Scripture

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭TPT‬‬ “So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!”

 

Introduction

  1. Our Story
  2. Sparks, butterflies, passion, desire
    1. But there was seasons where it was back and forth
      1. He loves me, he loves me not
      2. Our love is limited, conditional, and faulty 
      3. Our burning love doesn’t always burn
      4. No one can fill that place in your life like God can
        1. Josh is not my source of joy, love, peace. 
  3. How do you describe burning love?
    1. Burning love is a deep passion and unrelenting desire to pursue and persevere, no matter the cost.
  1. Song of Songs 8:6 NIV Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.  It burns like blazing fire like a mighty flame.

 

  1. God has a burning love for you
  1. Today, I want to share one of the most heartbreaking and touching stories of love, loss, and restoration and forgiveness. 
    1. This man had a lot of highs, lows, miracles and mess ups, at times full of pride yet also powerful, said the right thing and then stick his foot in his mouth 
    2. Any guesses ??? Peter
    3. Whether we realize it or not we all can relate to Peter in one way or the other 
  2. GOD’S BURNING LOVE REVEALED
    1. Jesus Called Peter (Setting: fishing on the Sea of Galilee)
      1. Fisherman, business failing, struggling
        1. Luke 5:7 They called to their friends working in the other boat to come and help them. They came and both boats were so full of fish they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he got down at the feet of Jesus. He said, “Go away from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.” 9 He and all those with him were surprised and wondered about the many fish. 10 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised also. They were working together with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will fish for men.” 11 When they came to land with their boats, they left everything and followed Jesus.
      2. Most unlikely to be picked
        1. Tough, big mouth, hot temper, moved my emotion, passionate 
        2. We can all relate 
      3. He got… rebuked, walked on water, cut off an ear 
        1. Spent 3 ½ years with Jesus (miracles, signs, and wonders)
      4. FINAL DAYS: And then it happened….Jesus says to his disciples you will all reject me
        1. Matthew 26:33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
          1. Haughty pride
    2. Peter Denied Jesus (Setting: sitting around the fire)

 

