INTRODUCTION: Last week we talked about Mary the Mother of Jesus and the purpose she was uniquely designed for. She had a WOW moment that led to a TRUST moment that led to a YES moment.
Today we’re going to look at a man named Peter in the Bible and talk about his PATH TO PURPOSE.
Luke 5:1-11– “One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.”
Peter had a WOW moment! He then had a TRUST and YES moment with Jesus!
But on his PATH TO PURPOSE Peter had to feel like he was going in circles! .
Fast forward to John 21. After following Jesus for 3 years and all of his mistakes. Denying Jesus 3 times and then witnessing his death on the cross and then his resurrection and now Jesus is talking about going away.
Remember Peter had left everything. Now in John 21 he’s like “I’m going fishing!”
John 21:3-4– “Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.”
I wonder if Peter was like, “I’m right back where I started! I’m just going in circles!”
HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOU’RE JUST GOING IN CIRCLES?
IT SEEMS YOU’RE RIGHT BACK WHERE YOU STARTED?
You know it’s like you’re bowling with no bowling pins! I can only Kumbaya with you for so long.
We’re called to live life on purpose! If you’re going bowling there needs to be some bowling pins at the end of the lane!
You’ve had your moment with Jesus! Wow moment! Trust moment! Yes moment!
Now it seems you’re just going in circles!
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER ON YOUR PATH TO PURPOSE.
- What God started in you He will finish!
Philippians 1:6– “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
When Jesus stepped into Peter’s boat at the beginning of his ministry he had the end in mind for Peter with no thoughts of quitting on Peter!
When Peter went fishing in John 21 Jesus showed up where he was at!
What God has started in you friend he has full intentions of finishing it!
JESUS KNEW PETER WAS GOING TO DENY HIM! YET HE CALLED HIM!
On your path to purpose God has not given up on you!
- Without God you can do nothing!
On your PATH TO PURPOSE you can do nothing without the POWER and PRESENCE of Jesus Christ.
Peter and the others fish all night and catch nothing. Jesus shows up, speaks a word, they obey him and catch approximately 300 pounds of fish in the net!
This has a symbolic spiritual reality that without being connected to Jesus Christ in a life-giving relationship WE CAN DO NOTHING!
John 15:5– “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Your gifts and talents will only take you so far my friend. You will be like clouds with do rain. A bank account with no money. A house without a home!
A BOAT WITH NO FISH!
But connect those gifts and talents to Jesus and you will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God! LASTING FRUIT FOR HIS KINGDOM!
On your PATH TO PURPOSE remember that what God started in you he will finish and without God you can do nothing!
- Your Purpose is Personal.
After they catch this net full of fish, 153 total, Peter swims to shore and finds Jesus there with a fire going and fish cooking on the fire.
The rest of the disciples arrive at the shore with the net full of fish and Jesus enjoys a meal with them.
After Jesus enjoys a meal with his friends, He turned his attention to Peter!
On your path to purpose, Jesus is turning his attention to YOU! It’s personal friend!
John 21:15-17– “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”
“Do you love me more…..?”
It’s a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!
This tender exchange between Jesus and Peter is restoring Peter to leadership!
BUT THERE’S A FLIP SIDE TO THIS COIN
John 21:18-22– ““I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
WHAT WAS JESUS SAYING HERE?
“What I choose to do with other people is none of your business; YOU FOLLOW ME!”
He allowed no comparison with how God leads others or what he gives them while we feel we may have endured great sacrifice.
What is the attitude regarding God’s will for your life? As long as you’re focused on others you’re not focused on your purpose!
On your path to purpose it has to become personal! But that also means that what does with others is personal for them and none of my business.
- Your purpose will cost you.
Only Jesus could tell someone that following Him would lead to death and then immediately say “FOLLOW ME!”
The main thing is that each Christian should follow Christ in whatever manner he or she is called.
HERE’S AN OBSTACLE SOME OF US MIGHT HAVE
Because we have been so blessed, we are convinced that if we are inconvenienced in any way, it’s clearly the manufactures fault!
In general we have convinced ourselves that rights and not responsibilities
should determine our relationship with God and with others.
This attitude stands in stark contrast to what the New Testament of the Bible teaches.
In essence Jesus was telling Peter if you’re going to follow me you don’t have rights but responsibilities!
Jesus informed Peter that he must surrender whatever rights he had to complete obedience and submission to His Lordship!
Matthew 16:24– “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”
On your PATH TO PURPOSE remember what God started He will finish and that without Him you can do nothing. Also remember that your purpose, it’s personal and it will cost you personally.
- The motivation of your purpose is love.
The centerpiece of your purpose is LOVE! Your love for God and your love for people!
“Peter do you love me? Then feed my sheep!”
Matthew 22:37-39– “Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
When love is the motivation of my purpose it reminds me that my purpose is not about me!
Mark 8:35- “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”
CONCLUSION: There’s no safer place to be than right in the middle of God’s purpose for your life.
Without Him you can do nothing! He is the source of a truly fulfilling life! A life of significance!
A life lived for Jesus will never end in regret. He loves you and yes his plan for you is the best thing you’ll ever experience on this earth.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you in this message?