GETTING BACK ON SOLID GROUND
John 21:1-8
Some time ago I was reunited with an old friend that I have not seen in many years. There was a time in his life when he was a faithful servant of the Lord, in fact, he even professed that he had been called to preach. However, somewhere along the way his life took a drastic turn. He has faced many battles, gone through some hard times and made some very bad and sinful choices.
For many years he has struggles with severe drug addiction. After many conversations with him, he admits that his only hope of true recovery is to rely on Christ. Unfortunately, he is struggling to comprehend the reality that forgiveness and restoration is available. Like many, Satan has deceived him into thinking that his sin is too great for God to forgive. He feels that he has gone too far and been away from the Father too long to ever be welcomed home.
Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you have also wandered away from God and you feel that there is little to no hope of restoration. It is important for you to understand that numerous scriptures prove that you can return to the Father. Moreover, that is exactly what He desires.
One of the greatest examples of restoration is the story of Simon Peter. Without a doubt, many of Peter’s faults and failures are recorded in the New Testament. Somewhat ironically, the worst details of his life come from his own testimony.
The Gospels tell us that Peter was impatient, impulsive, and many times he said things that caused him to be rebuked by the Savior. With that being said, we cannot overlook to truth that this fallible man was a devoted servant of Christ. He left everything he knew behind in order to follow Jesus. For the most part, Peter was exceedingly devoted to Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. He was called, chosen, and commissioned to be an Apostle. In fact, he was more than an Apostle; he was privileged to be part of Jesus’ inner circle. When the multitudes turned away in John chapter 6, Peter remained. Later, when Judas and the soldiers arrived to seize Jesus, it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off Malchus’ ear.
When Jesus warned the Disciples that they would abandon Him before the night was over, it was Peter who boastfully proclaimed, “if all should abandon you, I will not!” He even went so far as to profess that he was willing to die for Jesus. Most of us know how what came next; As Jesus was seized by the Romans and consequently treated shamefully, Peter “followed from afar”. Then, as Jesus had said, on three separate occasions Peter denied that he knew Him.
Following this, Jesus was falsely tried by the authorities, He was mocked, abused, scourged, and eventually crucified. When all things were accomplished Jesus “bowed His head and died”. On Friday evening His body was placed in a tomb. But then something amazing happened, early on Sunday morning Peter receives a report that Jesus had risen. He and John raced to the tomb and found it just as the witnesses had said. Later on resurrection Sunday, Peter had His first encounter with the Risen Savior.
Our selected text details the third encounter that the Disciples had with Jesus after His resurrection. Several of the Disciples are coming off of an unsuccessful all night fishing expedition. As they headed back to the shore they saw a man near the water. He called out to them and asked if they had any fish. When they informed Him that they had caught nothing, He instructed them to cast their nets on the other side. They did as He said, and they caught so many fish that they could not lift the nets into the boat. When this happened, John said to Peter, “Hey, that’s Jesus!” John knew this because it was exactly what had happened some three years earlier when they first met their Master.
Verse 7 says "when Peter heard it was the Lord, he jumped into the sea."
Throughout the Gospels we see that Peter was an impatient and impulsive man. That was certainly the case in this passage. Instead of waiting for the boat to reach the shore, he jumped into the water and swam to Jesus.
There are several important lessons that we can learn from Peter’s actions in this portion of scripture. I would like for us to journey to the Sea of Tiberias and join Jesus and His Disciples. In the process, I want to preach on the thought “Getting Back On Solid Ground"
- In this passage Peter shows us that you can get back to Jesus, he shows us how to get back to Jesus, and we see what happens when we get back to Him. Let’s begin by considering:
I. WHEN YOU SHOULD RETURN TO JESUS
When should you return to Jesus? The answer is very simple, you should return to Jesus the moment that you realize there is distance between you and Him.
Before the crucifixion, Peter professed that he would never deny Jesus. He proclaimed that even if it cost him his life, he would not deny his Master. Jesus informed Peter that before the rooster crowed twice, he would deny Him 3 times and that is exactly what Peter did.
As the rooster crowed – “the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So Peter went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61-62)
Since the resurrection, Peter had only seen Jesus twice. This is the third time He appeared unto them; and as soon as Peter realized Jesus was near, he couldn't wait to get to Him.
In the same way, every genuine Christian should have a desire to be near our Savior. We have the privilege and opportunity to walk in sweet fellowship with Him on a daily basis. The moment that we realize that we are not where we should be, we should do whatever is necessary to get back to Him. Therefore, if you have wandered away from Jesus, do not delay, run to Him immediately.
This is not just true for the hard-hearted backslider; it is true for every born-again Christian. You may not be involved in blatant sin, you may not be living in open rebellion, but you may be slowly drifting away. Understand that a slow drift can take you far away from the Master. This is why it is imperative that you return to Jesus the moment that you realize that you are not where you should be. If you have drifted away, do what Peter did, dive in and do what it takes get back to Jesus!
- When should you return to Jesus? The moment you realize there is distance between you and Him. As move further I would like to consider:
II. HOW YOU SHOULD RETURN TO JESUS
Peter saw Jesus and he responded with intensity and purpose. He was so excited to see his Master that he dove in and swam straight to Him. Peter was not going to let anyone, or anything hinder him from getting to Jesus.
Once we determine to get back to Jesus we should return with our eyes focused on Him. We should return with a desire to be in His presence. We must be determined to get back to where we should be and that is at the feet of the Savior.
Many people who know that they are away from Jesus, but instead of taking the proper steps to get back to Him, they delay. If you have walked away from Jesus you know it. The reason that you know this is because the Holy Spirit has revealed it to you. But instead of returning immediately, you delay. Some say, "I know I need to get back to Jesus but I am going to wait until next week." Others may say "I know I need to get back to Jesus, but I have got to do this or that first." Some know that they need to return but they are trying to clean themselves up before coming back to Him. Jesus is the only One who can clean you up, so just do what Peter did, dive in and get back to Him!
