Subject: "Keeping Focused in Ordinary Days"
Text: John 21:1-23
Introduction: What do you expect to accomplish in your ministry now? What will capture your attention as you begin this new year? How will you carry out what has God called you to do? How will you maintain your focus in the face of discouragement?
Do you remember how clear your vision was when you first started out? You just wanted to see people saved. You wanted to see them grow to maturity. Remember, it was before you were a founder, or pastor. Before you were a bishop or an apostle. I remember how simply my life was before all this! I keep focused by realizing that I am still in the race. There is still time to get back on course. There is still time to adjust; revise strategies and clarify the vision. How will you keep the vision in clear view with so many distractions? Many of us start out well but tend to lose our focus. Pressing needs and concerns cause us to abandon our goals and forget our dreams. We settle for a place on the sideline where ministry becomes a response to crisis rather than building the kingdom. (my foot verse exercise)
John’s gospel gives us insight about focus. Amazingly, John chose not to end his gospel with the ascension. How could he not want end on such a high note. It doesn’t get any better than having your Lord disappearing into the clouds, while the angels are saying, “This same Jesus is coming again in like manner.” No, John concludes with this fascinating story of a weary Simon Peter and several discouraged disciples on an unsuccessful fishing expedition.
It's easy to get lost and overwhelmed in the chaos, responsibilities, and challenges of life. Once overwhelmed, it's tempting to forget about the vision and leave the assignment which at one time was near and dear to your heart. I've found that it's helpful to keeping asking, "What's really important?" Reminding myself of the most important things helps me keep my priorities straight. We can quickly lose focus and get lost in the busy-ness of life. Keeping focus each day helps me keep my actions in line with my goals. Keeping focused proves to be challenging for almost everyone, but especially for those in ministry.
The faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus found themselves facing the same problem. Their lives had been filled with turbulence the last few days. The events were almost unbelievable, from the arrest of Jesus in the garden, the mocked trial with its guilty verdict, the betrayal by Judas and the denial by Peter. Peter, one of Christ’s inner circle, had been humbled by guilt and shame. Peter had fled weeping bitterly in anguish. The rest of the disciples had deserted their Lord and scattered in fear. Remember, after the crucifixion, an alarming report by the women proclaimed, “He has risen from the dead. He has risen as He said.” The disciples, slow in heart to believe found themselves hiding behind the closed doors of an upper room, when suddenly; Jesus appeared and stood in their midst, proclaiming, “Peace be unto you.” One can only imagine the joy of that reunion. The Bible records several appearances of the Lord Jesus as he showed himself alive by many infallible proofs.
What do you do when Jesus is not around? What do you do when Jesus is silent? Here in John 21, Jesus has not been seen for more than ten days. The disciples had received no word, no sign; not even a glimpse of him. They were called to be fishers of men, but now their ministries seem to be on hold. They lost focus. Their boredom turned to disappointment; their disappointment led to frustration, and the frustration led Peter to say, “I am going fishing.” The other disciples decided to go with him. John says, “And that night they caught nothing.” Amid their weariness, Jesus shows up and asked a question. If we are going to remain focused, we must make an honest assessment. Are you doing any good? If you are going to keep focus, we must
1. Reassess Our Actions. Be Quick to Make an Honest Assessment John 21:5 “Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.”
Many times, when the Lord chooses to be silent, we have come up with our own plans. Instead of the plan blessing our lives, our failed plans add more frustration. Peter and the disciples went back to their old career. They went back to their old familiar place, doing old familiar things in an old familiar way. You say, “they went back to doing ordinary things, in an ordinary place and in an ordinary way!” Jesus reminds us in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
How do we keep the revival fires burning in our heart? How we keep growing personally when we are experiencing disappointment? Bill Bright in his book gives five characteristics of a growing Christian. He was probably writing to new Christians, but I believe they mirror things all of us need to remember to do. (1) keep reading your Bible (2) keep praying (3) keep fellowshipping with other Christians (4) keep obeying God and (5) Keep your heart open to God.
2. Respond to God’s Command - John 21:6, “And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” The sign of an open heart is an obedient response. Their obedience brought instant results. They were fishing on the wrong side of the boat. The fish were only a few inches away. This teaches all of us that there is a right side and a wrong side; a right time and a wrong time; and there is our way and there is God’s way.
3. Run to His Presence. Faithful obedience always brings us closer to Jesus - John 21:9-10 “As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.”
