Gone Fishing
(John 21:1-12)
2 1: 1 After these things Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He revealed Him in way:
2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of
Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are also coming with you." They went out
and got into the boat. and that night, they caught nothing
4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus
5 So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish to eat, do you?" They answered Him, "No."
6 and He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find the fish." So, they cast it,
and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great quantity of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" So, when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he was stripped for work) and threw hims nto the sea.
8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away, dragging the net full of fish.
9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already made and fish placed on it, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught."
11 So Simon Peter went up and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153; and although there were so many, the net
was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to inquire of Him, "Who are
You knowing that it was the Lord.
Introduction:
Over the last decade, Church attendance has decreased in many churches. Many factors contribute to that. The world went through COVID-19, and the church stopped meeting for an extended period. During our time away from church, we became accustomed to a different lifestyle. An additional day for rest or recreation, etc. Many Christians had gotten used to watching worship services on TV or on their digital devices. After all, one can worship anywhere, but do you? The Bible says, "do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much more as you see the day approaching." (Hebrews10:25)
1. I am going fishing.
Peter was a fisherman before he became a disciple. This attraction was from his old life. God was not in it. It was before Christ, living for himself. It seems like a lot of Christians have gone fishing. They returned to their old lifestyle before they met the Lord. Jesus wanted Peter to be a fisher of men, not a fisher of fish. (Matthew 4:19)
2. We are going also.
When you return to fishing —the old way of life —you always take others with you. Most likely, your spouse and your children. What you do, they are going to do also.
3. That night, they caught nothing.
We tend to try to pick up our old life but find that we don't belong there anymore. There is nothing worse than being out of the will of God. It seems like everything we do backfires! Being away from God frustrates Christians. It causes you to search for meaning and direction. Self-life reaps nothing but emptiness. The ambitions of your life without the Lord are aimless.
4. Jesus is waiting on the shore.
Returning to God always is a glorious possibility. Jesus is waiting on the shore to fill your need. He's waiting to restore that close fellowship with Him and His Church. Not only do you need your church, but your church also needs you. The Psalmist says, "For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere ". (Psalms 84:10 This Sunday would be an excellent day to get back in church.
Conclusion.
The Bible warns all of us," For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away from it." (Hebrews 2:1)
Rev. Dave Williams talks about his church's having a "Back to church Sunday." Perhaps, many of you need a "back to church Sunday."
Note: Some ideas and quotes are from OnePlace.com.