  1. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭54‬-‭62‬ ‭TPT‬‬ “The religious leaders seized Jesus and led him away, but Peter followed from a safe distance. They brought him to the home of the high priest, where people were already gathered out in the courtyard. Someone had built a fire, so Peter inched closer and sat down among them to stay warm. A girl noticed Peter sitting in the firelight. Staring at him, she pointed him out and said, “This man is one of Jesus’ disciples!” Peter flatly denied it, saying, “What are you talking about, girl? I don’t know him!” A little while later, someone else spotted Peter and said, “I recognize you. You’re one of his, I know it!” Peter again said, “I’m not one of his disciples.” About an hour later, someone else identified Peter and insisted he was a disciple of Jesus, saying, “Look at him! He’s from Galilee, just like Jesus. I know he’s one of them.” But Peter was adamant. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t you understand? I don’t even know him.” While the words were still in his mouth, the rooster crowed. At that moment, the Lord, who was being led through the courtyard by his captors, turned around and gazed at Peter. All at once Peter remembered the words Jesus had prophesied over him, “Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Peter burst into tears, ran off from the crowd, and wept bitterly.”
    1. WE ALL CAN IDENTIFY WITH PETER FAILURE (Messed up)
      1. In the severe test, OUR courage failed.
      2. WE have denied Him in your actions even when we said we would not
      3. WE turned our back on our Savior
    2. LUKE 22:61, “AND THE LORD TURNED AND LOOKED UPON…”
      1. What kind of look do you suppose?
      2. I know how I might have looked, In anger, hurt, “How could you?”.
      3. I think it was a look of pity and love, brokenness and grief. (My son, the rock)
      4.  The look broke Peter’s heart. He left the fire and went out and wept bitterly.
      5. At that fire it revealed what was going on in Peters heart and mind (fear, shame, confusion, grief, self preservation)
    3. FIRE REVEALS
      1. When fiery trials come, areas in our lives will be revealed and exposed.
      2. 1 Peter 1:7 CEV Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed.
        1. Fire Reveals what’s in your heart
        2. Fire Reveals the weak places
        3. Ask the fire of God to reveal areas of compromise in your life.
      3. Eternity: 1 Corinthians 3:13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
        1. How you live today will affect your eternity
        2. This was an eye opener for Peter. Not as tough as he thought
        3. That’s why God pursues us so lovingly and passionately.
        4. He leaves the 99 for the 1 
  1. Jesus Restored Peter. (Setting: Fishish)
    1. ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬, ‭5‬-‭10 ‭TPT‬‬ “Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” And they all replied, “We’ll go with you.” (Back to the old life and the disciples followed)
    2. So they went out and fished through the night, but caught nothing. (There are no blessings when you go back) He called out to them, saying, “Hey guys! Did you catch any fish?” “Not a thing,” they replied. Jesus shouted to them, “Throw your net over the starboard side, and you’ll catch some!” 
    3. And so they did as he said, and they caught so many fish they couldn’t even pull in the net! (Reminded them of when Jesus first called them)
    4. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Peter heard him say that, he quickly wrapped his outer garment around him, and because he was athletic, he dove right into the lake to go to Jesus! The other disciples then brought the boat to shore, dragging their catch of fish. They weren’t far from land, only about a hundred meters. And when they got to shore, they noticed a charcoal fire with some roasted fish and bread. Then Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” (TWO FIRES: one of betrayal, one of restoration)
      1. ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭TPT‬‬ “After they had breakfast, Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you burn with love for me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my lambs,” Jesus said. Jesus repeated his question the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you burn with love for me?” Peter answered, “Yes, my Lord! You know that I have great affection for you!” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. Then Jesus asked him again, “Peter, son of Jonah, do you have great affection for me?” Peter was saddened by being asked the third time and said, “My Lord, you know everything. You know that I burn with love for you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs!”
        1. Significance of healing and restoration
      2. KEY THINGS TO NOTICE
        1. The setting (fire)
          1. Last time he was at fire he denied Jesus
        2. The question (Do you love me?)
          1. Greek forms
            1. Agape-Unconditional love
            2. Phileo-brotherly/friendship 
          2. More than these!!!
          3. Do you love me more than…
        3. The number of times (3-denials 3-questions)
        4. The command (reaffirmed the call, commissioned)
      3. Picture of Restoration: a bringing back to a former position, reinstatement
        1. Love
        2. Healing 
        3. Forgiveness
        4. Appointing 
      4. Jesus didn’t ask Peter, “Are you sorry?” nor “Will you promise never to do that again?” Jesus challenged Peter to love.
  1. CONCLUSION 
    1. Jesus assured Peter — most assuredly — he would face the challenge of the cross once again and he would embrace it. Jesus promised Peter that he would die in utter faithfulness to his Messiah and Lord.“
      1. John 21:18-19 TPT “Peter, listen, when you were younger you made your own choices and you went where you pleased. But one day when you are old, others will tie you up and escort you where you would not choose to go—and you will spread out your arms.” (Jesus said this to Peter as a prophecy of what kind of death he would die, for the glory of God.) And then he said, “Peter, follow me!”
    2. BURNING LOVE
      1. Christ has demonstrated the most profound love by giving his life
        1. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
        2. 1 John 3:1“Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous 💕 LOVE that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.”
    3. REVIEW
      1. JESUS CALLED PETER
      2. PETER DENIED JESUS
      3. JESUS RESTORED PETER
      4. PETER EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
    4. No matter what you have done God loves you with an everlasting love.  He always has and he always will.  
      1. Maybe tonight you feel like a Peter who messed up and need God’s love and forgiveness. You need restoration in relationship.  He is calling you home.

 

  1. Or it’s been awhile since you felt the incredible eternal love of God.  Maybe you are running after a temporal love.
  2. Or maybe you know you need to love someone in your life like Jesus has loved and forgiven you.

 

  1. Holy Spirit Empowered Peter (Fire in the upper room)
    1. Day of Pentecost 
    2. Tongues of fire 🔥 
      1. Filled with the Holy spiritual 
      2. Do things you could never do before 
    3. Lit 
    4. Never the same 
    5. Set this world on fire

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