love that is sinful!

“6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” (1Cor 13:6)

3. How does God’s LOVE thru Jesus Christ “keep” our LOVE TANK filled up? (1Cor 13:7)

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

• Loves bears & believes! (1Cor 13:7)
• Love hopes & endures!! (1Cor 13:7)

Text: Revelation 22:1-7

Introduction: What does the future hold? We may not know all the future holds, but we do know WHO holds the future! Does that mean we can trust Him? Are you? Will you? John the Revelator gives us some interesting insights as to what the future holds. Check it out!

1. While the Past shows Jesus Christ as a lowly Lamb, the future declares Him as the Lion from the tribe of Judah! (Rev 22:1-3)

“1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

Jesus will take His throne! Have you noticed Jesus does not come to take sides (Politically), rather He comes to take OVER?

2. While Jesus came the first time as a STORM CALMER, He will come again and the Storm will be OVER! (Rev 22:3)

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”

Mark records this scene. (Mark 4:37-39)

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Matthew writes the words of Jesus in his gospel.

“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matt 24:27)

3. While Jesus came the first time as the GREAT PHYSICIAN, He will come again as a Complete Healer! (Rev 22:4-5)

“And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and forever.”

John records Jesus as a Miracle Maker…..
*John 2 – Water into Wine
*John 4- Nobleman’s son healed
*John 5 – Paralytic healed
*John 6 – Feeding of 5,000
*John 9 – Blind man eyes opened
*John 11 – Lazarus raised from the dead
*John 20 – Jesus resurrected

This devotion could be so much longer in sharing the anticipation of Christ’s coming. But for now, let’s be encouraged and trust Jesus day by day!

Conclusion: There you have it….a BRIGHT and HOPEFUL Future. When Jesus came the first time, He came as a PROMISE – GIVER. But when He comes again, He will come as a PROMISE – KEEPER! Are you ready? Get ready!

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Introduction: Hogs stink! But hog meat that is cooked right makes a delicious meal. Would you let a hog live in your house? Probably not. Hogs were unclean animals in biblical times. Moses writes to the Jewish nation in the Levitical law, these words:

“And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”
(Lev 11:7,8)

Jesus Christ commanded some demons who had possessed a man to enter into some swine; consequently, the hogs ran down a hill and were drowned into the water.
(Luke 8: 33)

“Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.”

Peter writes and identifies false teachers with the behavior of hogs returning to wallowing in the mud.
(2Pet 2:22)

“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

Do you know someone who is living among the hog pen of sin? Do not give up on them. Usually, sooner or later, they will hit rock bottom. Only then will they have a CHANGE of heart.

Speaking of hogs, Jesus Christ tells the account of the Prodigal son to the Pharisees. After receiving his inheritance, he left home wasting his money until he was broke. Then in desperation, he found a job feeding pigs. Imagine. A Jewish boy feeding hogs….the smell…..the slop…..the grunts…..the hunger…the wake up call!

“…… he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

Where is the hog pen?
One step away from Jesus.
Where does that next step lead?
Down to the hog pen.

But you can go back home to the Father!
Does our Father long for us to come back home? Ten thousand times, Yes.

Home Sweet Home!
No place like Home!!
Go home!!!

1. What about the Passion & Burden of the CALLING? (Col 1:27, 28)

“Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” 

To be clear, Paul wants the Church to know it is Jesus Christ IN us, not just FOR us!

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:31, 32)

To take it a step further, the Scripture reveals we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit IN us.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Eph 1:13, 14)

• The word “warning” is νουθετέω, noo-thet-eh’-o), which means admonish, warn, counsel, exhort.
• The word “teaching” is διδάσκω: (did-as’-ko), which means teach, direct, admonish.
• The word “perfect” is τέλειος, teleios: (tel’-i-os), which means complete in all its parts, full grown, of full age, specially of the completeness of Christian character.

2. What about the Power and Enablement of the CALLING? (Col 1:29)

“29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”

• The word “labour” is κοπιάω, (kop-ee-ah’-o),which means grow weary, I toil, work with effort (of bodily and mental labor alike).
• The word “striving” is ἀγωνίζομαι, (ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee), which portrays as in an athletic contest or warfare, I contend, as with an adversary.
• The word “mightily” is δύναμις, which means dynamite….power!

Conclusion: Our God is FAITHFUL! When He calls us to serve Him, then He equips is! Learning to cooperate with His resurrection power is a lifelong process of fulfilling our calling.

How are you doing? Let’s stop right now & pray for His power to EQUIP US and FILL US for His GLORY!

1. Our CHRISTian Relationship with Jesus must be #1! (Eph 1:3-7)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

This message includes: Before the NEW BIRTH and After the NEW BIRTH!

2. Our CHURCH Relationships with other believers! (Eph 4:11:16)

“1And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” (Eph 2:12-15)

3. Our FAMILY Relationships in the Home! (Eph 5:21-33)

Husbands and wives will be tested in their relationship in the home.

“22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Parenting is a calling and a gifting that takes the “GRACE of JESUS” to be in “PLACE”! Is it in place in your life?

