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Show A BACKSLIDING DISCIPLE John 21: 15-17 disciple learner, a student, one who adherent to the teaching of A another. A is a disciple is suppose to be moving forward and making positive changes, not conforming to this world, on his way toward being a teacher of other disciples. Moses and the children of Israel didn't know what to do. The Psalmist says, "Almost my feet slipped." Peter started off strong. He joined Jesus at the invitation of his brother Andrew. He question, responded to Jesus' "Who to you say that I am?" with "Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God." He circle when Jesus was there in the inner . was on 1 the mount of Transfiguration. leave Jesus Him. He when the even was He vowed to never disciples left Sunday morning if the other there that women found the tomb empty morning. They probably told him that the angels had called him by name, "Go your way, tell his disciples, and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him." (Mark 16: 7) This text is about the people of God, Peter in particular, being in trouble. Peter on resurrection has cut a man ear off with his sword. Peter has denied that he even knew Jesus and what is more, that he was one of the disciples. Jesus has been crucified and buried. Then He got up and the disciples are still scattered. It is after the resurrection and Peter meets with Jesus 2 as well as early one morning. distressed about his ungodly his friends Peter is still behavior. He get Jesus all a one on one. chance to meet with There Jesus asked that important question, "Simon, Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou than these?" me more (John 21: 15) Peter had been a fisherman who operated his own business. He knew fishing if he did not know anything else. When we get in trouble, owned and often go back to what we know best. We become backsliders. Peter said, "I go we a-fishing." mistake, When you have made a go fishing. When you are . disappointed, go fishing. When you don't know what to do, go fishing. When the world around you, go to be crumbling in fishing. When everything seems 3 is going wrong, of us, Peter was go fishing. Like so many all confused. On the one hand, he loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him. On the other hand, he did not why things happen the way the did. Why did Jesus have to be crucified and die? Maybe Jesus wanted to get rid of Peter. Maybe He no longer needed anybody like Peter on His team. Maybe Peter had gone too far one time understand too many. Peter hurting. So he down and sad and was decided, "I go a- fishing." fishing. night they caught nothing." In spite of the toil and skill, they came up empty handed. Can you imagine how you It's easy to go back But "that would feel if you went back to your old ways and they no longer worked? Y ou failed at what you knew best. Can I tell 4 ' you, no matter how much you know, no experienced you are, nothing will go right if you are not right with God. Many of us have denied Jesus and sinned against God. We have left our first love and are doing our own thing. It's time to stop backsliding and return to the Master. For there and only there will there "be peace in the valley." God is waiting for backsliders to come back to Him, to love Him truly, to serve Him totally, and to walk with Him daily. matter how 5 |
