A brief summary for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders of the Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson on John 21:15-23, "Do You Love Me?" until Sunday 28 May 2023.
(A video version of this overview is available on YouTube at:
INTRO: FACEBOOK POST QUOTE: "People don't always say, 'I love you.' Sometimes it's like, 'Stay safe. You ate? Call me when you get home. I made this for you.'"
I wanted to ask my group: ??? What do you think of this quote???
After listening to everyone's answers, ask: ??? Besides saying "I love you", what did someone say or do for you that showed they loved you???
(For example: when Cheryl and I were sick for about 10 days a few weeks ago, James Peterson, one of our deacons, showed up one morning and mowed and weeded the entire lawn for us. He never said "I love you " in that day - but it turned out!)
You/your group can share examples like this for a while.
So I want to say: In today's passage, Jesus asks Peter if he loves him - but then asks him to show it with his life! He also asks us to do the same! Let's see what Jesus had to say to Peter - and to us, here in John 21 this morning:
LINK
Last week we saw how Jesus appeared twice to his disciples in the room where they were gathered on the first day of the week, Sunday. Now, in John 21, he appears to them again when they are out fishing. The first part of the chapter tells how they caught nothing, but Jesus tells them to cast the net on the other side, and they did, and it was full of fish (153 fish, :11 says; this is just one of the details showing that this is true) Then Peter said, "It is the Lord!" and jumped into the water to swim to shore. The other disciples came in the boat in the traditional way and brought the fish. Jesus had already prepared a meal for them, says :9. (As you may recall, Luke 24 says that the resurrected Jesus also ate grilled fish, dispelling the myth that "Jesus was a vegetarian"!)
At 3:00 p.m. they finish breakfast, and Jesus begins to speak to Peter. This is where our main passage for this week begins as we conclude our final lesson in this study of the Book of John.
OUTLINE:
I. The test of love (:15-17)
II. The price for the following (:18-19)
III. The personal focus (:20-23)
I. The test of love (:15-17)
Verse 15 says that after they had finished breakfast, Jesus asked Peter:
"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
He said to him, "Yes, Lord; You know I love You."
He said to him, "Take care of my lambs."
This exchange is basically repeated three times with a few small "twists" in the original Greek language of the verses:
ONE is the use of the word "love".
- When Jesus first asked Peter: "Do you love me?" He used the word "agapao" (from "agape"). Interestingly, when Peter said "You know I love you", he did NOT respond with "agape" but with "Philo" (from phileo, "brotherly love").
— The second time he asked "agapas Me" (from "agape") and Peter again answered "Philo", from "Phileo".
So these first two were identical in language.
— BUT THE THIRD TIME THE LANGUAGE WAS DIFFERENT:
This time Jesus switched to Peter's language: "Phileis" (from phileo, brotherly love) You? And again Peter answered him, “You know that I love you (again, Philo, from “phileo”).
So the change in language here is dramatic.
Now, I know that SOME Greek scholars say that the different words for "love" in Greek are not as dramatically different as they sometimes appear to be; that "agape" and "phileo" can be used more interchangeably than we often realize. I understand it. BUT I also think that the way these words are used here CANNOT just be "coincidences": that Jesus starts with one word and Peter uses another word to answer (why would he do that? Why wouldn't he just answer with the same word that Jesus originally used?) And then Jesus finally used Peter's word "less"...to me this is too much to be meaningless. I believe that there must be meaning within meaning. Words matter. And those words, and the way they are used, matter. What this particular change in language MEANS is up to us to interpret. But to me it's too striking not to matter. It means something.
I think Peter is reluctant to use "agape", the highest word for love, when he knows he has denied Jesus three times! In real life, he did NOT lay down his life for Jesus; how can he say he loved him with agape love?!
But then Jesus actually confronts Peter by going ahead and using his "phileo" language: "Do you still love me?"
It is very powerful, very meaningful. It obviously meant something very powerful to PETER, because
: 17 says: “Peter was upset because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me (phileo)?
??? WHY do you think Peter was "sorry" when Jesus asked it a third time???
(—Because perhaps it seemed to him that Jesus did not believe him, that he kept on asking... as, "Why do you keep on asking; did you not believe me the first time?"
- Then again, it is likely that the meaning of being asked THREE times, since he DENIED Jesus three times, has deepened.
“Three times I refused him; now he asks three times if I love him.” Most likely all his denial came back to him.
??? If Jesus purposefully brought up denial, which many believe He was, WHY do you think He would do that???
(He made Peter see what he had done. He can't just "cover it up" as if it never happened. It happened and it was a big problem. It was a big sin. So he makes him face it. Jesus can forgive him He can forgive ANY sin if we bring it to Him. But He won't just "roll over" as if it didn't happen. He makes us recognize it and repent. It's , what he seems to be doing with Peter here : I know what you have done; are you willing to repent and give your life back to Me? And Peter did it to glory. He affirmed his love for Jesus three times and committed his life to follow him again unto death, what did he do...)
ANOTHER "twist" in language has to do with the commands Jesus gave Peter to tend his sheep. It is interesting that Jesus said it in a slightly different way each time:
- "Take care of my lambs" (literally "boske", from "bosko", "feed my lambs".)
- "Shepherd of my sheep" ("poimaine" literally "shepherd", we get our word "shepherd" from this. "ta probata" "sheep" MY)
- "Take care of my sheep" ("boske ta probata" "feed the sheep" MY)
So the language is different; although the basic message seems to be the same: "Feed, shepherd, feed" My "lambs, sheep, sheep")
The point that Jesus seems to be making is, don't just SAY you love me, SHOW IT!
And HOW does Jesus want him to show this? Feeding/shepherding his sheep!
There is a real application for us here!
Peter was really supposed to shepherd Jesus' sheep. He wanted to serve God's sheep through New Testament preaching, teaching and letter writing. He DEMONSTRATED that he loved Jesus by "feeding/shepherding" his sheep
Can WE do the same today? Absolutely!
- We can shepherd (literally "poimen" is "shepherd, shepherd" like Jesus said here.
—Here is an application for YOU as a Sunday school teacher: You "shepherd" your little "flock" and "feed" them with the word, just as Jesus said. You show your love for him by feeding his sheep! Talk about giving you a vision for ministry!
— And you can encourage others in your group to have this service; perhaps God is calling one or more in your group to teach adults, youth or children. Do not prevent it; encourage him! Call them to serve the Lord by feeding His sheep. Ask them to talk to you, your priest or the SS director if they are interested. But one of the best ministries you can have—and one of the best signs that you are successful in your discipleship in your class—is that God will raise up and multiply teachers and classes in your class. And this would be a good place in scripture to encourage those who are called to respond.
—Some may not become "Sunday School teachers" per se, but may act as group leaders in classroom care and contact missing or injured members; or serving as a deacon in the church, caring for widows or the homeless; or in other care functions available in your church.
– But whether or not they become "official" teachers or deacons, ALL members of your class can help "feed his sheep" by teaching their own children and grandchildren; to "care" for homebound and sick people in your church and community.
??? You can ask your group to contribute ideas: “What are some other ways we can 'feed/nurture/look after' Jesus' sheep/people???
So after we share some of these possibilities, I would say that in SOME form, Jesus wants us all to tend His SHEEP! If you love him, SHOW IT by tending his sheep. He has gifted us in various ways to do this, and there are many ways to do this that we have just discussed - but each of us needs to do this in some way, with the specific gifts He has given you. Jesus wants you to show your love for him by loving the people he loves. "Feed/tend his sheep."
II. The price for the following (:18-19)
But serving Jesus as he asked Peter (and the United States) is not free. Jesus now tells Peter something about what it would cost him to follow him. He said, "When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will bind you and lead you where you do not want to go."
This is a picture of being "handcuffed", basically, and taken away to suffer and die. What would really happen. History tells us that Peter was actually arrested and eventually crucified for his faith when he was older and serving as a priest in Rome.
So: 19 says, "Now he said, meaning by what kind of death he (Peter) would honor God."
So being in prison is a cost to serve Jesus. Possibly being euthanized is a cost to serve him. This is what Jesus said would happen to Peter.
??? Can you think of other things that it might cost us to serve/serve for Jesus?
(This costs us time; maybe it costs us to do something we don't "feel like" doing; it may cost us the good opinion of others; it may cost us money while giving/helping others; there are also costs involved with a heart that cares for others When you really care about people, you have a constant burden for them, you are hurt by them, sometimes you are let down and let down by others, it takes a toll, it can cost your health.
