Cornerstone
Church January 11, 2004
A FAILED FISHING VENTURE
John 21:1-19
“I enjoyed a Charles Schultz cartoon that showed Snoopy sliding along the frozen pond on his little bare paws. He’s havin’ a great time. He’s smiling and has his little skullcap on. Lucy walks up and slides out onto the pond with her skates on, and Snoopy doing a little twirl, slides up right in front of her. She says to him, ‘That’s not skating, that’s sliding.’ And he just stands there and looks up at her as she goes on with her lecture, ‘You don’t have any skates on. Skating is when you have skates on. You’re not skating at all. YOU’RE JUST SLIDING!’
Snoopy finally walks off with his little feet to the side and says, ‘How could I have been so stupid. And I thought I was having fun.’”
The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart: And 1,501 other stories by Chuck Swindoll, pg. 163
ARE YOU EVER:
Disillusioned?
Disappointed?
Discouraged?
Distressed?
Have you ever wanted to return to your old ways and habits?
Have you ever wanted to give up and thought, “Who needs the church, I’ll believe in God and stay home?”
Perhaps you have been DISTRESSED by the world’s problems.
Perhaps the church’s past year of transition has DISCOURAGED you.
Perhaps your DISILLUSIONMENT in general over the years has caused you to remove yourself from involvement in the game (no longer serving in the church) but you have yet to leave the stadium (the church building).
If you have felt this way, you are not alone. Others have as well. We are going to look at some individuals this morning who might have been discouraged.
JOHN THE BAPTIST (J. B.)
Matt. 11:2-3 NIV When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
JESUS
John 6:66-68 NIV From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
PAUL
2 Tim. 4:9-11 NIV Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
DISCOURAGEMENT IS ONE OF SATAN’S MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS:
“It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale. On the date of the sale the tools were placed for public inspection, each being marked with its sale price. There were a treacherous lot of implements. Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on. Laid apart for the rest of the pile was a harmless-looking tool, well-torn and priced very high.
‘The name of the tool?’ asked one of the purchasers.
‘Oh,’ said the adversary, ‘That’s Discouragement.’
‘Why have you priced it so high?’
‘Because it is more useful to me than the others. I can pry open and get inside a person’s heart with that one, when I cannot get near him with other tools. Now once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It’s a badly worn tool, because I use it on almost everyone since few people know it belongs to me.’
The devil’s price for Discouragement was so high, he never sold it. It’s still his major tool, and he still uses it on God’s people today.”
– John Lawrence, DOWN TO EARTH
God called us and He has gloriously and marvelously saved us. We are here to be put on display for His glory to be seen in our lives.
WE NEED TO STOP LOOKING AT CIRCUMSTANCES
WE NEED TO STOP LOOKING AT PEOPLE
WE NEED TO STOP LOOKING AT THE WORLD’S SITUATIONS
WE NEED TO LOOK TO CHRIST!
“God is most glorified in us
when we are most satisfied in Him.”
John Piper
OUTLINE:
I. THE VENTURE BEGINS (John 21:1-3)
II. THE VENTURE FAILS (John 21:4-8)
III. THE VENTURE’S MEANING (John 21:9-14)
IV. REFOCUSING THE VENTURE (John 21:15-17)
I. THE VENTURE BEGINS
John 21:1-3
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
THE SETTING IS THE SEA OF TIBERIAS
(also known as the Sea of Galilee, Sea of Gennesaret and the Sea of Sea of Chinnereth)
During the forty day period between Jesus’ resurrection and Ascension He kept on appearing and disappearing on the disciples. This is His third appearance to them.
It is a warning to us that suddenly, one day, Jesus will return to earth and take the believers home to be with Him.
The Disciples are hanging out together in Galilee. WHY GALILEE?
Matt. 28:10 NIV Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Here we will need some sanctified imagination to fill in the blanks! Look at: John 21:3
“I’m going out to fish,”
Simon Peter told them,
He has made a clear decision. He is going fishing!
WHY IS HE DOING THIS?
1) Perhaps he is biding his time until Jesus gives them future orders.
2) Perhaps he has bills to pay since their ministry team was disbanded.
3) Perhaps he is discouraged. Ministry isn’t what he thought it was going to be so he is returning to civilian life. He is insecure about who is going to pay the bills – purchase cloths and food! Jesus hadn’t revealed the rest of His plan to Peter.
4) Peter was focusing his attention and energy on returning to his old life. Living like he lived before he met Jesus
It appears that this is:
His own plan
His own strength
His own power
WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE RESULTS?
HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE OTHERS?
