Encounter By The Seashore

John 21:1–14 (NLT)

1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.

2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.

5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.

6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore.

9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said.

11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.

14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

INTRODUCTION:

The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to his disciples over a 40-day time period (Acts 1:3).

Acts 1:3 (NLT)

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

According to Luke, he “proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive.”

In the scriptures, we can account for at least 12 different appearances during the 40 days.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. (Matthew 28:9)

The eleven. (Matthew 28:17)

3. Mary Magdalene alone. (Mark 16:9)(John 20:11-18)

4. Cleopas and the other disciple. (Luke 24:15)

5. An unnumbered group of disciples (Luke 24:36) (Possibly the 500+ mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8)

6. The eleven (Less Thomas) on the Sunday evening following Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:19)

7. The eleven (with Thomas the following Monday evening) (Acts 20:24-29)

8. Seven disciples at the seashore (text)

9. At His ascension (Acts 1:1-11)

10. To Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)

11. To James, his half-brother. (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)

12. To Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) (1 Corinthians 15:5-8 ) (Acts 9:1-5)

Jesus appeared to his disciples in a number of different venues.

At the tomb

In a closed room

At the mount of ascension.

By the seashore

On a road.

I- THE RISEN CHRIST DEMONSTRATES HIS LORDSHIP IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. (John 21:1-14)

A- Jesus knows the circumstances of our everyday lives. (John 21:1-3)

John 21:1–3 (NLT)

1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.

2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

1- Jesus knows where we are and what we are doing.

2- Jesus knows how our own choices and efforts are going to turn out.

B- Jesus knows how to get our attention in the midst of our daily grind. (John 21:4-9)

John 21:4–9 (NLT)

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.

5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.

6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore.

9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

1- We often do not recognize the Lord’s presence in our daily circumstances.

2- The Lord seeks to get our attention through the circumstances of life.

3- The Lord wants us to come to him so that hen can reveal himself, his will and his way.

Proof: Jesus repeated the miracle of the large catch of fish. (Luke 5:4-11)

Luke 5:4–11 (NLT)

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”

6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!

7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”

9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.

10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”

11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Proof: Jesus cooked breakfast for the disciples. It was a physical breakfast of broiled fish & bread!

C- Jesus knows how to help us see his activity in the everyday circumstances of life. (John 21:10-14)

John 21:10–14 (NLT)

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said.

11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.

14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

1- The Lord speaks to us, pointing us to his work in our lives.

2- The Lord invites us to receive his provision for our lives.

Proof: Jesus provided a large catch of fish in one draw of the net.

Proof: The size catch should have broken the net, but did not.

Proof: Jesus served them breakfast.

II- THE RISEN CHRIST DEALS REDEMPTIVELY WITH OUR PAST FAILURES . (John 21:15-17)

John 21:15–17 (NLT)

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

A- Jesus knows all about our past failures.

1- Jesus knew all about Peter’s past failures.

a- Jesus predicted Peter’s failure before they happened. (Matthew 26:31-35)

Matthew 26:31–35 (NLT)

31 On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

b- Jesus knew when Peter denied him. (Luke 22:54-62)

Luke 22:54–62 (NLT)

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance.

55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there.

56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

B- Jesus knows how to get us to face our heart-issues. (John 21:15-17)

John 21:15–17 (NLT)

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

1- Notice Jesus’ question for Peter:

a- “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” (ἀγαπᾷς με πλέον τούτων)

b- “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (ἀγαπᾷς με)

c- “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (φιλεῖς με)

C- Jesus knows how to redeem our past failures.

1- He brings us face-to-face with the condition of our hearts so that we can confess it.

a- Peter responded, “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” (Ναί, κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. )

b- Peter’s second response, “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” (Ναί, κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε.)

c- Peter’s third response, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” (Κύριε, πάντα σὺ οἶδας, σὺ γινώσκεις ὅτι φιλῶ σε)

(1 John 1:9)

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

2- He renews our commission and gives us direction for work.

a- To Peter: “Then feed my lambs,” (Βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου.)

b- to Peter again, “Then feed my lambs,” (Ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου.)

c- To Peter again, “Then feed my sheep.” (Βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου)

III- THE RISEN CHRIST DISCERNS OUR FUTURE TRIALS. (John 21:18-25)

John 21:18–25 (NLT)

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”

21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

A- Jesus knows what trials lie in our future. (John 21:18-19)

John 21:18–19 (NLT)

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

1- Jesus already knew about the trials that Peter would face.

2- Jesus already knows the trials and tests that you and I will face.

(Luke 12:29-30)

Luke 12:29–30 (NLT)

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.

30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.

B- Jesus knows that we need to follow Him through our future trials. (John 21:20-22)

John 21:20–22 (NLT)

20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”

21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

Example: God knew the trials that awaited Paul. (Acts 9:15-16; 20:22-24)

Acts 9:15–16 (NLT)

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Acts 20:22–24 (NLT)

22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me,

23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.

24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

CONCLUSION: