Cornerstone Church June 19, 2016
“Stay the Course”
John 21:1-19
The captain of a ship looked into the dark night and saw a light in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message, “Alter your course ten degrees south.” He promptly received a reply, “Alter your course ten degrees north.”
The furious captain sent another message, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a captain!” Soon another reply was received, “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am seaman third class Jones.”
The captain sent a final message, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a battleship.” The reply was, “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a lighthouse.”
“I am a lighthouse” source unknown found in multiple books and illustration sites
There are times when we need to alter our course!
There are times when our course has been changed for us.
There are times we need to “Stay the Course!”
DISCOURAGEMENT AND DESPAIR
JOHN 21:1-3
Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two other disciples.
John 21:1-2 NLT
Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.
John 21:3 NLT
DID YOU NOTICE THEY FOLLOWED THE LEADER?
Seven Apostles (Peter and six others) returned to fishing!
* Their eyes should have been on Jesus!
* Instead they followed the lead of Peter.
When discouragement comes it is easy to retreat to the familiar!
Peter’s life and routine before Jesus called Him to come follow was predictable and secure:
* Mend the nets
* Keep the boat maintained
* Go fishing
* Take the catch the market
* Repeat!
Peter had it all under control (or at least he thought he did).
Peter had sinned and denied Jesus (moral failure)
WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE LIVES OF THE OTHERS?
* Uncertainty about the future (need of food / money / shelter)
* Jesus died and was resurrected but they were unsure what happened to the coming of Kingdom and Jesus was talking about leaving again.
* Maybe the circumstances of the world and culture were becoming too difficult for them to handle or understand.
The religious leaders killed Jesus – We might be next they thought!
Important Note: The church was born (established by Jesus) in a hostile culture politically and religiously.
* It has always existed in a hostile culture.
* It will always exist in a hostile culture until Jesus Returns.
And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. John 3:19-20 NTL
THE APOSTLES WERE VEERING OFF COURSE!
* They were abandoning their mission!
* They were giving up (at least Peter)!
Can you imagine the tension fishing all night and catching nothing?
“Cast and pull. Nothing! Cast and pull. Nothing.
Try the other side of the boat. Nothing! Move the boat. Nothing!
Cast a little deeper. Nothing! Cast a little shallower. Nothing!
‘WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS?’”
Excerpt from; “When you aren’t sure what to do next” by Jon Bloom – Desiring God
WHERE ARE YOU THIS MORNING?
* Change has come to Cornerstone Church.
* Culture is becoming increasingly hostile!
ARE WE GOING TO “STAY THE COURSE?”
Are we going to complete God’s mission for Cornerstone?
Or:
* Let’s Go Fishing?
* Let’s go back to what’s comfortable, familiar, and safe?
* Let’s wait and see what Pastor Mike Moran is going to do or until a new Pastor is called in 12-18 months!
* WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS?
JESUS REACHES OUT TO THEM WHERE THEY ARE
JOHN 21:4-14
At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. John 21:4-5 NLT
Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. John 21:6 NLT
PETER’S EXCITEMENT – MEMORIES TRIGGERED
Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. John 21:7-9 NLT
MEMORIES OF PETER’S CALLING:
The miraculous catch takes Peter back to the time when Jesus called him to be a part of His mission (Luke 5:1-11)
It took Peter back to the place where Jesus called him to become a “fisher of men” (lost souls).
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” Luke 5:5 NLT
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” Luke 5:8 NLT
His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”
Luke 5:10 NLT
MEMORIES OF CORNERSTONE’S CALLING:
We need to remember the Mission God gave to Cornerstone Church!
In 1955 God led a group of people to plant a church in this neighborhood!
* God placed this church like a candle on a lampstand or a lighthouse in this community as a beacon of hope and good news because of the gospel!
* God Almighty has provided the necessary resources and people for over sixty-one years to reach and disciple many people!
* God gave this Body of believers a heart for global outreach and missionary support that has proclaimed the gospel message to untold numbers of people.
Well Done! Well Done!
Remember His Promise to the Philippian Church and Cornerstone Church:
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 1:6 NIV
God doesn’t say: “Sixty-One years as a church – time up!”
The assignment is the same!
His directives haven’t changed!
* Reach people!
* Disciple (teach) those reached!
* Repeat!
We cannot forget nor forsake our calling!
Stay the Course!
MEMORIES OF PETER’S FALLING:
The charcoal fire also triggered another memory!
* It was not a good memory!
* It was around a charcoal fire on the night that Jesus was arrested that Peter denied the LORD Jesus (John 18:18-27).
Peter lied (moral failure)
Peter denied
Peter hasn’t forgot that night!
Jesus predicted / warned Peter it would happen (never LORD)!
* I certainly do not forget the times and ways I have failed the LORD and others!
* I’m sure that you do not forget the ways you have failed either!
JESUS SOUGHT THEM AND FOUND THEM!
