Feed My Sheep
Jesus instructs Peter to 'feed my sheep' as a way to guard against neglect and focus on ministering to the needs of others.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of overcoming neglect in our spiritual lives by reflecting on Peter's journey from denial to restoration. He highlights how Peter's pride led to his downfall, causing him to abandon his calling and return to fishing, feeling unworthy after his failure. Jesus, however, restored Peter and instructed him to 'Feed my sheep,' indicating that true healing comes from serving others and focusing on their needs rather than our own failures. This call to action serves as a reminder that we must not only seek personal restoration but also actively care for the spiritual well-being of others. Wilkerson encourages believers to shift their focus from their struggles to the needs of the community around them.
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When I asked the Holy Spirit to show me how to guard against neglect, he led me to consider Peter's drifting and his eventual renewal. This man denied Christ, even cursing, telling his accuser, "I don't know him."
What had happened? What had brought Peter to that point? It was pride, the result of self-righteous boasting. This disciple had said to himself and others, "I could never grow cold in my love for Jesus. I've reached a place in my faith where I don't have to be warned. Others may drift, but I will die for my Lord."
Yet Peter was the first among the disciples to give up the struggle. He forsook his calling and returned to his old career, telling the others, "I'm going fishing." What he really was saying is, "I can't handle this. I had thought I couldn't fail, but nobody ever failed God worse than I did. I just can't face the struggle anymore."
By that point, Peter had repented of his denial of Jesus. And he had been restored in Jesus' love. Yet he was still a frayed man inside.
Now, as Jesus waited for the disciples to return to shore, an issue remained unsettled in Peter's life. It wasn't enough that Peter was restored, secure in his salvation. It wasn't enough that he would fast and pray as any devoted believer would do. No, the issue that Christ wanted to address in Peter's life was neglect in another form. Let me explain.
As they sat around the fire on shore, eating and fellowshipping, Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me more than these others?" Each time Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know I do," and Christ responded in turn, "Feed my sheep." Note that Jesus didn't remind him to watch and pray, or to be diligent in reading God's Word. Christ presumed those thing had already been well taught. No, the instruction he gave Peter now was, "Feed my sheep."
I believe that in that simple phrase, Jesus was instructing Peter on how to guard against neglect. He was saying, in essence, "I want you to forget about your failure, forget that you drifted from me. You've come back to me now, and I've forgiven and restored you. So it's time to get your focus off of your doubts, failures and problems. And the way to do that is by not neglecting my people and to minister to their needs. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
Sermon Outline
- Peter's Drifting and Renewal
- Jesus' Instruction to Peter
- Guarding Against Neglect
- Focus on Ministering to Others' Needs
- Forgiveness and Restoration
- Getting Past Doubts and Failures
Key Quotes
“I want you to forget about your failure, forget that you drifted from me.” — David Wilkerson
“Feed my sheep.” — David Wilkerson
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must prioritize ministering to the needs of others and focus on serving them.
- Forgiveness and restoration are available to us through Jesus, but we must not neglect to serve others.
- Our focus should be on getting past our doubts and failures and moving forward in our faith.