There are ALL KINDS of costs that can be associated with following Jesus and serving His sheep. You and your group can think of many. But I just want to emphasize: We must be aware that there may be costs - we must go into that with open eyes - but we must also be willing to PAY those costs in order to follow Jesus. It costs, but it is worth it, and we must be willing to do it.
III. The personal focus (:20-23)
To me, this last paragraph is a classic exchange. After Jesus tells Peter what he will suffer, :20 says Peter turns and sees "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John) and asks in :21, "Lord, what about THIS man?" He is like that, so I will have to suffer and die, and HIM?
We see it all the time in children. You tell a kid something hard you want them to do, and they say, "Well, what's JOEY going to do?"
That's basically what Peter was saying here: So I get arrested and die? is that john What should he do?
And Jesus' answer in :22 is SO instructive for us: “If I want him to stay until I come, what's wrong with you? Follow me!"
It's such a good word for us. Don't compare yourself to others. Don't compare God's plan for YOU with what He has for someone else. Don't worry about what he gives them, or does with them, or anything else. Everything may not seem "fair" to you - but that doesn't matter. God is the potter and we are the clay. He has the right to do with any of us exactly what He wants. God has different plans for His different people and they are not all the same and are not always "just". We see many examples of this:
— why does one of his servants have perfect health and another suffers from poor health all his life?
- why does one of his servants die peacefully in his sleep while another dies in agony?
— why do some of his servants live very prosperous lives while others live in poverty?
- why do some of his servants seem to be more blessed in ministry while others have a lesser or less popular ministry or always seem to struggle with their ministries?
It is so easy—and so in our nature—to "look over our shoulder" at other servants of the Lord and say, "But Lord, what about THIS man? AND THAT woman? What about THEIR service? Why should THEY not suffer? What will you make them do?"
But Jesus' answer is very instructive: “If I want him to stay until I
come on, what's that to you? Follow me."
In other words, don't worry about what I make someone else do or NOT do; YOU just take care of what I ask YOU to do. Everything is not always going to look "same" or "fair" to us - but we must remember that we are not God. We cannot know why God has one plan for one person and another plan for another. Often they are surprisingly different.
Take, for example, John himself, to whom Peter referred. James, brother of John, was the first Christian martyr, killed by the sword of Herod. But his brother, John, apparently lived to be 90 years old, leading many to believe, as this scripture says, that he would not die until the Lord returned. Why was one brother killed young and the other lived almost 100 years? We can't know that!
As Romans 9:20 says, the clay cannot say to the potter, "Why have you made me like this?" We are not God; we do not have His wisdom or perspective—and we do not know what various rewards He has for us all in glory. We just have to trust him. Just as Jesus said here, "What is that to you; FOLLOW ME!"
This is such a good word for many of God's people. Whether they say it or not, some of your group members may be thinking, why do I have a hard time while others don't? Why don't I have what others have? And them? Just remind them of Jesus' words here: what are they to you? "Follow me." You are not responsible for what others do. You are accountable to God. YOU just follow him! Serve him to the best of your ability and do what he has asked of you. And as today's passage shows, He asks us not just to SAY that we love Him, but to SHOW it by our service to His people. Don't worry about what others are doing. YOU just follow Him - and you will get your own reward with Him. You just have to follow him!
You can use the lyrics to the hymn to end or at another point in the lesson:
“I love you, I love you, I love you, my Lord.
I love you my Savior, I love you my God.
I love you, I love you and you know it.
But how much I love you, my ACTIONS will show”!
Let us show Him through our actions that we truly love Him and feed His sheep as He gives and directs us to do.
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FAQs
What is the meaning of John 21 in the Bible? ›
This passage shows us that even though we are sinners, Jesus continually showers his mercy on us, gives us innumerable second chances to show our love for him and never gives up on us. In fact he has a plan in his kingdom for us. In this instance Jesus is addressing Peter only, both in greeting and instruction.
What is the meaning of John 21 15 17? ›There is no life where there is no love. He can look over our want of knowledge and our want of faith but He must have love. Wherever there is true grace there will be a consciousness of love towards the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, the grand test of that love is our usefulness for Christ and obedience to His commands.
