Pst. Eric Mutembei Sunday Service on the 26th day of April 2026
Many believers, after experiencing failure or disappointment, choose to return to their old ways. Like Peter, who after denying Christ declared, “I am going back to fishing,” they retreat to familiar comforts and default settings. Yet who gave you the right to disqualify yourself from God’s calling? The moment you begin to say you are no longer fit for the harvest, you step away from your divine assignment.
Guilt, disappointment, and offence often drive people backward. A single offence can cause someone to abandon prayer, fellowship, and service, slowly eroding their spiritual life. Backsliding rarely announces itself; it happens gradually—one missed prayer meeting, one neglected Bible reading, one skipped commitment—until dryness sets in and passion fades.
Jesus, however, is a loving restorer. He does not wait for perfect repentance; He pursues us with grace. In John 21:4-6 (NKJV): “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” 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.”
Jesus recreated the very first miracle He performed when He called Peter, reminding him of his original encounter and purpose. God often revisits the place of your failure—not to shame you, but to heal and restore you.
Restoration is not primarily about performance but about relationship. In John 21:15-17 (NKJV): “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.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 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.””
Peter denied Jesus three times; Jesus restored him with three questions focused on love. The Lord asks us today: Do you love Me more than your comfort? More than money? More than approval? More than your pain? True restoration returns us to intimate relationship with Christ and reassigns us to His work—feeding His lambs and tending His sheep.
Do not remain in the place of failure. Jesus meets you exactly there with grace, recreates moments of calling, and restores you fully so you can serve again with fresh passion.
Application Refuse to return to old habits, comforts, or default settings when faced with failure, guilt, disappointment, or offence. Allow Jesus to meet you in your lowest place, receive His restoring grace, and answer His loving question: “Do you love Me more than these?” Recommit to intimate relationship with Christ through consistent prayer, reading of the Word, and active service. Let love for Him become the foundation that keeps you from drifting, so you can once again feed His lambs and fulfil your calling with renewed fire in this year of double harvest.
Would you like to watch the whole sermon and experience the full anointing of the message? You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmd1qNYcPWg