Now What? | Week 2 | Pastor Kevin Kringel |
Now What?
Week 2
You Failed Again… Now What? | What Jesus Does After You Fall
Failure does not disqualify you. Jesus meets you in it, restores you through it, and calls you forward after it.
THE REAL QUESTION AFTER EASTER
Easter answers the question:
“Can I be saved?”
But the weeks after Easter, people start asking: “What’s next… after I fail again?”
Because if we’re honest…
“Why am I still failing even after I gave my life to Jesus?”
“Did I just disqualify myself?”
Foundation:
-You have a new nature (You want what God wants) (2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4)
-You are no longer dominated by sin or Satan (Romans 6:6-14) (you can resist)
-Every temptation is common to man (1 Cor. 10:13) (you are not alone)
-With every temptation, God provides a door of escape (1 Cor. 10:13)
-The things I don’t want to do, I still find myself doing (Romans 7:15-19)
One of the purposes of the Bible is to help us understand God's love.
Even the best among us still fall short. Our hearts and desires have changed, but we are still working out habits, mindsets, and wills, fighting against spiritual forces and cultural norms, as well as our own old self that tries to resurrect itself.
You are not broken or alone when you fall. You, like the rest of us, are learning to run to God in these moments (what Adam and Eve didn’t do, they hid from God; we are learning to run towards Him)
1. FAILURE IS REAL (DAVID) 2 Samuel 11 & 12
David, called a man after God’s own heart, fails deeply. He has loved God since his youth. He has been anointed by God for his pure heart. He has defeated lions, bears, and Goliath. God has been faithful to him in the wilderness, protecting him from King Saul’s plans to kill him. Now he is king and finds himself distracted, tempted, and wicked in his heart. Sometimes we only discuss the failings of new believers, but what about those of us who know better and have loved God our whole lives?
Adultery. Deception. Murder. (God confronts him through Nathan the prophet and David receives it and truly repents)
Psalms 51
You don’t move forward by pretending you didn’t fail. You move forward by bringing your failure to God.
Failure feels heavy.
Failure can become the place where God does His deepest work.
2. WHAT YOU’RE FEELING MAY ACTUALLY BE PROGRESS
“When I’m back here… away from the light…I don’t really see much.”
“Now here’s where people get this wrong…”
“When they start seeing more…they think something is wrong.”
They think:
Also notice that the sins we are dealing with usually shift from larger, more obvious sins to sins and secrets in our hearts, minds, attitudes, and responses. At times, we can still fail in outward, more impactful sins, but we should see our progress and recognize that what we are praying about now has changed.
Conviction vs Condemnation
“When I was far from God…I didn’t see it… and I didn’t care.”
“But now…”
John 3:20–21 (NIV)
“Everyone who does evil hates the light…But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light…”
3. FAILURE DOESN’T CANCEL YOUR CALLING (PETER)…Luke 22:54-62
An apostle (disciple) with Jesus for 3 years, saw the miracles, heard the teachings, witnessed Jesus' transfiguration, and saw the glory.
Peter had bold faith at the last supper: “I’ll never deny you.” (the zeal we feel for the Lord)
And just hours later… blindsided by our own hidden weakness. He denies Jesus 3 times.
Luke 22:61–62
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter… and he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Peter knew that Jesus saw it.
4. JESUS PURSUES YOU AFTER FAILURE (JOHN 21)
After the resurrection, Jesus doesn’t avoid Peter.
He goes looking for him.
They’re standing around a fire, the same setting as his failure.
And Jesus asks:
“Do you love me?”
(Three times)
Jesus asks:
“Do you agape me?” (all-in, unconditional love)
Peter responds:
“I phileo you.” (I love you… but I won’t pretend anymore)
Again… and again…
Then the third time—Jesus shifts:
“Peter… do you phileo me?”
Why this matters
Peter won’t exaggerate anymore. Failure humbled him.
Failure stripped Peter of pride, but it gave him honesty.
Powerful Truth
Jesus meets Peter at his level.
He doesn’t say:
“Come back when you’re stronger.”
He says:
“Let’s start with the love you actually have.”
Restoration Moment
Every time Peter answers, Jesus says:
“You still have a calling.” “I’m not done with you.”
In all of these examples, including Adam and Eve, we see God coming towards us in our sin, not running from us. Coming towards us may be in the convicting voice of the prophet or the gaze of Jesus. Coming towards us doesn’t feel good in the moment, but it is always to restore us, not to ruin us.
Altar- WHAT’S NEXT AFTER FAILURE?
1. Bring it to God (David)
Stop hiding.
“Create in me a clean heart…”
2. Don’t misread conviction
What you’re feeling isn’t rejection, it’s progress.
3. Respond with love and honesty
No need to make impressive declarations, just admit to Jesus where you really are. He will meet you there.
Just:
“Yes, Lord… I love you.”
4. Step back into calling
Failure is not the end.
It becomes part of your testimony.
Let’s pray
Week 2
You Failed Again… Now What? | What Jesus Does After You Fall
Failure does not disqualify you. Jesus meets you in it, restores you through it, and calls you forward after it.
THE REAL QUESTION AFTER EASTER
Easter answers the question:
“Can I be saved?”
