Sermon Central
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The Great Reset
Contributed by Craig Benner on Apr 19, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: All of us have those times when we are caught with egg on our face. We are guilty and there is no getting around it. What do we do now. Is God done with me? Would He even dare to entrust me to do something for Him again? I believe that is how Peter and the disciples felt.
READY, RESET, GO!
Thomas Edison and his team invented the first light bulb that actually functioned for a few hours (1879). It took hundreds of attempts and each attempt took a full 24 hours to create a new bulb and put the ingredients together. On one occasion, after 24 hours of work, Mr. Edison handed a finished bulb to a young man and told him to take it upstairs to be tested. As the young man was heading upstairs, he stumbled and the bulb shattered. So the team started over and 24 hours later, Mr. Edison called the same young man over to carry the bulb upstairs. He knew the guy had felt like a failure, but He realized the importance of giving him another chance.
Jesus has resurrected from the dead and the disciples have found themselves in a predicament. They are in a happy/sad state. Their Lord and Saviour is alive and well. They also remember all to well how they had been cowards and unloyal to Christ in His darkest hour.
The Lord has showed the world the greatest triumph ever and He is ready to return to the Father, but He has another assignment to finish beforehand. There are some disciples that need to find the reset button and press on in the calling that was given them.
I. Regret
Peter, John, and the other disciples ALL failed to stand with Jesus in the final hours up to His crucifixion. Jesus had told them that it would be so, but they assured Him that it wouldn't happen. Now the Lord is back and they can hardly face Him because they feel so guilty.
Yes, they have been with Christ in a few settings since His resurrection, and it was glorious. But their shortcomings keep staring them in the face and they wish that they could do it all over again. It was bothering them so bad that they really didn't think there was any future ministry for them.
II. Reverse
They pretty much decided that the logical course for them was to go back to what they were before meeting Jesus.
Simon Peter speaks as a leader and says (v 3) I go a fishing. In the original language could mean - I am going to be a fisherman. Then the others replied that they were going to do likewise.
After a full night of fruitless fishing, they see and hear a man on the shore. It is at first suprising that they did not recognize Jesus. Especially the voice that had taught them for over 3 years.
When someone takes a step backwards, it may seem so innocent, but it doesn't take long to lose the sensitivity to what you once yearned after.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Phil. 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
III. Relentless Reaching
Jesus knows what is going on.
He shows them how much He cares. He tells them to cast the net on the other side of the ship. Then there was a great draught of fish. A similiar miracle took place at their original calling to ministry.
Breakfast is hot and ready for the disciples. God provides.
Jesus converses with Peter and asks him if he loves him. He is letting him know that his original calling is still viable. He reiterates it as to emphasize to Peter that he needs forget about the past shortcomings, and get on with the ministry that God has prepared him for. Quit considering the idea of returning to what you were before your encounter with the Lord.
IV. RESET
vs. 19 "follow thou me"
vs. 22 "follow thou me"
Jesus emphatically lets Peter know that he needs and wants him to pursue the path that the Lord had set him on, in spite of missteps and mistakes. Just follow and don't worry about anyone else.
