10-05-97 .............To Love or not to Love?............ John 21

by Ronald George Jr.

"Does a plastic heart have love in it?" This question was sent by seven-year-old Linda Griggs of Pittsburgh to the famed heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey of Houston, Texas. Dr. DeBakey replied: "Yes, a plastic heart has love in it, a great deal of love. "The love in a plastic heart comes from many people who love other people, and don't want them to die. "So these people work all day and often all night to build a heart that will make people live longer. "If you think of how much love there would be in hundreds of hearts, then that is how much love there is in a plastic heart."

Scripture Text: John 21:12-17 (KJS) Jesus saith unto them, Come [and] dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

I. Revival of Love … Love is Denied.

Words without actions.. Are only words? What is the acid test of love? What have we done and said to love one another? Do we Love Him more than these? All of these disciples?

Matt 26:32 (KJS) But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

• Have we Denied His Love? This is the Love of the Church. Love to God, Love to Ourselves, and Love to others in and out of the church.

I Cor. 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails …13.And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love is

Slow to suspect -- quick to trust.

Slow to condemn -- quick to justify.

Slow to offend -- quick to defend.

Slow to reprimand -- quick to forbear.

Slow to belittle -- quick to appreciate.

Slow to demand -- quick to give.

Slow to provoke -- quick to conciliate.

Slow to hinder -- quick to help.

Slow to resent -- quick to forgive.

II. Revival of Choice… Love is a Decision.

Decide to love the Lord who gave himself for us.

• Love the Lord with all of our heart.

• Love yourself as one that is loved and valued by the Lord…

• Love others as you love yourself. Jesus has chose you and loved you to become your sacrifice.

Matt 22:37 (KJS) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 (KJS) And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

III. Revival of Actions… Love is in Deeds.

Words and Deeds must go together to show the Lord that we truly love Him. Peter’s words didn’t match his deeds. Although he said that he loved the Lord more than all of these other disciples, he had denied the Lord 3 times before the Rooster crowed. He needed a revival of Deeds.

The Lord Jesus himself has already set the example for us to follow.

After feeding the disciples their breakfast , He then gives him the command to go and feed the Lord’s little lambs and sheep. Three times Peter denied that he was a follower of the Lord and now three times Jesus gives the command to Feed the Sheep.

We must love in words and in deeds.

1Joh 3:14 (NIV) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

As we conclude this mornings service let each of us consecreate ourselves to the Lord and to His Love!