- We have seen when and how we should return, now let's consider:
III. WHY WE SHOULD RETURN TO JESUS
There were many reasons that Peter wanted to get to Jesus. Don’t forget that he had been with Jesus almost every day for over 3 years. Being separated from Jesus was foreign to Him. In the same way, being separated from Jesus should be foreign to us. There are many reasons that we should return to Jesus if we have strayed. One of those reasons is obedience.
- We should return to Jesus:
A. BECAUSE HE IS OUR MASTER
Jesus is not just our Savior, He is Lord. Lord means "supreme ruler or controller". He is the supreme authority in our lives. When we are saved we surrender our lives to Jesus. He is the Master; we are the servants. We exist to fulfill His will and we are expected to obey His commands. We must remain close to Him so that we can receive and carry out the orders that we are given by our Master.
- Another reason that we should return to Jesus is:
B. BECAUSE HE IS OUR SAVIOR
Jesus is our Savior. He did for us what no one else could do. He did something that we could never do for ourselves. He went to the cross and laid down His life for us. It has often been said that “He paid a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay”. For that reason (and many more) we should seek to bow at His feet and worship Him.
- Jesus is Lord, He is Savior, He is Christ, He is the sinless Son of God, He is King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is all of this and so much more, and to top it off Jesus called us His friends. This is one more reason we should return to Jesus:
C. BECAUSE HE IS OUR FRIEND
Jesus made it clear to His disciples that they were His friends. He said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
Peter ran to Jesus because he wanted to be near his friend. It is impossible to articulate how amazing it is that we can be called the friends of God. As a result of this great privilege we should have a desire to be in His presence.
I have a handful of close friends. When I haven't seen one of those friends in a while, I begin to miss that fellowship. In response, I will clear my schedule in order to meet and catch up with that friend.
Perhaps you need to be reminded that Jesus is your friend. When you comprehend this amazing privilege, it should motivate you to do whatever is necessary to get back to Him. We should return to Jesus because He is our Master, Savior, and Friend.
- So far we have seen when, how and why we should return to Jesus. Before we close I would like to see:
IV. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU RETURN TO JESUS
- This conversation between Jesus and Peter shows us several things that will happen when you return to Jesus. First of all we see that:
A. HE WILL RESTORE YOU
Jesus knew that Peter was going to fail, in fact, He warned Peter of this before it happened. But Jesus had plans for Peter's restoration before he ever denied Him. As soon as Jesus rose from the grave He sent word to Peter. Jesus forgave and restored Peter and prepared him for the next phase of ministry. If you continue to read this chapter you will see that Jesus challenged, instructed, and encouraged Peter. If you will return to Jesus, He will do the same for you.
Jesus desires to restore fallen disciples today. He wants to lift you back up. He wants to see you stop drifting and He wants you to get your feet back on solid ground. If you come back to Him, He will restore you.
- This shows us something else that will happen when you return to Jesus:
B. HE WILL FORGIVE YOU
We do not read the words "you are forgiven" in this text. But Jesus is about to re-commission Peter in verses 15-19. Jesus would not be sending Peter out to represent Him if Peter had not been forgiven and brought back into a right relationship with Him. If you have drifted away from Jesus, forgiveness is available. (1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.)
- It is also true that when you return to Jesus:
C. HE WILL FEED YOU
v9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.
These men fished all night and caught nothing. But after Jesus came on the scene their nets were full. In fact, before they ever got back to Jesus, He already had some fish cooking on the shore. This illustrates a vital reason for us to return to Jesus. We need to be near Him so that He can feed us. Just as He fed these men physically, He will feed us spiritually. However, in order for this to happen, we must be near Him.
- Not only will He feed you, when you get back to Jesus:
D. HE WILL LEAD YOU
v15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, 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 John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Jesus told Peter where to go and what to do. He said to him…"feed my sheep". Jesus was going to use this “fallen Disciple” to minister to thousands upon thousands of others who needed to hear the Gospel.
Perhaps there was a time when God used you in a mighty way. You were once a faithful servant of Christ. But somewhere along the way you decided to return to the old life. You began to drift and now you are away from the Savior. If you will return to Jesus you can be forgiven, restored & fed by Jesus, and when He sees fit He will put you back to work. He will lead you in the direction that you need to go. He will not just lead you... He will use you!
- This brings us to the final truth that I would like to consider that will happen when you return to Jesus. If you will return to Jesus:
E. HE WILL USE YOU
v18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus had a plan for Peter. In these verses He tells him that he will serve Him for the rest of his life. In fact, Jesus reveals that Peter will eventually give his life for the cause of Christ. Jesus also states that he would be used to glorify God. This man who failed miserably was restored. From this moment on Peter was a new man. He became the leader of the Apostles. He reached thousands as he preached at Pentecost. He was used to perform many miracles. He and the others turned the world upside down for Christ. In the end, Peter gave his life for Jesus. Though he has been dead for over 1900 years, his life is still bringing glory to the Father.
If you have turned away from Jesus, you have the opportunity to return to Him today. Once you return to Him, He has the power to restore you and to use you for His glory. But before restoration can happen, you must address the distance that is between you and your Savior. You must realize that you have wandered away from Him and that you need to “come home”.
- In an old familiar hymn William J. Kirkpatrick said:
I’ve wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love;
Lord, I’m coming home.
If you have wandered far away from God, you can return today. This passage proves that there is hope for you. You can be forgiven, restored, and used by God. I pray that you will allow God’s Word to speak to you and let His Spirit reveal to you the importance of “Getting Back On Solid Ground”.
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