Encounters with the risen Lord
“FROM FISHING TO
FRUITFULNESS”
John 21:1-23
Penge Baptist Church
18th May 2014
Background
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Peter’s betrayal of Jesus following Jesus’
prophecy
The encounters with Mary, the disciples and
Thomas
Jesus’ command to go forth on mission
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“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am
sending you” And with that he breathed on them and
said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone
his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive
them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:21-23)
Why Fishing?
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“Simon Peter, Thomas (called 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.””
The mystery of the Resurrection
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Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,
but the disciples did not realize that it was
Jesus.
None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are
you?” They knew it was the Lord.
What did Jesus bring to the lakeshore?
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Forgiveness
Farsightedness
Fruitfulness
Fellowship
Jesus’ forgiveness
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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.
When they landed, they saw a fire of
burning coals there with fish on it, and
some bread.
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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.”
Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
“Take care of my sheep.”
“Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Feed my sheep.
“Follow me!”
Jesus’ Farsightedness
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“Will you really lay down your life for me?
I tell you the truth, before the rooster
crows, you will disown me three times!”
(John 13:38)
“Lord, you know all things; you know that
I love you.”
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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.”
Peter turned and saw that the disciple
whom Jesus loved was following them….
“Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered,
“If I want him to remain alive until I return,
what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Jesus’ fruitfulness
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So they went out and got into the boat, but
that night they caught nothing Early in the
morning, Jesus stood on the shore….He
called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you
any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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.
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“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will
make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
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.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a
man remains in me and I in him, he will
bear much fruit; apart from me you can do
nothing.” (John 15:5)
United in fellowship!
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Jesus said to them, “Come and have
breakfast.”….Jesus came, took the bread
and gave it to them, and did the same with
the fish.
Jesus’ call to Peter - and to us
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Follow me!
For by his grace we are forgiven….we can
trust his foreknowledge….he promises
fruitfulness….and eternal fellowship