February 19, 2006
153 Fish and a Call to Loving Commitment
John 21
I. In the miracle see:
1. Christ’s concern for His disciples – John 21:5
2. Christ’s provision for His disciple’s needs – John 21:6
3. Christ’s making Himself known again – John 21:7 & 14
II. From the miracle, learn:
1. We are always under His watch
A. At Church – Matthew 18:20
B. Everywhere – Psalm 139:7-12
C. As His people, He is with us in all we do – Psalm 23; Psalm 1:6; Romans 8:31
2. We are always dependent upon His power
A. In spiritual things – Matthew 4:19; John 15:5
B. Even in everyday life – John 21:6
C. In all things, it is Christ / God Who determines and controls our success or failure – Psalm 84:11
D. The health, wealth and prosperity gospel distorts this truth – Romans 8:28-29
III. Yet, the miracle prepares us for the MEAL!
1. The miracles of Christ always have a purpose – John 20:31
2. Other miracles were signs to encourage faith, this is the provision for a fellowship breakfast – John 21:12
3. Note: the Faithful He invites to breakfast – John 21:12, the lax or lukewarm He invites to supper – Revelation 3:14-22
IV. This meal seems particularly meant for Peter, why is it such?
1. Peter had boasted before – John 13:37; Luke 22:31-34; Matthew 26:33-35
2. Peter had denied Christ three times – Matthew 26:70-75
3. Christ would restore Him …
V. How did Christ go about restoring Peter? What lessons do we learn from this?
1. Christ calls Him to a renewed commitment –
A. In relation to his occupation: fishing – “do you love me more than these?” – John 21:15
B. He calls him to be a pastor “shepherd” – “feed my sheep” – John 21:16
C. In relation to His past failures He questions Peter’s love three times corresponding with Peter’s three denials
D. He uses the word “agape” – a self-sacrificing type of love, an in spite of great difficulties I will love you type love
E. Peter responds with the word “phileo” – a family love, a because of kind of love … I love YOU Lord, because of Who YOU are, You are infinitely lovable, not because of something great in me!
2. Christ challenges Him to a love that would involve the cross – John 21:18-19
A. Remember Peter’s response to Jesus’ own talk of the cross, this was a great fear for Peter – Matthew 16:21-23
B. Peter’s response was not great, even now – John 21:20
3. Yet, Christ further challenges Him with contentment with His cross His own lot in life – John 21:22; Philippians 4:11-13
VI. John’s clarification and conclusion:
1. He (John) will not live till Christ’s coming – John 21:23-24
2. The whole world could not contain the Books that would tell all Christ’s great works!
VII. Application:
1. Realize Christ still watches His people today, pray!
2. Realize Christ is in control of our success or failure, live accordingly!
3. Realize Christ still calls us to breakfast, MEET HIM DAILY! Meet Him next Sunday in the Lord’s Supper
4. Realize Christ calls us: To a focused commitment, to a love filled commitment both “phileo” and “agape”, to a commitment with a CROSS, and to a CROSS with contentment
