Speaker 1: 0:01

Welcome to the Daily Blade. The Word of God is described as the sword of the Spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.

Speaker 2: 0:20

All right. Day five, the final day of this resurrection account from John 21. We're going to cover the same passage we did yesterday, but I want to point out something different, beginning in verse 18, truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted. But when you were old, you will stretch out your hands and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go. This he said to show by what kind of death he, being Peter, was to glorify God. And after saying this, he said to him follow me. This is such a big deal. What Jesus is doing is Jesus is giving essentially like a do-over to Peter.

Speaker 2: 0:57

Peter has screwed up so bad. Three times after Peter promised that he would never leave or forsake Jesus, he denies that he even knows who Jesus is. And even when Jesus tells him at the last supper hey, listen, man, you're going to deny me three times before the rooster crows. Peter promises I would never leave you. I would die for you if all of these suckers turn their back on you, not me, boss. You ever make promises to God that you don't keep? You ever think he's done with you? I got good news he's not done with you. So what Jesus does I've covered this before Jesus does not wait in Jerusalem for him to get his act together. That Jesus pursues Peter. And Jesus meets Peter on the same seashore that he met him the very first time, and he essentially gives Peter a do-over. Do you know what a do-over is? When I was a kid and we were playing a game, if somebody screwed up, you could yell do-over and a do-over. We would just return to the previous situation. Now that's not exactly what's happening here, and the reason is because what you and I maybe you've heard this before Some people will say well, god is the God of second chances and I know what they mean, but you and I don't need a second chance. Do you know what you would get if God gave you a second chance in life? You would screw up again and again, and again. What you and I need is not just another chance. What you and I need is a new life. We need someone to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. And so Jesus meets Peter right here, on the same seashore that he met him the very first time. And here's what's crazy he's going to say to him the same words that he says to him the first time that he ever met him on this same seashore.

Speaker 2: 2:44

In Matthew, chapter 4, beginning in verse 18, the Bible says while walking by the Sea of Galilee, jesus saw two brothers, simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to him ready, first thing Peter ever heard out of the mouth of Jesus follow me and I will make you fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and they followed Jesus. I think what Jesus wants Peter to know is I know you've screwed up, bro. That's why I came, that's why I died on a cross to forgive you of your sin. And when I was resurrected from the grave, it was so that you could have new life in me.

Speaker 2: 3:25

And the things that you have done in your past don't define you.

Speaker 2: 3:29

You are not defined by your sin.

Speaker 2: 3:31

You're not defined by your mistakes.

Speaker 2: 3:32

You're not defined by your screw-ups.

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Jesus is going to say I'm the only one that gets to tell you who you are, and even though you've sinned, but your confession that you love me.

Speaker 2: 3:42

You love me.

Speaker 2: 3:43

You love me because you believed in my life, death and resurrection.

Speaker 2: 3:47

Look here, peter, I'm not done with you.

Speaker 2: 3:50

You see, one of the tricks of the enemy is he wants to try to define you by your scars, like some of you.

Speaker 2: 3:57

Right now, the enemy's beating you down and he's saying this daily blade doesn't count for you because you've been a porn addict, you've been an alcoholic, because you're divorced, because you cheated on your wife, whatever the thing is, this world tries to define you by your scars, but Jesus says that we are defined by his, and so if you've been in a rut and you've been returning to your old ways of life, I'm telling you, right now Jesus is giving you a gospel-centered new life. Do-over. He ain't done with you. Don't ever give up on God. He would never give up on you. You come to him, you repent and, just like he called you to follow him in the beginning, you confess that Jesus' blood forgives you of all of your sin and you continually, courageously follow in the footsteps of Jesus, because it's not your past that defines you, it's the cross and the empty tomb that does. May you never, ever, ever forget that. Therefore, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Speaker 1: 5:00

Amen. Thank you for listening to today's episode Before you go, if you want to help equip other men for the fight, Amen.