Our Lord shows His miraculous power and confirms our commission to follow Him. John finishes His gospel by saying more could have been written. But we are living letters as we live out His message.
John 21: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
1 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 had been reclining at table close to him 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.
Things to think about…
1. The miracle of the net full of fish in John 21:1-11 is well known. When we travelled to Tiberias in 2014 we had what are believed to be these same fish called ‘St Peter’s fish’. They are actually a species of Tilapia. I am sure the fish Jesus had cooking on the charcoals were better tasting than the fish we had – Tilapia are quite muddy tasting. A fish called “Denis” are actually a wonderful eating fish. We had those at Joppa – yum! Peter said to the other disciples “"I am going fishing.", vs 3. This is not a once off trip. Peter is speaking about going back to fishing as a trade. The disciples agree to do the same. They have a fruitless night. Jesus tells them something ridiculous, to “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some”, vs 6. As if the side of the boat has any influence. But when it is at the request of Jesus the miraculous happens. Our labours are blessed in Him. It is a great reminder that our Lord provides even more than we ask, and He does so directly. The only effort that’s required is obedience. What are you fishing for today? Have you found it? Perhaps like the disciples you are fishing in your own strength and with your own understanding. Go to the risen Lord for your supply, he promises to provide for your every need, even more than you ask.
2. Peter and the others fished all night. But when Jesus does the fishing, the nets are in danger of breaking, John 21:6. What are you doing in your own strength that the Lord needs to redirect or bless?
3. Peter was asked 3 times “Do you love Me?” in John 21:15-19. He betrayed Jesus 3 times and is asked to affirm his love of Jesus 3 times. Christ restores us, but only through a conformation of that restoration through a response from the heart. Peter would then go on to fulfil his role of establishing the church through his bold proclamation of seeing Christ as the risen saviour as we see in the early chapters of Acts. He would indeed die the way Jesus had foretold. John writing after the events of Peter’s death confirms how Peter died as prophesied by our Lord, vs 19.
4. Peter is restored John 21:15-25 and told by Jesus to “follow Me”, vs 19 and emphatically again in vs 22. But what of John? We know that he had to receive further revelation from Jesus. This is recorded in the book of Revelation when John was exiled on the island of Patmos. I am glad the Lord had more work for this disciple whom Jesus loved. John finished his gospel and said more could have been written, but his whole focus is that we believe and be saved through knowing Jesus as our saviour from sin. Rejoice in your salvation.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray for Dave Pellowe as he ministers to us this Sunday on Church and State.
2. Pray for Mathys as he travels to South Africa to lay his mother to rest
3. Pray for peace as Iran war begins again
4. Pray for Venezuela continues to know healing and grace over the coming weeks as they recover.
5. Nigeria must be delivered from Fulani jihadists. Pray for those poor Christians – the widows and orphans.
6. For peace in Ukraine. May Russia see the folly of continuing this war and relent of the bloodshed – mainly from the Russian side.
7. Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast and our online ministry
8. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
9. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
10. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
11. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
12. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, Kids@church, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
13. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
14. Finances to cover our needs
15. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for the new visitors on Sunday.
2. Praise God for His word having an impact on Sunday, may we honour Him this week. Bring a testimony of grace next week.
3. Work done at the church on the working bee.
4. Praise the Lord for children and grandchildren 😊.
5. Praise the Lord for the message of the “I am’s” on Sunday.
6. Praise the Lord for the encouragement the Word of God brought people over the weekend.
7. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church, Worship, Technical, administration
8. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
9. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
10. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, and Fiona
11. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
12. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Prayer meeting – Wed 5:30pm.
2. Dave Pellowe from Church and State preaching 26th July.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for July...
Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things? A. For his own glory.