What is the message of John 21 1 14? ›God fills us when we are empty, when we are hungry, when we are in need. The empty tomb experience of the disciples points to us that we become witnesses of the Risen One because God filled us with His Spirit of Joy, Peace and Love.
What do we learn about Peter in John 21? ›John 21:18–25. Summarize John 21:18–21 by explaining that Jesus prophesied that when Peter became old he would “stretch forth [his] hands” (verse 18) and be carried where he did not want to go. It is traditionally believed that Peter died by crucifixion.
What is the meaning of John 21 23? ›After Jesus' resurrection, a group of disciples goes fishing while they wait in Galilee. From a distance, a figure appears and tells the men to cast again. Despite a fruitless night, they obey, and the net is immediately overflowing with fish. This confirms that the man on the shore is Jesus.
What is the significance of John 21 15? ›The Lord Jesus shows us that love is a personal choice and a gift freely given – it is the giving of oneself to another person for their sake. Unselfish love is oriented wholly to the good of the other person for their own welfare and benefit.
What can we learn from John 15? ›“We can lay down our lives for those we love not by physically dying for them but rather by living for them—giving of our time; always being present in their lives; serving them; being courteous, affectionate, and showing true love for those of our family and to all men—as the Savior taught” (“Don't Leave for Tomorrow ...
What does it mean for God to make his face shine upon you? ›This blessing is an appeal to God to look favorably upon His people and to grant His presence, blessing, guidance, and grace. The word "shine" (Hebrew "or") means, "to shed light" or "illuminate." God's light shines on us with His love, mercy, grace and salvation. God's face is a metaphor for his loving presence.
What does it mean to have a clean heart before God? ›It means having an undivided loyalty to God - loving Him above all else. This kind of love comes from a clean heart that has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we have this kind of love for God, it will overflow into every area of our lives - including our relationships with others.
What lesson do we learn from John 21 1 19? ›Loving, believing and being faithful to Him can help ourselves in desperate and difficult times which will allow us to rejoice in His Name and feel His love towards us. But His love is everlasting and enough for each of us so we are called to help people those in need.
What lesson do we learn from John 21 20 25? ›
In the things that we do, we may not always get the outcome that we expect because He laid out plans made for each one of us. Having trust in Him enables us to be strong-willed towards the circumstances that we encounter – may it be good or bad.
What is the meaning of John 21 13? ›The simple act of sharing a meal, especially in the ancient world, represents friendship and trust. Jesus told His disciples to wait for Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:9–10).
What is Jesus saying to Peter in John 21? ›When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
What does John 21 1 17 mean? ›This means that our failures do not destroy us. Rather, we will hear Jesus ask if we love him. If we love him, then we keep going in our love for him and continue serving and obeying him. This is the grace in which we stand.
Why did Jesus love John the most? ›1) The name John denotes God's grace and gift.
It implies that John had indeed been a blessing from God. Specifically, he had been a heaven-sent comfort for Jesus during His years of being with men. Like Jonathan to David, he had been a good friend to Him.
that that disciple should not die;
And such a notion not only was among the ancients; but Beza, in his notes on this text, tells us of a strolling wicked fellow, that gave out that he was the Apostle John; and was encouraged by some, particularly Postellus, a Sorbonic doctor, but was afterwards burnt at Tholouse.
John 17:11b, 21–23 has generally been interpreted as a prayer of Jesus for unity within the disciple group and therefore, for church unity, be it confessional or structural.
What is the meaning of John 20 verse 23? ›Simply put, that says that Heaven affirms the response to our preaching about Jesus. Those who respond favorably and trust Jesus will have their sins forgiven for all eternity.
What did Jesus mean when he asked do you love me more than these? ›While they were fishing, Jesus appeared to them. Following their breakfast, Jesus very appropriately asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than (you love) these things (your fishing nets and equipment)?”—that is, “Are you going back to your former trade or will you continue to follow me?”
Who is the disciple in John 21 21? ›21 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
What does it mean Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead? ›
The second coming is when Jesus returns to judge all mankind – the living and the dead. The living includes all who will be alive when he returns. The dead includes everyone else, all who have lived and died physically. Jesus said that everyone who has died will be raised from the dead and be judged (John 5:26-29).
What is the main message of John Chapter 15? ›If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered: Jesus warned His disciples that failing to abide means that life fails. A branch only has life as it is connected to the stock of the vine; a disciple only spiritually lives as they are connected to the Master.
