Sermon Tone Analysis

Following Jesus

Introduction:

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?

You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did.

Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Prayer:…Amen.

Introduction:

Well, we have made it to the end.

The end of John’s gospel.

We began our study in John = GET THIS - on May 31, 2020 when we just opened church back up after COVID.

Alot has happened since then.

And a little over 2 years later here we are.

I pray it has been as edifying and fruitful for you as it has been for me.

But I want to begin my message this morning by asking a question.

What would you do if you knew when you were going to die?

If somehow, you knew the exact day and time of your death, what would you do?

Do you think that would have an impact on how you live your life?

If it’s soon, you’d probably prepare, spend time with family.

But consider how this would impact you spiritually.

How much more faithful would you be to the Lord?

Well, that’s exactly what’s going on here in John 21.

Jesus cooks breakfast for the disciples.

He restores Peter.

Then he tells Peter in John 21:18 “but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”” John 21:19 “(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.)

And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.””

Jesus you are going to for me.

And you are going to die for me on the cross.

And Jesus says to follow me.

And what I want us to see this morning in these final verses is four truths that will help us follow Jesus.

The first point I want us to consider about following Jesus is the Danger of Comparison

Danger of comparison

John 21:20 “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?””

John 21:21 “When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?””

So here Peter is.

Conversing with Jesus.

Jesus instructing him to feed and tend his sheep.

Jesus tells him about his death and to follow him.

So what does Peter do?

He turns to John - the disciple whom Jesus loved, and Peter says: Lord, what about this man?

I mean Peter and John had an interesting relationship anyways right.

These tomb ran to the tomb, and John outran him.

Because he was faster.

But Peter went into the tomb first.

It seems like some healthy competition.

Right?

Maybe.

Then later at the beginning of this chapter, they were in the boat, and John is the one who recognizes Jesus.

But Peter is the one who jumps out of the boat and swims to shore.

So Peter, here is told by Jesus that he’s going to die.

And he says.

What about John?

Could it be curiosity that he asked this? maybe.

But I think the correction of Jesus leads us to see that Peter’s issue with comparison.

I believe when we talk about what it means to follow Jesus.

And following him well,

We need to consider the danger of comparison.

Now, what do we as a church and individuals struggle with in regards to comparison.

As a church, we compare ourselves to other churches.

And often when churches compare themselves to each other, it is to determine success.

This church has grown, has had baptisms, but we have not.

So something must be wrong.

And they must be doing something right.

What other comparisons?

City Church - If our church was in the city, we could have a greater impact because there’s more people.

Country Church - If our church was in the country, we could have a good quiet neighborhood with no problems.

If we had a bigger church, we would be better with more funds and more people to serve the Lord.

If we were a smaller church, we wouldn’t have all the problems of big churches.

And there are two extreme dangers in this.

1.

The sin of envy.

If I was at that church, and in our hearts, envy creeps in

And people become more worried about comparison than the kingdom.

The second danger is pride.

2. The sin of pride.

Oh, my church and my ministry is going so well, and there’s isn’t.

And pride builds and builds.

But this isn’t just in churches.

Its individuals too.

We compare in regards to money and possessions.

Envy and pride.

We compare in regards to our health.

Envy and Pride.

But Jesus Corrects Peter in verse 22.

John 21:22 “Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?

So Jesus corrects Peter.

He says, if it be my will.

It’s all about Jesus and his sovereign will.

Basically, Jesus said - Mind your own business.

Friends, what a testament to the diety of Christ.

That all things are in his sovereign

God has prescribed the days of our birth.

God has our days numbered.

He knows the number of hairs on our head.

And God’s will has determined when we will die.

-What are we to do?

-Don’t worry about others and follow Jesus.

-That doesn’t mean we don’t interact with others or even in regards to church discipline.

-But don’t fall into the danger of comparison.