Text: John 21:4-19
Title: Breakfast with Jesus – or –
A New Assignment for a Fallen Disciple
Series: Conversations with Jesus (C)
Topic: Christian Living
Theme: Christian Living & Failure
Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness Calling God’s people in my care to tell Jesus that they love him as they seek forgiveness for failing him.
Response: Individuals will pray with me telling Jesus that they love him and then they will find a way to share his love with someone in need.
Pattern: A narrative retelling of Peter’s breakfast with Jesus that leads fallen disciples to declare their love for Him, receive His forgiveness and a new assignment to serve Him.
Visual Aid: A small bag of charcoal or (if outdoors) a small charcoal fire.
Intro: A mother from Newfoundland tells this story:
On my father’s birthday, my almost six-year-old son, Keelan, called to wish him a happy birthday.
"Poppy, are you five years old?"
"Yes," my father answered, playing along with a twinkle in his eye.
Then Keelan asked, "Poppy, are you six years old?"
Again my father answered yes. Excitedly, Keelan turned to me and said, "Mommy, Poppy went through all the numbers and had to start over again."
Citation: J. Kay Gillard, Newville, Newfoundland. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom." © 2001 PreachingToday.com / Christianity Today, International
One of the advantages of marking off our lives with birthdays, holidays and sunrises is that each one offers an opportunity to start over. New beginnings are available all the time. We are constantly given reason to hope for another chance at life.
Have you ever wished you could start over? Have you ever thought I wish I could take those words back? When was the last time you said, “If only I had known this a year ago”? Have you ever let someone down and wanted to change it all?
There was a man named Peter who wanted to start over after the very first Resurrection Sunday.
Do you remember his story? Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends. It was Peter, James and John who saw Jesus bring a dead girl back to life. They were the ones who witnessed Jesus’ heavenly glory on the mountain where he spoke with Moses and Elijah.
Peter, James and John also competed with the other disciples to be the greatest in Jesus’ Kingdom (Luke 22:24). The night before the Crucifixion, Peter had announced that he loved Jesus more than all the disciples. He said, “Even if they all desert you I will go with you! Prison? Death? It doesn’t matter, I will never fail you, Jesus.”
Jesus said, “Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:34). And that’s just what happened while Peter warmed himself by a charcoal fire. He said, “I don’t know the man. I don’t know the man. I don’t know the man!” Then Jesus looked across the courtyard at him and Peter realized how badly he had failed. He wept.
Do you remember what Peter did after Jesus’ resurrection? He went home. He went back to fishing for a living. I think he gave up. But then Peter, James and John saw a stranger on the shore after spending the night on the lake.
The man asked, “Do you have any fish?”
When they said, “No,” the stranger told them to throw their nets on the other side of the boat. They did and they could not haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
Peter, James and John had breakfast with Jesus as they cooked the fish over a charcoal fire. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Peter, "Do you [have an unconditional, totally committed love for me]?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you [like a good friend]."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs. Make the nurture and growth of new Christians and the next generation your priority."
Again Jesus said, "Peter, do you [have an unconditional, and totally committed love for me]?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you [like a good friend]."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep. Guide, protect and provide for the mature Christians."
The third time he said to him, "Peter, do you love me [like a good friend]?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me [like a good friend]?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you [like a good friend]."
Jesus said, "Feed my little sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Peter turned and saw [John]. When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
Jesus answered, "What is that to you? You must follow me."
Transition: So what can we learn from Peter’s conversation with Jesus?
When we fail, Jesus wants to restore us.
God wants us to finish the race.
John Stephen Akhwari ran in the 1968 Olympics representing Tanzania. John Stephen injured himself in the competition, so he finished the race an hour after the gold medal winner. After he crossed the finish line, a reporter asked him, “Why didn’t you retire from the race, since you had no chance of winning.” Akhwari looked confused at the reporter’s question. After a pause, he said, “My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race, they sent me here to finish the race.”
Citation: (Fresh Illustrations 09-26-00) http://www.rotary.org/meetings/convent/2000conv/huntley.htm
Jesus did not die on the cross so we could start living for Him. He paid the price so we can finish the race! He wants to help us up if we fall – will we let him?
When we declare our love for him, Jesus wants to send us to help others.
No one is restored to simply sit around. Every Christian is called to serve others. Peter was sent to feed the early church and to share the Good News with Gentiles.
Jesus wants to send us to people in need – will we go?
When we decide to go, Jesus wants us to follow Him.
Jesus never sends us out on our own. It’s His work we will do. It’s His Spirit that will purify and empower us for the work. Jesus does not set us up for failure, but He will expect sacrifice. Peter was crucified upside down. We must leave our comfortable ruts and habits. But Jesus still promises “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Following Jesus will involve sacrifice – will we go where he leads?
When we step in line to follow, Jesus wants to teach us to love Him unconditionally.
God loves us just as we are but he will not leave us as we are. He loves us enough to make us more and more like Jesus. He can lead us from the love of a friend to the unconditional, totally committed love He deserves.
Jesus wants us to experience unconditional love and commitment for Him – will we learn?
THE BOTTOM LINE (Thesis):
If we fail, Jesus accepts the love we give Him, forgives us,and gives us an assignment for service.
Conc.: Are you unconditionally and totally committed to Jesus? Have you told Him so only to fail Him?
If so, what can you expect Jesus to with you? What did He do with Peter? He will treat you the same way.
Listen. Right now his Holy Spirit is asking, “Do you love me?” He has a place of service for you. He is calling you to follow.
Will you turn to Him? Will you receive His forgiveness and a new assignment?
Will you pray with me?
Jesus, sometimes I’m not sure why you keep on loving me. I seem to take half steps while You almost run out of sight. I stumble frequently. I tend to love you so half-heartedly that it’s no wonder you ask; “Do you really love me?” Yes, Lord I love You. Teach me to love You unconditionally. I gladly accept any new assignment you give me. I do not know what the future holds but I know I will follow You into it. Amen.
