Luke 22:31-34,54-62; John 18:15-18; 21:1-19

We are continuing with our theme for the month in preparation for VBS, 7/17/22, “Twists & Turns,where following Jesus changes the game of life.” Life is not all fun and games – even after becoming afollower of Jesus; it’s full of twists and turns that can leave us feeling like we’ve taken one step forward andtwo steps back.We are looking at 4 encounters Jesus had with His friend Peter this month. Peter messed up,stumbled, and wasn’t perfect. But even when he messed up, it wasn’t ‘Game Over.’ God still worked throughPeter to help others learn about Jesus.So far we’ve seen Peter’s Aha! Moment where and when He first recognized Jesus for who He really is!We’ve seen Peter’s first steps of faith in Jesus when he first trusted Jesus enough to risk stepping out in faith!Today we will see that, even after all that, Peter turned his back on Jesus and denied even knowingHim! Even so, Jesus forgave Peter and restored him. Redemption is a free gift available to everyone!If you need to know how you can experience this for yourself ,or how to bring this hope to others inyour life, our Theme Verse for the week is a great way to start by praying – Psalm 25:4 – Make your waysknown to me, Lord [so I’ll recognize and know the difference between what’s from You and what’s not];teach me your paths [so I’ll know how to live them out and bring others into your ways more confidently].Today’s Point: Jesus is forgiving, even when I sin.Our sin doesn’t change Jesus, but it breaks us! Jesus loves us and wants to heal and forgive us.We want this for all the kids we get to minister to at VBS next week, but do we have this ourselves to give?Q: What is forgiveness? At its’ simplest, forgiveness is canceling a debt.We are all sinners in need of forgiveness. We all think, say, or do things that displease God. We’ve allhad plans for our lives apart from God’s plans for our lives.For every one of us, the debt for our sin costs more than we are able to pay. Sin always costs us morethan we can afford to pay, takes us further than we can afford to go away, and keeps us longer than we canafford to stay. That’s the trap! First sin fascinates, then it assassinates. It’s a thriller, then a killer – a bait,then a fate.Jesus paid that debt for us by dying on the cross for us. He offers us that debt-forgiveness for free, butit’s not automatic – we have to believe Him and receive it from Him, trading back our control and plans forour lives apart from Him for His. He gave His life as a ransom for all to pay the penalty we all own, since weall cut ourselves off from the life God gives us by turning to our own plans apart from Him, which landsus…apart from Him.For those who believe and receive God’s offer through Jesus, Colossians 1:13-14 says God “…hasrescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14  in whom wehave redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”Redemption is a churchy-sounding word, but it is very, very practical and important!!!“Redemption” is the action of re-gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, orclearing a debt.Redemption means “to restore”.

When we humble ourselves and come to God for forgiveness of our sins, by way of Jesus’ paymentwith His own life, Jesus makes it possible for our relationship with God to be restored. We can spend eternitywith Him forever.When Jesus forgives our sin, He restores our relationship with God!John 1:12- “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name [In who He says He is, inhow He defines reality, in what He promises to do], he gave the right to become children of God.”This is something you want! It’s what you were made for in the first place! (Please speak with us ifyou have questions about how Jesus can forgive your sin.)For the moment, here is Peter’s story, how he over-estimated his own character and his come-back!3 years prior to today’s passages, Peter laid down everything to follow Jesus –