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Click here to listen to the sermon. 11mins.
Psalm 30 Praise for deliverance
John 21v1-19 The miraculous catch of Fish. Peter reinstated
Acts 9v1-6 (7-10) Saul’s conversion
Three times Jesus Invites Peter to follow him.
The first time Jesus met Peter was after his brother Andrew had left John the Baptist to follow Jesus. John 1v40-42.
This was where Jesus named him “Cephas, Peter, the Rock”. Peter was anything but a rock, instead he was impulsive and unstable, but the name was more about what Peter would become as he committed himself to Jesus.
The second time Jesus called Peter was by the sea of Galilee fishing, possibly from the shaw or from his boat “Come follow me and I will make you Fishers of men”. Mt 4v19. Mk 1v17.
This third time Jesus called Peter he reinstates Peter three times, because Peter had denied Jesus three times at the cross. John 21v1-19 (19)
The catch of fish is a physical reminder and illustration of what type of ministry Peter and the disciples would have, ‘fishers of men’, Evangelists. Mt 4v19.
Peter is not what many would consider is the ideal disciple, church leader or Pastor. He is impetuous working very much from the intensity of his feelings at the time, this makes him unstable as his feelings are always changing, and he is not very well educated and so has little rational ability to balance his feelings. And his ministry demonstrates this.
But God has called him. And will not let him go!
God has a particular ministry for Peter to fulfil with his grace and under the power of his Holy Spirit.
It is Peter who addresses the crowd at Pentecost. Acts 2v14ff
Heals the crippled beggar 3v3ff
Speaks to the onlookers 3v11ff
Addresses the Sanhedrin 4v1ff
Challenges Ananias and Sapphira. 5v1ff
Stood his ground in front of the Sanhedrin again. 5v27ff
Laid hands on the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit. 8v17.
etc
The ministry of Christ continues through his disciples.
- So what happened at your calling that signified what type of ministry you were going to have?
- Have you fulfilled that ministry yet?
- Is Jesus asking you a second, third or forth time to follow him?
- Perhaps you let him down, like Peter, at some point, but God will not let you go.
Are you following Jesus and offering your ministry to him through his church?
Moya Lethbrdge
John 21:1-19
“The Mikado” and Pooh Bah added details to a tale of execution “to give and air of verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative”. (NOT to be done!)
Gospels not like that. Struck by specific detail in John
· Peter had taken clothes off to work
· 100 metres from shore
· 153 fish
· charcoal fire with fish and bread
but mystery – John recognised Jesus but others not so sure.
What is going on here? God in person of Jesus coming in everyday detail. With what message? Power over creation, love and care, restoration of relationship (only other charcoal fire named at Peter’s denial).
Same thing in Acts account of Saul’s conversion (Acts 9) – goes on to tell address in Damascus where he was staying (house of Judas in Straight Street) but mystery – in context of vision to an obscure disciple named Ananias told to go to Saul/Paul.
What message? God knows your address! Interested in restoring relationship with Paul – and you!
Need to see God behind details of lives. Me – given an address by God – found a woman I had met some years previously who had shifted. God interested in her still.
Always this way in Bible – God found in concrete detail of everyday. Cf “crucified under Pontius Pilate” mystery of cross and historical context.
Moses tending sheep – saw bush (Ex. 3:1-2)
Gideon threshing wheat in a pit (Judges 6:11) to escape enemies. Gospels especially – green grass in John, woman with issue of blood twelve years in Luke, Mark: “Why are you untying that colt?” Yet miracles in these with presence of Jesus. God comes in everyday detail with message of love.
(NB Apochryphal gospels of Thomas, Peter, Mary different – fanciful miracles, unkind actions. No message of love in action in everyday. Immerse self in real to recognise counterfeit – like baanknotes!)
Our everyday lives – see a “coincidence” – God in everyday with message of love and care – relationship. Friend moving from one unhappy situation to another – travelling. Met recent church friends unexpectedly who talked and prayed. God cares! God is with you! Renew relationship.
Volcano in Iceland concrete detail – what message? God wants people to recognise him – restore relationship by humility and repentance. Love and care for eternal welfare.
See God in action – often in times of grief or trial – little details. Wants to remind or restore relationship.
Jesus on cross “My God why have you abandoned me?” Soldier ran to give drink - God reminding of relationship. Tiny grace in huge pain. Message? God wants me – and you.
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