They caught 153 fish in a single draught, as they were gathering them, Jesus said, “come and dine, breakfast is ready.” Isn’t that a wonderful moment. Can you imagine Jesus cooking breakfast? The world’s fire had left Peter cold and distraught, full of shame, but now Peter is welcomed to warm at the fire of Jesus. Jesus does two important things for his disciples. (1) He warmed them. They had been away from his presence and they had been chilled by a disappointing, all night fishing trip on a dark cold sea. (2) He fed them. When they were warm and full in the comfort of his presence, Jesus broke the silence and spoke to Simon Peter. Let’s read John 21:15.
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”
Even though they were warm and full, there was still some unfinished business. Notice Jesus calls him, “Simon.” Simon was his old name. Why would Jesus do that? Just as Simon received a new name, we also receive a new name when we take of the cloak of ministry. Peter’s ministry had begun with so much excitement. There were many miracles wrought in his presence. Peter could not hide his enthusiasm. Many of us in ministry began the same way. Over the years, something has happened. Our excitement was drained. Our ministry became a burden instead of a blessing. We once loved Jesus so much, nothing could stop us.
Jesus’ question to Simon Peter is the fundamental question to all of us in ministry. Every person in ministry is responding to this question in everything we do. Jesus was not asking how long you spend in sermon preparation, or how well you exegete scripture. His question was basic, “How much do you love me?” Jesus knew that if Simon Peter could answer that question correctly, everything else would fall in place. If you and I can answer that question correctly, everything else will fall in place. Our success and devotion to ministry is absolutely tied to our love for Jesus. Our love for Jesus characterizes everything we do in ministry. Three times Jesus asked “Do you love me.”
How does one love Jesus? Someone has said, “We love him in our thoughts.” What about your thought life? We love him or betray him by our speech. How is your speech? We love by our desire to be with him. Do you pant after Him? Finally, one of the clearest ways to love him is our devotion to serve him by serving His people. This text could be called the restoration of Peter. Jesus uses this encounter to call Peter back to work. That may be the way Jesus uses a “Founder’s Day Celebration.” You see, we must Reassess our actions, respond to His command, run to his presence and finally refocus on Jesus!
4. Re Focus on Jesus! Be quick to surrender yourself again. Keep your eyes on Jesus and on your assignment - John 21:19-21 “This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him (Peter), Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” Watch out!
Looking around at others may discourage you as you notice the success of their ministry. There may be the temptation to become envious of them, doubtful about your own ministry and despair causing you to feel like a failure. “What about him Lord?” Jesus rebukes Simon saying, “You follow me.” You must look only to me! You follow me. Comparison had been the downfall of many good ministers and a great source of jealousy.
As you continue your journey this year, you must make your decisions based on how much you love the son. Do you love him enough to keep on going? Do you love him enough to keep on sacrificing? If you do, do it out of a great love for the Son of God. A story is told:
“A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art. The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift." The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel.
"We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."
But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the paintings?"
"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, will you do it for the son?" Will you go back to hard fields and discontented field hands and keep on working? Won’t you do it for His Son? Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
On this Founder’s Day, I want to remind you to reassess our actions, respond to His command, run to his presence and finally keep your focus on Jesus! Be quick to make an honest assessment (2) Quick to respond to His command (3) be quick to remember that obedience always brings us closer to Jesus. And finally, be quick to surrender and keep your eyes on Jesus and your own ministry. If you do, you can count on at least three things: (1) You’ll receive a measure of inner satisfaction; (2) you’ll receive a fresh call to ministry; and (3) You’ll receive new directions, then follow Jesus to where only He can take you.
Only Jesus can lead us into becoming more like him. Only Jesus can lead us into successful ministry. Jesus can take us where we could never go by ourselves. We may never be led to the largest congregation in the city. We may never preach to thousands in great stadiums. There is a place for each of us the kingdom where He alone can take us. He knows who we are and what He has called us to do. We should follow him because Christ will be us when others won’t. Many people may leave us, but Christ never will. Finally, we should let the highest aim in ministry be the desire to imitate Christ. Then we must keep going because we have a calling to fulfill.
Charles Wesley’s hymn challenges us to go on,
“A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify; A never dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage, to do my master’s will. Arm me with jealous care, as in thy sight to live, And, oh, thy servant, Lord, Prepare a strict account to give. Help me to watch and pray, and on Thyself rely, Assured if I my trust betray, I shall forever die.”
The writer of book of Hebrews said it like.
Hebrews 12:1.2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
