Set Free To Receive Love
Jesus is down for whatever…
Separation - God doesn't like me much yet - I can fix it
God is a God of: Separation Division The acceptables And unacceptables
How does God Feel about you?
Important Affects how (or if) I approach God And the things of God
How does God Feel about you?
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him - John 3:17
God is relentless In seeking us out Because of his ferocious love For each of us
He's not looking to condemn
He's not looking to condemn But there's still a Son Who dies on a cross So it must be serious
It was a dark day
Worse than a hopeless ending- It ended with a betrayal That can't be fixed
What had happened…
Jesus said, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward”
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you”
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times” - John 13
“Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” - Peter, Matt. 26
Frankenstein scene
Rednecks at an Uppercrust Bonfire
Jesus who?
Jesus is being led From one house To another
“Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean”
Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter
Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times”
And he went outside and wept bitterly
The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” - Luke 22
Friday Unable to do anything Unworthy, Fearful Hiding in the shadows
Mocked, beaten Turned over to the Romans Scourged
Forced to carry the crossbeam
God is relentless In seeking us out Because of his Ferocious love For each of us
Father, forgive them…
Tetelestai!
And it's Saturday Jesus is dead And it can't be fixed Not just grief, but despair
His last action: Betrayed more than a teacher Betrayed a friend In his greatest hour of need
God is relentless In seeking us out Because of his Ferocious love For each of us
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him - John 3:17
…in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them - 2 Cor. 5
Jesus did what we can't (And won't) Unwilling to: - Accept the break - Believe we can't fix it
There's a cost: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God - 1 Peter 3
God created unity Sin causes separation God fixes the separation At great cost and pain
God's is relentless In seeking us out Because of his Ferocious love For each of us
Sunday morning…
At the tomb: Go tell the Disciples- and Peter- that he is going before you into Galilee - Mark 16
Elephants are Sometimes invisible But their presence Is always felt
Jesus is relentless And ferocious In his love Esp. when we've sinned Against him
Jesus shows up At Peter's job Time to deal with the elephant
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” Jesus 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 Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep”
“Follow me”
3 Times
Yes, you betrayed me Yes, you denied me Yes, you sinned against me
But I want you with me Because my love for you Is greater than your ability to Sin against it
Sin separates God reconciles At his own initiation and expense
The cross is proof of God's Love The resurrection is confirmation That's he's more than able To handle whatever you're facing
You are free in Christ To be loved- Because sin has been dealt with On the cross And beaten by the resurrection
God's is relentless In seeking you out Because of his Ferocious love For you
Accept it- place your faith Walk in it- be grateful Refuse guilt- not from God Know that you're forgiven now