Love is a Matter of Priorities

Love is a Matter of Priorities
John 21:15-17


Intro: The disciples had struggled terribly with the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus (we would have too). Even though he had appeared to them on two occasions after his resurrection, they still felt fearful and uncertain; they were still in turmoil and wondered what the future held for them all.
One day, 7 of the 11 were together (maybe discussing their situation and maybe airing out their doubts and fears) when Peter in his impulsive way suddenly says, I’m going fishing.
Well, it had a been quite a while since Jesus had called these men from their fishing to be his disciples and to become what Jesus called Fishers of men. Clearly, fishing was not a sinful activity, but its also clear that Jesus intended for their fisherman’s life to fade into the past while they moved forward into ministry and the preaching of the Gospel.
Now, Peter was reverting back to a past Love. It had risen up in him suddenly and taken control. When he mentioned it the other 6 quickly joined in and agreed to go fishing also.
You’ll notice that their efforts were fruitless and they caught absolutely nothing though they fished all night long. When the dawn broke, Jesus was standing on the shore. John records that the disciples saw him but at first did not recognize who he was. Jesus called to them and asked them if they had caught any fish. They answered, No!
It’s interesting how a fisherman will talk your leg off when he’s had a great day of fishing; and how short he will be with words when it didn’t go well. Lol
Jesus called out to them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat; they did so and they began taking in so many fish they couldn’t even draw the nets all the way into the boat.
John immediately said to Peter, That’s the Lord!
All of them made their way to shore and found that Jesus already had fish and bread for them to eat. They all ate and then Jesus singled out Peter and asked him this question: Lovest thou me more than these?
Now, some have offered the opinion that Jesus was asking Peter if he loved the Lord more than these other disciples loved the Lord. I don’t think that’s the case at all. Later, Paul wrote that we are not to compare ourselves among ourselves and that those who do so are not Wise.
So, I don’t believe the Lord was asking Peter if he loved him more than those other disciples did, I believe he was Pressing a Point and asking Peter if he Loved the Lord More than he Loved Fishing; more than the Boat; more than the Nets; more than the Thrill of taking in a huge load of fish; more than the whole experience of fishing.
Jesus wanted to know what was the True Love of Peter’s life. Was it the fishing and being a fisherman; or was it being a Disciple and doing the work of the Lord?
True Love is a Matter of Priorities.
Peter was pressed to state his true love in such terms. I love you, Lord, More than I love fishing. I love you, Lord, more than I love the boats and the nets and the nights out on the sea.
The Lord wants to hear from you today. He wants to know what is the true love of your life. I’m not talking right here about a person you may consider the love of your life, I’m talking about whether Jesus Christ is the true love of your life.
Do you Love the Lord more than you Love Self?
Over and over Jesus told his followers that those who would come after him would have to Deny Themselves. So it is almost 2000 years later, those of us who really love the Lord must love him more than we love ourselves.
If your whole life is consumed with Your desires, your likes and dislikes, your convenience and your comfort, your wants and your wishes, You do not really Love the Lord.
Being Selfish breaks BOTH of the commandments that Jesus said are the most important ones of all:
- Love the Lord the God with ALL thy heart, soul, mind and strength.
- Love thy neighbor as thyself
Jesus wants to know if you love him more than you love yourself. Will you take your ways over his ways; will you take your will over his will; will you take your wishes over his commands?
Paul said that we are to Present our bodies a Living Sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. That we are not to allow the World to Conform our life to its pattern But that we are to allow the Spirit of God to Transform us by renewing our Hearts and Minds.
Do you love the Lord more than Self?


Do you Love the Lord more than Material things?
Paul wrote that the Love of Money is the root of all evil. He did not say that Money is the root of all evil but that the LOVE OF MONEY is the root of all evil.
In another place we are told to Use this world but not abuse it. In other words, we are to use the material things that are a necessary part of this human life but we are NOT to allow them to control our lives.
Think of the people who say they are Christians whose lives are consumed with their Work and their Income and their Salary and their Benefits and their Savings and their Investments and their Houses and Vehicles and on and on....
Jesus would say to you, Lovest thou me More than these?
Jesus himself said that our heavenly Father knows we have need of food, clothing and shelter; God knows that we need a job, a source of income; God knows that we need finances to live in this physical world; but Love is a matter of Priorities and we must Love the Lord More than these.
For the sake of space I’ll not try to name everything that can get our attention and our affection for I think I’ve made the main point: Nothing should be allowed to come between us and our Lord.
In conclusion let me point out that there are two main ways of checking our priorities:
The Use of Money and The Use of Time
If you want to really find out what matters the most to you in your life, check where your money and your time go. Jesus said that where your treasure is, there is your heart also. When we have money for everything else but never for the Lord and his work, we are proving that we don’t love the Lord more than these. When we have time for everything else but not for the Lord and his Word and his church and his work, we are proving that we don’t love the Lord more than these. Love is a matter of priorities. Can you Hear Jesus asking, Do You Love Me More than These?