From Failure to Flourishing: The Grace-Fueled Journey of Discipleship
From Failure to Flourishing:
The Grace-Fueled Journey of Discipleship
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
We often imagine the path of a disciple as a straight line of unwavering faith and perfect obedience. But what about the moments of stumbling, the painful detours, the outright failures? Do they disqualify us from God's service? The powerful narrative of Peter's restoration in John 21, illuminated by Pastor Steve's sermon, offers a resounding "No." Instead, it reveals that failure is not the end of the road, but often the very birthplace of a grace that propels us into our God-given mission.
Discipleship, in this light, is less about an elite status for the qualified and more of a life lived from a place of received grace and deep renewal. We, like Peter, are first called, then restored (Sometimes restored daily) and ultimately sent.
Called: Before We Were Ready
Before his epic failure, Peter, along with the other disciples, received a radical call: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19 NKJV). This initial call was not based on their perfection, but on Jesus' sovereign choice and purpose. Yet, as the sermon points out, even after walking closely with Jesus, Peter publicly denied Him three times (John 18:15-27). This wasn't a minor slip-up; it was a catastrophic failure in a moment of crisis.
Restored: The Table of Grace
The beauty of John 21 lies in Jesus' pursuit of Peter after the resurrection and after the denial. By the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus doesn't scold or condemn. He prepares breakfast and then, with tender intentionality, asks Peter three times, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?". This three-fold questioning directly mirrored Peter's three-fold denial, highlighting that this wasn't about punishment, but a profound act of restoration allowing Peter to affirm his love, counteracting his previous failures.
Peter's grief at the third question stemmed from this painful reminder. Yet, his response, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You", reflected a humble, genuine affection (phileo love), even if it wasn't yet the divine, self-sacrificial agape love Jesus initially asked about. Pastor Steve notes, "Jesus knows where you are and he knows where you need to go". He met Peter where he was, not to leave him there, but to "move you in a forward path to his glory".
This encounter powerfully illustrates divine forgiveness and reinstatement, emphasizing that failure, even profound public failure, when met with repentance and divine grace, does not lead to disqualification. Instead, it becomes part of the foundation for future ministry. As Jeremiah 15:19 (NKJV) states, "'If you return, then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me...'". Peter's return led to his restoration and reinstatement to service.
Sent: Fueled by Grace for Mission
Following each affirmation of love, Jesus gave Peter a commission: "Feed My lambs," "Tend My sheep," and "Feed My sheep". This wasn't just a rehiring; it was a renewed mandate to care for Jesus' followers, entrusted to him precisely because his relationship with Jesus had been restored. This radically underscores that service in God's kingdom is "predicated on grace and ongoing dependence on Christ, not on inherent human perfection or an unblemished record". Peter's very public failure and subsequent restoration became, in a sense, his qualifications, demonstrating "God's grace and strength perfected in weakness".
From Lambs to Flock: The Disciplemaking Journey
The commission to "Feed My lambs" highlights the foundational stage of discipleship, emphasizing the need to nurture the newest and most vulnerable believers. Like newborn babes desiring "the pure milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV), these "lambs" require gentle care and foundational truths.
The progression to "Tend My sheep" and "Feed My sheep" signifies a journey towards maturity within the community of faith, the "flock". This involves moving beyond milk to the "solid food" of deeper doctrine and practical obedience (Hebrews 5:12-14, Matthew 28:20 NKJV). This maturation happens within the context of the local church community, where believers are equipped and encouraged (Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV).
Jesus is the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Peter 5:4 NKJV), and those who shepherd are merely caretakers of His flock. This understanding fosters humility and responsibility, shaping discipleship with selfless love and care.
Follow Me: The Continuous Call
Even after commissioning Peter, Jesus' final instruction to him in this passage is simple yet profound: "Follow me". This command echoes the initial call and serves as a continuous reminder of the disciple's primary focus. When Peter, ever the impulsive one, asks about John's future, Jesus redirects him: "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me". Pastor Steve reflects on this, saying, "We must keep our eyes on Jesus... and not look at others and what they are doing or what God has called them to do". Our commitment is to follow Christ, regardless of the paths others take.
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
We often imagine the path of a disciple as a straight line of unwavering faith and perfect obedience. But what about the moments of stumbling, the painful detours, the outright failures? Do they disqualify us from God's service? The powerful narrative of Peter's restoration in John 21, illuminated by Pastor Steve's sermon, offers a resounding "No." Instead, it reveals that failure is not the end of the road, but often the very birthplace of a grace that propels us into our God-given mission.
Discipleship, in this light, is less about an elite status for the qualified and more of a life lived from a place of received grace and deep renewal. We, like Peter, are first called, then restored (Sometimes restored daily) and ultimately sent.
