“Drifted but not Disqualified ”

John 21:1–14 ESV

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 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. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 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. 12 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. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Sermon in a Sentence

Drifting does not disqualify you from what God has called you to do.

Introduction

My brothers and sisters, have you ever been in a season where it feels like everything has fallen apart? What was working out now seems played out…you went from a crowd of applause to a crowd of condemnation…God answered your prayer with regularity, but now it seems like God has forgotten you address? You’ve been living by your feelings instead of faith through giving way to anxiety, doubt and fear…You prayed for promotion and got pain…you prayed for safety and got scorned…You prayed for hope and got hell instead…You know what God promised…but your heart is heavy, your hands are tired, and your faith feels like its on life support. You’ve seen the cross, you’ve heard about the resurrection, but something in you still feels stuck. That’s where the disciples were in John 21. Jesus had risen, but they retreated. The fire of passion had dimmed, and they found themselves drifting back to what they knew—back to boats, back to fishing, back to comfort zones. But oh, I came to tell somebody—Jesus will meet you right where you are, and He’ll bring breakfast with Him.

When Purpose feels distant, we often drift back to what’s familiar (vv. 1-3)

John 21:1–3 “1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 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.”

Peter had seen the empty tomb. He heard the message from Mary who came from the tomb declaring that Christ rose from the grave, and passed on the instructions to meet him in Galilee ,but guilt and confusion drove him back to fishing. That’s what failure will do—it will convince you to settle for less than what God called you to be. It was this same Simon Peter that declared that Jesus was the Christ, and the same Peter that around a fire who denied knowing Christ. Then, on a Good Friday, the creator carried his cross up his heel to be nailed by his creation with his spike to give his life as a ransom for many. Good Friday dashed the hopes in these men….for their Lord hangs lifeless on the cross like a common criminal. The last image of their sovereign Savior was being taken away by the Roman soldiers and the temple guards, betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Peter was present in the courtyard, but only John was present at the cross. The disciples heard he died…The coming of God’s kingdom now faded into the recess of their minds, but one thing they knew to do was fish. When Jesus called Andrew, Peter, James, and John they were all fishing and were told to drop their nets and follow him because he would make them fishers of men (Mark 1:16-20).

Some of us go back to old patterns because new purposes feels to far away.

But Jesus did not wait for Peter to get it together. He came to the boat. He came to the water. He came to the shore. And He’ll come to you.

“Just because you went “fishing” doesn’t mean your future is canceled.”

From the sermon Drifted but not Disqualified

Dr. Marc D. James

Jesus still speaks from the shore (vv. 4-6)

John 21:4–6 “4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 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.”

Often we must Jesus standing right in front of us not because we always look for him in the same places to do the same thing. How many times have you found the Lord in places you were not even looking for Him—calling to us, speaking to us while we were to weary to notice? He asks, “Do you have any fish?” Not because he does not know, but because He wants you to admit that life without Him is empty. These expert fishermen of fish were intentional in returning to their previous occupation.

Jesus doesn’t give instructions—He reminds us of who He is.

That net-breaking catch was coincidence. It was confirmation.

“Sometimes, the miracle isn’t in what He provides—it’s in the way He reminds you who you are.”

From the sermon Drifted but not Disqualified

Dr. Marc D. James

When you know its the Lord, you don’t wait—you jump (vv. 7-8)

John 21:7–8 “7 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. 8 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.”

This is what grace does to a soul that knows it’s been forgiven. Peter doesn’t hide. He doesn’t hesitate. He dives in to the water to swim to Jesus.

Don’t let shame stop your swim.

Don’t let guilt keep you in the boat.

If you hear his voice—dive in.

Is there anyone in here who knows that when you’ve been restored, you’ll do anything just to get back to Jesus?

Jesus will cook you a meal before he corrects you (vv. 9-14)

John 21:9–14 “9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 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. 12 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. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

Before the confrontation, there was a conversation. Before the restoration, there was a meal. Jesus fed them first. He served them first. Now what is interesting in the text is that John recounts that there were 153 fish, which is an odd, and non-round number. It suggests that John was an eyewitness who remembered and recorded a specific, verifiable event. This underscores the historicity of the resurrection account. This was not a parable—it is a fact. Somebody counted the fish because God wanted us to know it was real. The 153 fish were seen a symbol of abundance and overflow. The catch of 153 represents divine provision—when Jesus directs the mission, there is no lack. The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. But when Jesus got involved, they caught more than they could handle. It echoes Luke 5:6-7, where another miraculous catch caused the nets to break. But here the net holds, point to the strength and unity of the new mission. This isn’t a net-breaking, boat-sinking, blessing-carrying kind of miracle. The 153 fish is a symbol of the universality of the gospel. In the anciet world, some believed there were 153 species of fish, representing every kind of nation, tribe, and people. This would symbolize the global mission of the church—to got out and fish for men from every nation under heaven. Jesus is saying cast your net wide—this Gospel is for everyone. The number 153 is the triangular number of 17 (i.e., 1 + 2 + 3+….+ 17 = 153). The number 17 in biblical symbolism often points to spiritual perfection (10) + divine order (7). Theologians like Augustine believed this represented the fullness of the church—brought in by the command of Christ and held together by grace. Mathematical perfect. Spiritually whole. Divinely orchestrated.

“They caught 153 fish because this was a miracle marked by the Master’s math. Jesus wasn’t just feeding fishermen—He was forecasting the future of the Church. That net represented every soul He died to save. Black, white, rich, poor, broken, healed—all of them brought in by the Word and held together by grace.”

From the sermon Drifted but not Disqualified

Dr. Marc D. James

This wasn’t about fish—it was about fellowship.

This wasn’t just breakfast—it was an altar of grace

Jesus didn’t need their fish—He wanted their hearts.

He says, “Come and have breakfast.” Not come and explain. Not come and fix yourself. Just come. Aren’t you glad that Jesus invites your to the fire when you deserve the furnance?

The same Jesus who conquered the grave came back to light a fire on the shore. And He is still doing it today. He’s calling your name when you’re drifting. He’s standing on the shore while you’re fishing in disappointment. He’s got the fire lit, the fish cooked, and the grace ready. You may have drifted but you are not disqualified. Have you gone back to old habits? Have you gone back to old habits? Have you allowed failure to define your future? Hear the voice of Jesus calling to you this morning—“Come and eat.” Grace is cooking. Mercy is served. And restoration is on the menu.

Let the church say… AMEN.

Go ahead, drive the nails in My hands; Laugh at me, where you stand Go ahead, and say it isn't Me; The day will come, when you will see 'Cause I'll rise, again Ain't no power on earth can keep Me down! Yes, I'll rise, again Death can't keep Me in the ground Go ahead, mock My name; My love for you is still the same Go ahead, and bury Me; But very soon, I will be free! 'Cause I'll rise, again; Ain't no power on earth can keep Me down! Yes, I'll rise, again; Death can't keep Me in the ground Go ahead, and say I'm dead and gone But you will see that you were wrong Go ahead, try to hide the Son; But all will see that I'm the One! 'Cause I'll come again! Ain't no power on earth can keep me back! Yes, I'll come again; Come to take My people back