Have you ever failed God—again—and wondered if He still wants you? After denying Christ three times, Peter’s future felt ruined. But beside a charcoal fire, Jesus gently recommissions him—not with rebuke, but with a simple, piercing question: “Do you love Me?” This is not just Peter’s story—it’s your story too.

With insights from the lives of Samuel Johnson and William Carey, Stephen reveals how even spiritual heroes wrestled with repeated failure. The difference? They didn’t excuse their sin—they confessed it. They didn’t give up—they came back. You’ll discover why brokenness is the starting point for usefulness in God’s hands.

Whether your struggle is inconsistency, guilt, or discouragement, this message will remind you that Jesus isn’t finished with you. He doesn’t need perfect vessels. He uses repentant ones. If your heart feels heavy with regret, this episode will help lift your eyes back to Christ—the One who restores, recommissions, and reignites your love for Him. This is good news for failures. And it’s your invitation to come sit by the fire.

The Spiritual Struggles of Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson lived in England throughout most of the 1700’s. He became a famous author and scholar – he was renowned in the western world for writing one of the first ever comprehensive dictionaries of the English language.

He tediously, tirelessly worked on this incredibly massive project that took him nine years to finish.

He was also a committed Christian, and a best-selling author. He was sought after for his spiritual insights, and he had a keen moral sense that many leaders depended upon.

His personal journal however, revealed his lifelong battle to develop spiritual disciplines – especially in the area of prayer.

His journal chronicles repeated attempts and resolutions to get up early in the morning to pray.He would fail more than he would succeed

In reference to failing to pray as he ought, as a 29 years old he wrote, “Oh Lord, enable me to redeem the time which I have spent in sloth.”

Later he would write, “Oh mighty God, enable me to redeem the time misspent in idleness.”

In 1759 when he was 50 years old, Samuel wrote a resolution to get up early to pray – he wrote: “shake off idleness and sloth.”

At the age of 52 he finally wrote in his journal: “I have resolved that I am afraid to resolve again.”

Three years later, when he was 55, he wrote, “I resolve rise early to rise early to read the Scriptures, and to live usefully.”

At the age of 66, in 1775, He wrote in his journal: “When I look back upon resolution of improvements and commitments which have, year after year, been made and broken, why do I yet try to resolve again?I try because reformation is necessary, and despair is sinful; therefore, I resolve to rise at 8:00 AM for prayer.

At the age of 71 – three years before his death – he wrote, “I will not despair; help me, help me, Lord, I resolve to rise at 8:00 AM for prayer.

You thought you had trouble with your devotions!

William Carey’s Confessions of Spiritual Weakness

William Carey, the pioneering missionary to India seems an unlikely candidate for this kind of struggle. After all, he had earned the title: The Father of Modern Missions.

Yet we have discovered written in his personal journal similar words – he writes, “I am defective in all my duties, in prayer I wander and soon tire; devotion languishes and I do not walk with God.”

On another occasion he would write, “I am so cold, so indifferent to the cause of God – I often seem to be at the point of giving up entirely.”

Yet again, on another occasion he writes, “I can scarcely recollect a single day in which I have not sinned against God. I am very unfit for His service.”

Try and fail – fail then try – try and succeed – succeed then fail. Their journals agonized with this cycle.

The truth is, if we kept an honest journal of our own spiritual disciplines, we would sound like Samuel Johnson and William Carey.

Why God Uses Imperfect People

But why would God use them so significantly even though they battled spiritual disciplines throughout their lives?

For one thing – because they never excused it; they confessed it. They repeatedly admitted and confessed to God, and God, beloved, is ready and willing to forgive.

God Uses Broken Vessels for His Glory

The truth is, God used Samuel Johnson and William Carey for the same reason He uses you and me – He will not use an unrepentant vessel . . . an insincere vessel . . . an apathetic vessel, but He will use a broken vessel, humbled before the Lord.

David wrote in Psalm 51, “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Simon Peter: A Case Study in Spiritual Failure and Grace

The brief biographies of the disciples, which we’ve studied through our exposition of Luke’s gospel have revealed this same truth.

Simon Peter’s biography is a case study in the cycle of failure and confession and sin and repentance,

Peter models what it means to make spiritual resolutions and then experience spiritual reversals.

