3Circle Church
Meals With Jesus Week 6
Locations & Times
3Circle Church - Fairhope Campus
10274 AL-104, Fairhope, AL 36532, USA
Sunday 7:55 AM
Campus Times
We would be honored to have you join us for our Sunday gatherings on one of our four campuses serving these Alabama communities:<br>Eastern Shore South - 8 | 9:45 | 11:30am<br>Eastern Shore North - 9am | 10:45am<br>Midtown - 10am<br>Thomasville - 10am.
John 21:1 (ESV)
After this Jesus revealed himself again...
After this Jesus revealed himself again...
When you’re reading the Gospel of John and get to the end of chapter 20, you think the book is complete.
The Gospel of John won’t end until Peter has been fully restored and recommissioned.
John 21:1-3
...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 (Thomas, Nathaniel, the sons of Zebedee and... 2 other guys) said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
...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 (Thomas, Nathaniel, the sons of Zebedee and... 2 other guys) said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Peter, depressed over his failure, went back to his pre-Jesus life.
John 21:4-6
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.”
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.”
Finding God’s plan for your life starts with being honest with yourself about yourself.
John 21:7-11
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.
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.
Question: What characterizes Peter in these verses? Answer: Strenuous Effort
The contrast in this chapter is between Peter feeling like he needs to prove himself and Jesus’ invitation of rest to him.
The Gospel is this: Jesus has given you His acceptance as a gift, purchased by Him, and not added to by you.
The question is not, ‘how close do you feel to God,’ but ‘how close has He made Himself to you?’
The Gospel changes you fundamentally, because it takes a heart of duty, and changes it into a heart of love.
John 21:12
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
John 21:15-17
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."
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."
God allows you to fail, so you can see that it is His grace, not your righteousness, that is the basis of your acceptance.
It is easier to be delivered from unrighteousness than from self-righteousness.
John 21:18-19
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.”
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.”
Peter was transformed by a deep and profound experience of grace.
The most powerful force in a Christian’s life is his/her experience of grace.
Before his grace experience, Peter was unsure of his relationship with God, spiritually weak, self-focused, and unable to help others in their moments of weakness.
After this encounter with Jesus, Peter had an assurance with God, an intimacy with Jesus that filled him with spiritual strength, an awareness of other people’s needs, and an ability to help.
Jesus chose Peter to lead His Church, not despite his failures, but because of his failures.
John 21:20-22
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper 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!”
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper 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!”
To know Jesus means that you love His grace more than your righteousness, and that you delight most in what He did for you on the cross, not what you are doing for Him on earth.
What best describes your relationship with God: strenuous effort or breakfast on the beach?
Online Giving
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