Look at more of the verse:
“…and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’”
Now we understand why Peter is the leader of the pack. He is the natural leader of this band of brothers! This tendency is seen in the Book of Acts. He is, however, responsible for how he leads. It is always Peter, James and John and the other disciples.
WHO ARE THE OTHERS?
Peter James
Thomas John
Nathanael (probably Philip and Andrew!)
II. THE VENTURE FAILS
John 21:4-8 NIV
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF HUMAN EFFORT WITHOUT SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE?
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
John 21:3 NIV
Zilch
Nothing
Not a minnow
“THEY GOT SKUNKED!” says Dr. Joseph Stowell
Now that isn’t bad if you are just on a fishing trip for relaxation.
A few years ago I went fishing out in the Strait of Juan De Fuca with my Pastor and one of our elders. Pastor Jack caught a seventy-five pound Halibut that broke the line trying to get it into the boat. I, however, got sea sick. While I didn’t catch any fish I still had fun.
If, however, this is your first day back at your old job of fishing, this is a terrible day. Remember, these guys were the pros. They knew how to catch fish when the fish were not biting!
Failure isn’t always bad. Dr. Erwin Lutzer has written a book called: “Failure the Back Door to Success.”
“The night of failure was not without its lessons and its benefits. We can do worse than fail. We can succeed and be proud of our success. We can succeed and burn incense to the net. We can succeed and forget the Hand whose it is to give or to withhold, to kill or to make alive.
Success -- yes, even spiritual success -- can be a snare and a ruin, while failure can be an unspeakable benefit. Failure is often the only test by which the real worth and quality of a man or woman can be tried. It is in failure that a man begins to think, to wonder whence his failure comes, to look around and seek for the reasons, to put into his work double watchfulness and double energy, and to look upwards to Him who can turn failure into a glorious achievement.”
Author Unknown to this writer
They are cold, damp and without fish as the sun was rising.
NOW WATCH WHAT HAPPENS:
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
John 21:4-5 NIV
Remember, Jesus is God and thus He is Omniscient (all-knowing). He already knows that they have caught nothing. God often has asked His children questions:
Gen. 3:9-11 NIV But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? ”
Gen. 4:6-7 NIV Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
CATCH ANY FISH?
“No,” they answered.
Notice Jesus’ next comments:
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat
and you will find some.”
John 21:6 NIV
Who is this guy? Doesn’t He know we are experts? There is nothing like an armchair fisherman around when your not catching fish!
Jesus introduces what seems to be a new idea. A procedure that is different from the normal way of fishing.
You know the response you hear at church: “We’ve never done it that way before!”
The key isn’t whether the idea is old or new. What is important is being led and guided under Christ’s Headship and Lordship. He is Lord!
“When they did, they were unable to haul
the net in because of the large number of fish.”
At that moment, John understands, nudges, and says,
Hey Pete! “It’s the Lord!”
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
John 21:7 NIV
Still impetuous, Peter jumps in the water and swims to shore. Notice, he doesn’t try to walk on water this time. It does bring back memories for Peter. This scene has been acted out before. Peter is brought face to face with his call and his Lord.
Luke 5:1-11 NIV One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
It was Jesus who called this sinful man to come follow Him. Jesus wanted him to be a fisher of men! Jesus wanted Peter and the other Apostles to drop their nets and follow Him.
Fisher of Men in the Roman and Greek World
= “Seek to persuade men - ‘Catch them” with the truth.”
A fisher of men gathers up fallen, sinful people, and rescues them with the gospel.
“I speak as a dying man to dying men.”
Puritan Richard Baxter
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
John 21:8 NIV
This miracle reminded them of this truth:
John 15:5 NIV “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
III. THE VENTURE’S MEANING
John 21:9-14
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals
there with fish on it, and some bread.
John 21:9 NIV
Jesus already has provided a meal for them. The fire is going, fish are roasting on the coals and the bread is made. Praise God, Let’s Eat!
Jesus is the One who provides living water and food for the soul that will satisfy our deepest longings.
Isa. 55:1-3 NIV “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Ps. 127:1-2 NIV Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
John 21:10-14 NIV
IV. REFOCUSING THE VENTURE
John 21:15-17
Jesus now begins to minister specifically to Peter
The nets are full.
Their stomachs are full.
The charcoal fire was another reminder to Peter. He was around a charcoal fire when he denied his Lord and Savior.
Jesus called Peter to come follow Him by the Sea. Peter had denied Jesus around a camp fire the night Jesus was arrested. Peter had left his calling to go back to his vocation – fishing.
JESUS BEGINS TO GET TO THE POINT.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
John 21:15 NIV
Peter is this stuff you are hanging on to more important than me?
Your boats?
Your fish?
