Failure Is Not Fatal

Failure Is Not Fatal
John 21: 15 – 25.


What kind of person comes to mind when I say the word “failure?” Do you think of someone who has lost their job? Do you think of a family who has lost their life savings? Or, maybe you think of someone who never really lived up to the expectations people had for them when they were younger or just getting started in their career?

In the current economic climate, there have been lots of people who have lost jobs, lost money and probably feel like their careers are not developing as they had hoped. It would not be fair to judge someone as a failure based on these criteria.

Take Abraham Lincoln as an example… Most people would agree that Abraham Lincoln was either the greatest president our country ever had, or that he ought to be listed among the greatest presidents. However, a few years ago, there was an email circulating about all the failures that Lincoln endured before he was eventually elected President of the United States of America. Some of Lincoln’s failures were overstated in the email, but the website Snopes.com tells us that there is some truth in the email.

· In 1831, Lincoln lost his job as the manager of a general store, when the store’s owner went bankrupt.
· In 1832, Lincoln ran for the Illinois state legislature and lost. He finished eighth out of thirteen candidates.
· In 1833, Lincoln started another general store with a partner. They were unable to make their first loan payment in the following year. All of Lincoln’s assets and possessions were seized by the lender.
· In 1834, Lincoln was finally elected to the state legislature.
· In 1835, Lincoln’s girlfriend died. Some think they were engaged to be married. Most agree this was a grief that affected him for the rest of his life.
· In 1843, Lincoln ran for the Whig Party nomination for U.S. Congress and lost.
· In 1854 and 1858, Lincoln lost his bids to become a U.S. Senator.
· In 1860, Lincoln was elected President of the United States.[1]

On one hand, Abraham Lincoln’s life is characterized by numerous “failures.” On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln is widely recognized as one of the greatest leaders our country has ever known.

How can one person endure so much failure and then go on to become so successful? Perhaps the answer lies in a quotation attributed to Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue which counts.”[2]

From a biblical standpoint, I think we could learn a lot about success and failure from the Apostle Peter.


John 21: 15 – 25.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")
21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
(NIV)


I think most of us think of Peter as a success. For example, according to Acts 2, Peter preached a sermon in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. This was no ordinary sermon. At the end of the sermon, over 3,000 people became Christians, and the Christian church was born! After Pentecost, Peter was widely recognized as one of the “Pillars” of the early church. Peter preached fearlessly about Jesus and the resurrection. Peter healed the sick. Peter even participated in the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the Gentiles. It is safe to say that you and I would not be Christians today, without Peter’s sermon at Pentecost and Peter’s obedience to preach the Gospel to Gentiles.

However, this was not always Peter’s story. We have the luxury of 2,000 years of biblical history and church tradition to help us understand Peter as a successful disciple. Yet, Peter experienced some devastating failures in his lifetime.

This Scripture is often referred to as “The Reinstatement of Peter.” Peter had failed, and before he could become successful, he needed Jesus to reinstate him.

Can you think of times that Peter failed?

After Jesus fed the crowd of over 5,000 people using only five rolls and two small fish, Jesus sent the disciples across the Lake of Galilee ahead of himself. While the disciples were rowing their boat across the Lake, a storm overtook them. Jesus came to their aid in the storm. Jesus was walking on the top of the water. The disciples thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus spoke to them and assured them it was their Lord. Peter answered, "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and took several steps on the top of the water. But, then he became afraid of the storm and started sinking in the water. Peter called to Jesus for help. Jesus answered, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14)

In Matthew 16, Jesus explained to his disciples everything that would happen to him in Jerusalem at the hands of the Jews and the Romans. Jesus told them he would suffer at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. Jesus told them he would be killed and would rise again on the third day. Peter immediately rebuked Jesus by saying, "Never Lord! This will never happen to you!” Do you remember what Jesus said to Peter? He said, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

In Mark 9, Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain. He wanted to show them his glory. While Jesus was talking to them, a cloud descended from Heaven. Jesus’ clothes turned a bright white. Then, Moses and Elijah appeared right there with Jesus. The disciples were given an incredible preview of Jesus in all his glory. Of course, there was only one way Jesus could receive this glory. He had to go to the cross. The path to glory led through suffering. Peter did not want to come down from the mountaintop. Peter suggested that they ought to memorialize Jesus’ glory by building three shelters—one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah.

And then there is what Peter did before, during and immediately after Jesus’ crucifixion. When Jesus was arrested, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the guards (John 18). Perhaps Peter was trying to help Jesus avoid suffering. Or, maybe he thought he could begin a political revolution. Jesus was carried away, and Peter followed from a distance. Then, Peter was given an opportunity to claim Jesus as his Lord. A servant girl asked Peter, “Are you one of Jesus’ disciples?” Peter said No. Then, a group of people warming at a fire asked Peter a second and third time, “Are you one of Jesus’ disciples?” Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.

More than likely, this is what John wants us to remember when we read this story in John 21. Just as Peter had denied knowing Jesus while standing around a fire, here we see Jesus and Peter standing around a fire. He has a chance to be reinstated.

Notice that Jesus addressed Peter as “Simon, son of John.” I can think of three reasons why Jesus would address him as “Simon, son of John.” First, that’s his name. Second, the name “Peter” is a nickname which means “Rock.” And lately Peter has not been acting much like a “rock.” He failed his Lord, denied knowing Jesus, and abandoned Jesus in his time of need. Third, this is Jesus’ way of showing Peter that he is giving him Another Second Chance.

Keep in mind where we are right now. We are not in Jerusalem anymore. No. We are on the shore of the Lake of Galilee. This is a special place to Peter. It is his hometown, AND this is the place where he first met Jesus. This is the place where Jesus called Peter to follow Jesus, leave his fishing business and become a fisher for people. In other words, Jesus has just taken Peter back to the very beginning of their relationship. This is Another Second Chance.

The conversation between Jesus and Peter revolves around three questions, three answers and three commands. Actually, it’s one question, one answer and one command. It just happened three times. Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, “I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The Greek text of John 21 reveals a subtle play on words in the conversation between Jesus and Peter. In Greek, Jesus’ question reads, “Do you agape me?” And Peter’s answer reads, “I philo you.”

I suppose it is possible to build a sermon from the basic meanings of these two Greek words for love. Agape love is selfless and giving love, best defined by Jesus’ self-giving sacrifice on the cross. Phileo love is something akin to friendship.

This is a very attractive interpretation…except for a couple of problems.

If Peter never used the word agape to describe his love for Jesus, then Jesus had to compromise his expectations for Peter. In fact, when we look at the commandments Jesus gave Peter, we would have to say that Jesus gave Peter a divine calling despite his inferior love for Jesus.

The second problem is even more difficult to overcome. More than likely Jesus and Peter did not have this conversation in Greek. They probably spoke in Aramaic. And Aramaic only has one word for “love.” So, there must be another reason for the three questions.

Jesus asked for Peter’s love three times. Does that remind you of anything? Better yet, should the number three remind Peter of anything? Yes. It ought to remind him of the three times he had previously denied knowing Jesus. Remember in John 18, we read that Peter stood by a fire and denied Jesus three times. Now, in John 21, we watch as Peter and Jesus stand by another fire as Peter professes his love for Jesus three times. This is Another Second Chance.

Yes, Peter had failed. He had an opportunity to stand up for his Lord but refused. He denied knowing Jesus. No matter how badly you have failed, you too can have Another Second Chance. Jesus wants to give you Another Second Chance. (I like the way that sounds, “Another Second Chance.” It’s not just a second chance. It’s another second chance!)

But notice how Jesus wanted Peter to use his second chance. Jesus said, “If you love me, feed my lambs; take care of my sheep; and feed my sheep.” Again we find a variety of words, which might lead us to interpret these commands as being separate commands. However, I think they are the same thing, repeated in three similar statements. In fact, Jesus’ commands to Peter only have one word in common: “my.”

Jesus did not hand over his sheep to Peter. The sheep still belong to Jesus. Peter simply has a responsibility to care for Jesus’ sheep.

You and I might not know much about sheep and how to take care of sheep. But Peter knew about sheep. Most every family in the ancient world had their own flock of sheep. The flock of sheep was their primary source of wool, milk, meat and religious sacrifices. Shepherding the flock was a responsibility of every family and was a position traditionally held by the youngest son. When he got older, he could go to work for his father in the family business. But every young man took responsibility for shepherding the flock.

We often talk about sheep as being dependent animals. They need a shepherd to look after them and to take care of their needs. But there is another thing about sheep that we sometimes forget. Sheep are a herd animal. They don’t do well on their own. They stick together. They need each other.

The Old Testament is full of references to sheep and shepherds. Many of these references describe the people of Israel as sheep. The New Testament adopts this same language to describe God’s people—the church—as sheep. So, I believe Jesus was commanding Peter to use Another Second Chance in the church.

You and I are like sheep. We are dependent on our shepherd—Jesus—to take care of our needs. AND, we need to flock together in the church. Christians NEVER do well on our own out in the world.


Conclusion.

On one hand, Peter’s story is a very personal story. It is addressed to each of us individually. Your failure—or your many failures—are not fatal. Just because you think you have failed in business, in finances or even in relationships, God is not through with you. Even if you have failed spiritually—after all, Peter failed spiritually by denying that Jesus was his Lord… Even if you have failed spiritually, your failure is not fatal. God is not through with you. God has a plan for your life. God wants to reinstate you and give you a job to do among God’s sheep, in the church.

On the other hand, Peter’s story is a good story for our church to hear. Yes, we can find a personal and individual message in this Scripture. But, we can also find a message to our church.

In the past several weeks, I have been talking about our Long Range Planning Committee and our upcoming 40 Days of Prayer for our church and the fact that we need to make some changes in the way we do church in the future. BUT, I do not believe our church is a failure. I love this church. I am proud to tell people I am pastor of this church.

Lufkin’s First Baptist Church has a wonderful legacy of worship, ministry and missions. We have been entrusted to carry on that legacy. Today, I do not believe we are living up to our God-given mission…potential…expectations… I suppose we could think of ourselves as failures and just quit right here and now. But, that is not like the story of Peter or like the story of the Gospel. The Gospel tells us that failure is not fatal, God has a plan for us, and Jesus wants to reinstate us for service.

No, this is not the end of Lufkin’s First Baptist Church. It is the beginning of Another Second Chance. The biggest mistake we could make today is to become so afraid of failure that we decide to do nothing.

Friday was the 164th birthday of Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison became famous as an inventor. He still holds the record for the most patents in his name, 1,093! But, all my life I heard the story about how many times Edison failed to invent the light bulb. I don’t know if this is a true story or not, but this is a story of truth. It was said that Edison failed a thousand times before he ever invented the light bulb. But, Edison said, “I didn’t fail. I simply discovered a thousand ways NOT to invent the light bulb.”

Or consider Hank Aaron[3]… Call me old fashioned, but I refuse to acknowledge Barry Bonds as the player with the most home runs in Major League Baseball. Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs in 23 seasons. Do you know how many times he struck out? 1,383 strike outs. He had a career batting average of .305 in 13,940 plate appearances. He made an out in 69% of plate appearances and hit a home run 5%.

If we believe the Gospel, the we also believe failure is not fatal. We have to be willing to try…And we have to be willing to fail sometimes…



[1] http://www.snopes.com/glurge/lincoln.asp
[2] http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/280615/winston-churchill/success-is-not-final-failure-is-not-fatal-it-is-the
[3] http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aaronha01.shtml