The Secret of Service

Theme: The Secret of Service

Base Text: John 21:1–14

Welcome

Dear brothers and sisters, what a joy to be together once again in the presence of the Lord. How good it is that you came, how good it is that you set aside this time to worship, hear the Word, and allow God to speak to your heart.

Perhaps you arrived here full of faith.

Perhaps you arrived tired, frustrated, or even disappointed in yourself.

The good news is: Jesus knows exactly where to find us.

Today we will meditate on a powerful, simple, and profoundly human text.

A text that shows us that Jesus appears not only in large services, but also in the routine, in weariness, and in the empty nets of life.

Let’s read John 21…

Verses 1-2

John 21:1–2 NIV

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

Pause…

The context for the passage of Scripture …John 21 takes place after the resurrection.

The horror of Calvary happened only a few days ago.

Simon Peter cursed, swore three times, and denied even knowing the Lord. He went out to weep bitterly.

Now, the disciples have heard that Jesus Christ is alive, that He has risen from the dead.

The disciples are in a kind of fog. They are half believing and half doubting.

They don't know whether they can believe or not. These disciples are restless. They are perplexed. They are troubled.

The Savior had told them to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high.

But, in disobedience and outside of God's will, they went to Galilee. And there in Galilee, they were wondering what they should do.

So, Peter says something curious in verse 3…

Verse 3

John 21:3 NIV

3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat,…

It wasn’t just a fishing trip.

It was a return to the old, the familiar, the safe.

When faith becomes confused, we tend to return to what we know how to do.

And so, these professional fishermen went out to the Sea of ​​Galilee to fish, …

“but that night they caught nothing.”

but the Lord had told all the fish to hide.

All night they fished and didn't catch a single fish.

This reminds me of some fishing trips I've been on.

I believe that, this time, Simon Peter never felt so depressed in his life.

Remember that he had already denied the Lord. He already feels very incriminated.

And now, he tried to fish and can't even fish anymore. He is tired, wet, hungry, discouraged, and ashamed.

Perhaps you are experiencing something similar:

An interruption… failure…

A weary faith

A heart that has tried much and seen no results

It is precisely in this scenario that Jesus appears.

They were experienced fishermen.

They had technique, they had a boat, they had a net.

“but that night they caught nothing.”

because experience does not replace God's direction.

There are times when:

We work hard

We pray little

We insist alone

And the result is frustration.

Empty nets do not mean incompetence.

Sometimes, they simply mean that Jesus has not yet entered the scene.

Verse 4…

John 21:4 NIV

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus appears, but is not always immediately recognized

Spiritual weariness can affect our vision.

Jesus was there…

But they didn't realize it.

How many times has Jesus been working in your life, and you didn't notice?

Verse 5

John 21:5 NIV

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

A simple question that confronts the heart.

“Friends, do you have anything to eat?”

Jesus asks a simple question that compels honesty.

They answer: “No.”

The miracle begins when we stop pretending that everything is alright.

While we say “everything is alright,” nothing changes.

When we honestly say “I don’t have anything,” Jesus can act.

Verse 6

John 21:6 NIV

6 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.

Simple obedience releases supernatural provision

The net was the same.

The boat was the same.

The sea was the same.

What changed?

The voice that guided!

When Jesus enters into the routine, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

While we insist on doing things our way, the nets remain empty.

When we decide to listen to Jesus, the path changes—and the result too.

Verse 9ff

John 21:9 NIV

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

When they arrive at the shore, Jesus already had:

Fire prepared

Fish

Bread

When they arrived there, Jesus had prepared a meal.

Now, where did he get the fish?

Obviously from the Sea of ​​Galilee. At least I suppose so.

I wonder where He got the bread.

God has a sense o humor…

You know what I like to think? I can't prove it, but I like to think that He turned stones into bread.

"Not when you want to, Satan, but when I want to do it."

But when He did it, how He got that bread, I don't know, but there's that aroma.

