"Jesus is the God of many chances. He seeks to restore the fallen back into fellowship immediately, and back into ministry ultimately."
"BREAKFAST ANYONE?" (21:1-15A)
"Backward moves spiritually never produce forward results."
7 lessons on restoration:
Lesson #1 - INITIATION: (15a) - Jesus moved first.
Value the person before you, more that the failure behind you.
"DO YOU LOVE ME?" (21:15B-17)
Lesson #2 - INVESTIGATION: (15-17) - Jesus asked questions to discover Peter's heart.
"Love leads in the restoration of relationship. It is the only proper motive for all future work for God."
"It doesn't take a super saint to do super ministry."
Lesson #3 - INSTRUCTION: (15-17) - Jesus reminds us that loving God & loving others is connected to moving forward.
"FOLLOW ME" (21:18-23)
Lesson #4 - INFORMATION: (18-19) - The next steps forward are simply & slow, be patient.
Lesson #5 - INTUITION: (18) - Faithfulness of a changed life will be tested.
Lesson #6 - INTERACTION: (20-23) - Stay focused on your relationship with God.
Lesson #7 - INVITATION - Those restored to God are recommissioned back into ministry for God rather quickly.
"Restoration happens immediately - that's the power of His blood.
Love is expressed immensely - that's the wonder of His heart.
Trust is built slowly - that's the wisdom of His Word."