Text: John 21:15-19

Title: Past Forgiven for Future Plans

Themes: 
Peter denied Jesus three times, and now the Lord restores Peter by inviting him to declare his love for Jesus three times. Peter is thus forgiven by Jesus of failing Him in his pride and weakness. The forgiveness is implied in the commands given by Jesus to "Feed my lambs."
Similarly, Jesus offers forgiveness to us for the times we have failed to follow Him. He offers forgiveness for a past that we would just as soon forget. In our forgiveness, we are freed for a new life of service to the Lord.