Jesus reinstates Peter

A Failed Disciple and a Gift of Grace

This sermon is based on John 21:15-19. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Usually, when we say that a person is an individual after our own heart, it is because we have seen similarities to things that we enjoy. A man who loves coffee is a man after my own heart. A woman who loves movies is a woman after my own heart. Anyone who loves big dogs is a person after my own heart. But is Jesus a man after my own heart? Or more to the point: Is he a man after your own heart? In all honesty, I am not so sure that Jesus and I have that much in common. Don’t get me wrong, I really, really like Jesus and I am so thankful for all that he has done for me; but if hard pressed, I am

The Other Doubter

After the resurrection when Jesus reinstates Peter, we encounter the way in which Peter doubts (John 21:15-19), which is different from that of Thomas. Peter doubts that he is worthy of being forgiven because he had denied Jesus. Seeing Jesus' grace and mercy toward Peter encourages our faith in powerful ways. Let's take a quiz. Pick one. Doubt is (a) the worst sin imaginable, (b) a terrible weakness that derails people's faith, (c) a great benefit and encouragement to our faith, or (d) an essential and necessary part of our faith. Here's my advice: if you want to start an argument in a church, ask a question like that. If I had to guess, most of us would argue that doubt is a bad thing, a really bad thing. Want some proof? Would any of us want our kids to have serious doubts about their faith? I didn't think so.