Now is the Time to Grow into Our Responsibility

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:15–17.

“In requiring Peter to show his love by performing the part of shepherd to the little flock of believers, Jesus adapted His demand to the spiritual capacity of the disciple. Love to the Saviour does not necessarily take the form of feeding the sheep; in immature and inexperienced disciples, it rather takes the form of being sheep. It is only after the weak have become strong, and established in grace, that they ought to become shepherds, charging themselves with the care of others.” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 520.

All of us start with someone helping us along in our Christian life. This week will begin a new chapter in the life of 5 new Christians within our church. We are matching each of our new converts with people who will begin to share and care for each of them through discipleship. We know our calling here at Grace. It is to lead those to Christ, baptize them, and then disciple them. This was Jesus’ plan for the church.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:19-20.

Now, let’s take a look at the paragraph from Bruce. He states the importance of growth within each converts spiritual life, then uses the life of Peter to help illustrate. Just because we love the Savior, doesn’t mean this is our final form. Our relationship while growing in love for Jesus also demands the care of others or “feeding the sheep.” If we only grow to love Jesus, we just become sheep. That’s what sheep do. They love their master and follow his leadership. Jesus intended each of us to become shepherds to the sheep. This process of moving from sheep to shepherd only occurs over time when spiritual strength and knowledge come as a result of personal growth within the Word of God. Then the sheep becomes shepherd who begins the “care of others.”

We believe in investing in the lives of others who have just recently come to know the Savior; not to just produce lovers of Jesus, but those who eventually will care and serve others as well. It is a “pass it on mentality” we want to share with all those who visit our doors here at GCC.

I always remember a quote from the late Howard Hendricks, who says this; “You cannot impart something you don’t possess.” I challenge you today if you’re not growing in grace or if you don’t know how, come and see us here at Grace Community Church and we will be glad to show you. May God bless and grow you today!