Can you imagine a fisherman who spent the whole night fishing and can smell that breakfast that the Lord Jesus prepared there on the beach?

And then He said something, and I believe it must have been a wonderful, marvelous invitation.

While those hungry and helpless disciples and fishermen heard the Savior say, vs.12…

Verse 12

John 21:12 NIV

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” ….

"Come and eat"…

And what a meal that must have been, as they sat down to eat the fish and bread.

Before any correction, Jesus offers fellowship.

Before speaking of mission, He speaks of relationship.

That is grace.

When they had finished eating,, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and asked the greatest question that can be asked of Simon Peter, and can be asked of any man.

A question that goes straight to the heart of the matter.

Verse 15.

John 21:15 NIV

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you 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 love Me?”

Now, I say that this question came like a dart from Jesus’ hand, straight to Peter’s heart, because it goes straight to the heart of the matter.

A. Jesus Didn't Ask: “Do You Repent of Your Sin?”

Because if I love the Lord Jesus, I will repent of my sins.

But you cannot repent of your sin without loving the Lord Jesus.

B. Jesus Didn't Ask: "Are You Keeping My Commandments?"

Because if we love Him, "If you love me, keep my commandments," Jesus said (John 14:15).

So, this is a pertinent question. It's a pressing question. Hey, it's a personal question. “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Now, I must say something.

Profession of faith doesn't necessarily mean you love Jesus.

For example, Simon Peter had made a profession of faith. Do you remember, back in Matthew chapter 16, that great profession of faith, that great confession, where Simon Peter said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16)? That's pretty orthodox, isn't it? I mean, he got an A+ on that.

Now, the question the Lord Jesus Christ asks you today is not about what kind of revelations you've had.

It's not about what kind of visions, and what kind of ecstasies, and what kind of insights you've had.

That's not the question today.

God may have revealed all sorts of wonderful things to you, you may be an excellent Bible teacher, you may have insights into God's Word, and there may have been times when you had your own counterpart of being an eyewitness to His majesty.

But that's not the question today.

The question isn't about privilege,

not about mountaintop experiences,

not about revival meetings you've attended,

but the question again is: Do you love Jesus?

C. Jesus Did Not Ask About Peter’s Performance

I want to say something else. Jesus didn’t ask him about performance. Now, Peter, he knew something about performance.

Peter walked on the water, but He didn’t ask him about.

He’d helped catch a hundred and fifty-three fish, but He didn’t ask him about that.

You see, after they finished counting the fish, He still ask him, “Do you love Me?

Some of you have the gift of evangelism.

And, you’re a soul winner and you bring folks to church.

You come Sunday after Sunday bringing your fish with you.

Thank God for that, but He doesn’t ask about performing.

Did you know that a man can be so gifted that he can win souls, preach the gospel, teach, speak in tongues, give great amount of money… perform miracles and wonders without loving Jesus? (c.f.1 Cor.13:1-3, Matt.25)

Now, he’ll get no reward for the souls that go to Heaven, but you see, the question is not dear friend, about your performance, not what have you have done, but do you love the Lord Jesus.

Now, let me tell you something that’s very wonderful before I get right into the very heart of the matter.

The wonderful thing about this thing is not only should you love Jesus, but also you can love Jesus?

I thank God for the way that … play/ sing…

Very few people will be able to sing/ play instruments as well as …

, but I want to tell you something, anybody here can love Jesus as much as …., isn’t that wonderful?

Now, there are some of you who are going to give great sums of money,...

And, maybe they’ll be others who won’t have anything to give or very little to give, but you can love Jesus just as much as that person who gives great sums of money.

Some people have the ability to stand up and take the Word of God, and teach the Word of God, and unpick the divine mysteries, and we thank God for that.

But, friend, there’s one thing that you can do and I can do as well as anybody here on the face of this earth.

Boys and girls can do it, men and women can do it, young and old can do it, and rich and poor can do it.

And, there’s something that nobody has a monopoly on and that is loving the Lord Jesus Christ.

