#LiveAsLoving

1 Peter 1:21-22 / 4:7-11

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

One day on the beach, a fisherman met a carpenter…and life would never be the same! Somehow, this “chance” meeting actually turned out to be a Divine appointment. For it was not long before both carpenter and fisherman would leave their particular vocations in the rear-view mirror and point their lives in an entirely new direction. The carpenter would take the fisherman and, over the next 36 months or so, remake him completely. There were an unbelievable number of rough edges on the surly man of the sea. It would take all the skill and patience of a craftsman to smooth him out for profitable use.

He was impetuous. He was brash. He was impatient. He was passionate. Did I mention, he was impetuous?!? But he was bold and committed. He bowed while others sat frozen. He took bold steps onto the water while others hovered in fear. He professed while others stood tongue-tied. He defended with his scaling blade while others cowered. He ran in while others stood outside and wondered.

The number one finishing touch required by the Master’s hand was to teach the impetuous, brash, impatient, passionate fisherman how to love. It took a master’s touch and a bold stroke. The One who had been three times denied took His fine-grade paper and smoothed what remained of the fisherman’s grit. He taught him the meaning of love!

Three times:
1) “Peter, do you love Me?”
2) “Peter, do you love Me?”
3) “Peter, do you love Me?”

Suddenly the Carpenter cared as a Shepherd would care and the fisherman himself became a shepherd!

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

#ThePeterPrinciple
The secret to loving others more than loving self is to love the Savior more than all!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom