Following Jesus requires Patience and Trust

Open: Andy Stanley’s series on the Aftermath of the Resurrection. His conclusion was to “unhitch” from the OT

Transition: Stanley’s reaction is one shared by many progressive Christians - the way we have been doing Christianity isn’t really working so we need to make some changes, make it more palatable to non-Christians.

Tampering with God’s methods and plans are never a good idea. His ways are perfect, and even when we don’t fully understand, we need to trust Him instead of trying to “fix things” through our own efforts

Disobedience occurs when we rely on our “fallback” position. (John 21:1-3a)

Explanation: The events of John 21 occur sometime within the 40 day period between the resurrection and the ascension (cf Acts 1:3). His presence with them during the 40 days was not continuous either. The event in John 21 was only the third time he had appeared to the disciples (21:14), and it may have been 2 to 3 weeks into the 40 days. It was long enough that Peter and the others started getting restless.

Peter and the others were discouraged. The first early hopes of a restored Kingdom were starting to fade. They had indeed seen Jesus, but now they were just in a holding pattern. Peter, always the one who took action before thinking, decides to return to fishing. And the way it is stated in the text, it can be understood as a return to fishing as a way of life, not just to take a weekend trip to get away from things. Peter was going to rely on his fallback plan.

Illustrate: People who want to try something creative like being a novelist or an actor. We tell them, “better have a fall back plan just in case it doesn’t work out.”

Argument: We can empathize with Peter because we have been where he was. Jesus had given them their marching orders (Matt 28:10, 16), but then Jesus did not show up, at least in the amount of time that Peter had mentally given Him. So, after waiting with seeming no results, Peter talks the others into disobedience. He wants to return to fishing, but he doesn’t want to go alone.

Waiting on God is not always easy, but it is the right thing for His people to do. When He has given instructions, the expectation is for them to be carried out. Jesus had told Peter and the others that He would make them fishers of men (Matt 4:18-20). As a result of that commission, the disciples “left their nets and followed him.” Now, just a few weeks after a commissioning by the Risen Christ (John 20:21-23) they were ready to abandon the call and go back to their former way of life

The call of God is irrevocable (Romans 11:29) and it is an insult to the God of perfect promise to turn back. What is more important or holds more promise than faithfully serving Him?

Application: Obedience is a long walk in the same direction. We have been given our instructions and we need to trust God and do as we have been commanded (Matt 28:18-20). Regardless of the amount of time that passes, our job is to remain faithful and serve the Risen Christ.

It is not up to us to tamper with the Word of God and try to change the plan. We do not have more knowledge than God - we aren’t smarter than Him and His plan is fine just the way it is.

Disobedience results in frustration and judgment (John 21:3b -5)

Explanation: Peter and these other men were professional fishermen. This is what they did for a living, and they obviously knew how to fish. They fished all night long, but they caught nothing. Peter was probably the most frustrated of all of the seven. Very possibly he was thinking about his failure to stand firm with Jesus during the Trial. Peter had denied his Lord three times, and he probably felt like a huge failure as one of Jesus’ closest companions. As one commentator suggests, “He seeks to deny the three denials. This attempt to fill his ‘hole in the soul’ with work fails dismally”

Illustrate: give an example of something tried in my own effort and power that resulted in failure

Argument: When God’s people get impatient and take matters into their own hands, the results are not good. Consider the people’s impatience when Moses stayed on the mountain too long (in their opinion) with God [Exodus 32:1-4]. The result was the golden calf and the judgment of God on the people.

There are many examples of this type of impatience found in Scripture and the result is never good. Think of King Saul’s decision to make the sacrifice himself instead of waiting on Samuel as he had been commanded (1 Samuel 13:8-12). Just as soon as “he forced himself” to disobey God’s command, Samuel showed up. This act of disobedience cost Saul his kingship (1 Samuel 13:13-14)

Application: We CAN trust God’s timing. It may look like things are spinning out of control and we need to do something, but we CAN be patient and wait on God. He is never late; He is always on time.

