Opener:
Good Morning everyone! We are so blessed to be here this morning and worshiping the Lord together as a family! Last week, we celebrated father day and if you were not able to get your mug, please be sure to grab one as you leave today!
Last week, we continued with our sermon series on Encountering Jesus. As you may recall, we talked about two fathers that had a tremendous love for their children. Both of these fathers sought out Jesus and in both cases Jesus performed a miracle.
This morning we are continuing with our series on Encounters with Jesus. This morning we are looking at a unique encounter that the disciples had with Jesus. More specifically, we are looking at an encounter that Peter had with Jesus.
Peter was one of the main leaders of the early church. He was one that was there during many good times and tough times of Jesus earthly ministry. There is no doubt that there were a lot of things going through Peters mind during Jesus illegal trial and subsequent crucifixion. While Jesus was on trial, Peter was spotted as being a Christ follower and Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. After this denial, Peter had feeling of guilt and shame. He had feelings of being inadequate and weak. So Peter decided to do what any reasonable person would do, go back to what he was familiar with: fishing.
We are going to pick up our story there which is found in the book of John 21:1-19(NKJV) 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. 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.”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. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved 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. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), 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.”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. 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. 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 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?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 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.”
I. Leadership is important
A. Peter was a leader
a. In the early church, Peter was very influential over all the other disciples. We see that being played out here in our text this morning.
b. Peter decided to go back to what he was used to fishing. He was going back to old familiar.
c. There is a proverb that talks about this. It is found in Proverbs 26:11(NKJV) 11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
d. Peter had a first-hand encounter with Jesus. He was there when many of the miracles took place. Yet, he decided to go back to fishing. A dog returning to his vomit.
e. It sounds gross, it sounds crude, but this is how God feels for those that walk away from the faith.
f. It is interesting how Proverbs talks about a dog returning to vomit and then in the book of revelation it talks about a lukewarm person is like vomit.
g. I am sure this is a coincidence! Not!
B. Lonely night
a. As the disciples were fishing, notice how they did not catch a thing.
b. Remember, these were experienced fishermen, they knew how to fish. They know the tricks of the trade. They knew the hot spots. Yet, they caught Nothing!
c. Why? It was not due to lack of skill or lack of knowledge. It was due to them going out on their own.
d. Let me say this, when you and I go outside the will of God, we too will not be successful. We too will experience, an empty net if you will.
C. Morning
a. Once the darkness had lifted in their lives, once they were able to see Jesus, something changed.
b. They heard Jesus voice once again, they not only heard His voice, this time they obeyed in a very specific way.
c. Notice how Jesus instructed the disciples to cast the net on the right side of the boat.
i. Now the text does not elude to this, but I believe that if they would have cast the net to the left, then the net would have remained empty.
ii. It is when they specifically obeyed that the blessing came in their lives.
D. Called to be fishers of men not fish
a. The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. They left their businesses of which many of them were fishermen, they left their families, and friends.
b. They did this, so they could not be fishers of fish, rather, Jesus invited them in Matthew 4:19(NKJV)19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
c. Jesus had a higher calling for these men’s lives. To be fishers of men.
d. Jesus too is calling you and I to this same ministry.
E. Breakfast with the King
a. As soon as these disciples came to the shore, they had spent some time with Jesus.
b. He had made them breakfast to enjoy. To have some fellowship.
c. Fellowship is important to Jesus. It is precious, it is powerful when you and I intentionally spend time with the King!
d. Do not every discount this time. Something powerful happens when believers get together!
F. What is it about the 153 fish?
a. As they were bringing in the nets, they bible informs us that there were 153 fish in the nets.
b. There are a many different narratives regarding the amount of this catch.
c. The question becomes, What is the significance? Why was an exact number of fish given?
d. Here are a couple thoughts
i. It is noted that in the book of Genesis uses the four letter Hebrew name for God YHWH :153 times.
ii. Some historians believe that there were 153 different fish species discovered at the time of this writing.
iii. While other theologians consider the number 153 as a number that is broken down to 17’s which is further broken down to the number 10 and seven which speaks to the combination of God’s divine grace (the 7 gifts of the Spirit) and the law(the 10 commandments)
G. The big picture
a. However, you see the significance in the number of fish in the nets. To me, there seems to be an underling importance here.
b. When we walk in obedience, we will see God’s blessings in our lives. The bible tells us in Isaiah 1:19(NKJV) 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;
c. The bible further goes on to say in 1 Samuel chapter 15 that God is more interested in our obedience than the sacrifices that we make.
II. The unavoidable question
A. Do you love me?
a. After all the pleasantries. Jesus had some unfinished business with Peter. Jesus had a question for him. This question, would change Peters life.
b. Jesus asked Peter three times “Do you love me?”
c. Of coarse, we recognize that God knows all. There is nothing that God does not know. He knows our thoughts, He knows our hearts, He knows our motivations our intentions.
d. Yet, Jesus asked Peter this question.
e. By Jesus asking Peter this questions, it was not to benefit Jesus, rather, this was for the benefit of Peter.
B. Encouragement
a. While this question not doubt challenged Peter. It was Jesus intent to use this opportunity to encourage Peter.
b. He was using these last moments with Peter to exhort him and to instruct him about the coming responsibilities that he would be taking on.
c. Jesus turned what could have been an awkward situation into a teaching moment. A moment of grace!
C. Importance
a. Jesus asked Peter three times “Do you love me?”
i. Jesus was emphasizing the importance of Peters love for Him.
ii. He was letting Peter know that His love needs to be unwavering
iii. That Peter shows He loves the Lord by his unwavering obedience to all that He has called him to fulfilling the Will of God in his life.
D. Differences in love
a. As we read the text, we do not fully grasp what is being shared on the surface level.
b. There is an interesting contrast when you see this particular text in the original Greek.
c. When Jesus asked Peter “ Do you love me?”
i. Jesus was using the agape word for love.
ii. Meaning that Jesus was asking, Do you love me unconditionally?
E. Peter response
a. Peter responds to Jesus the first two times “Yes, Lord I love you.”
i. In the Greek, Peter did not use the agape word for love. Rather, he used the Greek word that represents phileo love which refers to more of a brotherly or a friendship love.
b. Jesus was getting Peter to understand what kind of love that was needed to be the leader of the disciples. A love that is much deeper than a brotherly love. This love was the agape love. This unconditional love.
F. Jesus meets us where we are at
a. The third and final time that Jesus ask Peter “Do you love me?’ Jesus uses the phileo love.
b. In other words, Jesus met Peter where he was at.
c. It seems like Jesus was encouraging Peter to progress in his love. To move from the brother love to the unconditional love.
G. Affirmation
a. Jesus re-affirms His calling to Peter even though Peter left His calling.
b. I love what Romans 11:29(NKJV) 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
c. Regardless of how far you may have fallen, God is not through with you yet. Maybe, you have made a mess of things like Peter.
d. Just know that God has placed something beautiful inside of you, something that cannot be taken away.
e. May you like Peter yield to the calling of God in your life.
Closing:
As we close this morning, I am drawn to the fact that while Peter made many mistakes. He denied Jesus, his friend, his Savior. Yet, through all this, Peter was restored back to his position. We learned this morning that the calling that Jesus had for Peter , it did not change. That is powerful! Like Peter, many of us have disappointed the Lord. We have walked on our own path. Yet, Jesus restored and is restoring us! Praise the Lord! That is worth shouting about! Hallelujah! Be encouraged saints. Just know that Jesus is not done with you yet! Just know that Jesus has some great things in store for you to accomplish! Peter realized his dream, He saw the hand of God move in a tremendous way! He became a committed follower to the extent that he was willing to die a horrible death of being crucified upside down.
As I pray a dismissal prayer this morning, I want to encourage you to spend some time with Jesus this morning. I am going to dismiss us in just a moment. Once I have finished, if you need prayer, I want to encourage you to come up front here. Our prayer team is here this morning and we want to pray over you!
