OVERCOMING GRIEF, GETTING BACK TO WORK
John 21:1-15
After the
resurrection, Jesus had met with His disciples on two other
Occasions.
The first
time He meet with them behind closed doors, ten of the disciples
Were
present. Thomas was not there. The meeting took place on the first
Day of the
week.
Jesus
identified Himself by showing them
The holes in
His hands and side. John 20:19
He blessed
them with four things
1. He blessed them with peace.
2. He gave them their mission.
3. He offered them the Holy Spirit.
4. He gave them the authority to forgive
sins.
Jesus met
with all eleven disciples a second time behind locked doors
A week
later.
He did four
things with them.
1. He satisfied Thomas's doubt.
2. He gave the doctrine of faith.
3. He gave the doctrine of eternal life.
4. He performed miraculous signs before
them.
You would
think the first two meetings with Jesus would have excited
The
disciples and moved them to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus.
You would
think they would have been filled with joy.
Yet they
were lifeless, confused, and without purpose.
They went
back to their old ways.
THE NEED
FOR FRIENDS
V:21.1 Afterward
Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this
way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 "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.
A. In times of grief, we need our
friends. We need someone to stick with us
While we try to return to a normal life without our loved ones.
1. The disciples had grown together
during the three and a half years
With Jesus.
2. Without Jesus leading the way, they
were lost in a sea of grief.
3. They had the comforting knowledge of
Jesus resurrection, but
Were stuck in the past.
B. Sometimes the best thing you can do
in times of grief and sorrow
Is to keep busy.
1. They got out of the house and did the
things they were familiar
With.
2. The act of doing something gives you
some comfort.
3. The process of healing and getting to
a new normal includes using the
Talents you know until
you figure out what to do next.
4. The road to emotional healing is
aided by fellowship with friends
And relatives.
JESUS
SHOWS UP WHEN YOU NEED HIM
V:4 Early in
the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that
it was Jesus.
5 He called
out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No,"
they answered.
6 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.
A. When you lay aside your grief, and
get busy working for the good of
Others, the Lord will show up in unexpected times and unexpected ways.
1. The disciples came together and went
fishing.
2. They worked all night and caught
nothing.
3. The road to recovery is a struggle
you have to take for yourself.
4. It will not be easy, but it is a
start.
5. You may meet with failure, but that
is part of success.
B. What we must remember, Jesus has not
abandoned
us but is with us In our struggle.
1. In every moment in our lives, Jesus
is making preparation
For our recovery and well-being.
2. While they were at work fishing,
Jesus prepared a meal of
Bread and fish.
3. Jesus is the bread of life and the
substance of our existence.
4. All we need to do, is come to the
table.
C. Jesus questioned His disciples on the
results of their fishing.
1. They fished all night and caught nothing.
2. They were fishing in the wrong place
for the wrong commodity.
3. They had forgotten that Jesus had
made them fishers of men.
4. We can do nothing without the help of
Jesus.
D. When Jesus is your focus, success is assured,
1. At Jesus's command, They threw the net
back in the water on the right side Of the boat and caught 153 large fish.
2. Sometimes our circumstances will
block our view of Jesus.
3. In our struggles in the deep waters
of life, we must recognize that
Jesus got a plan for our
success.
4. No matter what we are going through,
we must follow the commands
Of Jesus.
5. Our faith in Jesus brings success
into our lives
RECOGNIZING
JESUS IN YOUR MIDST
V:7 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. 8 The
other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they
were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on
it, and some bread.
A. Our vision of the miracles of Jesus ignites
the faith of others
Around us.
1. It was The Apostle John who first
recognized the large catch
Of fish was a miracle of
Jesus.
2. In respect to Jesus, Peter jumped in
the water, because he did
Not want to be seen
without clothes.
3. The other disciples joined in to
bring the fish to shore.
B. Jesus always has a meal prepared for
us.
1. When we are weary, Jesus got a meal
of comfort.
2. When we are lonely, Jesus got a meal
of friendship.
3. When we are hurting Jesus got a meal
of healing
4. When we are lost, Jesus got a meal of
directions
5. When we are tired, Jesus got a meal
of rest.
6. All we need to do is show up and be
fed.
7. Jesus has made provisions for all of
our needs.
JESUS
PREPARES A FEAST FOR YOU
V:10 Jesus
said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11 Simon
Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish,
153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them,
"Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him,
"Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the
bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the
third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
A. When you follow Jesus you must follow
Him all the way.
1. They had caught a large number of
fish
2. Their nets were not broken
3. They had a successful fishing trip.
4. They could have easily capitalized on
the fish and gone home.
B. Work with Jesus is never done.
1. When we come to Jesus we are
commanded to bring an offering.
2. Jesus gives us a daily invitation to
come to eat the bread of life.
With Him.
3. The meal was prepared early in the
morning.
4. We should start our day first with
Jesus.
5. Let me suggest that the bread represents
Jesus and fish
Represents our mission.
THANK GOD
FOR THE RESURRECTION
Rev. M.
Mitchell
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