You are valuable to God. Nothing can separate you from God’s forgiving, healing love. No matter your sins, Jesus loves you back to wholeness. Do you love him? This message helps you evaluate your relationship with Jesus. Your actions are the evidence of your love for Jesus.

We all know the pain of discouragement that comes from things outside our control, as well as discouragement that comes by our own foolish choices. The story of the resurrection shows that there is no disappointment that the resurrected Jesus cannot overcome. Peter is given the chance to restore relationship with his savior with one simple question, “Do you love me?”. Jesus asks us the same question as well. Resurrection hope comes from knowing that Jesus is faithful even when we aren’t.

Easter is the reminder that because Jesus is alive, we have hope. This four-part Easter series is about the hope we have in Christ. It will be encouraging and will help you overcome life’s greatest challenges. The resurrection of Jesus Christ instills hope in the face of life’s trials. Easter is a reminder that you live day in and day out with power that can overcome any challenge. In our darkest days, it gives us light. In overwhelming discouragement, it gives us faith. In the midst of devastating loss, it gives us joy. In times of divisiveness, it gives us something that unifies us. The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and that gives us hope!

Jesus is faithful even when we’re not. Jesus has an undying, selfless love for you.

Are you seeking God with all your heart?

The message of the Gospel is a message of resurrection hope. It is a message of God’s forgiveness, grace, mercy, and God’s love for you and for all who will believe.

Can you imagine how Peter must have felt the day Jesus was arrested and taken away? Peter must have felt devastated knowing that his friend was accused unjustly, treated harshly and then later battered, crucified and died. Peter was certainly disappointed that Judas turned Jesus over to the religious leaders and Roman guards. Judas had turned his back on Jesus for a few pieces of silver. But what Peter was most sad about, was that he had denied knowing or being associated with Jesus. Especially in that Jesus had told Peter that Peter would deny him three times. Peter firmly told Jesus he would never deny knowing Jesus. But when the time came, Peter denied knowing Jesus.

We all know pain, discouragement and sorrow that comes by our own foolish choices as well as painful discouragement and sorrow from situations outside of our control. However, the pain on knowing you did wrong and that your actions hurt those you love can be devastating emotionally, mentally and relationally. It can be hard to forgive yourself. Know this truth: never forget Jesus loves you and he forgives you as you seek him with all your heart.

The story of the resurrection reveals resurrection hope. The story of the resurrection reveals the love of Christ for you. The story of the resurrection illustrates there is no disappointment or situation you can find yourselves in that the risen Jesus cannot overcome, heal, and forgive.

How will you respond knowing of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and his undying, selfless love towards you?

Peter is given the chance to restore and live in right relationship with Jesus the Lord and Savior. It came by way of a simple question: Peter, do you love me? Jesus asks Peter that question three times. Peter do you really love me?

This is the question every person must answer from their heart. Resurrection hope comes alive when you understand that Jesus is alive, and that Jesus is faithful even when we are not. Jesus will love us back to wholeness if we will accept his love and respond with all our heart. So, allow me to ask: do you love him? He loves you and is calling your name at this very moment.

Understand, there is no disappointment or discouraging act that can separate you from the love of God. He loves you. Know beyond a doubt that you are valuable to God, and he loves you with an everlasting love. He will forgive you of your most foolish sins when you seek him with all your heart.

Time and again Israel turned its back on God. Time and again God told the people of God through the prophets that if they would return to him, if they would turn from worshiping false gods, he would bless them. He would bring them back from bondage and they would be blessed. But when times were good, the people of God forgot about God and spiritually drifted away. Like Peter, they denied God and went their own way.

Consider the ways you might have neglected to love or honor God. Confess those sins to God and believe that with Jesus’s help you can love him more and more each day.

Last Sunday was Easter. It is the celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Easter is where resurrection hope begins. We learned last week that Mary’s hopelessness was broken and turned to joy because Jesus rose from the dead and it is the resurrection hope that fuels her love, joy and faith in the savior. Mary’s encounter with the risen savior changed her hopelessness to hopefulness from the moment she recognized Jesus. Mary’s resurrection hope became a deep trust in Jesus and it assured Mary that even the worst situation in life will not be forever.

Just ask Peter. After Jesus was arrested, Peter denied he was a disciple twice, then denied being with Jesus (see John 18:15-17, 18:25-27). Peter quickly realized he denied knowing Jesus three times. It is exactly what Jesus said would happen. The pain in that moment, within Peter’s heart, must have been tremendous. Pain, brokenness, denial of a relationship, and broken trust, can be one of the greatest challenges in a relationship and in life. Actions such as what Peter did will stay with him for a long time and it can destroy any chance of peace or of relationship being restored. Except, of course, when it involves Jesus.

When the love of God is shown to a person who feels undeserving and unworthy because of their actions, the love of Jesus can heal that feeling of depression and unworthiness.

After three years of ministry and having a close relationship with Jesus, Peter denies knowing Jesus. At the time Peter was only thinking of himself; however, Peter must have felt awful once he realized he had turned his back on Jesus. Next, we find the risen Jesus seeks Peter out so that Peter would experience the love and forgiveness of God that comes from resurrection hope of the empty tomb.

Your Life Can Be a Confirmation or A Denial of Your Connection with Jesus

Three years earlier Peter and some others left their nets and professions to follow Jesus. Now with Jesus gone the men return to their nets and boats. Jesus had once told them that they would be fishers of men. But now Jesus is dead. So, they have returned to what they knew best, the sea and to fish from the boats they once fished from. Jesus was gone, dead. Their hope shattered, so the men decide to go back to what they knew. Fishing. They fished all night, but the nets were empty.

‘“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing’ (John 21:1-3, NIV).

How much worse can it get? Their hope in Jesus the Messiah, gone. No longer were they to be fishers of men and now they cannot even catch a single fish. Their spirits crushed; hopelessness must have captured their hearts.

‘Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread’ (John 21:4-9).

The men must have felt horrible in the morning. Hopeless in spirit. Hopeless in heart. Empty nets, empty hearts, and an empty, lonely future. And all the men had to show for fishing all night were the empty nets. Peter would have felt miserable. In the still quietness of the night sea air, Peter’s thoughts were most likely on the three times he denied Jesus. How could he have done such a thing after Jesus had warned him about it? Peter had no way to seek or ask forgiveness from Jesus. No ability to say he was sorry. No chance to atone for his denial of ever knowing Jesus. Jesus was dead. But wait. Jesus is standing on the shoreline. No one realized it was Jesus when he called out to them.

The wonderful truth in this story, much like in the case of Mary, is that Jesus is the one who starts the conversation. Jesus is the one who established the connection in renewing hope, forgiveness and love. Peter responds with the excitement of a little boy who cannot contain his excitement and rushed to Jesus’ side.

Once the men realize it is Jesus, Jesus instructs them to put the nets out on the other side of the boat. To the everyday fisherman that would sound crazy. If there are no fish on one side the other side will be the same. Besides they had already tried everything they knew to do. Yet realizing it is Jesus, they cast their nets out and the nets suddenly become full of fish.

Friends, it is amazing and you will be blessed when you follow the leading of Jesus. Your faith and hope will be restored.

Grace Restores Hope

Peter was filled with a hope that his relationship with Jesus could be restored. So, Peter dashed to be near Jesus.

There are some people who feel that they may have made too many mistakes. They have done too many wrongs or caused too much pain and forgiveness. Renewed relationship, renewed love is not possible.

They would be wrong! Forgiveness, grace, mercy, renewed relationship and the love of God is possible. Nothing is impossible in Jesus’ name.

Some have lost hope that God could ever love them. They feel they need to get clean up spiritually to ask God for forgiveness. They may think they need to change before God will love them. Not so. It is while we were still sinners, Christ died and rose from the grave. Jesus’ death and resurrection makes it possible for sinners to receive the grace, mercy and the forgiveness of God for whosoever will believe. God says “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Peter arrives at the shore and a fire is burning. Jesus has some fish cooking over some coals. Just think for a moment. Jesus welcomes Peter, the man who had denied him three times just days earlier. Peter who rejected knowing Jesus. Peter, who acted so badly and refused to acknowledge knowing Jesus, is now asked by Jesus, “Do you love me?”

‘When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”’ (John 21:15-19).

The disciples join Jesus on the shore for a meal. It is here that Jesus begins a conversation with Peter with a simple question of “Do you love me”?

Twice Jesus uses the Greek word, agape. This Greek word has the meaning of being selfless, sacrificial. It is a love that gives without expecting anything in return. Agape love is the type of love Jesus had for Peter, his disciples and all mankind. Sacrificial, selfless love.

However, twice Peter responds to Jesus using the Greek word phileo. This Greek word holds the meaning of brotherly love. An affection or love much like a brother would have for another brother. Peter could not bring himself to use the word agape, sacrificial love.

The third time Jesus asks Peter regarding loving him, Jesus now used the Greek word phileo. In other words, Jesus is asking Peter do you love me as a brother? Peter is hurt and is a bit frustrated with Jesus for asking him for a third time about whether Peter loved him.

This time Peter responds with “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” The Greek word for “know” in this passage is ginoskeis and has the meaning of absolute, full knowledge. Peter is acknowledging that Jesus knew full well that Peter loved Jesus. I believe Jesus was attempting to get Peter to realize that the relationship between Peter and Jesus was firm and solid from Jesus’ perspective.

Jesus’ love and care for Peter had not changed. He loved Peter, but Peter needed to see by his own words, actions and experience for himself that their relationship was sure, and strong. In denying Jesus three times, Jesus wanted Peter to say that he loved Jesus the same number of times out of Peter’s own mouth.

Your Love for Jesus Is Proven by You Living Your Life Sold Out for Jesus

Peter answered honestly Jesus’ question regarding loving Jesus every time. Jesus sacrificially loves Peter (agape love) and yet Jesus accepts Peter’s brotherly love (phileo love).

Jesus accepts us at whatever stage of love we find ourselves in.

Each time Peter answers Jesus’ question regarding love, Peter uses brotherly love. Each time Jesus calls on Peter to prove his love for him by asking Peter to feed my sheep, Jesus is giving Peter a practical way of proving his love for him. A way Peter might recognize as proof of his love for Jesus. You see, Jesus already knew Peter loved him. Now, Peter needed to know. We find that Peter’s love for Jesus is seen by his actions recorded in the book of Acts. Peter ends his life doing the work of the kingdom, and Peter’s life and death will glorify God.

Like Peter, we each need to answer the question Jesus asked Peter. Do you love me? Your actions show your love for Jesus: how you live each day, how you love others, how you share your faith with others, how you respond to Jesus in your heart.

Jesus accepts you where you are. Jesus knows absolutely the type of love you have for him. I believe your love for Jesus can grow deeper over time. It can grow from a casual knowledge to a social love, to a brotherly love and can become a selfless and sacrificial love as you remain faithful and follow Jesus with all your heart.

Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart and repent of any sin that is uncovered in your heart. Allow the grace, peace, and love of God to fill your heart and let the agape love of Christ be seen in you and by others as you live your life sold out for Jesus. Allow the agape love of Christ to melt away any pain, hurt, fear and unworthiness you may be feeling that has kept you is spiritual bondage.

Allow the resurrection hope you have in Jesus to flourish in the love you have for Jesus and others.

Suggested Praise and Worship

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