Guarding and Imparting the Faith (March 16, 2025)

When we talk about the mission ministers have, we usually look at the Great Commission given by Jesus, when He is instructing His disciples.

Matthew 28:18–20 ~ “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Mark 16:15–16 ~ “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Luke 24:46–47 ~ “and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Let’s compare what is said from Matthew, Mark and Luke to what is written in John. After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus appeared to seven of the disciples who were fishing on the Sea of Tiberias. They had fished all night, with nothing to show of it. However, when Jesus showed them were to cast their net, they caught 153 fish (John 21:11) and Simon Peter hauled the net ashore. They ate breakfast on the shore line and then …

John 21:15–22 ~ “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, 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.” (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.” 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?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””

In John’s version of the Great Commission, Jesus integrate the Great Commandment (LOVE) and the Great Commission (EVANGELISM). In this passage, Jesus identifies the heart as the most important element in our motivation. The key to effective and faithful ministry lies in the heart, the heart that loves Jesus and loves what Jesus loves, people. Jesus’ dialogue with Peter reveals to us the Motivation for Ministry (love for Jesus), the Mandate of Ministry (care for the sheep), and the Manner of Ministry (imitating Jesus).

Just as a reminder to us, Peter denied Jesus three times not long prior to this moment. This should be a message to you and I, God is not looking at your past, once it has been placed under the blood, He is looking at what can and are you going to do in your future! I am sure at this point, Peter is feeling guilty, but the purpose of Jesus’ question is to lead Peter to redemption and forgiveness. ‘Do you love me?’ I am sure was a very hard question for Peter to face.

We know that at the Last Supper, Peter boasted of his devotion to Jesus, even stated that he would never deny Jesus and would even die for Jesus. Failure is embarrassing and discouraging. Failure can seem like the end of the world and it can destroy our future. Failure can cause us to miss the will of God. However, God desires to help us recover from failure.

Again, back to our motivation. We must examine our hearts; we must examine our level of love for Jesus and the mission He has sent us on. Jesus’ question is an essential question. It is a question that gets to the very heart of the matter – love. The word ‘love’ is found 57 time in the book of John.

• God loves the world and gave His Son (John 3:16)
• ‘The Father love the Son’ (John 3:35)
• Jesus loves His disciples (John 13:1)
• Jesus gives this commandment: ‘that you love one another; as I have loved you’ (John 13:34)
• Jesus loves the Father (John 14:31)
• ‘Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends’ (John 15:9-13)

The essence of the gospel is that God loves the world and gave His Son Jesus’ therefore, we must believe on Him and love Him in return.

We must make a full commitment. Jesus is asking Peter and thus you and I the same question. ‘Do you love me more than these?’ Jesus is calling for a full commitment from Peter and from you and I as well. Are you willing to give a full commitment to God?