Loving Discipline

John 21.1-22

One of the greatest expressions of Jesus' love in your life is His discipline. Heb 12:11 says, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Jesus is disciplining Peter by asking him repeatedly "do you love me?"

Notice 3 things about Jesus' discipline:

1. It is Personal
• Jesus said to Peter, "do YOU love me?"
• It's a pretty good question for you and me: do YOU love Jesus?
• Before you say "yes", let me remind you that love for Christ is expressed in obedience (c.f. 1 John 5:3, 2 John 6; John 14:15 and 1 John 2:3) and the level of your obedience to Christ is well known to those you know you well BECAUSE what you believe is how you behave!
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2. It is Painful
• Jesus' questions hurt Peter but they did not harm him. Just like the Great Physician He is, God will hurt you to help you but he will never harm you. How many of you have had surgery?
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3. It has Purpose
• Jesus' purpose in Peter's life was to get Peter's eyes of himself and others and onto to Jesus alone.
o Peter may have been wallowing in self pity b/c of the denial episode since he denied Christ 3 times and Christ asks him three times "do you love Me?". Self pity says, "it's all about me."
o Peter was probably worried about what the others thought because he asked, "what about him?" The heat of conviction makes us look for a way out by comparing ourselves to others.
o Jesus said to Peter, in effect, don't worry about yourself or others, YOU JUST FOLLOW ME!

And that statement is the main point of this "Visitation" and the main point of our message tonight; look with me again at verse 22.

So, how is that actually done? How do you "follow Jesus?"

Here are three practical takeaways from our text:

Settle the Issue v.15 Settle that issue by realigning your life to an unswerving, unchanging, undeniable, unapologetic Passion to KNOW CHRIST! (Phil 3:10)

Surrender the Future v. 19 Instead of praying for safety and security which are two things which seem to consume us; begin to pray like this, "Lord draw me closer to you---whatever it takes!"

Set Your Sights on the Savior Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame...Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted...

God's discipline in your life is an amazing expression of His love for you. Are you chafing against that discipline and complaining about that discipline or are you willing to willingly receive it that your heart may be forever changed.

Jesus says, "Do you love me more than these? If so, follow Me!"