Now what?

Acts 1:4-8 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

John 21: 10-14 “Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

John 21:15 “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.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Greek words for love:

• Eros (Not in Bible) – Erotic sensual love
• Storge – Family love
• Phileo – Brotherly love
• Agape – Fervent, sacrificial, unconditional love

The first time Jesus asks Peter, “Do you agape me?”

• Peter replied – You know I phileo you

John 21:16 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.”

John 21:17 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.

This (3^rd) time Jesus says:

• Peter, do you phileo me?
• Peter replies, yes I phileo you.

“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you”

Here is something important for us to realize is not there in this interaction. Jesus does not say:

• Peter, did you obey me?
• Peter, will you serve me?
• Peter, do you believe in me?

Instead, he said “Peter, do you love me”

How do we find purpose?

1. Love God

This is more than a feeling type love.

Like many situations in life:

• When you make the right choice.
• The right feelings follow.

• Be you

That means it is okay for:

• Me to be me.
• And you to be you.
• Let’s not become what God is not calling us to become

• Be “leadable”

1 Peter 5:1-4 “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”