Obedience to the Commands of Jesus will result in blessings (John 21:6)

Explanation: In the early morning Jesus appears on the shore but the disciples don’t recognize Him. He hollers out, “Hey guys, did you catch anything?” The men are already frustrated so they simply give a one-word answer, “NO.” I can guess the tone that was used in the response.

Jesus simply gives them a command. He tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. Now, they have been working all night and have come up short. They are probably already on their way in and just wanting to have this thing over with. “Lets get this behind us so we can forget about it, and move on to something better!”

Illustrate: I imagine it could have been like one of those awkward interviews with the losing coach at the end of the game. His team has turned in a dismal performance and he has been stung by a 30 point loss. Now he has a reporter with a mic in his face asking, “How do you feel about the loss, coach?”

Argument: The amazing thing is that they do so, even though they don’t know who is speaking. Think on that for a minute: such is the power of the Risen Christ that the disciples obey His command. They cast the net and immediately the nets are full. This sudden and miraculous catch must have made them remember the other time Jesus told them to put out their nights after a night of no success (Luke 5:1-7). When they did so, they immediately netted so many fish the net started to break and the boats began to sink under the weight. As D.A. Carson points out, it is remarkable that the only time these professionals catch fish as recorded in the Gospels, is in the presence of Jesus, and at His command.

John immediately recognizes the man to be Jesus and tells Peter, “It is the Lord!” (v. 7). What a game-changer! The loss of the hard fruitless toil of the night has suddenly been replaced by the joy of Jesus and His blessings. But, and this is important to note as Dr. MacArthur points out, the disciples still had to do their part. Jesus didn’t just make the fish jump in the boat, the nets had to be cast. Jesus does reward our efforts when they are done in His name and according to His methods.

Application: We are to be patient and we are to trust in the Lord. We are also called to be faithful in the task. Once we know what God has called us to do, we are to labor in the vineyard, trusting Him for the results. We dare not forget the last part of John 15:5 where Jesus declares “without Me ye can do nothing,” but we also take note of the first part: “He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.”

Obedience to Jesus results in restored fellowship (John 21:9-12)

Explanation: Upon realizing Jesus was the One on shore, Peter jumps in the water and swims to shore. The rest of the disciples follow in the boat bringing in the large catch of fish. The fact that the number of fish caught is mentioned is just an indicator that it was a historical account. No particular meaning is associated with the number 153, even though many attempts have been made over the years.

What may be of more significance is the statement that, “for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken” (v. 11). “The unbroken net frequently is interpreted symbolically as conveying the preservation of all that is caught, or the limitless number of Christian converts, or the unity of the Church" (Kostenberger, p. 593)

As they all make it to the shore, they find that Jesus has a fire going and some fish already cooking. Jesus simply says to them, “come and dine.”

Illustrate: The song “Suppertime” by Jim Reeves has the line, “come on home son, it’s suppertime.

Argument: What an incredible privilege to be in the family and to have a place at the Table. What joy should fill our hearts to know that we are some of God’s forever children - Jesus keeps what He catches! Those of us whom are in Christ cannot lose our salvation. But, when we are disobedient, we can and will lose the closeness. The A news is that repentance and obedience will find the Master graciously restoring that which was temporarily lost.

Conclusion: For the believer who has become discouraged and allowed life to sidetrack him or her - the reality of the Resurrection CAN and will bring joy back in your life. If you have strayed, confess your sin of trying to do your own thing, ask God to grant you patience to wait on His perfect timing.

Yes, events in our country seem to indicate that we are under judgment, but that certainly doesn’t mean that now is the time to attempt to change the message or the mission. Now is the time to serve faithfully, to continue to “fish for men” with the Gospel message. The message is fine, it doesn’t need changing or even a tune-up. We just need to apply it in our daily lives as we faithfully live for Jesus.

It also may be that there are some here who remain outside of Christ. I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus today, and I pray that you will hear His invitation to “come and dine.” The offer of free pardon from sin still remains available, and you can accept it today.