Claim Your Forgiveness

How do you deal with your guilt? Some people deny their guilt because they believe right and wrong is subjective. Others believe God could never damn anyone. Still others try to work out their guilt with good works. In this week’s sermon we will learn how Peter, who denied Christ in his time of need, dealt with his guilt.


Scripture: John 21:1-19
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “But Christ Has Been Raised” delivered on Christian Crusaders April 16, 2006, by Rev. Larsen:

Think of the millions of people who live without the blessings of the resurrection. Think of those who believe something good is going to happen to them after they die, but they have no basis for these eternal thoughts, only what they feel – that God is loving and will reward their good lives. This is not adequate. It took a cross and an empty tomb to give us a basis for our salvation. It takes a divinely inspired word that says, Because He lives, I too shall live.


Messages on DVD
Do you still think about well-loved Bible stories you first heard as a child? Many of us remember the story of Zacchaeus, the dishonest tax collector whose life was changed when he met Jesus. In volume two of his DVD video sermon collection Basic Biblical Truths, Rev. Larsen uses this story to emphasize that we can become new people when Jesus comes into our lives and offers us the gift of forgiveness. If you’d like to consider this story’s impact on your own life, order “A Life is Changed” by calling our office at 1-888-693-2484 1-888-693-2484 or ordering online at www.christiancrusaders.org.


On the Light Side
I had spent the late winter months waiting impatiently for signs of spring. When the first warm, sunny Saturday arrived, I eagerly unlocked the storm door and stepped onto our patio deck. I was pleased by the sight of green sprouts and the sounds of singing birds. More than anything else, I delighted in the sweet aroma of the spring air.

Knocking on the kitchen window, I beckoned to my wife to join me in enjoying the pleasures of the season. She quietly brought me back to earth, however, when she reminded me that I was standing over the dryer vent, inhaling.


We Want to Hear From You!
Do you struggle with taking your guilt to God? Tell us your story by posting in the "Comments" section of this blog.


The program "Claim Your Forgiveness" will air Sunday, April 18, 2010. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.