Print

JOHN 21:1-17

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

I. SERVING IN THE ENERGY OF THE FLESH VS. 2, 3.
        A. "I go a fishing."
                1. Not acting on orders from Christ.
                2. We can not cho6se the time and place of our labor.
                3. We dare not go unsent. "Without me ye can do . . ."
        B. "They entered into a ship immediately."
                1. Following a human leader, did not pray or seek guidance.
        C. Vs. 4.
                1. How many times has Christ come near to us unrecognized?

II. THE EMPTINESS OF SUCH SERVICE "VS. 5" "SIRS."
        A. Why did He ask the question?
                1. Designed to draw a confession of failure.
                        a. His perpetual method.
                        b. Before He supplies, makes us conscious of our need.
                        c. Before we can know His strength, made conscious of our weakness.

lIl. SERVICE DIRECTED BY CHRIST. VS. 6.
        A. Success of your service not due to your eloquence and certainly not your
           personality. Following orders.
        B. By His sovereignty He drew the fish into the net.
        C. The result of Christ directed service "They were not able to draw it for the
           multitude of fish."
                1. John said  "It is the Lord."
                2. How important when we see the results, we say "It is the Lord."
                        a. When we look at beauties of nature.
                        b. When failing a hard trial.
        D. Peter gird on his coat and dove in.
                1. John first to recognize, Peter first to act.
                2. Motivated by desire to be with one he loved.
                        a. Christ walking on water couldn't wait for Him to get to him - "bid
                           me come to thee."
                3. Peter left a net full of fish for Christ.
                4. "Vs. 8 "Love does not act uniformly."

IV. CHRIST PROVISIONS FOR HIS SERVANTS "VS. 9."
        A. He was not unmindful of their physical needs.
                1. He has promised to supply needs.
                2. He is not restricted to our efforts.
        B. "Bring the fish ye have now caught."
                1. That they might rejoice together in their labor.

"He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that
soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

V. THE ONLY TRUE MOTIVE FOR SERVICE "LOVEST THOU ME?"
        A. "Lovesth thou me more than these?"
                1. On night of betrayal Peter's boast, "though they all forsake Thee, I will
                   never."
                2. Or could be reference to fish.
                3. Much refers back to bitter night.
                        a. Fire.
                        b. Three denials.
                        c. Three opportunities to affirm.
                1. "Feed my lambs."
                2. "Shepherd MY sheep." the duties of a Pastor.
                3. "Feed my sheep."