John 13: 18-38
Key Scripture: John 13: 18-28
John 13:18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I am the Messiah. 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.” 21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” 22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23 The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” 25 So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night. 31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. 33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” 37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.
Our failures don't stop God’s plans.
We’re told about 2 failures. Compare and contrast the two:
Judas
Peter
John 13:26b…“It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas…
Psalm 41:9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.
Psalm 41:11 I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me. 12 You have preserved my life because I am innocent; you have brought me into your presence forever.
Our failures don’t mean God isn’t at work and it doesn’t mean He can’t use it for something good.
John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
The Problem Is Not How God Deals With Failure, But The Problem Is How We Deal With Failure.
Failure is not final. Your failure does not define you.
How do we act when we fail?
To both of these failures and those people who have been hurt by the actions of failures, Jesus says:
John 13:34b…Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
We don’t justify failure, but…
Peter bounced back - Peter found restoration and forgiveness - and Judas didn’t. It was there for him all along - but he never found it. He took the 30 pieces of silver that the religious leaders paid him, tried to give it back and, filled with regret, he took his life.
The Church is a Community of Failures
If God’s plan on earth is to use people that means that God’s plan is to further the kingdom of God until Jesus returns with broken messed up people.
We’re a church of failures - but the challenge is to be a church full of Peters not Judases. The church worldwide is full of people who are discovering that their failures are not final, their failures are not the end of their story, that there is redemption and restoration.
Jesus is Open and Committed to Flawed People
Matthew 9:12 Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13b…For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Restoration is Available
The Story of the Prodigal Son shows us what God is like.
In the story he didn’t know that the father would forgive him. He was ready to go back and be a servant. Jesus told the story so we could know that this is the heart of God. The story is supposed to teach us that when we come to our senses God is ready to receive us back home.
One of the important truths of the gospel is that people can change.
God says failures can be redeemed.
We need to act like failures can be redeemed.
We should decide how we are going to treat others if they fail because there is a 100% chance that someone will.
Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Matthew 6: 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Accept God’s discipline when we fail.
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
We’re a church of failures - but let's be a church that are failures like Peter was a failure.
People need to know that this is a church where anyone can come, bringing all their baggage, and we can leave with a renewed sense of hope and freedom.
2 Peter 1:1a This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ…2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires…10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
