JESUS SENT HIS DISCIPLES INTO GALILEE TO AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS - TIRED OF WAITING, LEADERSHIP VACUUM

• It was Simon Peter, their leader, who said I Go Fishing- and look what he started - watch out
• This chapter sparkles with gems of rare beauty- human and alive, personal to all who see it
• We are so prone to forget the Lord's calling & fish for pleasure & forget HIS calling - some forget his calling and guidance & return to carnal ways- Time to FISH OR CUT BAIT!

I. FLESHLY TEMPTATION "LET'S GO FISHING" V.3

This passage as much as any shows the Apostles to be plain ordinary men- just like us!

A. JESUS' CALL TO SIMON PETER WAS THAT HE SHOULD BE A FISHER OF MEN - See Matt 4:19

• As Peter was working for his living -recreation for some- Jesus met & called him to duty!
• He had met Jesus- John 1:40, and knew of him from John the Baptist & his brother Andrew
• Peter had followed Jesus- did the best he could -but now Jesus was gone, new time for change.

B. THE PROPOSAL OF JOHN 21:3 WAS TO RETURN TO THE LIFE OF FISHING - REVERSE THE CALL OF GOD

• Greek Verb Tense- "I go back to fishing"- former life and vocation- after 3 great years??
• I have had the joy of walking with the lord some 60 years- several JOBS, one vocation- following JESUS!

C. WHEN THE 1ST ONE DESERTED- THEY ALL RAN! WHEN ONE JOINED THE OLD WAY- THEY ALL DID- PEER PRESSURE

• When they said "We also go with thee" - John 21:3b - they followed the flesh, wrong thoughts
• What would have been the difference had one said-"As for me & my house"- & obeyed Jesus?

In the moment of our weakness we often drift out to sea & catch nothing. What would you do?

II. THE LORD MADE HIS APPEARANCE - 21:7

Each one was touched differently- God has personal leadership for each one of you - BAPTISTS

A. IT WAS THE YOUNG JOHN, THE BELOVED, WITH A KEEN SPIRITUAL VISION, EAGLE EYE- SAW THE LORD

• The disciple Jesus loved (any around here) in fog of discouragement, disobedience- he looked
• After v. 5,6 they all should have known-but depression dims eyes, sulking, guilty-No vision

B. IT WAS PETER WHO DOVE INTO THE SEA AND SWAM ASHORE , EMOTIONAL ENOUGH TO TAKE QUICK ACTION

• What he lacked in insight, wisdom & faithfulness- he made up with boldness, lion-quick action
• Some say he was reckless, selfish, deserted his comrade, & in emotional flash-swam ashore
• Maybe his quick action inspired the others-that they too should get ashore- so they did!

C. NOTE - IT WAS THE OTHER DISCIPLES WHO ROWED THE BOAT ASHORE, CAUGHT A NET FULL OF FISH - Work!!

• No matter how spiritual, idealistic you might be-someone has to do the hard routine work!
• No matter how far the Eagle sees, or the Lion swims- someone has to stay by the work-& do it
• The practical ability , mobility in getting the job done- thank God for ordinary laborers-

A lot of ways to seek success- but KNOW YOUR WORK, & DO IT FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!

III. JESUS SAID "COME & DINE" John 21:12

Our God is very practical- His love is not mystical- Be faithful & He will nourish you- TRUTH!

A. JESUS MET THEIR NEEDS -v.6 told them-"CAST NET ON RIGHT SIDE" - Repetition of Luke 5:4

• Jesus had helped them before- I'm surprised at His graciousness, to them & us- Count Blessings
• If they were going to fish- He still had a blessing! Even helped them physically - Left handed
• When they obeyed- net full- v.11, Even Simon Peter helped pull the net ashore- Everyone works

B. JESUS SAID TO THEM "COME AND DINE" AND NONE OF THEM DARED ASK QUESTIONS v.12 - timing cooking

• They really deserved discipline- but he made them breakfast - God has provision for all of us
• As we gather in Church, S.S. AWANA, Wed- He provides spiritual nourishment- feast on His Word

C. BUT STILL SOME ARGUE A BIT OVER TRYING TO RUN OTHER MEN'S BUSINESS - Peter & John- John 21:21-2

• Jesus secured Peters Confession of Love- Peter showed his old nature- bossy- v.20
• The Lord's reply tried to show Peter who is the boss- Peter misunderstood- v.23, John knew
• Our churches run in grave danger- we try to run each other's lives- Let the Lord lead YOU

I urge you- seek God's call for your life- vision, action, hard work- Follow Jesus! You have elected your officers - Boards choose chairmen - follow your leaders, vision & work. I believe we are heading for some hard times - stay close to the Lord, obey His word

JESUS HAS PROMISED TO MEET US - WE ARE IN OUR LONELY GALILEE EXPERIENCE- WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM

• Even if you have no Senior Shepherd - stick together follow the leadership YOU selected
• If YOU don't know Jesus- open your heart to Him- Be sensitive to His call personally
• Not all of you can be first to SEE JESUS, NOR CAN SOME OF YOU SWIM - BUT YOU CAN ROW