And, by the way, that is the most important thing, that’s the thing that Jesus is asking you today.

“Do you love Me?” We’re not talking about privilege, we’re not talking about performance, we’re not talking about profession, but we are talking about loving Jesus.

Do you love the Lord Jesus?

Verse 16-17

The Secret of Service

Now, pay attention. John 21:16-17 Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

John 21:16–17 NIV

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Now, pay attention if you want to learn The Secret of Service…

Jesus did not ask Simon Peter, “Simon Peter, do you love sheep?” He said, “Do you love Me?”

He didn’t say, “Simon Peter, do you love the smell of sheep?” He says, “Do you love Me?”

Do you know the primary requirement for being a pastor? It is not to love the people and it is not to love to preach. It is to love Jesus Christ.

You see, you know the primary requirement for being a Sunday school teacher? It is not to love your class. That’s not the requirement. It is not to love to teach the Bible. It is a burning, blazing, passionate, emotional love for Jesus Christ.

And, when you love Jesus, then you’ll love His sheep. When you love Jesus, then you will love His Word.

But, the prime requirement, the secret of service is to love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometimes people will have a Sunday school class, and especially men who sometimes get talked into teaching a class of teenage boys, or we use to call junior boys just before they get to be teenagers. Do you know what I’m talking about? Trouble on wheels. And, they will try that for a while. And, then after a while they’ll come out and they’ll say, “I don’t want to teach that class any more. Those boys don’t want to learn anything. They don’t pay attention. They throw spitballs, they write on the table, they do this, they do that, and I don’t want to teach them any more. They’re bad boys.” Well friend, if bad boys don’t need a Sunday school teacher, who in the world does? That’s the reason you are there and God doesn’t say, “Do you love teaching boys?” Jesus is asking, “Do you love Me? If you love Me, then you will feed My sheep.”

Now, Jesus was asking Simon Peter this right after Simon Peter had eaten of Jesus’ bread and eaten at Jesus’ table.

You see, the proof of love for the Lord Jesus Christ is not that you eat what He serves, but that you serve others, that you feed others.

Not that you eat at His table, but that you feed others in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Now, what I’m saying is this that it is love for Jesus that is the secret of service and if you’re a deacon in this church, if you’re a singer member in this church, if you’re on a committee in this church, or if you are on the staff of this church and if you serve for any other reason than that you love Jesus, then quit it or get right.

You will have a deadening influence if you don’t get right with God.

You say, “Well, I just love music, I want to sing in the band.” That’s not good enough. “I just love playing instruments.” That’s not good enough. “I just love to teach.” That’s not good enough.

Do you love Jesus? Do you love Jesus? If you love Him, then you can feed His sheep.

Practical Applications

Jesus meets us in our weariness, not just in victory.

He appears at dawn, after a frustrating night of hard labor.

Obedience precedes provision. It doesn't always make sense, but it always works when it comes from God.

Jesus cares about you completely. He feeds, welcomes, and restores before sending you out again.

The primary requirement for serving the Lord is love for Him.

Invitation to a Decision

Perhaps today you identify with one of these situations:

Empty nets in faith

Spiritual weariness

Distance from Jesus

Trying to live on autopilot

Today Jesus is on the shore of your life saying:

“Cast your net once more.”

Specific invitations:

Salvation: If you need to surrender your life to Jesus

Reconciliation: If you have strayed and want to return

Restoration: If you are tired, frustrated, without strength

It's not about trying harder.

It's about listening to and obeying the right voice.

Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus,

Thank you for finding us when we are tired, frustrated, and without answers.

We recognize that many times we try alone, insist on our own path, and forget to listen to Your voice.

Today we want to cast our nets again, but under Your direction.

Restore our faith, renew our strength, fill our nets and our hearts.

Receive those who surrender to You today, restore those who return, and strengthen those who remain.

We declare: without You we can do nothing, but with You everything is transformed.

In Jesus' name, amen.”