SERMON NOTES

What If I Want John To Live Forever? | Questions Jesus Asked | Week 10
Pastor Dave Pretlove

John 21:22, 15-23

1. As followers of Jesus, we must avoid the comparison trap
2. As followers of Jesus, in the biggest ways, God’s plans for us are identical.
3. As followers of Jesus, in temporary, specific ways, God’s plans for us are all different – and this is good!

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. When you were a child did you ever compare yourself to another person?
2. Who did you most often compare yourself to?
3. What emotions come up when you think about ways you have compared yourself to another person?
4. Why do you think comparison can be harmful to your soul?
5. In what ways are God’s plans for all of us the same?
6. Like Jesus met Peter on a beach around a charcoal fire, where do you think Jesus would like to meet with you this week? If you think of a specific chair in your house, or spot on your daily walk, or a place across town, do your best to find time and meet Jesus there this week. Ask him what he wants to reveal and what he wants to heal in you.

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON

John 21:15-23

⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers^[a] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

RESOURCES

Content > Comparison by Jenny Allen  https://www.jennieallen.com/blog/content-gt-comparing-with-jamie-ivey

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TO TRY

Take time to think about some of your unique giftings, abilities, and passions that you possess.  How is God using all of these things in your unique calling?

Peter had a night of denial that kept him from continuing to walk out his unique calling. Is there a past experience that could be hindering you from following Jesus fully?

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Almost five years ago, I went through a really hard experience. It is something that I have sought a lot of counsel over and have received a ton of prayer for.  I knew that it still popped up from time to time in my mind, but I had pushed it down far enough that I didn’t think it was really impacting me anymore. It’s funny how we do that. We don’t really know what to do with the pain of an experience so we just sort of shove it into corners of our soul and tell ourselves lies that we are over it and that we are good. This is what I had been doing for several years.

Six months ago, I was at my parents’ church and this really precious ministry team was praying over Dusty and I.  One of the ladies had a Word for me.  She felt like God had shown her that I had this wound that I had never fully healed from and it was impacting me. She went on to say that God wanted to heal it and this healing was important before Dusty and I started this next season of ministry.  I knew immediately what she was talking about, and she was correct. The devil had used this situation to lie to me about some things I knew God was calling me to. The ministry team prayed over me, and I would love to tell you all that I had a miracle in my heart and it was just all better.  But that didn’t happen. This thing was still impacting some aspects of my life: Especially my mind.

This past Sunday at church, a dear friend and a woman that I consider a mentor in my life was praying over me. During the worship service, God gave her this same word for me. That I had some things He wanted to heal. She and Dusty prayed for me after service, and this woman said, “I feel like God is wanting you to ask Him to take this”  Through tears, I prayed out loud, “Father, please take this from me. I am asking your loving hand to come in and just remove this from my heart.”  Something happened in the moment.  I could feel something lift, and I know a miracle of hearts took place.

Our gracious and loving Father sees the hurts. He knows the things that have been plaguing our minds, robbing our sleep and keeping us from walking out things in our lives that only we have been called to do.  My prayer for you all is that you will take time to bring these to the Father this week.  Ask Him to work a miracle and remove them from your heart.  Ask Him to detach the hold on our life that these things have so that you can fully walk out the call that He has uniquely created you for. I know He can and I know He will.  I am cheering for you all! -Christie Braun