June 24, 2018
Morning Service

In the last few chapters there has been a tornado of activity occur.  Jesus was betrayed, tried, beaten, crucified, and rose from the grave.  It is hard for us to wrap our minds around all of this, imagine how the Apostles felt living it.  They have all seen Him and now have no doubts that He truly is the Son of God.  After His second appearance with all the disciples present, it seems they weren’t sure what to do.  There was no doubt Jesus was alive, but for Peter he knew that he had promised Jesus that he would lay down his life for Him only to deny Him three times just hours later.  Peter is still in limbo not knowing where his denial of Jesus will lead to.  He has repented (bitterly) and wants to be restored but is not sure if that will ever happen.  He and the others find themselves not really knowing what to do; so when in doubt go fishing!

 John 21:1-6 After these things Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius. And He revealed Himself this way:  (2)  Simon Peter, and Thomas called the Twin, and Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and 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 will go with you also.” They went out and entered into a boat immediately. And that night they caught nothing.  (4)  But when the morning had come, Jesus stood on the shore. But the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  (5)  Then Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have anything to eat?” They answered Him, “No.”  (6)  And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find.” Therefore they cast, and now they no longer had the strength to draw, from the multitude of fish.

·        What a great example of life without Jesus (nothing) and life with Him (abundance) (Jn. 10:10).  All that was required of the disciples was obedience.  By faith they cast their nets into the sea though it must have seemed fruitless.  Little did they know that shortly Jesus’ promise that they would become “Fishers of men” would soon begin?  They would begin to cast the net of the Gospel message into the world catching and changing one life at a time.

·        Where has Jesus asked you to cast your net?  Does it seem fruitless as well?  Obey in faith and see what abundance He will grant unto you!

 

John 21:7-13 Then that disciple whom Jesus loves said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Then hearing that it is the Lord, Simon Peter girded on his coat (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea.  (8)  And the other disciples came in a little boat (for they were not far from land, only about two hundred cubits), dragging the net of fish.  (9)  Then when they went up on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and a fish lying on it, and bread.  (10)  And Jesus said to them, “Bring from the fish which you have now caught.”  (11)  Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three. And though there were so many, the net was not torn.  (12)  Jesus said to them, “Come, and eat breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.  (13)  Then Jesus came and took the bread and gave to them and in the same way the little fish.

 

 

·        Peter was indeed anxious to see the Lord again perhaps hoping for restoration.  He came ashore to find a charcoal fire much like the one he sat by in the courtyard and denied the Lord the night of His betrayal.  Peter again shows his obedience and leadership in bringing the 153 fish to shore.

 

John 21:14-17 This is now the three times Jesus was revealed to His disciples, He being risen from the dead.  (15)  Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon “Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”  (16)  He said to him the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My sheep.”  (17)  He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things, You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

·        Redemption, restoration, a chance to start over is what Jesus is all about.  Restoration is defined as returning something to a former owner, place or condition.  Peter had failed Jesus when everyone was watching and had to be wondering how or if things could ever be the same again.

·          Have you been there? 

·        Have you ever done something that “no good Christian” would ever do and wondered how you could ever restore your relationship with your Savior?  Here is your answer.  God will forgive you if you confess, truly repent, and desire to be restored.  He will then even take another step after granting your forgiveness and restoring your relationship with Him; He will use your failure to make your relationship with Him even deeper and more meaningful.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

·        There is no asterisk placed by your name or you are not put on probation; He forgives you plain and simple.   Look how our forgiveness is described in the Book of Psalms.

Psalms 103:11-12 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is His mercy toward those who fear Him.  (12)  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

·        Our sins have been done away with, nailed to His cross.  We are no longer under their bondage but we are set free.  He has forgiven us and restored (cleansed) us to our former status with Him.  So often we display a lack of faith and doubt that our forgiveness is real or we refuse to forgive ourselves.  Read it, believed and act upon it.

·        Notice though restoration comes with some obedience.  Jesus told Peter to “Feed My sheep.”  Peter spent the rest of his life doing just that.  He will tell you to get busy fulfilling your calling as well.  You can’t repent and then continue in sin.  Repentance means turning around and walking the other direction, making a change for the better.  Peter would never have been the great leader he was without this time of failure.  His pride was broken and he realized how easily we all can fall into temptation’s snare.  Jesus left no doubt knowing there was three denials, He allowed him three times to speak the truth from his heart.  We are following the same Jesus who will forgive and restore us as well upon our repentance. 

 

 

 

·          What a beautiful picture this paints for us as Jesus followers.  He desires us to be perfect, but when (not if) we fail He is there to pick us up again.  You are family and He will not give up on you; He loves you.  Is that comforting?  Is that freeing?  It stirs me to want to do better and make those times of failure far and few between.  God designed us knowing that sin would always be a struggle for us.  This struggle with sin is designed to make us stronger not weaker.  We quickly realize that we can’t do this alone; we need a Savior who offers us mercy.  Our failures draw us back to our Savior and our restoration sends us a little farther down our road to spiritual maturity.

·         The trouble is some people lose sight of what the price of their sin cost forgetting the cross and begin to take it far too lightly.  Before they know it they allow that sin to become enter their life and accept it as a part of life.  Paul spoke on this to the Corinthian Church

 

 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own, (20)  for you are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

·        Our restoration depends on the fact that we want it and are willing to work for it.  When we find ourselves in a time of failure, it should hurt as we repent of it and create within us a desire to not go there again. Ultimately we will return to the desire of our heart and if we have given it to Jesus, He will restore us.

 

Heavenly Father thank you for your perfect plan of restoration, please help us to never take it for granted, but live in gratitude for a Savior who paid the price for us.