When Peter Died To Self

WHEN PETER DIED TO SELF

Jn. 21:1-8,14-22.

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Agatha Longworth, age 78 and rather deaf, had a tendency to shout when she went to the Catholic confessional.

2. When the priest, Father Leo Dankin, asked her to speak more quietly, since everyone in the church could hear, she shouted, "What did you say?"

3. He carefully told her that she should write down what she had to say in advance. At her next confession, she knelt and handed a piece of paper to the priest.

4. He looked at it and said, "What is this? It looks like a grocery list." "Oh dear," said Mrs. Longworth. "I must have left my sins at the Kroger."

B. TEXT

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he… jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat…. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them […John, son of Zebedee] 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Jn. 21:1-8,14-22.

C. THESIS

1. The period following the crucifixion of Christ was probably one of the most remarkable periods in all of history.

2. There were earthshaking occurrences (Mt. 27).

3. For 40 days Jesus showed himself alive by many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3). The disciples had been devastated by his death but were elated by his resurrection.

4. They were Day is of Heaven on Earth! Walking and talking with the risen Savior. It was a time when heaven and earth overlapped.

5. For everyone that is -- except Peter!

I. PETER’S TEMPTATION TO GO BACK

A. “I’m going out to fish.”

1. There’s been a lot of Scriptural justification for fishing trips -- but I'd pick a different one.

2. NOT SIMPLY A LEISURE TRIP. In fishing all night using nets, do you think Peter just wanted something to do or was he returning to his old business?

3. Jesus had already called Peter to go fishing -- but for Men!

4. Mt. 4:20 records the call of Peter and Andrew, "At once they left their nets and followed him."

5. Jesus had told Peter (Lk. 5:10), "Fear not; from now on you will catch men."

6. Peter had at one time forsaken his boats, left his nets and his fishing career, and followed Jesus. He now went back to it.

B. WHY? DISAPPOINTMENT

1. Peter was undoubtedly disappointed with himself because of his cowardly denial of Jesus.

2. He no longer felt worthy to be an apostle. He didn't feel God was pleased with him.