The Gospel of Accounts of Matthew and Mark end with a
Great Commission { Go therefore ……
A)Luke’s
Gospel ends with a Great Promise – the Promise of the HS – God wait
B) I
like John’s gospel the best – It ends with a great
Restoration – brings us back to Peter
After these things
Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this
way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter,
Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and
two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I
am going fishing."
They said to him,
"We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into
the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
We find the Disciples here after the Rez and before they
received instruction to go to
A)V.14
reveals that this was the 3rd time that Jesus revealed himself to
his disciples after the Rez
B) The
first two times happened in
1) Once
when Thomas was absent & the 2nd time was 8 days later.
C) So this is the third time the disciples are down in
the area now of the sea of Galilee
1) Why were
they there ?
C)
D)
According to v.16 apparently He told them to go to a certain mt to wait for Him
V.16 Then the eleven disciples went away into
Well it seems that Peter gets tired of waiting and
announces – I am going fishing! 6 others follow
A) That’s the problem when we
go off on our excursions.
B) Others
always seem to be affected by our little detours, our disobedient side-trips………
1) Now it is
interesting to me that Thomas is named
2) Nathanael
is named
3) Sons of
Zebedee – we know are James/ John
C) Two who are
unnamed – Why?
1) Maybe it is so we can put
ourselves in the boat – because we can do this too often
So these seven guys head out in disobedience to go fishing
A)For Peter it
was a Chance to return back to what He knew – he was a fisherman { Comfortable
B) Chance to
take matters into his own hands
1) I know in my own life I am so prone to do that
when I get tired of waiting on God.
C) I am good
at knocking down doors – I am good and stirring the pot –
1) But anytime that I have detoured in that way –
always a disaster.
D) people
hurt/ I end up Bruised / bloody /– The door might come down – but at what cost!
1)That is
always the question { Was it worth it!
E)Now In the
case of these guys they come up empty v.3 says they caught nothing
1) That is
when Jesus shows up!
V. 4 But when the morning had now come,
Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5
Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?"
They
answered Him, "No."
Now that was a miracle – Fisherman answering No –
Lots of bites – the one that got away…….
Notice also the word
that Jesus used to call out to them Children { Not Backsliders / Rebels /
A)Not Ex Apostles / former disciples / LOSERS
BONE HEADS
B) Children – Still my kids – in the wrong place at the
wrong time –
1) Nothing wrong with fishing – but it was wrong for them
at that moment
C) So they have been out there all night – which was
normal time they fished … torches
1) Now it is the morning – having caught a thing
Jesus shows up – Watch what he does
6 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.
This is amazing to
me – their success was only a matter of 71/2 feet – width of their boat
A)These guys were considered expert fisherman
It was their occupation
B) Reminder that the Lord knows better about your area of
expertise than you do
C) Our problem is we can go days / mths / even yrs never
even seeking the Lord about our area of expertise –because we are so
comfortable there
But the result of
that is we completely miss out on the supernatural in our lives – by doing
that.
A)When is the last time in that area of expertise did you
ask – the Lord for direction
B) When is the last time you prayed about what to do
about something in that area –
1) Too comfortable too routine { result miss out on the SUPERNATURAL
C) God will never ask you – to build an ark on dry ground
1) Never ask you to walk around
2) Never ask you like Gideon to go into battle W/ 300
against a multitude
D) None of those things make
sense – but God doesn’t care so much if it makes sense – what He does
care about is when it is all said and done that He is SEEN!
E) Everyone
Knows it is HIM ! – That is what happens here
V. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus
loved JOHN
said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment
(for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
F)Deja-Vu{
reminder of
1)Peter
outer garment – decency and reverence
8 But
the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land,
but about two hundred cubits), 100yrds dragging
the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of
coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring
some of the fish which you have just caught."
All night long the disciples
had been looking for fish — when all the while, Jesus had it right at hand,
freshly grilled, ready to eat.
A)Haven’t you discovered
this to be so?
B)Haven’t you discovered
over and over again when you go off on your little excursions, that when you
come back to the Lord you find what you longed for all the time?
C) So
true – He is all that we need – All that we want
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full
of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many,
the net was not broken.
A)What
is the significance of 153 fish – why count
B)Almost all the commentators
agree that John has a reason for giving the number.
1)Some
of the guesses as to what that number means, however, are amazing, to say the
least.
C)One
man said it probably indicated that 153 A.D. was a very important year. I
have never been able to find out anything unusual about that year, however.
Cyril of
Augustine of Hippo added the numbers from 1 through 17 and found they
added up to 153, but he failed to say what was the significance of that!
Jerome of
Rob of
12 Jesus said
to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared
ask Him, "Who are You?" — knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then
came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now
the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from
the dead.
“Come
& eat breakfast” – what a great invitation!
Just the word “come” is awesome!
A)God
used it 1st as a benevolent command in Gen.7:1
when he told Noah & his family to “Come into the ark”!
B)God
closes the bible using it twice as a command in Rev.22:17
“And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!"
And let him who hears say, "Come!"
And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life
freely.
