Staying Constructive in a Skeptical World – John 21:15-24

• Staying Constructive in a Skeptical World.
• John 21:15-24
• Advertising atheism..
• Atheists of 20th century..
• Atheism and secularism are inherently anti-Christian and can only tear down..
• Christ is in the business of building up..
• Eccl 3:3 “There is a time to tear down, and a time to build up..”
• A time to build up..
• The Greatest Generation..
• Built interstate highway system..
• Developed corporations..
• Advances in medicine, science, and technology..

• A time to tear down..
• We’ve torn down integrity, purity, honesty, respect, national pride, ideals, dreams …
• Jesus dealing with Peter…
• “Follow me… I will make you fishers of men..”
• Peter’s time of tearing down…
• “You will deny me three times .. afterwards strengthen your brethren..
• Peter’s time of building up..
• John 21:1-6 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?“ They answered Him, "No."
• 6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

• Building Peter back up..
• John 21:15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You”…17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

• Building Peter back up..
• 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

• Building Peter back up..
• 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."

• Jesus taught Peter to build up…
• Peter lived this out by faithfully devoting his life to building up others..
• Edification..
• Oikodomeo .. Oikos (house) domeo (to build)..
• Building literal sense…
• Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock..


• Jesus the builder..
• Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

• Edification..
“Building people”..
• 1 Pet 2:5 – as living stones built up a spiritual house.. dwelling of God
• 1 Cor 3:16 – you are temple of God
• Matt 16:18 – build My church..
• Edifying others, not self..
• 1 Cor 10:23-24 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
• 1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

• Edifying others, not self..
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
• Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
• Pursue edification
• Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
• 1 Timothy 1:4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

• Not just knowledge..
• 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

• Use of spiritual gifts
• 1 Cor 14:12 Seek to excel for the edification of the church
• 1 Cor 14:26 let all be done for edification
• Rely on God’s Word..
• Acts 20:32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

• Rely on God’s Word..
• Jude 20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

• Staying constructive
• There is a God…
• Christ is returning..
• The best is yet to come…
• Staying Constructive in a Skeptical World
• John 21:15-24
• Let all be done for edification..
• 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

• Let all be done for edification..
• 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.