Jesus saves his best for last. He saves his best. He saves some of the most important things for his believing disciples in John 21. Verses 1 and 2 of this epic epilogue stresses the historical veracity of Christianity's most important miracle. If Christ has not risen from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15, 17, If we do not worship and serve a crucified and risen Savior, then our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins. In John 21, attest further that Christ is risen from the dead. There's a second timeless lesson found in verse 3 of chapter 21. Jesus wants his disciples to understand this. And if you're a believer, that includes you and what he wants us to remember. He wants us to understand and to flesh out the implications of this. The futility of our efforts apart from Christ. These professional fishermen went fishing, and they caught nothing. Why? Well, because of God, who is sovereign over everything, including the fish. But more importantly, why? Because Jesus is reminding us of the futility of our efforts apart from Christ. The converse of that point is equally true and equally important, and that is this, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. By way of reminder, verses 4 through 14 of John's epic epilogue illustrates how our compassionate God meets all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ. God knows and God cares. And in Christ, think about your life and how He provides for every need. And so the experience afresh, the miraculous catch 2.0. Again, the abundant provision of God, His lavish grace poured out on imperfect men like these disciples and like we believers today. Our compassionate God meets all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ. Well, before Jesus reinstates Peter before he is restored to ministry. We are reminded, fourthly, that the supreme requirement for Christian service is sincere love for Jesus. If you are to distill what the Lord wants most from us, it is this, that we love Him. And that point is stressed and repeated three times in verse 15, 16, and 17. The supreme requirement for Christian living is a genuine love and devotion to Christ. Jesus, in this final chapter of Scripture's signature gospel, there's a fifth lesson illustrated in Peter's restoration, wherein the God of second chances extends grace upon grace to the penitent and brokenhearted. If you fail Him, you need to remember this. When you're tempted to despair and wallow in regret over past sins, or perhaps even sins that are more recent, remember this, that the God of second chances extends grace upon grace to the penitent and brokenhearted. Unlock that glorious lesson last week in verses 15 through 17 of John 21. We concluded last Sunday's message with this reminder. Do not allow past failures to stifle present obedience. Satan is many things, many terrible things that he does equally well. But one of his designations is this, and oh how our conscience knows it to be true. He is the accuser of the brethren. He loves to point out our sin. He is not doing this seeking and hoping to lead us to repentance and restoration. If we put too much emphasis on Satan, and an overemphasis on sin, without remembering who God and Christ are, beloved, we will get tripped up. We will be slowed down. We will not move forward in the strength and grace of the Lord. The fifth timeless lesson illustrated in the restoration of Peter and the other disciples is one that I pray we will mark in our minds. In a sense, we are called to the four R's of Christian living. Repent, rinse, run, repeat. If any man says he has no sin, he's a liar. The truth is not in him. But when we're honest about ourselves, and when we confess our sin, 1 John 1.9 says, you can rest assured that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity. Friends, our Lord and Savior is full of grace and truth. Jesus said, Neither do I condemn you." To the penitent sinner, Jesus says, neither do I condemn you, broken-hearted believer. But He also says this, go and sin no more. So let's pick up then where we left off last Sunday. And I want you to notice this morning what Jesus has to say to his disciples in verses 18 and 19. Some of Jesus' best and most practical pastoral instruction is saved for last. And there's a sixth timeless lesson for us to draw as we continue our exposition of John's Gospel. Let's read together verses 18 and 19. Jesus goes on to say this, Truly, truly, truly, truly, I say to you, speaking now to Peter, who has been restored, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you and bring you where you do not wish to go." Now, some of you may be thinking that Jesus is predicting that Peter will end his life in a nursing home. Someone else will bring you where you do not wish to go. What is he talking about? Having just restored Peter, manifesting grace upon grace, having underscored that the supreme requirement for all Christian disciples is sincere love for Christ, he then predicts how Peter will end his life. Verse 19. In case you missed what it is that Jesus is