What is the meaning behind John 15? ›Jesus is in the middle of a long discourse given to the disciples, which began during the last supper. He presents the analogy of a vine and branches, then repeats His command for believers to love each other. Jesus also warns about how the unbelieving world will hate and persecute Christians.
What does Jesus compare himself to in John 15? ›“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Early in our marriage, my wife and I planted a garden.
What does God see when he looks at us? ›Through the death and miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life, God sees Jesus when he sees you. There are many reasons to praise God, both found in scripture and out of our personal experience with Him.
How does God see our beauty? ›1 Peter 3:3-4. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.”
How can a believer shine? ›- Examine Your Heart. It cannot be light and dark in the same place. ...
- Be Authentic. According to the article “10 Ways to Shine Bright for Christ” on ibelieve.com, authenticity is a way to shine for Christ. ...
- Encourage Others. ...
- Read the Word. ...
- Further Reading.
- Get a New Heart. We are not pure people by nature. ...
- Love What God Loves. Indeed, this is the heart of the matter: having a heart that fears and loves God and wants to do the things that bring Him glory. ...
- Control Yourself. Self-control helps your progress toward purity. ...
- Be Accountable.
- Start with Prayer and Ask God for a Softer Heart.
- A Relationship with God Softens Your Heart.
- Understand Why Your Heart has Hardened.
- See the Harm of Hardening Your Heart.
- Ask for Forgiveness for a Hardened Heart.
Have mercy on me O Lord, according to your steadfast love. I know my sin… it is ever before me. Wash me, blot out my transgressions, cleanse me and create in me a clean heart. It is a psalm fit for a king and a king-sized sin, but it has been on the hearts and lips of believers like you and me ever since.
What is the prayer on John 21? ›
I confess to you, dear Father, that there are some things I hold on to too tightly and don't offer to you for your work as freely as I should. Help me to surrender all that I have and all that I am to you so that you can use me to do your work in the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
What is the childrens message on John 21? ›Even the best Christians mess up, but Jesus is ready to forgive (and use them in His Service). This children's message from John 21:1-19 teaches those lessons from Peter's reinstatement.
What is the lesson from John 14 21? ›It is to remember that in everything we do, we must do this for the love of God. Let us never forget we are loved with an everlasting love, filled with God's spirit, thus we must return this love by obeying God and serving the poor.
What does John 21 24 25 say? ›For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
What is the significance of John 20 and 21? ›John chapters 20 and 21 record John's account of the Savior's post-Resurrection ministry. John recorded the discovery of the empty tomb and the Savior's appearance to Mary Magdalene and later that day to ten of the Apostles.
What can we learn from John 20 19 23? ›Before they could express any remorse, he simply said to them, 'Peace be with you'. It is an expression of unconditional love. We are called on to show the same unmerited forgiveness in our own lives. Only when we believe ourselves to be forgiven, can we do the same to others.
What does it mean to love one another in the Bible? ›The Bible uses the phrase “one another” often, and it says a lot about caring for each other and living in community. Relationships benefit when we follow God's teachings for how we should treat the “one anothers” that God has placed within our lives.
What it means to worship the Lord in spirit and truth? ›23)? To say that we must worship God “in spirit” means, among other things, that it must originate from within, from the heart; it must be sincere, motivated by our love for God and gratitude for all he is and has done. Worship cannot be mechanical or formalistic.
When did Jesus say love one another? ›The commandment was prefaced in John 13:34 by Jesus telling his remaining disciples, as little children, that he will be with them for only a short time, then will leave them. In the commandment Jesus told the disciples: "Love one another; as I have loved you".
How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he loves him in John 21 15 19? ›Jesus asked Peter "Do you love me?" three time as recorded in the gospel of John 21:15-17.
Who is the one Jesus loved? ›
On December 27, we celebrate the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist – the “disciple Jesus loved” (John 13:23). As the author of a Gospel account, three epistles, and the book of Revelation, John was not only a close friend of Jesus during his time, but a spiritual teacher for the ages.
Who was Jesus talking about in John 21 20? ›'” And then finally in 21:20, the disciple whom Jesus loved is seen following Peter and Jesus. So, you have this repeated close relationship between the disciple whom Jesus loved and Peter. And we know that Peter, James, and John had a very close relationship with each other and with Jesus.
