You Don't Have to be Perfect

Messed Up and Thrown Away

What have you messed up so bad that you ended up having to throw it away?

A meal? I can remember 1 meal in 33 years that didn’t turn out good.

Sara is always trying new recipe’s and the almost always work.

A project?

Jason was building a stepping stool/high chair for Edris who is 2 so she could be up at the counter to help make meals.

He got some bad instructions and he waxed the wood before he stained it.

The waxed wood wouldn’t take the stain. The stain rubs off on your hands.

Edris would get the stain all over her if she were to use this.

So, now all we can do with the wood is throw it away. We can’t even burn it.

For me, when I was a kid it was model cars.

I loved cars. My grand father sold cars. I loved hanging out at the dealership looking at and smelling the new cars.

Occasionally there was a Corvette or Camaro on the floor and I would sit in it and fantasize. I was 6 or 7 years old.

So, my mom bought me models to put together.

Punch out the plastic pieces, paint them, glue them together.

I had no patience for this. I’d get glue all over, paint would be sloppy, and invariably I would glue a wrong part in a wrong place.

I’d break it, give up on it, throw it away.

We mess up, or something gets so messed up we just throw it away. We’re done w/ it.

Does God do this w/ us? With believers?

Can we mess up so bad that He throws us away?

We put so much pressure on ourselves and heap guilt on our head when we do bad things.

We fear that we’ve crossed the line, the point of no return.

We’ve messed up so bad that God will have nothing to do w/ us anymore and throw us away like bad food, worthless wood, or a mistake laden model car.

Will He?

NO!

Jesus will never give up on a follower no matter how bad he/she messes up. We can never be so bad that we cannot humbly, eagerly pursue repentance.

Jesus will remove our guilt and restore our relationship.

Jesu

How do we know? Miracle #35.

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Context

After the cross and the resurrection

Jesus has died and been raised

There are a few weeks between these events and the ascension when He shows up for final instructions.

Peter had been recognized as the leader of the 12. But that was before he had betrayed his word to Jesus.

What now?

Peter

Peter had previous to the cross boldly exclaimed that he would not let Jesus die.

He wouldn’t abandon Him and he’d go down fighting.

The night Jesus was arrested he feebly tried to fight for Jesus and ended up cutting off a servant’s ear

During the night he was confronted 3x for being a follower of Jesus. And all 3 he denied it.

The last time while warming himself by a charcoal fire a short distance from where Jesus was being held.

Jesus had warned him that this would happen.

The rooster crowed and Peter’s heart was pierced with the guilt that he had failed miserably.

It’s one thing to deny the relationship. It’s another to do so after such a boast that he would never let it happen.

Have you ever thought to yourself, that if you were placed in that hypothetical position where a terrorist demanded you renounce your faith and claim allegiance to another god or die what you would do?

In my mind, I’d die faithfully. But, would I really?

Peter didn’t know for sure what they would do to him if he had stayed true. He assumed they would kill him.

Mentally, spiritually, he wasn’t ready to do for Jesus what Jesus was about to do for him.

Judas betrayed Jesus as a non-believer. No real relationship, just companionship.

Peter betrayed Jesus as a believer, a follower, a brother.

We are at the end.

At the end of the miracles, the gospels, Jesus’ time on earth, the time period dedicated to Israel and the law.

Acts begins the time period of the Church.

As the Gospels come to an end, 3 of them end in a similar way, one does not. is different than the others.

The Gospels

Mt.: “Go and make disciples; baptizing and teaching...”

Mk.: “Go preach the gospel”

Lk.: “Go proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Jn.: “As I have been sent, so send I you to do pastoral ministry.”

John is relational.

is a restoration chapter. It’s an epilogue to the book.

It answers the question, “What if I mess up really, really bad?”

What if I don’t do what I should?

Do I have to be perfect to be a follower of Jesus?

After the resurrection and this one final lesson for the disciple, specifically Peter, and us.

They are back in Galilee where it all began, by the sea, where Jesus first called them to follow and become fishers of men.

Peter messed up bad. But, Jesus is about to restore him.

And it happened by the Sea of Galilee.

Resuming Their Lives

John 21:1–3 NIV

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “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, but that night they caught nothing.

John 21:1-3

They had suffered incredible lows and highs.

Jesus had been killed. Their hopes appeared t/b completely dashed.

Then, the tomb was empty. Euphoria.

But, now what?

Jesus had told them to wait. Everything was going to change.

Some of us wait on God better than others.

Eventually, Pentecost and everything did change. They were about 30 days away from Pentecost.

In the mean time, they got on w/ their lives. They resumed what they had been doing all along.

If God said wait, they would wait, but do so actively.

God will meet them when and where the time was right.

They resumed their lives. 6 of them were fishermen. They had to get to work, earn a living, feed their families.

It was also therapeutic. Work is a gift from God.

If they just sat around, twiddling their thumbs, waiting for whatever was supposed to happen they could go crazy.

We would.

They fished at night. The fish came to the surface to feed when it was cool.

It had been a long night. They had caught nothing.

Not only was it good for all of them to get busy, it was particularly good for Peter. He had to keep his mind off of the guilt that racked him for denying his relationship w/ Jesus.

His status was in limbo. He had been the leader of the 12.

But, what now? He hadn’t had the opportunity to have the conversation w/ Jesus since His resurrection.

You know what that’s like. You’ve offended someone, a close friend. The elephant in the room needs t/b addressed. But, it hasn’t, yet. Knots in your stomach. Can’t sleep. Your head spins w/ the “What will happen” question.