prophesying, the human author John tells us the point that Jesus was making. Verse 19. Now this Jesus said, signifying by what kind of death? he would glorify God. And when he had spoken this, isn't this interesting? This is how you're going to end your life. This is how you're going to go out. When he had spoken this, Jesus said to him, follow me. The prophet greater than Moses once again flashes his divine omniscience. He tells Peter how the story, how his story will end. And what we have here in Verses 18 and 19, John wants us to know, spoiler alert, penitent Peter, who was presumptuous and proud, who promised Jesus that even if everyone else failed him, never me. Even after Jesus told him, Peter, Your self-confidence and the strength that you think you have inherently in and of yourself is flawed. What you think is a strength is actually a weakness. Even after Jesus said, no, that's not what's going to happen. The exact opposite is going to happen. You will deny me not once, not twice, but three times. And Peter didn't believe him until it happened, exactly as he said it would happen. And because Peter is a sincere believer, his faith is genuine though not perfect. He responds after his sin and failure with brokenness, with confession. He doesn't believe himself to be worthy. And then Jesus, as we've said, before restoring him by his amazing grace, the God of second chances, sort of puts his finger into that deep wound It's not coincidental. And John wants us to know that Jesus asked not once, not twice, but three times, are you sure? Are you sure that you truly love me? That's the one thing, the most important thing for Peter going forward. That's the most important thing for us going forward. in life and in ministry. And then here, after restoring Peter, which would have brought joy, which would have brought such happiness, when Jesus restores him, you may think that the prediction of his future death would have worked against that what Jesus has just accomplished. He expresses tough love and amazing grace. And then in verse 18, he says, you're going to die a martyr's death. But friends, I want you to realize this is not bad news. This is great news. You say, I'm not so sure that if Peter is going to be one of the primary leaders of the new church of Christ going forward, that the church will make it. Because he's such a common man. A flawed disciple. With many warts and wrinkles. He has not arrived. There is so much sanctification that still needs to happen. And yet here, Jesus says, Peter, you will end well. You don't have to read the book of Acts to find out whether or not Peter learned The timeless lessons that Jesus wanted him to learn. Verse 19 says, Peter, you will go on to live and die for Christ. You will not rust out, you will burn out. You will be faithful. After Satan sifted you like wheat, I will restore you. and your faith will be strengthened, so much so that you will die for me." Peter, like Paul, by the grace of God, lived his life with one overarching mantra, and that is Philippians 1.21. Let's simplify the Christian life and ministry for a moment. It's a short verse. It was Paul's life verse. It ought to be ours as well. He said this, For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain. This prophecy was primarily meant to encourage a downtrodden disciple. Peter, your imperfect yet sincere love for me will culminate in the most glorious manner. Jesus says, this is how it's going to end. You are going to be given another opportunity in the moment of truth. And this will be the grand finale of your life and ministry. You will be given the choice between compromise and live, or faithfulness and death. Sometimes Islamic jihadists and Islamic nations believing that they're fulfilling the will of Allah give an option to individuals that are conquered through the sword to save their life, to renounce Christ, and to embrace Mohammed. We think of, in present day times, Those individuals in orange jumpsuits lined up on a beach shore. Compromise and live. Faithfulness to Christ, death. Peter does not love Jesus perfectly. And none of us do. But He does love him sincerely. Greater love has no man than this, Jesus taught us in John 15. Then one lays down his life for his friends. Look at verse 18 and 19 You say boy when I think about martyrdom I I don't Typically Think about it With a smile on my face This sort of seems to me to be anti-climatic. You said this is John's epic epilogue. When disciples of Christ trust and obey. When we suffer for righteousness sake. When we love Christ, More than life itself, verse 19 tells us, God is supremely glorified. And if you're a believer, that is the primary passion of your heart. That is your chief desire. More than anything in this world, you seek to live for God's glory. Verse 19, John explains, now this Jesus said, signifying by what kind of death, notice those four glorious words, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. It's not simply about how we started, how we're currently doing. And as you get older, you think about this more, don't you? Am