Encountering the Risen Christ (John 21)
This sermon explores what it truly means to encounter the risen Jesus, not just as a historical event but as a life-changing power. Through the vivid story of Peter's denial and subsequent restoration, it reveals how belief, understanding, and submission to a divine pattern reshape human hearts.
The sermon argues that encountering the risen Christ involves believing in its reality, understanding its accomplishment for salvation, and submitting to its pattern of death and resurrection, as demonstrated in Peter's restoration.
Overview
This sermon uses Peter's dramatic denial of Jesus, followed by his restoration after the resurrection, as a "case study" for what it means to encounter the risen Christ. It highlights Peter's public vow of loyalty, contrasted sharply with his threefold denial, even cursing Jesus to save himself.
The preacher outlines three essential steps to encountering the risen Christ: believing in the resurrection's reality, understanding its accomplishment for salvation, and submitting to its pattern in our lives. Believing it truly happened provides profound hope for facing death and life's injustices, unlike merely viewing it as a symbol.
Understanding the resurrection's accomplishment means recognizing Jesus' death as a substitutionary sacrifice, not just a moral example. Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn't and died the death we deserved, with the resurrection serving as the "receipt" proving our sins are paid for.
Finally, encountering Christ involves submitting to a pattern of spiritual death to sin and rising to righteousness. Jesus guided Peter through this process at a fire, mirroring his denial, by asking "Do you love me?" three times, and then commissioning him to "feed my lambs/sheep," transforming Peter's failure into tender, courageous leadership.
Key points
- Peter publicly vowed unwavering loyalty to Jesus, even if it meant death, but then denied knowing him three times, cursing him, before the rooster crowed.
- The inclusion of Peter's spectacular failure in the Gospels serves as compelling evidence that these are eyewitness accounts, not fabricated legends to make Christian leaders look good.
- Encountering the risen Christ requires believing in the literal reality of the resurrection, not just seeing it as a symbol, as this belief offers profound hope and resources for life's challenges.
- Jesus came to die as a substitute for us, living the life we should have lived and dying the death we deserved, rather than primarily as a moral example.
- The resurrection is presented as the receipt that proves Jesus paid the penalty for sin, justifying those who believe and freeing them from the law's claims (Romans 4:25).
- A key aspect of encountering the risen Christ is submitting to a spiritual pattern of death to sin and resurrection to righteousness through repentance and grace.
- Jesus restored Peter by bringing him to a fire (the site of his denial) and asking "Do you love me?" three times, then commissioning him to be a tender yet bold shepherd of his church.
In Tim Keller's words
“No other religion, no other philosophy promises new bodies, hearts, minds.”
“Christian salvation is for the weak. It's for the moral failure. It's for the one who admits that there's that they're sinners.”
“Nothing prepares you for effectiveness in the life of others for leadership and greatness like failure plunged into the sea of my grace.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Resurrection Changes History and Us
- A. Peter as a Paradigm for Encountering the Risen Christ
- B. Peter's Spectacular Failure and Denial of Jesus (Mark 14)
- II. Four Things You Must Know to Encounter the Risen Christ
- A. Believe in the Resurrection's Reality
- 1. It's not just a feel-good factor; it's a life-transforming power.
- 2. It provides unique hope and resources for facing death and injustice.
- 3. The Peter story is powerful evidence of an eyewitness account, not a legend.
- B. Understand the Resurrection's Accomplishment
- 1. Jesus and Peter on parallel, contrasting paths (Mark 14).
- 2. Jesus came to die as a substitute, not primarily a moral example.
- 3. The resurrection is the receipt proving sin's penalty is paid (Romans 4:25).
- 4. Christian salvation is for the weak and moral failures.
- C. Submit to the Resurrection's Pattern (Spiritual Death and Resurrection)
- 1. Dying more to sin and living more for righteousness (Philippians 3, Ephesians 2, Colossians 3, Romans 8).
- 2. Reordering disordered loves through repentance and admitting moral bankruptcy.
- 3. Jesus rebuilds Peter at the fire (John 21).
- 4. Peter's threefold restoration and commission to "feed my lambs/sheep."
- 5. Failure plunged into grace makes a leader tender but bold.
- III. Living the Resurrection Life: Tenderness and Courage
- A. Peter's future martyrdom (John 21): dying willingly for the sheep.
- B. The secret of courage: what Christ endured for us allows us to handle anything.
Scripture references
1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Insights
The resurrection is meant to change us, not just history.
True hope for life's end comes from believing resurrection reality.
God's grace transforms moral failure into humble leadership.
Questions & answers
What does the sermon say is the main point of the resurrection?
The sermon emphasizes that the resurrection is meant to change us personally, not just history. It should be a life-transforming power encountered in our hearts by faith.
How does Peter's denial of Jesus relate to the resurrection?
Peter's dramatic failure and subsequent restoration by the risen Christ serve as a "case study" or paradigm for how believers can encounter the resurrected Jesus and have their lives put back together after falling apart.
Why does the sermon emphasize that the resurrection is not just a symbol?
If the resurrection is merely a symbol, it's just a "feel-good factor." But if it truly happened, it offers life-transforming power, providing profound hope and resources for facing death and injustice that no other philosophy can.
What does the phrase "submit to the resurrection's pattern" mean?
It refers to a spiritual pattern of dying more and more to sin and living more and more under righteousness. This process, enabled by the Holy Spirit, helps reorder our loves and priorities.
How did Jesus restore Peter after his denial?
Jesus met Peter at a fire, the setting of his denial, and asked him three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus commissioned him to "feed my lambs" or "feed my sheep," effectively reinstating and commissioning him as a leader.
What practical application does the sermon offer for facing personal "fires"?
The sermon encourages listeners to let Jesus Christ take them to their own "fires"—places of past failure or shame—and heal them there. This process leads to both tenderness and courage in life and leadership.
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