Called: Before We Were Ready
Before his epic failure, Peter, along with the other disciples, received a radical call: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19 NKJV). This initial call was not based on their perfection, but on Jesus' sovereign choice and purpose. Yet, as the sermon points out, even after walking closely with Jesus, Peter publicly denied Him three times (John 18:15-27). This wasn't a minor slip-up; it was a catastrophic failure in a moment of crisis.
Restored: The Table of Grace
The beauty of John 21 lies in Jesus' pursuit of Peter after the resurrection and after the denial. By the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus doesn't scold or condemn. He prepares breakfast and then, with tender intentionality, asks Peter three times, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?". This three-fold questioning directly mirrored Peter's three-fold denial, highlighting that this wasn't about punishment, but a profound act of restoration allowing Peter to affirm his love, counteracting his previous failures.
Peter's grief at the third question stemmed from this painful reminder. Yet, his response, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You", reflected a humble, genuine affection (phileo love), even if it wasn't yet the divine, self-sacrificial agape love Jesus initially asked about. Pastor Steve notes, "Jesus knows where you are and he knows where you need to go". He met Peter where he was, not to leave him there, but to "move you in a forward path to his glory".
This encounter powerfully illustrates divine forgiveness and reinstatement, emphasizing that failure, even profound public failure, when met with repentance and divine grace, does not lead to disqualification. Instead, it becomes part of the foundation for future ministry. As Jeremiah 15:19 (NKJV) states, "'If you return, then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me...'". Peter's return led to his restoration and reinstatement to service.
Sent: Fueled by Grace for Mission
Following each affirmation of love, Jesus gave Peter a commission: "Feed My lambs," "Tend My sheep," and "Feed My sheep". This wasn't just a rehiring; it was a renewed mandate to care for Jesus' followers, entrusted to him precisely because his relationship with Jesus had been restored. This radically underscores that service in God's kingdom is "predicated on grace and ongoing dependence on Christ, not on inherent human perfection or an unblemished record". Peter's very public failure and subsequent restoration became, in a sense, his qualifications, demonstrating "God's grace and strength perfected in weakness".
From Lambs to Flock: The Disciplemaking Journey
The commission to "Feed My lambs" highlights the foundational stage of discipleship, emphasizing the need to nurture the newest and most vulnerable believers. Like newborn babes desiring "the pure milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2 NKJV), these "lambs" require gentle care and foundational truths.
The progression to "Tend My sheep" and "Feed My sheep" signifies a journey towards maturity within the community of faith, the "flock". This involves moving beyond milk to the "solid food" of deeper doctrine and practical obedience (Hebrews 5:12-14, Matthew 28:20 NKJV). This maturation happens within the context of the local church community, where believers are equipped and encouraged (Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV).
Jesus is the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Peter 5:4 NKJV), and those who shepherd are merely caretakers of His flock. This understanding fosters humility and responsibility, shaping discipleship with selfless love and care.
Follow Me: The Continuous Call
Even after commissioning Peter, Jesus' final instruction to him in this passage is simple yet profound: "Follow me". This command echoes the initial call and serves as a continuous reminder of the disciple's primary focus. When Peter, ever the impulsive one, asks about John's future, Jesus redirects him: "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me". Pastor Steve reflects on this, saying, "We must keep our eyes on Jesus... and not look at others and what they are doing or what God has called them to do". Our commitment is to follow Christ, regardless of the paths others take.
Life Application: Embracing Your Restored Calling
Where have you experienced failure that feels disqualifying? How might God's grace be inviting you to see that moment not as an end, but as a point of restoration and recommissioning? Discipleship is not about arriving at perfection before serving; it's about allowing God's grace to work in and through your imperfections.
Reflect on these questions:
Reflect on these questions:
- In what areas of your life do you need to receive God's restorative grace?
- How can your experience of God's grace empower you to minister to others who are struggling?
- Who are the "lambs" God has placed in your life that you can nurture and help grow?
- How can you more fully participate in the life of the "flock"—your local church community—to mature and help others mature?
- What distractions are pulling your eyes away from simply following Jesus?
The journey of discipleship is a lifelong process of being called, continually restored by grace, and sent out to love and serve others. It begins and ends with following Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, who knows us, loves us, and equips us, not because we are qualified, but because He is gracious.
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Discussion Questions
- Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him "more than these." What are some potential interpretations of "these," and what are the "these" in your own life that might compete with your love for Jesus? (John 21:15)
- How does Peter's response to Jesus' question "Do you love me?" reveal his growth and understanding of love? Hint: What Greek words are used? (John 21:15-17)
- The command "Feed My lambs" can indicate the initial stage of discipleship. What does the symbolism of "lambs" in Scripture tell us about the needs of new believers? (Isaiah 40:11, 1 Peter 2:2-3, John 21:15)
- How does the concept of the "flock" highlight the importance of community life in the maturation process of a disciple? (John 10:16, Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Jesus tells Peter, "What is that to you? You follow me." How can comparing ourselves to others or being distracted by what others are doing hinder our own walk of faith? (John 21:22)
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A challenging message, my brother! Thank you!