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Final Instructions
By Skip Heitzig
John 21:20-25

As John closes off his singular testimony of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he features some closing words of Jesus and Peter about himself (John). These final sentences provide some instructions for us as we await Christ's return. How should we live in light of who Jesus is, what Jesus did, and when Jesus will return?

From the teaching series 43 John - Believe:879 - 2009

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John 21 (NKJV™)
20	Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
21	Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
22	Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
23	Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
24	This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25	And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

<p><strong>Final Instructions - John 21:20-25</strong><br /> From the series: 43 John - Believe:879 - 2009<br /> <em>By Skip Heitzig </em><p></p> <p><strong>MESSAGE SUMMARY</strong></p> <p>As John closes off his singular testimony of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he features some closing words of Jesus and Peter about himself (John). These final sentences provide some instructions for us as we await Christ's return. How should we live in light of who Jesus is, what Jesus did, and when Jesus will return?</p> <p><strong>OUTLINE</strong></p> <p><ol type="I"><br /> <li>Be Careful Where You Look (v. 20)</li><br /> <li>Be Careful What You Consider (vv. 21-22a)</li><br /> <li>Be Careful Who You Follow (v. 22b)</li><br /> <li>Be Careful How You Wait (vv. 23-25)</li></ol><br /> <p>Some Final Thoughts:</p><ol> <li>In what ways do you compare yourself to others? What does this reveal about you?</li><br /> <li>What does this final section tell us about Jesus' care for each individual follower?</li><br /> <li>The next time you feel the tendency to snoop into other peoples' business, do you think you could hear God's still, small voice saying, "What is that to you?"</li></ol></p> <p><strong>DETAILED NOTES </strong></p> <p><ol type="I"><li>Introduction <ol type="A"> <li>While God is straightforward, we tend to complicate things <ol> <li>Ten commandments <ol type="a"> <li>Jews made ten categories</li> <li>613 commandments <ol type="i"> <li>365 negative</li> <li>248 positive</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>We move things from simple to complex <ol type="a"> <li>What Jesus said</li> <li>The Lord's Prayer <ol type="i"> <li>56 words</li> <li>Covers all areas of life</li> <li>Straightforward  yet comprehensive</li> <li>Compared to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture document setting the price of cabbage: 26,911 words</li> <li>"We respectfully petition, request and entreat that due and adequate provision be made, this day and the date hereinafter subscribed, for the satisfying of these petitioners’ nutritional requirements and for the organizing of such methods of allocation and distribution as may be deemed necessary and proper to assure the reception by and for said petitioners of such quantities of baked cereal products as shall, in the judgment of the aforesaid petitioners, constitute a sufficient supply thereof"</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>"All great things are simple."—Winston Churchill</li> </ol> </li> <li>Setting <ol> <li>Final words of gospel of John: final words John records Jesus said <ol type="a"> <li>Jesus keeps it simple <ol type="i"> <li>Reinstates Peter</li> <li>Told of Peter's future usefulness to Him</li> </ol> </li> <li>Peter complicates it: pokes his nose in someone else's business</li> </ol> </li> <li>After breakfast</li> <li>Jesus has given Peter "shepherding duty"</li> <li>The disciple whom Jesus loved: John</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>Be Careful Where You Look (v. 20) <ol type="A"> <li>Background <ol> <li>Jesus came to Sea of Galilee</li> <li>Disciples fishing, don't know it is Jesus on the shore</li> <li>Obediently cast net on other side, net full of fish</li> <li>John says, "It is the Lord!" (<span class='verse'>John 21:7</span>)</li> <li>Peter swims to be with Jesus</li> <li>Heart to heart conversation with Peter</li> </ol> </li> <li>Perhaps a friendly competition between Peter and John <ol> <li>John records that it was he who recognized Jesus, not Peter</li> <li>He records that John got to the tomb first on resurrection day</li> <li>John recorded that He believed the resurrection, when Peter didn't yet comprehend it</li> <li>Now the reverse, "What about him?"</li> <li>Competition before being called: James and John in fishing business; also Andrew and Simon Peter</li> </ol> </li> <li>Up to this point, Peter's eyes on Jesus <ol> <li>Fellowship with Christ</li> <li>Peter is distracted</li> </ol> </li> <li>Problems begin when we take our eyes from the Lord onto others <ol> <li>Look around and get distressed <ol type="a"> <li>Morning paper filled with bad news</li> <li>“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” —Corrie ten Boom</li> <li>"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (<span class='verse'>Hebrews 12:2</span>) <ol type="i"> <li>Written from perspective of running a race</li> <li>Looking around you, behind you, to the stands, while on the track</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>Arnold Palmer lost focus when shook hands with friend during 1961 Masters tournament</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>Be Careful What You Consider (vv. 21-22a) <ol type="A"> <li>Background <ol> <li>Jesus predicted Peter would lead a long life and remain faithful</li> <li>Peter loved the Lord, but he's