C)“Come dissolves
distance!”
V.15 So when
they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah,
do you love Me more than these?"
To
what does the word, ‘these’ refer?
A)The 153 fish saying: ‘Do
you love Me more than fishing, Peter? { Me Baseball
B) Boats – saying more than
your occupation or is work your highest priority
C) The other Disciples { I
think it is this last one –
1)
Remember Peter boasted – even if all these guys forsake you not me …….
2)
In saying that Peter was implying: I love you more than these guys do and I
will prove it!
There
are four words in Greek for love.
1)‘Storge’
is the affection one feels for a puppy.
2)‘Eros’
is a sexual kind of love.
3)
‘Phileo’ is brotherly love.
4)‘Agape’
is love which gives for the sake of giving, never expecting anything in return.
Peter uses ‘phileo’.
A)The word
Jesus uses is ‘agape’ — the highest kind of love. ‘I’ve
fed you; I’ve shown grace to you; I’m reaching out towards you,’ said Jesus.
‘Do you love Me with a perfect kind of love?’
B)But
Peter responds – by using the word Phileo – V.15 Yes
Lord you know I am fond of you.
Was Peter at fault here? No – It reveals that Peter had lost
his self confidence –
A)By
responding this way: Peter was saying –
“I don’t know that I can rise up to Agape – I used to
think that but now I don’t know – But I do know I have a great affection – Fond
of you as a great friend.”
B)Jesus
responds feed my Lambs
16 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."
17 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?"
3rd
time Jesus uses Phileo – Really fond of me.
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I
love You."
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
3 Questions Probably because there were 3 denials
A)3
commissions - Feed lambs – little ones
Children’s ministry is Key
B) Tend
lambs – take care of nurture – help grow
1) Feed
Sheep – Feed the big ones
C) MY
SHEEP – don’t forget HIS sheep {
Now here is what is happening in this exchange – Jesus is
restoring Peter Publicly
A)Already
restored him Privately
B) But
now He is restoring him Publicly
1) Why
not Just Privately? Peter’s sin was public
C) See
Restoration is two fold { US and God {
Private
“If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.”
Also
Public
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that
you may be healed.”
D) When
I have wronged someone – the first step is to make it right with God – Private
{ Forgiveness
1)But the Bible tells me I need also make it right with
that person – HEALING
E) Not even come to the altar with unforgiveness in my heart
– or knowing someone has ought with me
1)So Jesus is taking care of the Public here and letting
the others know – Peter is forgiven and is going to be used!
This Story illustrates for us that when a leader falls he
can be restored. After repentance
A)But
remember – James said
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall
receive a stricter judgment.
B) So
when a leader falls – Judgment is going to be stricter – his restoration will
take time
C) 1
Timothy / Titus Qualifications
1) His
life needs to match up to those qualifications again – personally – in his home
/ wife / family
D) But
a leader can be restored to ministry – Peter’s life testifies to us of that –
1)And by
the grace of God his ministry can even be greater than before.
18
Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and
walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands,
and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he
would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow
Me."
A)Now was the Lord being mean here – was He saying this
was going to be Peter’s punishment?
B)
Actually the exact opposite:
He is
saying Peter I know you denied me here. But you are going to make it into old
age and even in the face of the cross you are not going to deny me!
C) In
your death you are going to Glorify God !
1) It
was an encouraging word that I am sure Peter reflected on over the next several
years
D) First reaction though was different
V.20 Then Peter,
turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had
leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who
betrays You?" 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what
about this man?"
22 Jesus said to
him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You
follow Me."
23 Then this saying
went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not
say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I
come, what is that to you?" {Rumor …world before truth …on
YOU FOLLOW ME !
A)Keep
your nose in your own business and out of John’s – Such good advice
B) First year back here – Calls / emails / concerns
1) CCCM
/ Seeker / Psychology /
C)
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness
of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be
revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,
D) Very
Clear you Rob focus and be concerned about CCV – that is it!
24 This is the
disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know
that his testimony is true.
25 And there are
also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I
suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Amen. DVD Set in heaven
Here
we have the inexhaustibility of Christ!
A)If Christ fills
eternity then it would be a simple matter to fill a planet!
B)The whole universe is a living library that only begins to tell of our
glorious Creator, God the Son!
C) John comes to the end
once again thinking of the splendor of J.C.
“Whatever
we know of Christ, we have only grasped a fragment of Him. - Human categories
are powerless to describe Christ, & human books are inadequate to hold
him.”
C) I
picture John, like a father putting his children to bed at night, & reading
a bed time story “that’s all for tonight kids”, “Oh dad please, one more
story!”…tomorrow night! {I can’t wait till tomorrow
night!}
D)Jesus
is waiting to tell us the rest when we get there! - We have all we need for
now, & all we can handle right now,…but just you wait!
END: Jesus asks us TONIGHT, “Do you love Me?” “Will you
follow Me?” “Will you stay focused to your calling?” “Will you care for
My sheep?”
The
heart of serving Jesus is caring for His sheep!
What
are you looking for – Jesus had
Supernatural
in your life