The Lord is saying, Pete, do you have a heart for the lost?
Do you care about what is important to me?
Peter do you love me more than these other men here? Remember his boast caused him to fail.
Matt. 26:35 NIV But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Maybe you have been thinking thoughts like Peter. Serving the Lord is getting harder all of the time! This sacrifice of my time, money and talent isn’t worth it! I’m missing out on life!
I’m just going to go make money! Concern myself with my investments and savings!
I’m just going to go have fun! Work on my golf score!
I’m simply going to take a break and focus solely on my family!
If you are at this point, your not the only one! Peter was there and I’m sure countless other Christians. But the Lord pursued Peter because he was His child and got his attention and brought him back!
Peter Responds:
“Yes, Lord,” he said,
“you know that I love you.”
Jesus’ Answer:
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Then we have this very familiar dialog between Jesus and Peter as Jesus – The Hound of Heaven pursues him.
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
John 21:16-19 NIV
NOTE: Jesus isn’t lowering the bar of commitment here for Peter. The Lord does not want half-hearted devotion. He does not want superficial Christianity. Well, I’m saved, that is all that matters! We are to go on to perfection in Christ.
The key to the Christian life:
Isn’t how talented you are!
Isn’t how many degrees you have!
It is devotion to Christ! That is the bottom line!
1 John 3:18 NIV Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Jesus was asking Peter once again to drop his nets and follow ME!
Maybe we need to drop our nets this morning as well. Nets are anything, I repeat anything, that keeps you from serving The LORD Jesus Christ – wholeheartedly!
It is hard to drop our nets isn’t it?
We play tug of war with God!
We have rope burns on our hands!
Jesus could rip the nets from our hands if He wanted, however, He asks us to drop them.
What is important is to ask ourselves each day: What Does the Lord want me to do?
Christ calls us to focus on the eternal. Some of us, however, have left our call somewhere. Serving Christ use to be a joy. Serving Christ was the primary reason we lived.
If you are available and able, serving at some ministry in the church will be of more eternal value in the long run than sitting at home cruising the internet and perhaps looking for better stock options with which to invest. Serving has the potential to reach the next generation for Christ.
You might even be good at investing and yet are poor towards God. The Lord can say, poof, it is gone!
You can invest in eternal matters and the Lord can make all grace abound to your financial account, because your heart has the right priorities.
The problem really isn’t riches! The problem is when you have riches and are poor towards God!
In order to call yourself a disciple you need to acknowledge you have something you need to learn!
God’s call changes our eternal destination
God’s call changes our heart’s motives and values
God’s call changes our direction and where we invest our time
How does this relate to us as a church?
Perhaps we have gone out fishing in our own energy and strength like Peter and the bunch. The Apostles certainly did not lack initiative or zeal. They did, however, lack the Lord’s enablement.
Let’s pray and let’s ask God to lead us through His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to continually fill us for service for God.
Don’t look at others in this process. You are responsible to walk with God and do what He asks of you!
Peter tried to niggle on this one! You have to love his ability to try and change the subject!
When Peter saw him, he asked,
“Lord, what about him?”
John 21:21 NIV
WHAT ABOUT JOHN?
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,
what is that to you? You must follow me.”
John 21:22 NIV
If someone does not want to serve,
WHAT IS THAT TO YOU?
If someone does not want to obey,
WHAT IS THAT TO YOU?
If someone doesn’t want to give,
WHAT IS THAT TO YOU?
If someone is constantly critical,
WHAT IS THAT TO YOU?
In a symphony orchestra a violinist will not go around checking what a trombonist is playing, nor will an oboist worry about whether a trumpeter will come in on time. That is the business of the conductor. These people play their parts and the conductor puts it all together.
This is how the church should operate. We are to fulfill the gifts God has given us. He will put it together. We are not in competition with anybody; we do not have to struggle for position. We each have been given a ministry, not only leaders, preachers and teachers, but to everyone has been given the gifts of the Spirit, and they define our ministry.
Ray Stedman – Title: BREAKFAST BY THE SEA – Date: May 26, 1985
Have you drifted away from God’s call upon your life?
You have returned to your old way of life? Doing things your way?
You are still a Christian and you attend church but your passion for Christ and the work of His Kingdom takes second place to other interests and pursuits.
Much of your time is spent thinking about how much you make, how much you have saved and where you are going to retire!
Jesus loved Peter enough to help him refocus his life. Jesus helped Peter to understand that what is eternal is of more value then the temporal stuff of this world.
Jesus wants each one of us to find our happiness and fulfillment in Him and Him alone!
If you truly love Jesus you will love what He loves!
Ministry to the people around us each day.