I going to go out strong? Am I going to finish well? Jesus said this to Peter signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. This passage highlights a sixth timeless lesson. A sixth timeless lesson. Jesus saves the best and some of the most important pastoral instruction for his disciples for last. Here we learn this, following Christ closely and personal suffering are often tethered together. Oh, I'm all passionate about Jesus. I go to a conference and sing all these songs about how much I love Jesus. Do you really love me? Do you love me more than these? Lord, you know I do. Following Christ closely and suffering are often tethered together. The same is true of gospel progress and religious persecution. Oh, I want to be part of a strong and healthy and vibrant church that goes against the flow of this world. that stands up when everybody bows down. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Well, what happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they refused to bow the knee to the idols of this world? They were thrown in the fiery furnace. Following Christ closely. Oh, I want to follow Jesus closely. That is the prayer that I pray every single week. And that is one of the primary things that I petition the Lord for when praying for my believing family members, and when I think about other believers who are struggling with cancer, and that are in a hostile work environment, that are trying to be faithful in public schools, who've gone off to the universities, Just remember this, beloved, following Christ closely and suffering are often tethered together. It's important that we understand this. And sometimes there's truths that are difficult for us to hear, but that doesn't mean that they're not important for us to know. 2 Timothy 3.12, it's all over the Bible. All who desire to live godly. Do you desire to live godly? Second Timothy 3.12, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall be what? Shall be persecuted. Look with me at Luke chapter 9. What Jesus is emphasizing here in calling Peter and all of us who believe to continue to follow Jesus, come what may, He is emphasizing, listen, the cost of discipleship. Many Christians in the contemporary church in the West are sold a bill of goods. They are deceived and lied to by people claiming to be under shepherds of Christ. Ignoring this dominant and essential truth, this timeless lesson, the cost of discipleship. This was a message that Jesus repeated over and over and over Look at Luke chapter 9. And let me give you a few questions that I would encourage you to ask yourself when studying the Bible, especially any of the four Gospels. Here is the question of the hour. Is Jesus worth living for? Is Jesus worth dying for? Have I considered the cost of following Jesus? That is the command to Peter. This is about discipleship. It's not about a past profession of faith. The proof of faith, one of the evidences of genuine faith, is not perfection, but it is progress and continuance. And so Jesus was honest. It's not going to be a bed of roses. Following with me, there is a price to be paid. And the more closely you follow, often the more greatly you will suffer. But this brings glory to God. And this is what we want more than anything in the world. And we understand the infinite value of Jesus. And because we truly believe and are firmly convinced that He truly is the Son of God, the Christ, by the grace of God we willingly continue. Is Jesus worth living for? And if necessary, dying for? And you say, well, he's not calling me currently to martyrdom. And by the way, Christian martyrdom and Islamic martyrdom is as different as Mohammed is from Jesus. Islamic martyrdom is driven by hate. It typically involves blowing up innocent people in the name of God in order to, quote-unquote, ensure a place in paradise with 72 virgins. The martyrdom to which Christ calls some is that of self-sacrifice in love, and the supreme love that drives us to obey and to trust God. is sincere love for Jesus. He is worth it. He is worth it. Luke 9, 18. Listen to Jesus. We need to rediscover the gospel according to Jesus. We need to make sure that we're preaching the biblical gospel. that we're not leaving out truths in fear that someone might not respond the way that we understandably so desire that they respond. We want them to come. We want them to believe. We want them to follow. Luke 9.18, and it happened that Jesus was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them saying, who did the crowd say that I am? The most important question. Who do you say that Jesus is? What do you believe about Jesus? And they answered, some said John the Baptist, others say Elijah, but others that one of the prophets of old has risen again. Jesus said, forget what everybody else thinks, forget what everybody else says, who do you say that I am? Peter answered and said, the Christ of God. Interesting, in this context, verse 21, Jesus warned them, directed them not to tell this to anyone, saying, And then notice what follows. Verse 23. Luke 9, Jesus was saying to them all, if anyone wishes to come after me, what does it mean to be a Christian? Well, it means to be a genuine believer. It means to be a follower, a disciple. A believer is a disciple. The disciple is a believer. If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily. and follow me. You must be willing to give up anything, and even any relationship if necessary, as you trust and obey the one you call Lord. And why should we do this? What difference does it make? Great questions. Verse 24, the gospel paradox. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, money, fortune, fame, popularity, whatever it is, the world's plenty? What does it profit a man if he gains everything and loses or forfeits himself? Suffice it to say, easy believism is not the gospel according to Jesus. Grace is free. Amen and amen. But as Diedrich Bonhoeffer taught, grace is free, but it isn't cheap. Jesus loves his disciples so much that he speaks He only ever spoke truth to them and us. He did not mislead us. Oh, it'll be okay. And by okay, if you mean by okay, that again, you give your life to Christ, you repent and follow Him, that all of your friends are going to throw a party for you and say, isn't this wonderful? And then they're going to renounce their favorite sins and join you. And then your unbelieving family is going to throw another party for you and say, isn't this wonderful? Like a baptism service when God's people do rejoice and celebrate this wonderful miracle of salvation. Jesus said it typically doesn't happen like that. He was in the upper room before his crucifixion. And so he's wanting to instruct his disciples and encourage his disciples in the most important things. And so on one hand, he promises to them and offers to them and us help and hope. But that's juxtaposed in that same upper room discourse, his farewell address. Hope and help is juxtaposed with hatred and persecution. Listen, just think about it for a moment. If the unbelieving world rejected me and hates me, you who bear my name and preach my truth, how do you think most of them are going to treat you? But don't worry. And don't be afraid, because I am going to send you help in the ministry, the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit. And I will give to you the complete Scriptures. I will give to you the New Testament to encourage you and to help you. And I promise to be with you every step of the way. But Jesus was honest, and so many pastors are dishonest, and they seem to be the ones that have the largest churches, because they give the masses what they want. Jesus said his final word in the upper room, after Judas left the room. He said, John 16.33, in this world you will have tribulation, but take courage, for I have overcome the world." We don't typically think of joy when we think of suffering and persecution. And that's why we come to church, to be reminded about what the Bible says, so that we can think God's thoughts as we strive to trust and obey God's Son. earlier in his Sermon on the Mount. Listen to what Jesus said. Hatred, persecution, those who follow Christ closely should expect to experience some measure of personal suffering, religious persecution. But turn that frown upside down. Because Jesus said this, blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Because of me, they will say this about you. They will do this to you. Rejoice and be glad. Jesus, if this wasn't Jesus, we would probably say, you know, that's a human preacher. They're sincere but flawed, and that's true. But this is Jesus. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great. This is our loving Lord forewarning we disciples of Satan's diabolical playbook. This is what Satan is going to do to try to discourage you to loosen your grip on Christ. Friends, can we not all admit that few things hurt more than slanderous attacks on one's Christian character? This is what one preacher said, listen, when the martyrs died, which is the ultimate sacrifice of which Christ does not call everyone to, but he does call us to follow Christ closely and to expect when we do, that we will experience suffering as Jesus did. In our context today, Faithfulness to Christ and scripture may look and sound like this. When I see somebody standing up for Christ and the gospel and truth in society today, I hear things like this. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you. You hate monger, you Islamophobic, you Christian nationalist, you transphobic, homophobic, narrow-minded bigot, You don't know Jesus. Jesus accepts everybody as they are, welcomes their sin, allows them to have it and heaven. Go back to the hole you came out of. Friends, as America becomes increasingly secular and sensual, and as Marxist LGBTQ progressivism infiltrates every avenue of society and culture as it is, faithful Christians will increasingly be targeted as enemies of the state. The new America has no place for people like you, for churches like ours. Now, why is Jesus telling us this? The same reason why you tell your kids, hey, when you go off to college, you know, there's going to be some temptations and some challenges. You're trying to prepare them. That's what a loving, wise shepherd does, so that we're not shocked out of our socks. I didn't think it would be like this. I had no idea. Friends, if we know and believe the New Testament, Lesson 6 shouldn't surprise us and it shouldn't scare us. This is a consistent message of the Bible. You can write down and just listen, Acts 14.22. Acts 14.22, for through many trials and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. But Christ promises this, if you follow me, if you continue to trust and obey, I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. Other Christians, when it gets a little bit hot and the temperature rises, may fall back. Jesus will be in front, beside, around, and within. Boy, it's difficult. But we're dealing with the real world. It doesn't do you any good for me to present an idealistic fantasy of life, and then you go out Mondays to Saturday and say what the preacher talked about is nothing I mean, he must hide himself off in his office in such a way, he has no idea what it's like to faithfully follow Jesus, because he surrounds himself with Christians so much. Look with me at 2 Timothy 2 for a moment. The apostles understood the importance of the truth that Jesus underscores here in John 21. And here in 2 Timothy 2, in this inspired letter, Paul strengthens and emboldens a young pastor named Timothy, who is tempted to be timid. And he reminded Timothy and the church in 2 Timothy 1-7 that God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline. For such a time as this, God has you in this world, surrounded by the people He has surrounded you with. 2 Timothy 2, you therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." I had the privilege of going to one of the most faithful-to-Scripture-in-Christ seminaries in the world. And that is a privilege that carries immense responsibility. the things which you've heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, it is your job, pastor, to entrust these to faithful men who will then help you teach others also. Suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." No soldier, verse 4, in active service, entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. And also, if anyone competes as an athlete, He is not crowned until he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Understand what I say, for the Lord will give you insight in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, for which I endure hardship even to chains as a criminal, but the word of God has not been chained. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." We have timeless instruction given to church leaders for such a time as this. But Christ also has a word to ordinary churches like ours as well, turn with me to Revelation 2. Following Christ closely and personal suffering are often tethered together. Nevertheless, Jesus says, follow me. We're asking ourselves the question, is Jesus worth living for? and if called to dying for, and the answer unequivocally is yes and amen. Here we have in Revelation 2 and 3, seven letters written to seven literal churches that represent the kind of churches and the kind of churchgoers that exist at every age of church history. This is the last living apostle, John. Around the time he wrote the Gospel of John, he also wrote three epistles and the book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible. And he is writing specifically to the churches in Asia Minor who were experiencing, listen, they were experiencing increased persecution. And I want you to notice what the Lord of the church, what Jesus has to say to the persecuted poor church of infinite worth. We have a word for church leaders, we have a word for churches as well. Revelation 2 verse 8, to the angel or the messenger of the church in Smyrna write, this is the first and the last who was dead and has come to life. This is a word from Jesus, the Lord of the church. And this is what he says, I love this. I know your tribulation and your poverty. In modern vernacular, this is Jesus' way of saying, I see you in sports, players, athletes, they do something well. They love the recognition that the coach saw. Or the fans appreciate. I see you, and Jesus says, I see you, I see your tribulation and your poverty. But you are rich. You are persecuted financially, generally with increased persecution comes increased poverty, but spiritually you are the Elon Musk, the salt and light on the earth, the persecuted poor church of infinite worth. Is Jesus worth living and dying for? I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich, verse nine, and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. There are many churches in America today that are actually synagogues of Satan. Sometimes they advertise it on their signs outside the doors of their building. Now notice what he says. What is Jesus' word? Hey, things are, the tide is changing in America. It's not the world our grandparents grew up in. It's not the world our parents grew up in. This is hard to talk about. But it's important that we emphasize what Jesus emphasizes, because He is infinitely wise, gracious, and good. Friend, do not fear what you are about to suffer. Don't be afraid. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for 10 days. Be faithful even until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. We're reading someone else's mail because it's applicable to us as well. He who has ears, he who understands what the Spirit of God says to the churches, the Holy Spirit has preserved this word for us today. He who overcomes will never be hurt by the second death. Don't fear him who can kill mere body, Jesus said. No, I say, fear him who can cast body and soul into hell. And because Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again on the third day, you don't have to fear death or what they might do to you, because eternal life is certain in Christ. As the cost of following Jesus intensifies, may we write these verses on the doorposts of our heart. And may we write these biblical promises in invisible ink on the walls of our church. Church leaders, 2 Timothy 2.10, for this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Is it worth it? In the end we'll see, yes, because Jesus is worth living for and dying for. Elders and pastors, 1 Timothy 4.16, watch your life and your doctrine. Well, aren't you supposed to watch everyone else's life and doctrine, Hebrews 13.17? Yes, but you need to start with your own life and your own doctrine because you too are a man of clay. You too are prone to wander. And we have seen that in the history of our church, have we not? So watch your life and watch your doctrine closely. Persevere in these things, for as you do this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you. Did Peter get the message? Did Peter learn the lessons that failure often teaches best? And the answer is yes. Yes. Listen to what Peter writes in 1 Peter 2, 20 through 21. He says to every believer, when you do good and suffer for it, this finds favor with God. For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you, Christian, should follow in his steps." Suffice it to say, following Christ closely and personal suffering are often tethered together. And isn't it interesting that Jesus ends his public ministry where he began it, way back in John chapter 1. After telling Peter what would happen, and after John explains to us why it would happen, Jesus looks to his disciple and to we disciples and says this, you follow me. Follow me. Today's sermon reminds me of a song that my parents played all the time when I was 10 years old. The lyrics went as follows. Think back on these disciples and think about your own walk with Christ. The song says, nobody stood and applauded them, so they knew from the start this road would not lead to fame. All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called them. He said, come follow me. And they came. Empty nets lying there at the water's edge told a story that few could believe and none could explain. How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus led with no thought for what they would gain. For Jesus had called them by name, follow me. And they answered, we will abandon it all for the sake of the call. No other reason at all but the sake of the call. Drawn like the rivers are drawn to the sea, there is no turning back, for the water cannot help but flow forward. Once we hear the Savior's call, we'll follow wherever He leads because of the love He has shown. And because He has called us to go, we will answer. We will abandon it all for the sake of the call. No other reason at all but the sake of the call. Wholly devoted to live or to die for the sake of the call. What does this have to do with Mother's Day? One of the most important truths that a godly mother can instill in her children is that Jesus is worth living for, and if necessary, he is worth dying for. My mother Marie, my mother-in-law Deborah, My own precious wife, Andrea, have bequeathed that legacy to us. They have lived and have practiced what they've preached. Jesus is Jesus, and if we know Him, we'll understand this. He is worth living for, and He is worth dying for. Let us pray. Lord, what a mystery of how living and dying for you by your grace can bring you the glory you deserve. And so we recommit ourselves to this high and holy calling. Having reconsidered the cost of discipleship and having heard again this morning Jesus' command to his believing disciples to continue to follow him, to follow him closely, come what may. Lord, we like Peter, by your grace go forward in faith, trusting that you will be with us, resting in the promises that you who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. that you will lead us safely home. And in eternity, we will see that it was all worth it, for you are infinitely glorious. You are our Lord and Savior, our God and King. Lord, we know that profession brings you glory, and we understand that trusting and obeying you brings you glory. So help us to continue to do both. This we pray and all God's people said. Amen.