Feed My Sheep

Use these materials to go deeper into this message on your own, or with your small group. 
Passage Breakdowns, SOAPS Format & Instructions (Weeks 1-12)
Passage Breakdowns, SOAPS Format & Instructions (Weeks 13-26)
Passage Breakdowns, SOAPS Format & Instructions (Weeks 27-34)

If you’d like to follow along with us using the Gospel of John Scripture Journal, you’re welcome to purchase a copy here

8:40 Service | 10:00 Service | 11:20 Service | Sermon Audio

Good morning Chapel family. Today is a bittersweet moment for me, because after eight months and 34 sermons, we are finishing our study of the Gospel of John. Back in January, we started with the words In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The second person of the Trinity, God the Son—who has always existed—took on flesh and entered our world in the person of Jesus. And over the last eight months, we have seen Jesus perform miraculous signs like turning water into wine and raising Lazarus from the dead; we’ve seen him make bold claims, like, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” We’ve seen him misunderstood and finally arrested and killed on a cross. And we’ve seen him rise again on the third day, and appear to his disciples with holes in his hands and a gash in his side. It’s been quite a ride.

So now, he’s just about to leave his disciples and ascend into heaven. And he’s giving them their final instructions—really a two-part commission of what it will mean to continue his work after he’s gone. The first part of that commission, we looked at last week: Jesus was sending them to be fishers of people—to keep casting their nets, inviting people to follow Jesus as their king. This past Wednesday on the Pequannock Facebook page, a woman posted a Thank You to someone whose name I won’t mention, because he’s from our church. This woman had been driving on 287; she hit a pothole and blew out a tire. This guy from The Chapel drove by and saw her; he pulled over and changed her tire for her. So in this Facebook post she thanks him for changing her tire, and then she says, “And thank you for the prayer session afterwards!” The last I looked, it had about 175 likes and 26 comments. When I saw the post I reached out to this Chapel guy; I said, “Nice work on the tire change. Don’t let the celebrity status go to your head.” And he texted me back, “Just trying to cast my net.” Isn’t that awesome? That’s exactly what Jesus calls us to do—as a church, and as individuals, acting and speaking in the name of Christ to help bring people to him.

Today, we’re going to see the second part of our commission. Remember: Peter and six other disciples are sitting around a campfire on the beach with Jesus; here’s what happens next. John 21, verses 15 through 25. Let’s hear God’s Word…
15 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!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. This is the Word of the Lord.
So let me be crystal clear: if the first part of our commission is to be fishers, the second part is to be shepherds. Not just to draw new people into God’s family, but once they’re here, to treat them the way a shepherd treats his sheep. So Jesus tells Peter, “To continue my mission, you need to not only fish for the lost; you need to shepherd the found. Nurture them. Care for them. Feed them with the Word of God. Love them the way a shepherd loves his sheep.” And he says the same thing to us—not just pastors and elders; we are all called to be shepherds. Just like we’re all called to be fishers. There are people that God has put in your life for you to care for and nurture like a shepherd cares for sheep. To do that well, there are some things you need to know.

First, let’s talk about The highest love of a shepherd. As Peter sits by this campfire, it has to remind him of the last time he was near a campfire. Do you remember what happened just a few weeks earlier? He was in the courtyard of the high priest while Jesus was being interrogated. Three times that night, he was asked if he was one of Jesus’ followers—once while he was entering the courtyard, and then twice as he stood by the fire. And three times, he was so afraid that he denied even knowing Jesus. And after that third denial, Peter was so seized by remorse that he went out and wept bitterly. He had failed Jesus, and he was deeply ashamed.

And now here he is, standing by a fire again. I can’t help but think he’s wondering where he stands with Jesus. Can Jesus ever trust him again? Will Jesus ever use him again? And then Jesus speaks: Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Why would Jesus ask that? Well, because Peter had claimed to love Jesus more than anyone! Remember? “Even if everybody else falls away, I’ll never desert you, Lord! You can count on me!” And now Jesus gently challenges him: “Do you really love me more than these?”

Before Jesus charges him to do anything—before he calls him to any kind of ministry—he focuses first on Peter’s heart. Do you love me? Notice, he doesn’t say, “Peter, do you love my sheep? Then take care of them.” He says, “Do you love me.” Because the highest priority in life is not what we do for God; it’s our love for God. When Jesus was asked, “What’s the greatest commandment?” he said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” Because Jesus knows that we will never be able to shepherd people well until our heart is captivated by the Chief Shepherd.

You know why this is so important? Because sometimes sheep aren’t that loveable. Can I get an amen? Sometimes the people God calls us to lead aren’t that loveable. They can be selfish and stubborn and prideful and just annoying. So if your commitment to them depends on how much you love them, you could be in trouble. You could quit. “Pastor Dave, I know I signed up to lead this small group, or teach these high school kids, or lead this class of first graders, but they’re driving me insane, and I don’t think I can do this anymore.” Sometimes the people God calls us to lead aren’t that loveable. Which is why we need to be driven by a higher love.