Let’s take a closer look at him today.

Peter’s Denials and the Resurrected Lord’s Grace

Now Luke’s gospel account informed us that the resurrected Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene, and a group of women who’d come to the tomb, and two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and to the eleven disciples as well.

The most detailed account of an appearance by the Lord takes place on the seashore where the Lord appears to several of his closest disciples – Peter, James and John, Thomas, Nathanael, along with a few others.

They’d been fishing all night and had caught nothing. The Lord repeats an earlier miracle by suddenly showing up, giving them some direction on where to throw their net, and then miraculously filling their nets with fish.

With that, the Lord invites them to join Him on shore where He has prepared a breakfast of fish and fresh bread.

Breakfast by the Sea: Jesus Reinstates Peter

This will become the scene of Peter’s renewal to ministry – and let me tell you, Peter is the one disciple who would never imagine that Jesus would want to use him – or even want him.

He’s arrived at the place William Carey was at when he wrote in his journal, “When I look at myself, I see nothing but a mass of corruption. I wonder why God would use of such a wretch as me.”

That’s Peter! As far as Peter was concerned, his denials have destroyed his chances. His failures had to be fatal.

But were they?

John was one of the disciples there at breakfast that morning. He’s the only gospel writer to include the details, so let me invite you to turn to John chapter 21.

While you’re turning, let me tell you, this is nothing more than a story grace – this is how the Lord touches broken hearts; how God uses broken crushed people, for his glory. Let me tell you, this is good news for failures, like Peter and James and John and Thomas and Nathanael – this is good news for you and me.

One more note: in this culture, to be invited to eat a meal with someone you had wronged was a sign grace being offered – there was no lingering resentment or bitterness.

Now according to what John writes here in verse 9, the Lord has already prepared a charcoal fire – it’s been warming up for some time now – and fish are grilling on it – and fresh bread as well.

By the way, the Lord didn’t bring charcoal down to the seashore to make this fire – He spoke it into existence. Just like He didn’t catch these fish either – He has no net or boat – He simply created them – and this bread had also been summoned into existence by His creative power as if He’d just taken it from the oven.

The Resurrected Lord is now serving as host and cook and waiter and – most importantly – agracious Lord.

Peter’s Restoration and Jesus’ Questions of Love

Now I want to enter this scene just as breakfast is finishing up. John 21 and verse 15:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” John 21:15

Now stop for a moment – did you notice that Jesus didn’t call Simon by the name He’d given him three years earlier – Simon Peter. It was back to “Simon, Son of John”

That would have stung just a bit. Jesus is effectively saying, “When I named you Peter – Cephas – little rock – that meant you were going to be steadfast . . . consistent.”

And Peter had agreed of course! He figured he deserved that name.

In the upper room, when Jesus told the disciples that one of them would deny him, Peter effectively said, “That won’t be me! Remember, I’m the steadfast one – I’m not like these other jelly fish disciples – I’m the rock, remember?”

Even when the Lord responded, “Peter, three times you will deny you even know me,” Peter said, “All these other men might do that, but not me, Lord – my love for you is rock-solid – just wait and see!”

But now – here at the seashore – let’s drop that rock part of your name out and go back to the basics . . .

Simon, son of John do you love me more than these? And Peter said, “Lord, you know that I love you.”

Now Jesus and Peter happen to use two different words in the original language.

Some don’t agree that there is any significance to the different terms used in their conversation – they are all translated “love” in the English text.

I would agree however with those who believe that John’s careful and deliberate choice of different terms for love is anything but irrelevant. (SOURCE: ^{Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on John (Zondervan, 2010), p. 356)}

They are highly significant – and they are loaded with implications.

Do You Love Me? Jesus’ Restoration Question

Jesus asked: Simon, son of John, do you love (agapao) me?”

This is the love word for strong, unfailing, loyal love.

This is the love God has for us. It’s not driven by emotion, but defined by purpose and commitment.

This is the love God’s word says should underpin a marriage – agape love – unfailing love.

So the Lord is asking Peter here, “Peter do you have a committed love for me?”

The term Peter responds with is phileo – which is love word for strong affection.

It is a lesser love than the loyal love of agape. This is a love that would be used – predominantly – between close friends.

Peter doesn’t respond with the same word.

You see, by now, the confidence of Peter’s resolutions which fueled his arrogant blindness – by now that has been crushed out of him.

He was a failure. He was a broken man.

And I gotta tell you, the Lord’s question is crushing Peter even more.

That’s because God isn’t delighted with proud, self-assured self-promoting vessels; He delights in broken, contrite vessels.

Did you notice at the end of this first question that Jesus adds these insightful words – verse 15 again:

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” John 21:15

What are “these” whom Jesus refers to here?

Could it be the nets and the boats and the fishing enterprise? Could it be a reference to loving the Lord more than these other disciples?

We’re not told, but Jesus seems to be tying this question back to the upper room where Peter had resolved, “All others will forsake you, Lord, but I will never – even if I have to die with you I will never deny you” (Mark 14:31).

In other words, I love you with dying loyalty so much more than these other men. I have agape for you like nobody’s business.

Simon, son of John, is that true?

And humbled, crushed Peter effectively responds, “Lord, I can’t say that now, like I once did . . . but I do have warm affection for You as a close friend.”

And Jesus stuns Peter, I’m sure, and the other men too, by responding, not with a personal rebuke, but with a personal recommission.

It’s as if the Lord says, “Well, then in that case, Simon, son of John – you’re ready to be used by Me – Jesus says here in verse 15;

[Jesus] said to him, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15b

Tend to my young lambs – the word is arnion – a word Jesus is using for weak or young believers in the faith who are prone to wander or become confused.

Look after my little ones!

Jesus Commands Peter to Feed His Sheep

Now verse 16:

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” John 21:16a

Notice how Jesus drops out any mention of comparison . . . and that’s because Peter has gotten the point. No more comparing to others; no more bravado – no more, “I’m better than everybody else!”

With this question, Jesus now probes deeper – “Do you really love me?”

^{William Hendriksen, John: Volume 1 (Baker Book House, 1953), p. 487}

Again, Jesus uses agapao here and Peter responds with phileo.

So, again Peter responds by effectively saying, “Lord . . . you know I can’t use that same word of loyal love, but You do know that I have such strong affection for You – it isn’t as steadfast as I had resolved it to be – we all know that – but I do have strong affectionate love for you.”

And again, instead of rebuking Peter, the Lord repeats His commission.

Verse 16:

He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” John 21:16b

The word Jesus used for tend was poimaine – which means to shepherd.

The word gives us poimen – which is translated pastor in Ephesians 4:11.

Pastor my sheep – more woodenly, pasture my sheep –

Jesus is using shepherding terminology here to tell Peter to take the sheep in to green pasture.

Jesus – the Chief Shepherd – is very concerned here that His under-shepherds feed the flock. This isn’t a suggestion – this is a command.

This is a reminder to us that Jesus is very concerned about the leading and the feeding of the flock.

Hungry sheep are a disgrace to the under-shepherds.

Jesus is saying, “You’d better take care of my sheep – make sure they’re well fed.”

By the way, Jesus never refers to the sheep as belonging to Peter – or any apostle for that matter.

Jesus doesn’t say, “Simon, feed your sheep.” No, “Feed MY Sheep”.

The flock doesn’t belong to the under-shepherds, they belong to the Chief Shepherd.

The under-shepherds are working on behalf of the Chief Shepherd – the pastors – the elders – are simply being given the command to take care of the flock on behalf of the Lord.

Peter will write later in life to church leaders to “shepherd the flock of God, over whom you’ve been appointed (2 Peter 5).

Now keep in mind, Peter was a fisherman, not a shepherd.He knew how to work with boats and nets and knives and hooks.

He’s being called to change his profession and his perspective.

Fishing and shepherding are very different. Fisherman don’t stay up at night, protecting fish from predators – fisherman are the predators.

Fishermen don’t feed fish – fishermen eat fish.

Some of you really sharp Bible students are thinking, “Well, shepherds eat sheep too . . . they do, but that doesn’t fit my illustration, so just ignore that part.”

But here’s one more analogy to think through . . . fishermen are not fish, but shepherds are sheep at the same time.

Every shepherd needs to entirely depend on the Shepherd.

And Peter is ready to live with that kind of dependency now.

Three Questions, Three Affirmations, One Restored Disciple

Now verse 17.

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?” John 21:17a

Now this third time, Jesus changes his term for love.

This is a powerful moment where the Good Shepherd stoops down to his broken, humbled lamb, drops the use of agapao and instead, uses Peter’s word phileo.

“Peter, if the best you can offer me is the affection of a close friend . . . I accept that because you and I both know that at this moment in your life, if you were to say you have an unwavering, undying, loyal love for me you would just be bragging like old times . . .

So, Simon, son of John, do you love Me as a close friend?”

The Bible records that this third question brought grief to Peter – clearly because it was the third time.It reminded him of his three failures to publically declare his love for Christ.

Three times Peter denied the Lord. Where? Before a charcoal fire in the High Priest’s courtyard.

This charcoal fire here on the seashore is not a coincidence – it’s a reminder that Peter will never forget.

But Peter was also grieved, no doubt, with the change in words for love – he was crushed all over again with the love and grace of Christ against whom he’d so deeply sinned.

Now, three times, before this charcoal fire - convicting him, crushing him, breaking him - Jesus now says, “Peter, do you at least love me with deep affection?”

And Peter says, perhaps through tears, “Yes”.

Love Is the Measure of Spiritual Maturity

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus could have asked Peter a thousand different questions . . . if I were Jesus here, I would have asked:

• Peter are you truly sorry for what you did?
• Peter, are you willing to apologize to me and the other disciples?
• Peter, will you promise never to be unfaithful again?

No! Peter, do you love me?

Isn’t that the bottom line?

Isn’t our lack of prayer a reflection of our love for Christ?

Isn’t our sin a choice to love something more than Christ?

Isn’t the fundamental issue – the foundational principle – the greatest commandment – to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind.

Maybe we should stop praying so much that God will give us a greater love for our spouse, our children, our job, our community, our ministry – and walk down here to the seashore and start asking for the most important thing – a greater love for Christ.

Peter’s Heart Change and Ministry Calling

Peter responds here in verse 17b.

“Lord, you know everything (about me), you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17b

• Think of all the things Jesus could have focused on with this broken, failed disciple –
• think of all the things that needed to be changed in Peter’s life –
• all the things that needed to be addressed . . .
• but it all came down to this.

Do you love me?

What a tremendous mark of growth in Peter here. Earlier in the upper room, Peter had told the Lord that He didn’t know what was in his heart. “Lord, you’re wrong – you don’t know me!”

Now Peter is saying, “Lord, you really do know me . . . you know everything about me.”

And Jesus effectively says, “Peter, I can work with you now – you’re ready to serve Me now – take care of my sheep.”

God Uses Broken People to Accomplish His Work

Jesus is commissioning a broken Simon Peter to service.

Did Peter learn? Peter will as an old man, years from now ... and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 

That’s another way of knowing that Peter’s failures weren’t fatal – but he learned much from being broken.

And when he was finally crushed by his sinful disloyalty to Christ, he understood what King David learned after his own sinful failure – when he wrote his confession, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will never turn away.”

Did Peter grow proud again as he grew successful as a leading member of the early church?Did he get back to bragging? “Yea, I was unfaithful way back then . . . but now, I’m Peter the steadfast rock.”

No . . . in fact, the last recorded words Peter ever wrote are these: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; to Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 

Vance Havner, a country preacher and evangelist, used so significantly by God wrote it so well – God uses broken things; the broken alabaster box gives forth perfume; broken soil produces a crop; broken clouds give rain; broken grain gives bread, and it is the broken bread that gives strength.”

The Gospel Is Good News for Struggling Believers

Instead of focusing on your failures – journaling your defeats – go back to the gospel – it isnt’ just good news for the unbeliever who repents and believes – it’s good news for failures – disciples who disappoint!

This is good news for failures – an invitation to come down to that seashore and sit by that charcoal fire often – and be reminded by the Lord of what matters most.

A Prayer for Greater Love for Christ

The hymnwriter put it:

More love to Thee, O Christ;
More love to Thee
This is my earnest plea;
More love, O Christ to Thee.