The Sunday-Monday Christian

by Ken Strittmatter

John 21:12-22 - NASB

How many of us treat our Christian faith like we tend to wear and change our clothes.  We have our Sunday Best that we clean and press and shine to wear when we attend a worship service.  And then we have our Work Clothes or our Play Clothes, clothes that have seen their better days and do not matter to us as much as our Sunday Clothes?  We cast one set aside to wear the other as the occasion or circumstances dictate or fit. 

While this behavior makes great sense when it comes to clothing it represents hypocritical behavior when it comes to how we wear our faith.  Sadly, this kind of hypocrisy has been, and continues to be, pervasive among Godly people.

Hypocrisy - Definition and Root
American Heritage Dictionary - The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess.
Easton Bible Dictionary - One who puts on a mask and feigns himself to be what he is not.

Jesus Lunch & Learns
V12 Come and have breakfast
* Ever notice how many of Jesus ministry moments were associated with food and meal times.  He creates meal time lessons and memories w/Family, Friends and Co-Workers.

Peters Hyprocrisy Exposed Vs. 15
Simon, son of John.
* Why do you think Jesus addressed Peter as Simon, son of John?

Do you love Me more than these?
* Who are these?
* I believe Jesus is referring to these as Peters fishermen friends, the boats, the fishing gear, the fishing vocation.

Yes, Lord
* I wonder who answered this question, Simon or Peter?

Tend My Lambs
* Lambs: (Those not of faith or young in their faith, undeveloped)
* Not yet having developed patterns for Christian living.
* Still have need of milk (I Cor 3:1-2)

Simon, son of John, do you love me?
* The question asked a 2nd Time. Why?
* I believe that while Jesus may have gotten through to Peter, He had yet to make his point with Simon

Shepherd My Sheep
* Shepherd: A good Shepherd is one who lays down his life for another. (John 10:11)
* Sheep: Those developed in their faith.
* Sheep still require (II Tim 4:2):

Simon, son of John, do you love me?
* The question asked a 3rd time. And we have to ask why again.
* I believe that this 3rd question caused Peter to remember his 3 denials of Jesus .

Application: Some Life Reminders
Tend My Sheep
* And Jesus repeated response reminds Simon Peter and Us to be the person He intended him and us to be both In Fellowship with other Christians and In the World.

Someone else will gird you
* Jesus also reminds Simon Peter that his life of service to Christ will be difficult and full of challenges.

What is that to you?
* You follow Me
* Do not put Gods plans for others above His plans for You

Follow Jesus Plans for Your Life in all Circumstances!