Rossville Christian Church
Sunday, Dec 25th
- Agnus Dei
- Intro:Gathered around the Fire, ask the questions of those gathered around, share some bread with them. Imagine the conversation they were having, while having breakfast. There is just something about sitting around and sharing that opens the heart and warms the soul. I sure it was the same for the disciples when they ate with Jesus that morning. Seeing Him one more time before he ascended to heaven. Getting that last ounce of wisdom and love, soaking in that last bit of light
John 21:13–14 NASB95 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.PrayWhat a CatchA. As in the BeginningJohn 21:1–4 NIV Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “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. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.1. Catching Fisha. It is never just about catching fishb. Everything God does or asks has a purposec. It seems cliche but it is noti. We are small and know not the ways of Godii. We have to be OK with that, even when it hurts2. ChildrenJohn 21:5–6 NASB95 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.a. Term here in Greek is Paidiai. Meaning is clear, childrenii. First time callingc. The familial indication is consistent in Johnd. Furthermore, we see the transition of the disciples from the fleshly friend to the Spiritual childrene. Identityi. Why he says to cast the net againii. They would recognize thatLuke 5:4–7 NIV When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.iii. The net does not tear this timeJohn 21:11 NASB95 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.B. Peter is PeterJohn 21:7–14 NIV 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 wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.1. Put his clothes onJohn 21:7 NIV 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 wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.a. oddb. conflict of eagerness/pietyi. Contradiction is the soiled clothesii. almost comical and predictable response2. God’s provisionJohn 21:8–9 NIV The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.a. In the physicalb. For the Spiritualc. See the harmony here at the endi. The physical can be used for the spiritualii. Must learn to discipline it1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB95 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.d. See the abundancei. Jesus already had food for them to eatMatthew 7:11 NASB95 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!3. Come and EatJohn 21:10–14 NIV Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.a. Come to God’s tableb. We are always invitedc. God will provide what we needd. We bring our parte. They knew because they knew Christf. Briefly on 3sPeter RestoredA. Do You Love MeJohn 21:15 NIV 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.”1. More thana. What is this about?b. Thought we weren’t supposed to quantify lovec. We have to love God the mosi. Commandment 1 - Don’t have any other gods above me2. Feed my sheepa. Spirituallyb. Ensure they have what they needi. Bread of lifeii. The living watersB. Do You Love MeJohn 21:16 NIV 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.”1. No quantifiera. Do you love meb. Second questioning2. Shepherda. Leadb. Guidec. Secured. All duties of the Shepherd and required by Peter for the Churchi. Duties that would be handed down to other leaders1 Peter 5:1–2 NASB95 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;ii. Why we call our elders and pastors shepherdsC. Do You Love MeJohn 21:17–19 NIV 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. 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”1. The Third Calla. Had to be sure Peter was thinkingi. Why?ii. Peter’s impulsivenessb. Wanted Peter to carefully considerLuke 14:27–28 NIV And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?c. Feed my Sheepi. Make extra sure my people are taken care ofii. Notice the lack of mentioning the lostiii. We must first take care of what God given us2. Follow Mea. Calling him backb. Like the prodigal soni. Brief explanationii. Found in Luke 15c. Had to be reinstatedi. Like at that beginningJohn’s Final WordsJohn 21:20–21 NIV Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”A. Looking Around1. Focus on your missiona. When we look around we miss what’s in front of usb. Notice where his eyes werei. Not on Jesusii. Like on the sea and walking - took eyes off Christ and sank2. Like Saul and David of the OTa. Saul alway so worried about Davidb. Taking his placec. If he would have focused on his own mission would have been fineB. You Must Follow MeJohn 21:22–23 NIV Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”1. Keep your eyes heavenwarda. Keep us out of troubleb. But it will clarify our visionColossians 3:2 NASB95 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.2. Kingdom focus is the only focusa. Keeps our minds sharpb. Keeps our thoughts purec. You are what you consumeConclusion:The Things We Will KnowJohn 21:24–25 NIV This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.a. So much more to know, but not nowb. We will one dayc. For now lets work on loving the kingdom and then growing the kingdomi. Why we say Growing Out and Elevating within - O Come All Ye Faithful