Feed My Sheep pt. 2

Opening: Dealing with disappointment or discouragement.

Church announcement.

It is safe to say we can identify with Peter’s circumstance.

Need: We need to make sure that we trust that God is always in control and our aim has not changed; We love God, Love Unity, and Love Community (Apply in point 3)

John 21:1–25 ESV

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Jesus is Soverign 1-8

Explanation.

Peter has had a hard time during Jesus’s trial and dealing with his emotions after disappointment (Death, no revolt, no hope)

Last week we looked at Luke 24 and some debates arose about Peter being one of the two on the road to Emmaus.

Some scholars say it was not Peter yet others Luke deliberately avoids direct names like John because Luke’s focus is moving towards the church (Acts 1) not any 1 personality.

You certainly could say that chapter 21 of John IS the meeting with Peter Luke was talking about in 24:34, but others were there.

So I will say I was convinced enough to NOT be sure.

Excluding the possibility of Him being with Jesus on the Road …

Peter says, “I’m going fishing!”

Only for Him its, I’m going to immerse myself in my work.

And all night professional fishermen catch nothing. NOTHING.

We learn from verse 5-6 that not only did Jesus direct them to the fish He was also kept the fish from them.

Argumentation

The Apostles were taught that morning that Jesus is soverign and He has authority over heaven and earth. He is the God of both woe and well-being.

He uses his authority to gather, grow and protect the church.

Here, the fish represent an unbelievable number that does not rip the nets.

When Jesus first told them “I will make you fishers of men” the parallel is clear,

The church will grow at paces unexplainable, but none will slip through the cracks.

When we trust that He is in control of all things,

We have to trust He controls both what seems good and what seems bad.

Application

The same God who filled the net kept them empty.

Our view of God’s sovereignty will either keep you or break you.

Yes, it’s about catching fish, but really, it’s about giving God glory.

Christ lovingly uses broken people. 9-17

Explanation

Peter throws Himself at Jesus.

He says I think I know whats going to happen.

He’s about to disappear again, but I haven’t had my chance to get right with Jesus.

Guilt ridden and defeated.

He jumps in.

He arrives to the shore and what does he see there in verse 9?

Peter sees a charcoal fire, like the night he denied Him.

Jesus uses the symbols of previous teaching (filling nets, fish and bread) when He was alive, symbols that pointed to His soverign plan for the church.

What are symbols in 21 that John uses elsewhere in His book?

Where were the people heading in John 6:1-15

John 6:1–15 ESV

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Once in Jerusalem, they would find a ceremony void of love for God and dominated by corruption.

Then He asks Peter 3 questions (this is not a shaming but a revealing)

Love leads to action… If you Love me you will obey my commands.

This is the major message of this scene is that true love for Jesus must result in caring for Christ’s Church, the Christ followers.

Illustration.

I have been so blessed to be apart of the Grove. I have counted it an honor and a joy to feed His sheep.

How many of you here today have made the decision to get saved, rededicate your life to the Lord or chosen to identify with God in baptism since the Grove began?

How many of you have grown deeply through the teaching here or from a brother or sister in Christ studying with you or investing in you?

Caution do not go fishing, go to church.

Wednesdays are here for a reason

To provide a time to still worship and grieve/heal

To extend our fellowship

As a season of transition

When you find yourself questioning or doubting this next chapter keep asking yourself “Do I Love Jesus?” if so, feed His sheep. You all have gifts that can be offered to help others in their faith.

Even an extra person in the crowd,

Another hand raised up during worship

Another Amen in the sermon

Even a few dollars in the offering plate

Can be an encouragement to the flock.

And you will be fed by them too.

Application

The deepest love is developed through serving. For all of you who raised your hands because of someone helping you grow, they have rejoiced just as much if not more about your growth.

Feeding the Sheep means teaching and applying the Word of God to other’s lives.

If we love God, it leads us to Love Unity.

We can trust His Sovereignty even in the worst times of hurting

John 18-25.

It is worth noting that Jesus pulls Peter aside a bit to tell Him that he also knows the outcome of individuals not just the church body.

Historically, why are Christians persecuted?

For advancing the gospel message there are those not-yet-of Jesus’s fold and feeding sheep means reaching lost sheep with the truth of God’s Word.

Peter asks Jesus about John. But Jesus said worry about you.

Myths about Suffering

Exalting Jesus in John (Myth 1: For a Mature Believer, Suffering Is Easy)

Myth 1: For a Mature Believer, Suffering Is Easy

As an old man Peter would be carried where he didn’t want to go (v. 18). Writing to suffering Christians, Peter cautioned them not to be surprised at their “fiery ordeal” (1 Pet 4:12). If suffering were easy or light, would Peter have described it with those words? Only pseudo-spirituality pretends suffering is easy. The gospel doesn’t minimize suffering; it helps us see its ultimate purpose and gives us strength to endure.

Myth 2: The Amount We Suffer Is Based on Our Behavior

When Peter heard about his own suffering, his first response was, “What about [John]?” (v. 21). That’s what we often do when suffering comes. We look at those who don’t appear to be suffering and ask, “What about them?” We do that because we look at suffering through the lens of legalism: “Because of my sin, I have to suffer some, but I shouldn’t have to go through more than that guy. Look at his sin.” We often act as if we only receive the suffering we deserve and that we really don’t deserve for it to last long. “So take it away, Lord, and give it to someone else.” We say suffering isn’t fair, but when we think clearly, we don’t want fair. Fair is eternal suffering in hell. God may have you suffer greatly but give little suffering to a brother or sister. The difference doesn’t depend on you; it depends of God’s gracious, sovereign plan.

Myth 3: God Isn’t in Control of Suffering

Of all the myths about suffering, this one is most prevalent and most dangerous. The logic goes like this: suffering is the result of sin. God doesn’t sin. Therefore, suffering is outside of God’s control. That logic will not hold up under the scrutiny of Scripture. Even here it fails. What would happen to John was determined by what Jesus’s will for John was (v. 22). So that means what would happen to Peter—suffering and death—was determined by Jesus’s will for Peter. God has a purpose for your suffering. Your suffering is not meaningless. It is not random. It is God’s will for you. We may not understand the full scope of his purposes in sending suffering, but we should never doubt that he does have a purpose. Listen to an older and wiser Peter as he instructs the sheep:

What is the principle of this passage?

The Church is established by Christ’s sovereignty. We can trust His plans as we serve His church in times of mercy and suffering.

Can we prove that?

Romans 8:28 HCSB

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

1 Peter 4:12–19 HCSB

Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.

Application

If we Love God, it leads us to Feed unity and Feed the Community.

As we offer to the Lord that which He has given to us, He blesses that offering and uses it to help others grow too.

Don’t convince yourself that church is not right right for you in this next season or that you are to wounded to share the gospel!

Trust Christ’s plan for you as a believer

Plug into a church and share your faith often

It will be the most healing and profitable thing you can do!