still Peter <ol type="a"> <li>People change, but not that much</li> <li>Ups and downs</li> <li>Concerned himself with God's will for John</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> <li>We are prone to thing about someone else and want to meddle <ol> <li>"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (<span class='verse'>2 Corinthians 10:12</span>)</li> <li>Worry about what they are doing, rather than what we are doing</li> </ol> </li> <li>Jesus didn't answer Peter's question: None of His business</li> <li>Johns end, according to Irenaeus, disciple of Polycarp, disciple of John <ol> <li>Arrested</li> <li>Taken to Rome</li> <li>Romans tried to kill him in multiple ways, including boiling in oil</li> <li>Shipped to Patmos, prison colony</li> </ol> </li> <li>"Take heed to yourself" (<span class='verse'>1 Timothy 4:16</span>) <ol> <li>"Keep a critical eye on your own life"—Phillips Translation</li> <li>We are not responsible for others on Judgment Day</li> <li>“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”—A.W. Tozer</li> <li>Be concerned about the Lord's will for your own life</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>Be Careful Who You Follow (v. 22b) <ol type="A"> <li>Are you following people, or are you following Christ?</li> <li>Jesus repeats the command to follow Him <ol> <li>Already told Peter, "Follow Me." (<span class='verse'>John 21:19</span>)</li> <li>Emphatic "you"</li> <li>As for you, you follow Me</li> <li>Peter was slow to understand, so Jesus said it slowly</li> <li>Jesus never told Peter to follow the other apostles</li> </ol> </li> <li>Whenever you follow people, you will be disappointed <ol> <li>"'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.'" (<span class='verse'>1 Corinthians 1:12</span>)</li> <li>First and foremost, follow Christ</li> </ol> </li> <li>When we probe deeply we may discover we aren't following as we should <ol> <li>Like Peter answered when asked, "Do you love Me?" </li> <li>Be honest</li> </ol> </li> <li>Measure whether you are following Christ <ol> <li>Be where He is: "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also." (<span class='verse'>John 12:26</span>) <ol type="a"> <li>In all circumstances</li> <li>In all relationships</li> <li>In all decisions</li> </ol> </li> <li>Do what He does: "I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done." (<span class='verse'>John 13:15</span>) <ol type="a"> <li>Jesus was faithful and obedient</li> <li>Jesus was patient</li> <li>Jesus was honest</li> <li>Jesus was holy</li> <li>Copy and emulate what Jesus does</li> </ol> </li> <li>Suffer for His sake: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (<span class='verse'>Matthew 16:24</span>) <ol type="a"> <li>Not whatever problem you face at the moment</li> <li>Galileans knew what it meant <ol type="i"> <li>Carrying the <em>patibulum</em> to crucifixion</li> <li>Around this time 2000 Galileans were crucified and placed on the main roads so all would see what would happen if you defy Rome </li> </ol> </li> <li>Take yourself off the throne</li> <li>Put Christ on the throne</li> <li>Willing to die to your dreams, ambitions, goals</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>Be Careful How You Wait (vv. 23-25) <ol type="A"> <li>The last words of Jesus recorded by John are about His return and waiting for it <ol> <li>Rumor was that John would not die <ol type="a"> <li>Wasn't a prophecy, but a hypothetical statement</li> <li>Even the early church misinterpreted truth by not listening carefully</li> </ol> </li> <li>John appeals to the reader to pay careful attention to what he wrote</li> </ol> </li> <li>As we wait for the Lord's return, be careful <ol> <li>Not to cling to rumors, hear say, etc.</li> <li>Stick to the study of God's Word</li> </ol> </li> <li>Understand the Scripture <ol> <li>Never know what it says to you personally, unless you know what it said to them personally</li> <li>Never know what it said to them personally unless you examine carefully</li> <li>Faithfully, expositionally, verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, and book-by-book go through the Bible</li> <li>"You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God." (<span class='verse'>Matthew 22:29</span>)</li> <li>"I supposed I knew my Bible,<br /> Reading piece-meal, hit or miss;<br /> Now a bit of 'John' or 'Matthew,'<br /> Now a snatch of  'Genesis.'<br /> Certain chapters of 'Isaiah,'<br /> Certain "Psalms,"—the twenty-third,<br /> Twelfth of 'Romans,' first of 'Proverbs.'<br /> Yes, I thought I knew the Word.<br /> But I found a thorough reading<br /> Was a different thing to do,<br /> And the way was unfamiliar<br /> When I read the Bible through.<br /> Ye who treat the Crown of Writings<br /> As you treat no other book—<br /> Just a paragraph disjointed,<br /> Just a crude, impatient look—<br /> Try a worthier procedure,<br /> Try a broad and steady view;<br /> You will kneel in very rapture<br /> When you read the Bible THROUGH." <em>Reading through the Bible</em>, by Amos R. Well</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li></ol><p><strong>Publications referenced</strong>: <em>Reading through the Bible</em>, by Amos R. Well<br /> <strong> Figures referenced</strong>: Winston Churchill; Corrie ten Boom; Arnold Palmer, A. W. Tozer, Irenaeus<br /> <strong> Cross references</strong>: <span class='verse'>Matthew 16:24</span>; <span class='verse'>Matthew 22:29</span>;<span class='verse'>John 12:26</span>; <span class='verse'>John 13:15</span>; <span class='verse'>John 21:7</span>; <span class='verse'>1 Corinthians 1:12</span>; <span class='verse'>2 Corinthians 10:12</span>; <span class='verse'>1 Timothy 4:16</span>; <span class='verse'>Hebrews 12:2</span></p></p> <p> </p>

Who We Are:

We pursue the God who is passionately pursuing a lost world; we do this with one another, through worship, by the Word, to the world.

What We Do:

Upreach
We express our adoration of Jesus through dynamic worship and uncompromised obedience.

Inreach
We explain the relevance of the Bible to empower and transform lives for service.

Outreach
We extend hope to a hurting world by proclaiming the gospel and demonstrating Christ's love.

Our Beliefs

We Believe that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.

We Believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.

We Believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in Holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

We Believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

We Believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teaching, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth.

We Believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all that believe in Jesus Christ for ministry.

We Believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide.

We Believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We Believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

We Believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and empowers the believers for service, often subsequent to regeneration.

We Believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head, and all regenerated persons are members.

We Believe that Jesus committed two ordinances to the church: 1) Baptism and, 2) the Lord's Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion open to all believers.

We Believe also in the laying on of hands for baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and receiving from the Holy Spirit through the believer the gift of healing.

We Believe in the personal, visible return of Christ to the earth and the establishing of His Kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.

We Believe in what is termed the Apostles Creed as embodying the fundamental facts of Christian faith.

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4001 Osuna Rd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-344-0880
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Final Instructions
By Skip Heitzig
John 21:20-25

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From the Series:
43 John - Believe:879 - 2009

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" John 20:31.

Believe:879 is an epic journey through the book of John led by Pastor Skip Heitzig of Calvary of Albuquerque. As we explore each of the 879 verses of this gospel, we'll grow in grace and in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. From His pre-incarnate existence, to His public ministry, through His death and His resurrection we'll traverse familiar territory and embark on new adventures of faith.

Visit Believe879.com for more information on this series.

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