What is the main point of John 21? ›This passage shows us that even though we are sinners, Jesus continually showers his mercy on us, gives us innumerable second chances to show our love for him and never gives up on us. In fact he has a plan in his kingdom for us. In this instance Jesus is addressing Peter only, both in greeting and instruction.
What does John 21 15 17 mean? ›There is no life where there is no love. He can look over our want of knowledge and our want of faith but He must have love. Wherever there is true grace there will be a consciousness of love towards the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, the grand test of that love is our usefulness for Christ and obedience to His commands.
What is the meaning of John 21 16? ›It is the task of the church to feed and nurture believers. There are both immature and mature believers. The church must feed both. We can love people without loving the Lord, but we can hardly love the Lord without loving His people.
What was Jesus's wife's name? ›Jesus Christ, Wife Mary Magdalene Had 2 Kids, New Book Claims - ABC News.
What was Jesus most important message? ›When asked which commandment was the most important, Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
Why is the book of John about love? ›In John's Gospel, Jesus's only command for his disciples is to love one another (15:12), and he assures the reader that God loves those who keep his commandments (14:21, 23). John points to Jesus's death as an example of the type of love that Jesus expects his disciples to have (cf. 3:16; 15:13).
What does it mean a man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth? ›The nature of the fruit is described in the subsequent scripture that says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”( Proverbs 18:21) Death and life are both the fruits of your mouth. It means that what you confess will either kill or give life.
What does John 21 verse 21 mean? ›From a distance, a figure appears and tells the men to cast again. Despite a fruitless night, they obey, and the net is immediately overflowing with fish. This confirms that the man on the shore is Jesus. As the disciples eat a meal with Christ, He presses Peter to reaffirm His faith.
What does it mean that the church is sent to make disciples of all nations? ›
In Christianity, the Great Commission is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread the gospel to all the nations of the world.
What is the power of tongue? ›Words are powerful and we must remember that “the tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21, emphasis added). James is saying whoever teaches the word of God will be held to a higher standard of judgement.
What did God say about eating the fruit? ›'” The woman answered, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.
What does eat the fruit of your words mean? ›The Scripture says, “We will eat the fruit of our words.” That means we're going to get exactly what we've been saying. Here is the key: you've got to send your words out in the direction you want your life to go. You cannot talk defeat and expect to have victory. You can't talk lack and expect to have abundance.
How do you keep your heart clean for God? ›To have a clean heart in this life means to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, to allow Him to inhabit your heart. He can give you a new heart that feels love and compassion for others, and you will want to do good deeds and to live for God and for other people and not just for yourself.
How do Christians keep their heart pure? ›You need a heart change, and this is God's work through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Essential purity is possible only by admitting your rebellion against God's will and seeking forgiveness by faith in Christ.
How to guard your heart spiritually? ›- Know Your Identity. First, we have to accept our identity in Christ. ...
- Know The Power Your Have Been Given. Second, we have to accept the authority God has given us. ...
- Pursue True Identity. ...
- Get Honest. ...
- Seek Accountability.
1) The name John denotes God's grace and gift.
It implies that John had indeed been a blessing from God. Specifically, he had been a heaven-sent comfort for Jesus during His years of being with men. Like Jonathan to David, he had been a good friend to Him.
Chapter Summary
This confirms that the man on the shore is Jesus. As the disciples eat a meal with Christ, He presses Peter to reaffirm His faith.
John 21:24 states that the Gospel of John is based on the written testimony of this disciple. Since the end of the first century, the beloved disciple has been commonly identified with John the Evangelist.
Is baptism necessary for salvation? ›
Baptism is said to be “for the remission of sins” and to “wash your sins away” (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Unless one is prepared to say that one is saved without their sins being forgiven, then they must admit that baptism is a condition of salvation.
Why did Jesus choose disciples in his ministry? ›In the morning, He chose and ordained 12 men to be His Apostles. They would be with Him during His ministry and see the wonderful things He would do. They would be able to bear witness to others that He is the Son of God and our Savior. Jesus gave them priesthood authority to preach the gospel and heal the sick.
What is Holy Spirit? ›The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Lord and Giver of Life in the Nicene creed. He is the Creator Spirit, present before the creation of the universe and through his power everything was made in Jesus Christ, by God the Father.