LAUGH 'N LEARN

An Encouragement Ministry of Verde Valley Christian Church
Of Cottonwood Arizona
http://www.vvchristianchurch.net/

Issue # 281,    April 13,  2008

LAUGH

Email From God

Jim’s Manuscript

April 13, 2008

“Fish, Sheep, and Cookies”

Gospel of John Series

Text:  John 21

Intro:  Personal Testimony by ______________

I asked _________ to share his testimony today because it is a testimony about God restoring someone who claimed to be a Christian but failed to follow.  Do you need God to restore you?  Do you need your heart washed clean?  Do you need your heart and resolve refreshed and encouraged?  Then today’s study is especially for you.   God specializes in helping people who need comebacks and restoration, as we shall see from our study.  Let’s view the video of John 21.  [View video of John 21].

I thought about titling this sermon “Breakfast on the Beach” but then while studying I saw another sermon by that title, so I decided on “Fish, Sheep, and Cookies.”  You are right; there are no other sermons by this title.  Surprised?  Actually, this title is not a description of the breakfast, mmmm, yum, but three different label descriptions I came up with for the three different sections of this last chapter. 

I discovered that all three of these sections are tied together by one central truth.  It is a truth that never really stood out in my past studies of this chapter, but it jumped off the page for me this time.  This truth that jumped off the page for me this time in my studies of John comes from Peter’s lips.  It is found in John 21:17 right at the climactic moment of this chapter.  It is also the focus for this morning.

Focus:  Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, you know everything…”

In each of the three sections of John 21 we discover that Jesus is no ordinary man, he knows everything. 

Three sections, three episodes, all demonstrate that Jesus knows everything.  The first episode… 

I.        Fish (John 21:1-14)

John 21:1-14 (NIV)  Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (called 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 wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.  ⁹ When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.  ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."  ¹¹ Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.  ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.  ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Are Your Nets Coming Up Empty?

He knows when we feel like we have been working “all night,” tired and discouraged, and nothing to show for our work!  In your life, have you ever felt like you’ve been working all through the night and come up empty?  Have you ever felt like you have been working hard and just spinning your wheels getting nowhere?  That is what the disciples felt like.  Fishing was the vocation of Peter and a number of others on the boat.  Fishing used to be their work, business, and livelihood. 

Our economy right now is in slow gear for many segments.  Some of you are working hard but coming up short.  Sometimes working through the night is like working through dark times and coming up empty.  God knows.  He knows exactly where the fish are.  He knows when and where you should throw your nets.  He knows. 

A.  He Knows How To Fill Our Nets

Jesus knows better than the experts.  This isn’t teaching us that Jesus is really good at fishing.  This is telling us more than about fish.  Do you see what just happened?  Jesus knows everything about the fish.  He knows where they are.  He knew they were there on the right side of the boat and not the left. 

There are many ramifications in this section as it relates to our food, our vocation, business, and livelihood.  JESUS KNOWS where our next meal is coming from.  He knows our circumstances. 

B.  Peter Put On Clothes To Swim

Doesn’t this seem backward to you?  Why does Peter cover himself up to swim?  Shouldn’t we expect the opposite, one takes off the outer robe before one swims?  What is this all about?

We are seeing here Peter’s self-consciousness before the Lord.  There are probably natural reasons and maybe some cultural reasons that Peter would feel self-conscious before Jesus whom Peter respects so much, but perhaps there is more going on than simply these natural or cultural reasons. 

Could there be something in the heart of Peter that is not too dissimilar from what Adam was feeling when God showed up in the Garden after Adam did the very thing he should not have done?  It seems to me that Peter is still feeling self-conscious before Jesus, naked, ashamed.  He covers up.  The text doesn’t tell us the reason for him covering himself up, but I can’t help but see some similarities here.  I wouldn’t see this if it weren’t for the way Jesus deals with Peter next in this very context.

• THIS REMINDS ME OF AN OLD JOKE (AND IT IS NOT VERY FUNNY)

Pete and Repeat were in a boat and Pete jumped out.  Who’s left?  (Repeat).  Pete and Repeat were in a boat and Pete jumped out.  Who’s left?...

C.     Pete and Repeat…  (Luke 5:1-11)

BE LOOKING FOR REPEAT BECAUSE HE’S HERE IN A COUPLE OF PLACES. 

This is a REPEAT miracle (Why?)

I think that it is very significant that Jesus chose to repeat this miracle.  It is also significant that he chose to repeat this particular miracle at this particular time.  It is significant that it was a deeply impacting miracle to Peter on both occasions. 

Luke 5:1-11 (NIV)  ¹ One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God,  ² he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.  ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.  ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."  ⁵ 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."  ⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  ⁷ 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.  ⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"  ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,  ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."  ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Vocation/Calling and Humility (both occasions)

What is interesting about this is the similarity of context.  This miracle emphasizes Peter’s calling to follow Jesus in his new vocation where he will catch men not fish.  On both occasions Peter’s reaction is to take the broken position of humility.  Peter started humbly but something happened afterward where he begins to assert himself with bravado and self-confidence.  Jesus takes him right back to where he started.  Peter must go back to the place of humility.  That position is to be sustained, not abandoned. 