Introduction: How many of you want to grow SPIRITUALLY? Probably all that are reading this. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be taking the time. I personally appreciate you diving deeper! That is what this is all about.

Solomon writes five (5) ways to grow Spiritually.

Check this list:

1. Prudent – wise! (Prov 22:3)

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Discernment in our day is greatly needed. This comes thru asking and abiding in Jesus. To see down the road and make wise decisions is extremely important for believers and their families.

2. Accountable & Responsible! (Prov 22:17)

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.”

The word “apply” is שִׁית, which means to put, set. In other words, be doers of the Word and not hearers only. (James 1:22)

3. Friendships! (Prov 22: 24, 25)

“24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”

Choosing the right friends is wise! In fact, they will influence us as we influence them. It is alright to have unbelieving friends; however, be careful that their influence does not “rub off” on you instead of the opposite.

4. Integrity (Prov 22:21)

“1That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?”

“White lies” are still lies. (Prov 20:7)

5. Hospitality & Generosity! (Prov 22:9)

“9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.”

Conclusion: Character Counts! Solomon suggests having a “GOOD NAME” is a top priority….Our influence is important to the Lord. How else can we effectively witness the grace of God – the Love of God – and the Power of God in Christ Jesus?

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Prov 22:1)

Text: Luke 18:1-8

Introduction: Does Jesus honor “Persevering Prayer”? You tell me! Throughout His earthly life, He seemed to emphasize to His followers to be persistent in prayer. In fact, not only did He illustrate this truth in the garden of Gethsemane, but He also demonstrated this principle in that “Golden Prayer” recorded in the seventeenth chapter of the gospel of John. In this passage of Scripture, Luke records the words of Jesus.

1. When the answer does not come immediately, do not GIVE UP! (Luke 18:2, 3)

“2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while.”

Teaching on prayer in the sermon in the mount (Matt 7:7, 8), Jesus urged His disciples to be consistent in prayer.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

Interesting to note, the verbs “ask, seek, and knock” are all in the present tense…. meaning ask and keep on asking…etc. While it is true, our Father knows our need before we ask, yet He desires for His children to come to Him and depend on Him.

Have you “GIVEN UP” on prayer? Feel like quitting?
Unanswered?
Gotten discouraged?
Confused?

2. When the devil and others who oppose you want you to GIVE IN!

“But afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”

3. When your FAITH in answered PRAYER feels like GIVING OUT, keep praying!

“And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Conclusion: God answers prayers according to His will, and for His glory. These words should encourage every CHRISTian. Jesus is teaching His disciples, and us, to not GIVE UP PRAYING! But to Keep GIVING OUT!

Text: Acts 22:1-21

1. RUNNING from JESUS! (Acts 22:3-5)

“I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.”

2. RUNNING to JESUS! (Acts 22:6-9)

“And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.”

3. RUNNING with JESUS!

“And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; 18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. 19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. 21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.”

Conclusion: After reading and hearing Paul’s testimony – RUNNING from Jesus, to JESUS and with JESUS, the question remains, where are we? Why not right now, purpose in your heart to RUN with JESUS?

Text: “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine” (John 21:12)

Introduction: Have you ever failed the Lord? Peter did. Probably you have….honestly, I have. But Jesus cares about us so much that He does not give up on us. Hallelujah! His desire is to RESTORE us back into a good relationship of trust and obedience to His Word and His will. Do you know that Jesus invites us to come and fellowship with Him? Not only should we learn the secret of worship but also partnership. Even when we fail, Jesus reaches out to every believer. This can be seen after Peter’s shameful denial. Yet, Peter is restored back into fellowship with Jesus. And he becomes a powerful preacher and a flaming witness on the day of Pentecost. Check out the steps of his restoration.

1. Never Say Never! (Luke 22:31-34)

“31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”

Like Peter, in our mind we say what we will not do, but in our flesh, we fall prey to the enemy, the devil!

**The lesson: Never say Never!

2. Back to the Flesh! (John 21:1-3)

“1After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.”

Often when we fail the Lord like in Peter’s case, we resort back to the things we are good at – the works of the flesh!

Keep in mind, Peter had not communicated with Jesus after his denial, but he went out and “wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:62)

3. Jesus calls out to us! (John 21:4-8)

“But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.”

Peter had been fishing all night long without a catch until Jesus told him how to catch a boat load of fish.

“And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” (Luke 5:2-6)

The same thing happens here after Jesus had been resurrected; He calls to His disciples.

3. Jesus cares for us! (John 21:9-13)

“As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.”

The word “dine” is ἀριστάω, (ar-is-tah’-o), which means to breakfast, to take a meal, dine. Jesus invites us.

4. Jesus corrects us! (John 21:15-17)

“15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Peter’s test of faith turned into a testimony of faith. Check out what Peter writes.

“6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1Pet 5:6-9)

Peter learned from his mistakes. Are we?

Conclusion: 
Jesus calls us, cares for us, and corrects us, all because He loves us!
Peter was restored.
Peter was rebuked.
Peter was reconciled.
Peter was reminded.

Instead of worrying about John, Jesus tells Peter something worthwhile that we need to remember.

“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:20-22)

Following Jesus and fulfilling His Will is life’s greatest goal!