Easter: Comeback From Failure

EASTER 2022

1. THE FIRE OF FAILURE.

“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ‘You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?’ she asked Peter. He replied, ‘I am not.’”

John 18:15-17 (NIV)

“It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.”

John 18:18 (NIV)

“Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, ‘You aren’t one of His disciples too, are you?’ He denied it, saying, ‘I am not.’ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, ‘Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.”

John 18:25-27 (NIV)

The important question is: What will you do with your failure?

2. THE FIRE OF FORGIVENESS.

“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.”

John 21:7 (NIV)

“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’”

John 21:9-10 (NIV)

“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.’”

John 21:15 (NIV)

“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.’ 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.’”

John 21:16-17 (NIV)

• Jesus Christ came into this world to bring us back from failure.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

• Believe.

• Confess your sins.

• Repent.

• Be baptized.

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO:

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This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

• YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “What Difference Does Easter Make?” (5 days)

• Blog and podcast: “Why Does Easter Matter?”