A picture of eternity

John 21:4–14 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. 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. 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.

Pray

Following Jesus resiurection that we celebrated on Sunday,

Jesus gives us I think

a picture of eternity with him.

As he meets the disicples for the 3rd time in John 21.

Why did they obey this stranger on the beach!

Most likely this was a typical friendly jibe of the time,

Try the other side -

Oh right, thanks mate - that will work.

But without hesitation,

without thought,

without realising it perhaps,

they take the friendly stranger at his word,

and give him unquestions obedience.

And so it will be in eternity -

unquestioned obecicne to our Lord!

Why?

Becasue it is the Lord - and like the disciples here,

and unlike our exeperince to soften now,

they, we can’t help but obey him!

there will be no question of sin,

no question of selfish ambition,

no question of temptation

no distraction,

- we will, without any effort, or question, or doubt, obey the glorious Lord.

1 - unquestioned obedince

On top of unquestioned obediecen in eternity,

we will expericene

2 - Unquestioned Sucsess

John 21:6 NIV

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.

So many fish - so much success - too many fish - too much sucess.

In perfecet eternal obedince to the Lord,

we will not be able to comprehend the sucess of our eternal life with him!

You can only imagine the smile of Jesus’ face as his obedincet friends struggle and laugh over their huge catch!

Despite them seemingly being limited by the nets capcity - they get to the shore and find the nets unbroken!

Unquestioned sucess, and fulfillennt and joy awaits us in etenrity.

3 - unquestioned faith

Simon Peter isn’t slow, he realises who this is,

he’s out the boat and heading to enjoy his Lord.

You would expect questions to start firing at Jesus - this is only the 3rd time he’s appeared to them,

is it realy you,

how did this happen,

are you a hoax,

are we really with you now,

john 21 v12b

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

No doubts will delay us,

no questions will frustrate us,

no obections will dare to entre our minds in eternity.

Rest from our doubting hearts.

we will have unquestioned faith!

Why?

They knew it was the Lord,

We will know it is the Lord.

An finally,

4 - unquestionable joy

a bbq on the beach

The New International Version Chapter 21

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

The New International Version Chapter 21

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

The New International Version Chapter 21

13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

The Lord - our friend - will share life with us.

Include us, eat with us, serve us as we serve him!

You’d think the disciples would still be full of questions, full of doubts and confusion.

Nope - just chilling with thier Friend (v5), eating breakfast in the warm morning sun, on the beach, having a fish braai!

The picture is perfect,

It’s a picture of eternity for us,

OUr attitudes and behaviours be unquestionably obedient

Our work and service to him will be unquestionably sucessful,

Our belief and doubts repaced by unquestionble faith

our exepricne will be unquestionably joy.

Let’s pray togetehr fro a while.