What A Way To Start The Day!

WHAT A WAY TO START THE DAY!

John 21.1-14

S: Jesus

C: Resurrection appearance

Pr: WE HAVE ALL WE NEED IN JESUS.

TS: We will find in our study of John 21.1-14 Jesus once again revealing Himself to His disciples.

Type: Narrative

I. GET BUSY! (1-3)

II. FISH STORIES! (4-6)

III. HE’S BACK! (7-8)

IV. GET TOGETHER! (9-14)

PA: How is the change to be observed?

• Rejoice that God makes the best of our failures.

• Be with Jesus (there is nothing better).

• Find your needs met in Jesus.

Version: ESV

RMBC 20 May 2007 AM

INTRODUCTION:

1. Do you ever tire of waiting?

ILL Waiting (H)

One time when we were living in New Jersey, I was standing in line at the post office. It was one of those long lines that is easy to grow impatient in. I was talking with the people in front and back of me. But after at least a good 15-20 minute wait, I finally reached the window, and I was about to get some bad news.

I reached the window, looked at the papers and envelopes in my hand and said to the person at the counter, “Oh, no! I’m supposed to be at the bank.”

I had been waiting in the wrong line! I was supposed to be in line at the bank!

As we come to today’s text in the gospel of John, it had now been a couple of weeks since Jesus had raised from the dead.

And the disciples were waiting to see Jesus once again.

They had to be wondering, when would they see Him again?

How would He appear?

What would He say?

What would He do?

Well…

2. We will find in our study of John 21.1-14 Jesus once again revealing Himself to His disciples.

OUR STUDY:

In our first few verses, we see it was time to…

I. GET BUSY! (1-3)

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

One of the messages that was given during the initial resurrection appearances was that the disciples were told to go to Galilee.

So, after Jesus first appeared to them, they eventually headed up north.

And waited…waited for Jesus…

You know…

3. When you are waiting, you would rather be doing something.

That’s what happened to seven of them.

In one week, their lives had drastically changed.

For three years, they had been part of a trusty band of men who were following Jesus.

But now, Jesus was no longer there to follow.

He was alive, yes.

But it was not the same.

And so, they were waiting for Him to show up once again.

I think their actions, at this time, are logical.

It was time to get busy.

It was time to get back to paying the bills.

Under the usual leadership of Peter, they went back to what they knew best.

Peter said, “Let’s go fishing,” and they all agreed.

ILL Truth (H)

We all know that fishermen are known for telling stories about the one that got away.

A fisherman, from Texas, was in the Midwest on a fishing trip. Not knowing the local waters, he hired a young man who was reputed to be the best guide in the territory. After outfitting the boat, the two set out onto a large lake for a little bass fishing. The guide took the Texan out to what was known to be a producing hole. True to his reputation, it wasn’t long before the Texan had a bass on the end of his line. When the bass was finally landed, the guide hooked it onto the scales. It weighed in at a good 8½ pounds. Upon seeing the weight, the Texan exclaimed, "Why down in Texas we use that size of fish for bait!"

The guide smiled, nodded in understanding … and dropped the fish back into the lake.

Well, the disciples were going to have their own…

II. FISH STORIES! (4-6)

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.