2 Thess 1:3, God: “Child, Do You Love Me?”

Class Outline:

Tuesday June 6, 2023

Theme: Love for the Lord Jesus Christ is the motivation of obedient faith.

Main passage:

JOH 21:15-17 So 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, "Tend My lambs."  16 He said to him again 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, "Shepherd My sheep."  17 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 all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.

1. Shouldn’t we love God first and then love people? 1JO 4:19-21
   1. Timing distinction is not made. One happens alongside the other.
2. JOH 21:15-18
   1. Some try to make a distinction between John’s use of agape and phileo in this passage, but there is no ground for any certain conclusions.
   2. The important point is the question of love itself. Does Peter love the Lord.
   3. The Lord’s three-fold question allows Peter to affirm his love for the Lord after his three-fold denial.
   4. Love for Christ is the motivation of faithful obedience, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (JOH 14:15, 23).
   5. To Peter - “If you love Me, keep / tend My sheep.” Peter does so, showing that his affirmation of love was sincere, 1PE 5:1-5.
3. Application  - The context of the scene starts the night before as Peter decides to go fishing.
   1. Peter’s ministry is not to return to his fishing business.
   2. The Lord performs the miracle of filling the nets for a second time.
      1. The miracle reminds the disciples of the first call from Christ.
      2. “I will make you fishers of men.”
      3. Their ministry now is for the gospel.
   3. We have to have the courage to do what the Lord wills and that demands obedient faith.
   4. Other motivations for obedience soon faith. Love for the Lord motivates us for the rest of our lives.

The Lord leaves in their charge the most important mission in the history of the world, and what the Lord asks of them is to love Him.