* Jesus is there to reach out to the discouraged, disillusioned, disoriented and disengaged followers of Christ.
Jesus is present to reach out to each one of us!
Jesus is here to minister to us as a Church Body (Cornerstone Church)!
“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. John 21:10-11 NLT
JESUS DID NOT NEED PETER’S HELP!
* Jesus invited Peter to be a part of what He was doing!
* Jesus invites us to join with Him in what He is undertaking!
* Jesus invites Cornerstone Church to be a part of His global mission!
Two miracles happened:
* This was a huge catch (153 fish – spoken like true fisherman)!
* Their net was full but did not break!
“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. John 21:12-14 NLT
Smoke rising from the fire in the cool morning
Smell of roasting fish and fresh baked bread
Sound of the waves
NEVER FORGET JESUS’ LOVING-KINDNESS TOWARDS ALL PEOPLE!
* He gave His life to save you (and me)!
* He is concerned about the state of your heart (and my heart)!
* He cares about your physical needs (food / shelter / clothing)
JESUS EQUALLY CARES THAT THE LOST ARE REACHED!
JESUS ONE ON ONE WITH PETER
JOHN 21:15-19
After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. John 21:15 NLT
It is a valid question!
* Peter abandoned all and left it behind to follow Jesus.
* Now Peter was abandoning his call to return to his old way of life before being called by God!
* “Return-to-life-as-usual” life!
Peter do you love me more than these fish?
Peter do you love me more than your business (boats, nets, fish)?
Do you love me more than being in charge of your life?
JESUS ASKS PETER A SECOND TIME:
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. John 21:16 NLT
JESUS ASKS PETER A THIRD TIME:
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. John 21:17 NLT
This isn’t a negotiation. Jesus always obliges obedience!
* Jesus wants Peter to see where his heart is!
* Jesus wants Peter to let go and trust God’s will for his life!
* Jesus is saying to Peter, if you love me then you will be concerned about what I love and what is important to me!
o Lost souls
o Teaching / Making Disciples of those reached
OBEDIENCE IS WHAT IS NEEDED! Not fancy programs!
“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” John 21:18-19 NLT
JESUS IS EXPOSING THE HEART OF PETER’S PROBLEM!
* Peter you have been calling the shots!
* Peter you have been dressing yourself and doing what you wanted!
* Peter you will be dressed with a martyr’s cross!
TRUE LOVE IS GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM.
Jesus is asking Peter to relinquish control of his life, to let go of the steering wheel and allow the LORD to lead and guide him.
“Wherever You want me to go, I'll go
Whatever You want me to do, I'll do
Whatever You want me to say, I'll say
I'll do anything that pleases You”
Lyrics – Jonathan Nelson
Perhaps the only thing harder for prideful humans than humbly wielding power is humbly yielding power.
Jon Bloom, Article - “The Powerful Glory of Yielding Power”
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (find it). Matt. 16:25 NLT
Peter is restored and yields his will to God’s plan!
In the next forty days he is filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost!
From the day of Pentecost until he is martyred he lives his life yielded to God with great passion and fervency (pedal to the metal).
JESUS ONE ON ONE WITH EACH ONE OF US
A few weeks ago Pastor Mike Moran shared with us about asking God to reveal to us our secret sins or behaviors that keep us in bondage.
What would Jesus say to you if He were sitting with you on the beach?
* Where is your heart?
* On a scale of one to ten how is your devotion (cold / lukewarm / hot)?
* Do you remember when you were a new Christian and volunteers were needed for a ministry and your hand was the first hand to go up?
Is that still true today?
o Or do you look the other way when helpers are needed?
o Do you take a step backwards or make excuses?
o I’ll do it if no one else will?
What are you holding on to (won’t let go) that is keeping the LORD from pouring the full measure of His Holy Spirit through you to minister to others?
JESUS ONE ON ONE WITH CORNERSTONE
* Jesus has only revealed pieces of our future!
* We know the next steps He has asked us to take!
* What is up ahead? We do not know yet!
o We are exactly where God wants us to be!
o Are we going to trust Him? His plans for us are perfect!
o Are we fishing in our own strength (human wisdom / programs)?
The Apostles fished all night and caught nothing!
“But that morning they discovered (again) that Jesus was sovereign over their decisions, the boat, the sea, the fish and time.”
Jon Bloom, Article: “When You Aren’t Sure What to Do Next”
The lost need to be reached!
It is imperative we collectively yield to God’s will and plan for us!
Jesus is LORD of our lives!
Jesus is LORD of our Service!
Jesus is LORD of our Future!
Jesus is LORD of Cornerstone Church!
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 1:6 NIV
The same is true for us individually and the church corporately.
We show Jesus we love HIM by loving what Jesus loves!
Jesus Loves:
* Lost Souls!
* Making Disciples of the lost souls reached!
“STAY THE COURSE!”
Let’s go fishing with Jesus!
