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JOHN 21:1-17

"LOVEST THOU ME?

Intro: Last week we mentioned that when the Father came into His garden the fruit He was
       seeking is love, here we see a classic example. 1st the setting.

I. "LOVEST THOU ME, MORE THAN THESE?"
        A. What were the these?
                1. Perhaps the 153 great fish in the net.
                        a. Represented the epitome of success in his chosen profession.
                        b. Represented security.
                        c. Represented "the good life."
                2. Perhaps the other six disciples sitting there.
                        a. The last recorded personal conversation between Jesus and Peter,
                           Jesus had foretold Peter's denial. "All shall be offended... Peter
                           answered, "tho all may be offended, I will never be."
                        b. Jesus was the first heart surgeon, He is reconditioning in order to
                           recommission.
                3. Word lovest is greek word "agape."
                        a. You who have attended Calvary for any length of time knows what it
                           means.
                                1. A deep, divine, fervent total love.
                                2. Phileo -a comradeship.
                                3. Stuturo -a family love.
                                4. Eros -a romantic love.
                4. God is not satisfied with anything less than "agape."
                        a. "Thou shalt love (agape. the Lord..."
                        b. This love is demonstrated by actions.
                                1. "He that hath My commandments."
                                2. "Beloved let us not love in word."
                                3. Here is where Peter was caught.
                                        1. Jesus had called him from these nets once before.
                                        2. He had followed Jesus for 3 exciting years.
                                        3. He saw the glory of God.
                                        4. He experienced the power of God.
                                        5. He could never forget Him, he would always love
                                           Him, "but, I'm going fishing . . ."

II. YOU KNOW I LOVE (PHILEO) YOU.
        A. Credit Peter as having learned an important lesson, keep your foot out of your
                mouth.
                1. He had been guilty of many emotional outbursts for which he was
                        rebuked.
                2. Now at this highly emotional moment, his answer is guarded.
        B. Peter is given a second opportunity as Jesus again asked , "lovest (agape. thou
                Me?"
                1. Again Peter's guarded reply.
        C. The third time Jesus used Peter's word, "Iovest (phiIeo) thou Me?"
                1. Now Peter was grieved when Jesus said (Phi leo).
                        a. Grieved with his own failure.
                        b. Grieved with his weakness.
                        c. Grieved at his inability to use word Agape.

Ill. FEED MY LAMBS -- TEND MY--SHEEP - FEED MY SHEEP.
        A. "My" lambs, "My" sheep.
                1. Jesus claims you as His own.
                        a. You are His lambs, His sheep, His flock.
        B. "Feed."
                1. With the Word of God. 
                2. With the freshness of green pastures.
        C. "Tend" or shepherd My sheep.
                1. Watch over.
                2. Love.
                3. Care for.
        Do you love Me? Take care of My interest.