But the weeks after Easter, people start asking: “What’s next… after I fail again?”
Because if we’re honest…
- We love God, but we still struggle
- We mean well, but we still fall short
- We have moments of faith, but also moments of failure
“Why am I still failing even after I gave my life to Jesus?”
“Did I just disqualify myself?”
Foundation:
-You have a new nature (You want what God wants) (2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4)
-You are no longer dominated by sin or Satan (Romans 6:6-14) (you can resist)
-Every temptation is common to man (1 Cor. 10:13) (you are not alone)
-With every temptation, God provides a door of escape (1 Cor. 10:13)
-The things I don’t want to do, I still find myself doing (Romans 7:15-19)
One of the purposes of the Bible is to help us understand God's love.
Even the best among us still fall short. Our hearts and desires have changed, but we are still working out habits, mindsets, and wills, fighting against spiritual forces and cultural norms, as well as our own old self that tries to resurrect itself.
You are not broken or alone when you fall. You, like the rest of us, are learning to run to God in these moments (what Adam and Eve didn’t do, they hid from God; we are learning to run towards Him)
1. FAILURE IS REAL (DAVID) 2 Samuel 11 & 12
David, called a man after God’s own heart, fails deeply. He has loved God since his youth. He has been anointed by God for his pure heart. He has defeated lions, bears, and Goliath. God has been faithful to him in the wilderness, protecting him from King Saul’s plans to kill him. Now he is king and finds himself distracted, tempted, and wicked in his heart. Sometimes we only discuss the failings of new believers, but what about those of us who know better and have loved God our whole lives?
Adultery. Deception. Murder. (God confronts him through Nathan the prophet and David receives it and truly repents)
Psalms 51
You don’t move forward by pretending you didn’t fail. You move forward by bringing your failure to God.
Failure feels heavy.
- It replays in your mind
- It whispers, “You’re done.”
- It tells you, “You had your chance.”
Failure can become the place where God does His deepest work.
2. WHAT YOU’RE FEELING MAY ACTUALLY BE PROGRESS
“When I’m back here… away from the light…I don’t really see much.”
- I don’t notice what needs to change
- I don’t feel convicted
- Honestly… I don’t even care
“Now here’s where people get this wrong…”
“When they start seeing more…they think something is wrong.”
They think:
- “I must be getting worse.”
- “I must be failing more.”
- “God must be further from me.”
Also notice that the sins we are dealing with usually shift from larger, more obvious sins to sins and secrets in our hearts, minds, attitudes, and responses. At times, we can still fail in outward, more impactful sins, but we should see our progress and recognize that what we are praying about now has changed.
Conviction vs Condemnation
“When I was far from God…I didn’t see it… and I didn’t care.”
“But now…”
- I see it
- I feel it
- I want to change
- Condemnation says: “You’re rejected. You’re done.”
- Conviction says: “Come closer. Let’s deal with this.”
- “Awareness is not rejection, it’s an invitation.”
John 3:20–21 (NIV)
“Everyone who does evil hates the light…But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light…”
3. FAILURE DOESN’T CANCEL YOUR CALLING (PETER)…Luke 22:54-62
An apostle (disciple) with Jesus for 3 years, saw the miracles, heard the teachings, witnessed Jesus' transfiguration, and saw the glory.
Peter had bold faith at the last supper: “I’ll never deny you.” (the zeal we feel for the Lord)
And just hours later… blindsided by our own hidden weakness. He denies Jesus 3 times.
Luke 22:61–62
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter… and he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Peter knew that Jesus saw it.
4. JESUS PURSUES YOU AFTER FAILURE (JOHN 21)
After the resurrection, Jesus doesn’t avoid Peter.
He goes looking for him.
They’re standing around a fire, the same setting as his failure.
And Jesus asks:
“Do you love me?”
(Three times)
Jesus asks:
“Do you agape me?” (all-in, unconditional love)
Peter responds:
“I phileo you.” (I love you… but I won’t pretend anymore)
Again… and again…
Then the third time—Jesus shifts:
“Peter… do you phileo me?”
Why this matters
Peter won’t exaggerate anymore. Failure humbled him.
Failure stripped Peter of pride, but it gave him honesty.
Powerful Truth
Jesus meets Peter at his level.
He doesn’t say:
“Come back when you’re stronger.”
He says:
“Let’s start with the love you actually have.”
Restoration Moment
Every time Peter answers, Jesus says:
- “Feed my sheep”
- “Take care of my people”
“You still have a calling.” “I’m not done with you.”
In all of these examples, including Adam and Eve, we see God coming towards us in our sin, not running from us. Coming towards us may be in the convicting voice of the prophet or the gaze of Jesus. Coming towards us doesn’t feel good in the moment, but it is always to restore us, not to ruin us.
Altar- WHAT’S NEXT AFTER FAILURE?
1. Bring it to God (David)
Stop hiding.
“Create in me a clean heart…”
2. Don’t misread conviction
What you’re feeling isn’t rejection, it’s progress.
3. Respond with love and honesty
No need to make impressive declarations, just admit to Jesus where you really are. He will meet you there.
Just:
“Yes, Lord… I love you.”
4. Step back into calling
Failure is not the end.
It becomes part of your testimony.
Let’s pray