Full Circle Moments — John 21

John 21:1-14

Full Circle Moments

Two my favorite places I got to visit in Israel, almost 12 years ago…

Sunset view of Temple Mount (which is atop part of Mount Moriah)

Sea of Galilea

The sea of Galilee was home base for Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus brought the disciples full circle to where it all started — Galilee.

It was the starting place of Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus, in Galilee, revealed yet again He was the Risen King and promised Messiah.

The Disciples were martyred because they declaring Jesus is God and He raised from the dead.

physical resurrection. this is not a spiritual body, a physical one.

Jesus was recognizable by appearance and voice

Jesus was able to pass through walls, appear and disappear.

Jesus ate.

Jesus still had scars

Jesus was in one place at a time.

Jesus had full mental ability and awareness of earthly things.

This is what the New Creation Reality will be for us - a full circle moment back to the NEW Garden of God.

Peter went fishing, circling back to his old life.

Go Ahead to Galilee

Gospels of Matthew & Mark include a detail that Jesus instructed them to go ahead to Galilee to wait for him there…

They obeyed, but grew tired of waiting for Jesus to show up.

(Gal 6..dont give up!!)

He went fishing…fishing was an escape to the familiar

Yet he couldn't escape his gifting - Courageous leadership.

You cannot escape who God made you, but you can experience His purpose.

Romans 12:3–8 “3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Seven gifts from Father - Mercy, Generosity, Leadership/Adminstration, Prophey, Teaching, Service, & Exhorting.

1 Peter 4:8–10 (CSB) — 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

they are hardwired into your life by the Creator.

It’s the fingerprint of God, meant to lead you back to Him.

each gift is meant to minister to others …it’s how the body of christ is nourished and strengthened (Eph 4)

Peter tried to go back to old identity, yet still his gifting was shining (courageous leadership)

the others followed Him.

God’s goodness keeps chasing us!

when you go back to old identities…its, ultimately, fruitless.

what you do to ease the pain of disappointment will like by fruitless, apart from waiting on Jesus.

Jesus gave them another chance to obey — cast your net on the other side. A full circle moment indeed.

Jesus brought Peter full circle with a catch of fish and a charcoal fire chat.

Fish & Bread

Feeding 5,000 with fish & bread

giving first what is in your hand, so he then can fill it with more.

The Nets

first time, they were mending their nets and cleaning their nets

the net still broke as they hauled in the fish (luke 5)

are like your character…can your character handle what God wants to place in your care?

God tests your character many ways, one of which is money.

Net did not tear — we grow strength to strength

Will your "nets" hold? Will your character and maturity hold the purpose God has for your life?

Coal Fire

Peter denied Jesus around a fire.

The charcoal fire….smells, places, tastes…the mind is a powerful thing.

ILLUS: grand lake

Jesus can reclaim bad memories and restore our hearts. He heals all our wounds and memories.

We often have to confront the settings of our pain to find healing from the memory.

Jesus renews what we remember.

John 21:15-19

The question: Do you love Jesus more?

do you love me more than your former life?

do you love me more than your old identity?

Love is wounded in experiences of rejection.

Jesus wasn’t healing his love, but restoring Peter’s

With each pass at the question, Jesus’ acceptance was cleansing Peter from the sting and memory of rejection.

illus: healing is like rounding the inside of the cavern. a full circle moment

Jesus longs to renew what you remember about your failure and restore your love wounded by rejection.

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Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

The message was about Jesus’ restoration He brings. What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you?

Read John 21:1-14 as a group. What is the Holy Spirit saying through these verses?

What does Jesus' physical resurrection teach us about the nature of our own resurrection?

When you get disappointed, waiting on God, what are you tempted to do in order to ease the tension?

Read Romans 12:3-8. Can you identify which gift God has placed within you? Ho can you utilize the unique gifts that God has given you to serve others in our community?

Read John 21:15-25. What are some observations from this text?

What does Peter's story teach us about the importance of grace and restoration in our relationship with Jesus?