JESUS IS LORD

FULLY RESTORED

Warning labels are funny. In this litigation-oriented society, commercial packaging has gone over the edge with bizarre warnings to consumers intended to thwart even the most ridiculous lawsuit. Bill Egvall’s comedy is famous for the tag line – Here’s Your Sign:

Do not hold the wrong end of the chainsaw. This is a brick wall, punching it will and can cause serious injury. When using a letter opener, since the blades are sharp it is recommended that you use safety goggles. Do not use a curling iron for eye lashes. And on a jet ski never use a match or open flame to check fuel level. A carton of eggs says this product may contain eggs, in case your allergic and wondering. And to get out of a Bobcat it is important to remember to take off the seatbelt before leaving. And while these are funny, westerners have the idea that if they were not told of everything that could go wrong, they have a right to litigation. What does this all have to do with Jesus is Lord – Fully Restored? You’ll have to stay awake and wait and see.

Let us Pray.

John 21:1–25

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Jesus is Lord of our lives; Jesus is Lord of our service; Jesus is Lord of our future. He allows no selfishness to stand in the way of those who would follow him in full obedience. John has now recorded three post-resurrection appearances of Jesus: to Mary, to the disciples that first Sunday night, and a second time to the disciples with Thomas present. Now we see a different scene as Jesus visited his spiritual brothers as they followed their vocation. He demonstrated his friendship at a seaside breakfast with seven disciples present. Jesus disclosed himself to them through a miracle, and John announced to Peter, “It is the Lord” (v. 7).

I. JESUS IS LORD OF OUR LIVES—vv. 1–14

A. Friendship—vv. 1–3. Seven of the disciples went fishing. We do not know where the other four disciples were. Christ appeared to the seven disciples.

It is said idle hands are the devil’s workshop – but these men stayed together and needed to do something – so they did what most of them knew how to do

Its been overwhelming comforting how many Christians surrounded my brother in my absence – the Christian friends/family he made in Hawaii

B. Followership—vv. 4–9. All night long they fished, but caught nothing.

They were followers and followed the directions, and like the first time Peter met Jesus – they caught more than could handle

C. Fellowship—vv. 10–14. John told Peter it was Jesus who gave the command. Peter was excited, and swam to meet Jesus. They caught 153 large fish. Jesus ate and fellowshipped with them. This is the third time He appeared before them after the resurrection. Note v. 13, Jesus served the bread and fish.

They had fellowship with the Lord.

Jesus had the bread prepared –

The men provided the fish –

Able to be refreshed with the Lord – spiritually and physically and emotionally

If Jesus is Lord, He is Lord of our Lives, first and foremost. Second, He is Lord of our service as well.

II. JESUS IS LORD OF OUR SERVICE—vv. 15–17

After he ate with his friends, Jesus turned his attention to Peter, probably because of the dominant role that he would play in the early church and also the betrayal of Peter at the court. Three times Peter had denied the Lord, so three times Jesus asked him, “Do you truly love me?”

A. Asking—vv. 15–17. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. He was testing Peter’s love. Before Peter had boasted of not leaving Christ—Mark 14:29. Yet Peter had denied Christ three times: 18:17, 25, 27. Jesus wanted more than words—He wanted action. 3 denials – 3 actions.

Peter here is fully restored.

Every disciple abandoned Him.

Judas and Peter betrayed Him.

Judas took matters into his own hands and remained removed – Peter returned to friends and to the Lord.

Peter do you love me more than you love fishing?

Peter do you love me more than you love these men?

Peter do you love me more than these disciples love me?

1. Feed My Lambs – v 15 – spiritually feed those that are young, either in life or in the faith

2. Take care of my Sheep – v 16 – guard and guide them, instruct them,

3. Feed My Sheep – v 17 – fed – teach those and continue to challenge them to go out amongst the wolves

Peter fully restored – difference between Peter and Judas

III. JESUS IS LORD OF OUR FUTURES—vv. 18–23

Called by his Lord to be a dedicated follower, Peter could not resist comparing how Jesus dealt with John. He seemed to say, “If I have to be a martyr, why doesn’t John receive the same fate?” So the Lord told Peter something you and I need to recall every day of our lives. Paraphrased, verse 22 might go like this: “What I choose to do with other people is none of your business; you follow me.”

A. Consent/Acceptance—vv. 18–19. Before, Peter had been free. Now he would follow Christ. Because of this, Peter would be persecuted, even killed. This would bring glory to God. Christ commanded Peter, “Follow Me.”

B. Concern—v. 20. Peter was concerned about whether or not John would have the same fate, and who was the better Christian, he or John.

C. Control—vv. 21–23. Jesus said to Peter in plain words, “Don’t worry about John. Take care of your own life.” Jesus didn’t mean that John would live until Christ came! John was the last of the disciples to die.

IV. JESUS IS LORD THROUGH AFFIRMATION—vv. 24–25

A. Person—v. 24. John was a witness to what Jesus did on earth. John was one of the “Big Three” disciples—Peter, James, and John. He was always near Jesus. He knew what happened. Later, John tells of his personal relationship with Christ—1 John 1:1–4 – That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete.

B. Power—v. 25. Many activities of Christ were not recorded in the Bible. Only the highlights of His ministry.

So to conclude not only this sermon, but this series on the Gospel of John, here are some more funny warning label -

On a bar of Dial soap: “Use like regular soap.”

On a digital thermometer: “Once used rectally the thermometer should not be used orally.”

On a stroller: “Remove child before folding.”

On a package of Nytol sleeping aid: “May cause drowsiness.”

On a hair dryer: “Do not use while sleeping.”

On the packaging of a iron: “Do not iron clothes on body.”

On pepper spray bottle: “May cause eye irritation.”

On a package of Christmas Lights: “For indoor or outdoor use only.”

On Children’s Bendadryl: “Avoid alcohol and if pregnant or breastfeeding consult a doctor first.”

Microwaves are not to be used for drying pets and do not put any person in a washing machine or drying do to the spin cycles.

These may seem ridiculous but people have sued over these issues and that’s why we have these warning labels. How do this tie into today’s message? Western philosophy is the consumers have a right to be compensated no matter what caused them harm. But here in John 21 – John reminds us we must surrender all of our rights, our desires to have complete obedience to the Lord – is Jesus Lord? Is He Lord of all or just the Lord of Sundays?

As we see with Peter – Jesus wants action more than words. It is easy to say you are a Christian, a Christ-follower, but do your words, actions and decisions declare it more than the statement. How can you fulfill the call of complete commitment to Christ in your life?

Jesus gave us the warning labels – you will suffer, you will be persecuted, since the world hates me it will hate you, pick up your cross to follow me, die to self, live in me. Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Noticed what He said, WHEN, not if you are persecuted. After reading the many warning labels that Jesus gave, are you still willing to follow? No matter the cost?

Jesus is either the Lord of ALL or Lord NOT AT ALL – but He gives us that choice – what do you choose?

If America became like Rome under Nero and Christianity became illegal, would you be arrested? If you were arrested would people, be surprised you were arrested or would they convict you?

Final thoughts -

• Serving Christ in the energy of the flesh alone will bring futility and frustration.

• Whenever the Lord tells you to do something, just do it.

• Discipleship means following Christ without asking questions about other people.

• Reject everything in your life that is not the will of God.

• Never forget that love is the centerpiece of ministry to other people.

• Follow the Lord regardless of what happens in the lives of others.

Jesus is Lord of our lives; Jesus is Lord of our service; Jesus is Lord of our future. He allows no selfishness to stand in the way of those who would follow him in full obedience.

Let us Pray!