The funny thing is, that Peter who used to be a mere fisherman, thought he was going to be a big man in the New Kingdom.  He began to grow big in his own eyes.  That was where the problems began.  His strength is to be found in his weakness, and in his humility.  His power is in his sustained humble dependence, but Peter has to learn this.  When he failed in his perceived leadership, he goes back to what he knows—fishing.  He is returning to what he knows and abandoning any pretense of achieved status.  He feels unworthy and undeserving and so has given up on those dreams. 

The Professional Jockey

Two Kentucky horse racing stable owners had developed a keen rivalry. Each spring they both entered a horse in a local steeplechase. One of them thought that having a professional rider might give his horse an edge in the race, so he hired a hot-shot jockey.

Well, the day of the race finally came, and as usual, their two horses were leading the race right down to the last fence. But that final fence was too much for both of the horses. Both of them fell, and both riders were thrown. But that didn’t stop the professional jockey. He remounted quickly and easily won the race.

When he got back to the stable, he found the horse owner fuming with rage. He really didn’t understand his behavior, because he had won the race. So the jockey asked, “What’s the matter with you? I won the race, didn’t I?”

The red-faced owner nodded, “Oh, yes, you won the race. But you won it on the wrong horse!”
(From 1001 Humorous Illustrations for Public Speaking, by Michael Hodgin, p. 148.)

Peter, like that jockey, had the best of intentions.  He did his best to win, but as soon as Peter decided he was able to follow Jesus in his own strength and because of the strength of his own resolve never deny him, he got on the wrong horse.  His failure was devastating to his pride.  He felt shame and despair.  He believed he had fallen from any leadership status in the kingdom.  But he still loved Jesus.  He comes to Jesus again, the way he first came to him, knowing he was a sinful man, and he comes humbly before the greatness and majesty of the Lord, who, he has learned once again, knows everything. 

II.       Sheep (John 21:15-19)

Peter may have given up somewhat on Peter, but he had not given up on Jesus.  Jesus is the power that draws the broken man to himself. 

John 21:15-19 (NIV)
¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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.

 

A.  He Knows Every Detail Of Our Failures

Jesus knows everything about his Sheep.  He knows what each sheep needs.  He knows what Peter needs to become a shepherd. 

He Knows the Precise Remedy Required (Humility & Repentance)

He knows the precise circumstances of our failures and he knows the precise remedy for our restoration.  Let me get at the precision of what Jesus knows in this manner. 

John picks up on a little detail that we need to pick up on.  There is a word in this chapter that only occurs in one other place in the Bible.  In this chapter this word is found in verse 9.  The word is “charcoal fire” [ἀνθρακιά, anthrakia].  Do you know the ONLY other place it is found in the Bible?  It’s in John 18:18 where Peter was standing before the “charcoal fire” [ἀνθρακιά, anthrakia] warming his hands while he denied Jesus 3 times just as Jesus predicted he would. 

B.  This Fireside Chat Was Carefully Planned

It is no accident that Jesus has a charcoal fire ready for this occasion.  Jesus remembers the scene when his eyes locked with Peter’s eyes at his moment of realization that Jesus was right!  Here Peter was warming his hands at the charcoal fire when the moment of recognition came.  Before the rooster crowed, he HAD denied his Lord 3 TIMES! 

Don’t you think that after Peter comes out of the lake on an early morning in a soaking wet robe that he is there at the charcoal fire warming his hands again?  It is in this setting that Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me.”   Three denials were given a chance for three affirmations. 

Don’t make too much of this but the root form of the Greek word for “charcoal fire” is “Anthrax”. 

Anthrax (Άνθραξ) is the Greek word for coal and the name of an infectious disease in herbivorous animals and, less frequently, humans; the name comes from the charred looking skin lesions.

Peter’s exposure to the “Anthrax”, charcoal fiery trial…was very dangerous to his soul.  It was during a deadly few moments of exposure to the comfort of a charcoal fire where Peter denied him.  Fortunately, Peter didn’t kill himself as Judas did.  Fortunately also, Jesus restored him privately, and publically.  His private restoration, we know little about. 

His Private Restoration Came First:

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (NIV) ³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
⁵ and that he appeared to Peter,  and then to the Twelve.

Luke 24:33-34 (NIV) ³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

We are not told what took place when Peter was alone and saw Jesus.  My guess is a private restoration took place. 

But Peter still lacked any confidence.  He is unsure of himself.  This is not all bad.  He’s getting back on the right horse!

This asking of three questions around the charcoal fire is a public restoration, still needed for his sake, and the sake of his position with the other disciples.  Notice at the crisis of being asked three times, Peter no longer answers with bravado and self confidence or self promotion or self assurance.  He has learned something.  Jesus already knows his heart better than he knows his own heart.  Peter now does not lean on his own answer.  He’s afraid of his own answers.  He’s given wrong answers before.  He appeals to what he has learned, that Jesus already knows the answer to the question he is asking. 

If God asks you a question, it is not to get an answer he doesn’t already know. 

Jesus is giving Peter the opportunity to express it correctly this time–to express his heart correctly.  Each time Peter answers, Jesus give him the charge to feed and tend Jesus’ sheep.  Peter is thus publically restored as a shepherd leader of Jesus’ sheep. 

In a sense, Peter not only rode the wrong horse, now he is bumped and bruised after being knocked off.  Jesus brings the right horse back to him, points to the finish line and says “It’s time to get back on the right horse and follow me.”  This little interchange of questions fully restores Peter’s value, significance, and purpose.    

Peter’s Death

¹⁸ I tell you the truth, 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!"

According to Fox’s Book of Martyrs

Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.

— Fox's Book of Martyrs

III.       Cookies (John 21:20-25)

John 21:20-25 (NIV) ²⁰ 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?") 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." ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers 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?" ²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. ²⁵ 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.

Okay… so the first two titles were obvious, the miraculous catch of FISH, and then Jesus’ three-fold emphasis on feeding and tending his SHEEP, why did I label this third section COOKIES?  The word certainly isn’t found in the text.  This section is about the disciples.  It is about what disciples do.  They follow their Rabbi.  They imitate him.  You find the command to follow given twice here (21:19, 22).

John 21:22 (NIV) ²² Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

A.  God Doesn’t Use A COOKIE CUTTER

B.  Every Disciple Imitates Jesus Uniquely

Even in the imitating of Jesus, every disciple will imitate him uniquely.  This section is also about wrongful comparisons.  This is why I came up with the label “cookies” for this section.  God is not a cookie cutter kind of God where he makes all disciples look the same.  He does not call them to be the same.  We are unique, and our callings are unique.  We must remove the cookie cutter mentality of comparison as it relates to our imitation of Christ.  This section is about following.  It is about imitating, but it is about following and imitating in our own unique capacities, according to our unique roles, according to God’s unique callings placed on each or our lives. 

Wrongful Comparisons Are Corrected in 2 Places in Chap. 21

When Peter says “what about this disciple” (21:21) that is actually already the second time wrongful comparisons were corrected in this chapter.  What was the first time wrongful comparisons were corrected in this chapter?

Do You Love Me More than these (21:15)

John 21:15 (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

More than these fish?  More than fishing?  More than these other disciples love me? 

Matthew 26:33 (NIV) Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

He confidently asserted himself in a comparison over the others before, asserting that he loved Jesus more than they loved him.  He would never fail.  But he did. 

You could say, since Peter messed up at the first charcoal fire, he was one burnt cookie!  How do you restore a burnt cookie?  Jesus is the master at restoring burnt cookies.  He is slicing the burnt part away and restoring and rebuilding Peter.  It is distressing to Peter but it is also very helpful.  He was given a chance to be restored in front of the others. 

He knows everything about all cookies.  He knows all our failures, and all our successes.  He knows our capacities.  He knows our worth. 

Conclusion:  Failure Does Not Diminish Our Worth To God

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.

"Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him. Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us 'as the apple of His eye.'"

THOUGHT: The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we are, but by WHOSE WE ARE!

From http://www.mikeysFunnies.com

SO FAR AWAY
The Bible says in Psalm 103 that God removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. Do you understand how far that is?

Let me just give you a hint. If you were to travel north from anywhere, at what point would you begin going south? At the north pole. But if you were traveling east from anywhere, at what point would you begin going west? You could go east forever and never be going west. That’s how far God removes our sins from us when they are forgiven.

Are you on the wrong horse running in the wrong direction?  Humble yourself, get off that horse before you are knocked off.  Have you been knocked off?  Jesus comes to you, he looks deeply into your soul, and he knows everything, and he asks you, “Do you love me?” 

Do you need your sins forgiven this morning?  Come to Jesus.  In fact, Jesus comes to you.  He’s asking you this morning, Do you love me?  If your answer is yes, then he says:  “Follow me.” 

Care Group Discussion Questions

John 21

OPEN IT

1.      What is your favorite spot for a “cookout”?  Or what has been the best fishing, hunting, or camping trip you have ever been on? Or where do you go to get away from it all?

EXPLORE IT

2.      Why do you think Peter decided to go fishing? (1:3)

3.      Compare this fishing story with Luke 5:1-11.  Why do you think Jesus might repeat this type of miracle now? 

4.      Why did Jesus ask Peter three times “Do you love me?”

5.      What is Jesus predicting in 21:18?

GET IT

6.      Has God ever done something to get your attention in order to get through to you?

7.      What two wrongful comparisons did Jesus correct in this chapter?  What do we learn about making comparisons from this?  What is the correct focus?

APPLY IT

8.      How can you bring glory to God through your life and the unique opportunities God has given you?

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