Mother Teresa said that every time she looked into the face of a sick or dying person she was caring for, she saw the face of Christ. Because she loved him, she cared for his sheep. So…nurture your love for Jesus. Don’t be so busy serving him that you never enjoy him. Walk with him—literally; talk with him; practice his presence wherever you are. The highest love of a shepherd is not the people we lead; it’s the love we have for Jesus.

Second, you need to know The deep humility of a shepherd. How many times had Peter denied Jesus? Three times. How many times did Jesus give Peter this charge of feeding his sheep? Three times. And the message is so clear: Peter is being restored. Jesus is erasing the shame of Peter’s past, and he’s replacing it with the privilege of service.

Peter is a humbled man. He used to be kind of overconfident, right? Brash; big talker. He’s not like that anymore. He realizes how fickle his heart can be and how desperately he needs the grace of Jesus. Do you realize that about yourself? It usually takes some failure and some struggle to get there.

If you travel to Israel today, and you go to the Sea of Galilee, you’ll see something that’s not on the itinerary of most tourists. It’s a statue that was commissioned by Franciscan monks centuries ago. They claim it’s the place where this scene in John 21 happened, and it’s an image of Jesus restoring Peter and commissioning him to lead. Take a minute to meditate on that scene. Some of you need to hear the voice of Jesus, restoring and commissioning you. Because you’ve messed up. Just like Peter. Something you did, or didn’t do. Something you said, or didn’t say. You failed in ministry or in marriage or in parenthood. You said you’d never have another drink again and then you had another one. And you feel ashamed, and you wonder if Jesus has given up on you. Put yourself in that scene. And hear the voice of Jesus: “Take care of my lambs. Feed my sheep. Not because you’re perfect, but because you’re forgiven and loved and empowered by my Spirit. Feed my sheep.” Don’t let the failure of your past stop you from what God is calling you to today.

Third, we need to know The sacrificial life of a shepherd. Right after Jesus gives Peter that threefold charge to feed his sheep, listen to what he says next—verse 18: 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.” And then John explains—verse 19: 19a Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. That prediction—Peter stretching out his hands and being led somewhere he doesn’t want to go—is a clear description of crucifixion. Shortly after the writing of the New Testament, there is early Christian history that says Peter was indeed martyred; some accounts say he was crucified upside down, because refused to die the same kind of death as his Lord.

So think about that: Peter goes from being overjoyed that Jesus has fully forgiven him and wants to use him, to hearing Jesus say, “By the way, you’re going to wind up getting nailed to a cross, just like me.” Peter took those words to heart. About 30 years later, in 2 Peter 1:13, he wrote: 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. Peter knew his service of Jesus would cost him his life. And he was okay with that.

A life of shepherding is a life of sacrifice. If you choose to give yourself to caring for people and leading people and discipling people, it will cost you. A lot of good things will happen too—a lot of beautiful things. Today we’re seeing some of the joyful fruit of shepherding in the baptism of 13 people or more. But shepherding isn’t just celebration and joy. It’ll cost you time and convenience and your agenda. Sometimes the people you shepherd will disappoint you and turn on you and break your heart.

So why would you do it? Because you love Jesus. And serving him is worth the sacrifice.
Lastly, we need to know The personal call of a shepherd. After Jesus predicts Peter’s eventual crucifixion, he starts walking from the campfire and he says to Peter, “Follow me.” Peter gets up and starts following Jesus; then he looks behind him and he notices John is following, too. And he says, “Lord, what about him?” In other words, “You just warned me of all the sacrifice and pain I’m going to face—what about John? Same deal for him?” And Jesus says “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

What was the first thing Jesus ever said to Peter, when he saw him with his fishing partners? “Follow me.” What’s the last thing Jesus says to Peter? “Follow me.” Because the responsibility of every person is to simply follow Jesus. Walk the path he calls you to. And that path is going to look different for you than it does for anyone else. When I was in my third year of college, it became so clear to me: I would never be satisfied unless I was serving God in full-time ministry. The thought of any other life made me feel bored and restless. It just snapped into focus: Jesus was calling me to follow him into full-time ministry. But that might not be how he’s calling you. So I might see you with much more free time on Sundays. I might see you having season tickets to the Jets, and leaving at 10am to go to MetLife and tailgate before the game. And I might say, “Lord, what about him?” You know what Jesus says to me? “What’s that to you? Follow me.” So I’ll spend all morning at church, and pray that it rains on your tailgate.

Listen: never compare your call to someone else’s call. Never look over your shoulder to check how well someone else is following Jesus. Your only responsibility is to follow Jesus where he’s leading you. He has given you a unique set of gifts and experiences and passions. His call on your life is unique. Fix your eyes on him, and follow.

The very last verse in John’s Gospel says this: Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. In other words, what we just walked through over the past eight months is not an exhaustive account of every single thing Jesus ever did. Not even close! But it’s what we need to know. John—under the guidance of the Holy Spirit—selected the things that we need to know, for a very specific purpose, which he laid out in the previous chapter. So one last time, here’s the purpose of everything we’ve studied in the last 34 sermons—John 20, verse 30 and 31: 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The most important decision you can make in your life is to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Do you need to make that decision today?