IN THE CLOSING CHAPTER OF THE SWEETEST BOOK IN THE BIBLE IS A PASSAGE OF FEW VERSES, TOUCHING SCENE

1. Peter had led the Apostles to go back to fishing, the Lord needed to touch him with love
2. The Lord called them back, fed them, and then took Peter for a little walk alone -but followed
3. The dialogue was overheard by John, and reported- one of the most soul-searching passages on record.

Let the Lord walk alone with you for a few moments after Communion!

I.- THE SOUL SEARCHING QUESTION: "LOVEST THOU ME?"

Three times Peter had denied the Lord, so three time Jesus asked him this question

A.- THE QUESTION JESUS ASKED INVOLVED A VERY SPECIAL KIND OF LOVE "Agape" - DO YOU HAVE IT?

1. The word used was given new and special meaning in the Greek New Testament- Deep, Abiding
2. Eros & Phileo were common in the Koine Greek- but this Agape- meant Devine love- from God
3. Peter, what is the motive of your heart?  Do you love the Lord with the same Love He has?

B.- THE QUESTION WAS TOO BIG FOR PETER, HE COULD NOT GRASP THE GREATNESS OF IT

1. The same Peter who boasted of his great love, that he would never deny Christ- yet did 3 times
2. He who swam to Jesus, was also the one who took the Disciples fishing-
3. He refused to use the same word for love that the Lord used - but was not the strong word

C.- SO JESUS CHANGED HIS QUESTION FINALLY

1. Peter kept answering- Lord- you know that I am your friend-
2. Jesus asked him twice- using the stronger form-
3. Finally he changed his question- brought it down to Peter's level- humility recognized

II.- THE HUMBLE ANSWER - "THOU KNOWEST THAT I AM YOUR FRIEND"

A.- WHY DID PETER ANSWER THE WAY HE DID ?

1. Some say it was because of his humility - That he really had the greater love
2. Some say because of his stubbornness- & refusal to accept the higher responsibly-
3. The fact remains- he said NO- a flat refusal to use the term Jesus used -

B.- WHAT WAS ON PETER'S HEART WHEN HE SO ANSWERED?

1. He turned and tried to pry into what the Lord wanted for another disciple- v.21
2. We cannot know any other's heart but our own- learn from Peter's probe re: John
3. But the question we ought to ask of ourselves- what kind of love to we have for Jesus?

C.- WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF US? ARE WE CAPABLE OF DOING?

1. Some, like Peter- are too humble to serve the Lord- this is a false humility-
2. What God commands and asks- he furnishes - I John 4:10,1;5:1 Eph 3:17,19
3. Some try to be just a "Friend" of God- but God expects real "love" of us.

III.- THE COMMAND "FEED MY SHEEP"

As the question and answer changes- so does the command- feed Lambs- Sheep- etc.

A.- FEED MY LAMBS v.15 IS IN REALITY, PROVIDE FOOD FOR MY LITTLE HELPLESS ONES

1. As you have the greater love- you have a greater task-soulwinning-
2. This picture here is for lambs- little ones are hungry- need food, teachers, helpers
3. Some today will not work with little ones- they are weak, ignorant, erring, need help

B.- THE NEXT, FEED MY SHEEP v16 ACTUALLY MEANS, GOVERN MY FLOCK - 1 Peter 5:1-3

1. The lesser love yet has a task- caring for the sheep- total loving care -
2. Other places this used Matt 2:6 - means "Shall Rule" Shepherd, govern, care for
3. In the parables- it was a sheep that went astray- not a lamb-

C.- THE THIRD FEED MY SHEEP -v.17 GIVE FOOD TO MY SHEEP - John 10:9-

1. You might be grieved like Peter, at continual questioning - we need patient faithfulness
2. The work of feeding the sheep will become a drudgery unless you have a real love
3. Jesus' final wards- a ringing call- "follow Me" - Be My follower! -step at a time

WHEN YOU WALK ALONE WITH THE LORD, WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO SAY TO YOU?  WILL YOU LISTEN?

1. If you are not one of his Flock- he calls you to salvation!-
2. If you are one of the flock- let him feed you until you are mature- to serve him-
3. When you are mature- do your part in feeding the Lambs- governing the flock- & feed sheep.