For Peter, was his ministry done? Would Jesus, could Jesus ever forgive him?

He was about to find out.

Repentant

John 21:4–8 NIV

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

For whatever reason, they don’t recognize him at first.

It’s still dark. The sun is just beginning to show a little light on the horizon.

They are a ways offshore.

They knew someone was there. A friendly inquiry. Or, someone trying to tell them how to do their job?

You think they hadn’t dropped their nets over the right side of the boat all night, in that spot?

Did the suggestion of the guy they couldn’t identify cause them to try right there, right then or was it just the next place to cast their nets?

Either way, they did.

From a complete shutout to an abundance of fish in one cast.

153 fish. An exact number from and eyewitness.

John always referred to himself in his Gospel as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

Seemed a little fishy. Drop your nets right there, right then.

Then, it clicked. Jesus had told them to do the same thing once before. They had been shut out all night. He was teaching the crowd on the shore from the boat. He told them to drop their nets one more time.

So many fish their nets nearly ruptured.

This time, again. Same voice. Same instruction.

John was the first to recognize Jesus. He told Peter.

Peter was so eager to resolve any doubt in Jesus’ mind about his brokenness, his desire to apologize and make things right that he jumped into the water and tried to run ashore.

Have you ever tried to run in water? 100 yards?

He had to put some clothes on, first.

Fishing vessels were no place for mixed company. They would strip to their underwear.

They were not dressed for the company of women or their King.

He quickly got dressed and jumped in and tried to run.

Typical Peter. He acted before he thought.

He left the others w/ a net full of fish. They could have used his help.

Then, even after pulling the fish in and rowing the boat ashore he would have arrived just about as fast.

But, he couldn’t wait. He had to relieve the guilt.

Jesus had only appeared to them a couple of times before. Neither of those provided Peter w/ the opportunity he so desired.

He was not going to let this opportunity pass by w/out doing what he knew he needed to do.

He had left Jesus alone that night. Then he ran and he had never felt so alone in his life.

He had to apologize. He had to know, had he gone too far? Done too much? Was Jesus done w/ him.

This was his opportunity.

Rare Opportunity

John 21:9–12 NIV

When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Peter had voiced his final denial at a charcoal fire that night.

Now, there was another charcoal fire. Jesus had prepared it. And breakfast.

Interestingly, Jesus already had fish.

They had spent all night trying to get what Jesus already had. And, He had prepared it for them.

Jesus’ provision is always sufficient. And, He doesn’t need our help.

By now, they all know who it is. Peter goes back to the boat to help bring in the net full of fish. He needed to help his friends.

Jesus had taught them so much over those 3 years. He prepared them to carry on the work. There was one event yet to come, at Pentecost they would receive the Holy Spirit in a way no one ever had before.

W/ that, there was still one more lesson that they needed to get, especially Peter.

Restored

John 21:13–17 NIV

Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 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.” 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.” 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.

John 21:

After breakfast it was time to take care of some important business. This was between Jesus and Peter.

What future did Peter have in Jesus’ org?

Had he messed up too bad? Crossed the line? DQ’d himself?

3x Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. 3x, 3 different ways.

Much has been made of the different words.

Agape twice.

Phileo once.

Jesus knew the answer. He knew Peter’s heart.

The point being

But Jesus wanted Peter to hear himself say the words.

Do you love me more than anyone or anything else?

Greatest command #1.

Then, feed the people Jesus sends to him.

The Bread of Life

You may only have a Happy Meal, but Jesus will multiply it.

Jesus’ command was for Peter to serve. Be a pastor. A shepherd.

Peter was afraid he had messed up so bad Jesus wouldn’t let him work for Him any more.

That’s not the way Jesus operates.

When we mess up, all we have to do is own it, apologize for it, don’t do it again.

Peter messed up again. Paul had to call him out for siding w/ the Jews that Christians had t/b circumcised and keep the law.

But, grace covers our messes.

The disciples had to learn the continuing lesson of Jesus’ provision in their lives and ministries.

We have a responsibility to Jesus and it will only be fulfilled if we stay close and maintain our relationship w/ him.

It doesn’t mean we won’t mess up. We do it all the time.

All we have to do is repent and return. Run to him. Don’t avoid the conversation afraid He’s going to tell you He’s done w/ you.

Jesus will take the guilt and give you your life.

Applications

Wait actively

When God says wait, He does not mean sit and twiddle your thumbs until He shows up.

Get busy. Get on w/ your life.

He will show up when and where it’s right.

When He shows up, you will know it’s Him and everything will change.

Until then, keep at the routine. God is as much in the ordinary routine as He is the extraordinary event.

He will show up.

Wait. But wait actively.

Jesus provides

The disciples had been fishing all night trying to get what Jesus already had and had prepared for them.

We spend so much time trying ourselves to get what Jesus already has and offers us.

Start w/ Him. Whatever you’re after.

Peace, joy, patience, kindness, self-control, etc.

He provides sufficiently and completely.

Run to Him

Don’t walk.

If you need to apologize don’t go slowly.

Don’t try to manage the guilt, or rationalize, or justify, or compartmentalize. Deal w/ it.

Jesus will set you free.

Is there anything that you can do that will cause Jesus to be done w/ you?

No. There is nothing.

You have to deal w/ what ever you did.

You need to take care of business. And, until you do you will suffer.

If you go slowly, you will suffer greatly.

But, once it’s dealt w/ the burden will be lifted and your relationship completely restored.

Jesus will never give up on a follower no matter how bad he/she messes up. We can never be so bad that we cannot humbly, eagerly pursue repentance.