Failure / New Beginnings

Weekend Service for September 13Scripture Readings: John 21:15-19John begins this new beginning with Peter, a brash and bold disciple who speaks fast, loves big, and believes he can stand when pressure comes. Peter shows that the people who encountered Jesus were not distant Bible characters in long flowing clothes, but human beings whose struggles still look familiar today. Jesus makes clear that a new beginning is available at any point in life when faith turns toward him.Jesus tells Peter that the time has come for the Son of Man to enter his glory, and then gives his disciples the command to love each other as he has loved them. Peter quickly shifts to the question of where Jesus is going and insists that he is ready to die for him. Jesus answers Peter’s big promise with a hard truth: before the rooster crows, Peter will deny even knowing him three times.Peter’s denial reveals the gap between good intentions and spiritual strength. Peter has the right ideas and the desire to be faithful, but Peter trusts his own confidence more than the foundation of Jesus. Peter stands by a fire, gets asked if he knows Jesus, and says no three times. The rooster becomes the glass-shattered moment when Peter remembers Christ’s words and sees the devastation of his failure.Failure can move from being something a person did into something a person believes he is. Peter could have decided that his worst moment was his true identity, that he was disqualified, useless, and no longer able to serve Jesus. Peter’s story refuses to let that be the final answer. Jesus meets Peter after the resurrection beside the Sea of Galilee, right where Peter has gone back to what he knows: fishing.Jesus stands on the beach, fills the empty nets, cooks breakfast, and calls Peter back into a moment that echoes earlier days of following him. Jesus does not ignore Peter’s denial or simply pretend it never happened. Jesus asks three times, “Do you love me?” and each question reaches back into the three denials. Jesus gives Peter an assignment after every answer: “Feed my lambs,” “Take care of my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.”Peter receives more than a vague second chance. Jesus gives Peter purpose back. Judas and Peter both fail Jesus and both feel regret, but Judas runs away while Peter turns back toward Jesus. Peter later becomes a central leader of the early church, not because Peter becomes perfect, but because Peter rests on the strength of Jesus rather than his own. Failure may be part of a life’s story, but failure is not the end while Jesus is still writing it.• [00:00] Welcome• [00:18] New Beginnings Through Encountering Jesus• [01:20] Peter’s Bold and Imperfect Faith• [02:53] Failure Is Not the End• [03:15] Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial• [06:39] When Mistakes Become Identity• [08:21] Peter Denies Jesus Three Times• [10:19] Good Intentions and Spiritual Strength• [11:53] The Rooster Crows• [13:44] Jesus Meets Peter by the Sea• [16:03] Breakfast and the Question of Love• [20:32] Feed My Sheep• [23:13] Judas Runs Away, Peter Turns Back• [25:12] Resting Failures on Jesus• [26:34] Prayer for New Beginnings