Scripture: John 21:1-14
Introduction
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18–20
- I’m still being led to preach about how real and alive Jesus is in the resurrection.
- I think so often these days many people relegate Jesus to ancient history.
- The Holy Spirit has put it on my heart to keep the focus on the resurrected Jesus.
- He is not just an historical figure; He lives and moves amongst us even today.
- I believe that He is particular about who He stays with though.
- Remember what Jesus told the disciples in Matthew10:11-14:
Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
- And, so it is with us today: Jesus goes where He is welcome and blesses those whom He would bless.
- Our church is blessed because we welcome Him here.
- And how do I know we welcomed Him here? In Matthew 25:40 Jesus spells it out:
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
- Do you like to fish? I like to fish.
- At least I think I like to fish because I never catch anything.
- Maybe I just like to GO FISHING.
- I like getting the boat ready to go out and finding a nice spot and dropping anchor.
- I like having one of my daughters put the worm on the hook for me (I trained them right!)
- And I really like watching my kids and grandkids or even my friend, Larry, catch fish.
- Jesus loved to fish, and boy was He good at it!!
- There are three components to this story today to think about:
- Our Frustration
- His Guidance
- Our Satisfaction
1. Our frustration
- Jesus had just appeared to the disciples in the locked upper room and left again.
- Peter must have been getting a little stir crazy because he said, “I’m going fishing.”
- Sometimes we just have to get away and focus on something else, don’t we?
- The disciples had lost their best friend and mentor to a horrible death on the cross.
- And although He has appeared to them – alive – nevertheless, He is not really with them.
- This has created a huge hole in their lives after three years of their devotion to Him.
- Walking with Jesus gave them a tremendous sense of purpose and focus.
- They never knew what Jesus was going to do next, but they were so drawn to Him.
- I think this is where we often find ourselves today: lost, no sense of purpose, no focus.
- We have been extremely blessed at our church to have such a strong sense of purpose.
- We have all the same sources of frustration as other churches and other places.
- People say things that hurt our feelings or make us feel unappreciated.
- One person tells us to do things one way and along comes another opinion to trip us up.
- Whenever you have a group of people, you are going to have disagreement and conflict.
- The beautiful thing at our church is that we are too busy to dwell on things for very long.
- If there is a conflict, we need to deal with it quick because there are ten more things to do
- Case in point is our yard sales; massive events that get bigger every time.
- As a leader in my church, I look at this and think: “we’ve gotten slow this down before we kill our people!!”
- But I don’t dare suggest that we back off, lest I get my head handed to me.
- You see, as much as I think all this work is too hard on people, it is really helping them.
- Where else can you see octogenarians running around like teenagers?
- Someone from my group once accused me of pushing everybody too hard.
- That couldn’t be further from the truth: I’ve tried to put on the brakes, but I was wrong.
- You see, there is nothing like hard work and a sense of purpose to ease frustration.
2. His Guidance
- I’ve had to learn to trust in God’s guidance for our church and our people.
- Peter was frustrated with his life, so he went fishing, only to be frustrated by no fish.
- Jesus told them to throw their nets on the RIGHT side of the boat instead.
- And then what happened? The nets could barely hold all the fish.
- Sometimes I think about all the times I want to tell the church to throw the nets on the left
- Sometimes I do tell the church to throw the nets on the left.
- But look what happens when we listen to Jesus and throw the nets on the right.
- Our nets overflow with all the people and items that God sends our way.
- And, as John points out in verse 13, the net wasn’t even torn.
- I worry that with all the work God has laid on us that we will be damaged or torn.
- Somehow, He makes us stronger and even more focused and a sense of purpose.
- So, if you got frustrated or upset or your feelings hurt, remember, why you threw the net.
- In his book the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says:
Living out the purpose you were created for moves you beyond mere survival and success to a life of significance—the life you were meant to live.
- People today are frustrated and searching aimlessly for a purpose.
- They bounce around from the latest fad to the latest fad – never finding satisfaction.
- God’s guidance through the life of Jesus Christ gives us the sense of purpose we so desperately seek.
- Listen for his guidance and look for opportunities to serve Him and be like Him.
- Try throwing your nets on the RIGHT side of the boat.
3. Our Satisfaction
- What could be more satisfying to a bunch of fishermen than a net full of fish?
- After working tirelessly for two weeks in preparation, the doors were opened to the yard sale last Thursday night.
- Our people gave everything they had to put the best possible preparation into the stuff God gave us.
- From the book room to the toy room to the puzzles and games room to the baby room to the ENORMOUS linen room, to the clothing and jewelry room to the electronics and furniture hallway and the housewares, gadgets and kitchenware room. And don’t forget all the stuff outside.
- Then there was the bakery on Saturday and the outdoor cookout.
- Friday and Saturday, the workers were treated to sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits.
- If you are worn out and tired and sick of yard sales, I understand, but what an accomplishment.
- God filled our nets with items to sell and He filled our nets with people to work.
- Then God filled our nets with hundreds of people to buy the items HE gave us.
- Can anyone tell me what it feels like knowing you have done God’s work?
- Amidst your frustration and aches and pains can you honestly tell me you are satisfied?
- If you need more convincing, come back in 6 months, and watch God do it again.
- No matter how hard Barbara Jean tries to give it all away, God will fill it back in faster.
- I’ll admit that there were some trying moments during the yard sale and I struggled.
- The most difficult moments are when I saw one of my people having a hard time.
- Sometimes, we work so hard that we get frustrated and down.
- And to that, I would say the best thing is to step away and regroup – that’s ok.
- We are only human after all. A bunch of humans that God has supercharged to action.
- Some of the people we served were there to take advantage of us – that’s ok.
- Most of the people were trying to find a bargain and just survive in this economy.
- It is not for us to discern people’s intention – only Jesus can do that.
- It is for us to find a sense of purpose in serving the Lord.
- It is for us to find a sense of purpose in working hard together.
- It is for us to find a sense of purpose in sacrificing ourselves for the good of others.
- It is for us to find a sense of purpose knowing that we made a difference in another’s life.
- This is our purpose as Christians and as church members.
- And when we throw our nets to the right, Jesus blesses us so abundantly we can barely handle it.
- What could be more satisfying to a bunch of Christians than a net full of people?