The Commission of the Risen Saviour                                   John 21:1-25                                    (Continued)

2. THE ONLY TRUE MOTIVE FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE – LOVE (John 21:15-25) (Continued)
1. The Example of Peter (John 21:15-19) (Continued)
2. Our love for Christ: The Bible states in no uncertain terms that if God is our Father, then we will love Christ (John 8:42). Therefore, a lack of love for Christ is a proof of a lost condition. This truth is backed up by Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:22 where he states, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” That is, let him be accursed. Your love for Christ, therefore, is a very serious thing. We should love Him:
1. Responsively (1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
2. Believingly (1 Peter 1:7-8)
3. Sincerely (Ephesians 6:24; 2 Corinthians 8:8; 2 Corinthians 6:6)
4. Supremely (Matthew 10:37; Colossians 1:18)
5. Obediently (John 14:15, 21-24)
6. Humbly (John 21:15-17)
1. Peter had bragged about his devotion and had failed (Matthew 26:33-35, 73-75).
2. Peter is now grieved that Christ asks him three times about his love.
7. Faithfully (John 21:15-17); three requests of Christ and three commands to feed His sheep point to the importance of faithfulness in our love for Christ.
3. His death prophesied (John 21:18-19)
1. His time of death (John 21:18)
1. In youth
1. You clothed yourself.
2. You went where you wanted to go.
2. In old age
1. He will stretch forth his hands.
2. Another will clothe him.
3. He will be carried where he would not go.
4. Note: this indicates that Peter will get to old age. Some have taught that this explained his ease of mind (“sleeping”) when he was imprisoned by Herod (Acts 12:6). He was not yet old, and therefore had nothing to worry about.
2. His mode of death (John 21:19; 2 Peter 1:13-14)
1. The description of John 21:18 indicated “by what death” he should die.
1. According to tradition, it was by crucifixion – though upside down at his own request.
2. Crucifixion would agree with the phrase, “shalt stretch forth thy hands.”
2. His death would be one that glorified God.
3. But the present instructions are still the simple, Follow me.
1. The call of the sheep (John 10:3-4, 27)
2. The call of the student-disciple (Luke 5:27; John 1:43)
3. The call of the servant (John 12:26)
4. The call of the soul-winner (Matthew 4:19)
5. The call of the sold-out (Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23)
2. The Example of John (John 21:20-25)
1. His responsibility to the Lord (John 21:20-23)
1. Peter’s unrestrained curiosity (John 21:20-21)
1. Peter looked at John (John 21:20).
1. The disciple whom Jesus loved
2. The disciple who leaned on His breast
3. The disciple who asked who the betrayer was
4. He was following Jesus.
2. Peter asked what John would do (John 21:21).
3. Note: Peter had the same problem of keeping his eyes on Jesus when he sunk in the waves of the storm when he walked on the water (Matthew 14:29-31).
2. Christ’s stern rebuke (John 21:22; compare Romans 14:12)
1. John might tarry till the return of Christ.
2. But what is that to Peter?
3. That is, mind your own business.
3. John’s death revealed (John 21:23)
1. The rumor: that John would not die
2. The fact: Christ was telling Peter that He would do with John as He pleased.
1. John did die, but not until he saw the coming of Christ (Revelation 19:11-16).
2. The typology of Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24)
2. His testimony of the Lord (John 21:24-25)
1. The faithful witness of John (John 21:24)
1. John identifies himself as the unnamed disciple.
2. John is the human author of this book.
3. The testimony of the Apostle John is true (1 John 1:1-3).
2. The limited witness of John (John 21:25; John 20:30)
1. The many other works of Jesus
2. The books of the world not able to contain them.