Love Starts Here

Sunday Morning’s message from: 31st of March 2024

Pastor David Jones

YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/BsUw6BqsBcU

Objective: Look at the life and resurrection of Christ, and His personal interactions with his disciples before ascending to heaven.

Leaders Note: Pick and choose what part of this study below fits your group.

Read John 21:1 – 14

"Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:  Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.  “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.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

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.

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. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead."

21:1 “it happed this way”- because it was the way the Father wanted it to happen.

Lessons from “this way”

I love how the Father sets things up for us to encounter Him.

Key thoughts

“Friends have you got any fish”

In today’s language you could say, “hey fellas” “Yo what up” “Very good morning to you” He called out to his disciples ‘hey friends’ with certainty in His voice.

Notice the moment Jesus called out to them.

Not in a moment of great success.

They were tied, cast down and dejected from fishing all night.

Possibly despondent over the death of the Messiah.

91 meters away - Standing the shore

“for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards”

Application for group

Jesus saw them – Jesus sees you – Jesus sees you before you see Him

Thoughts from Peter and John

Two key people in this story – John and Peter

# The Insight of John

Leaders: Recognise Jesus and knew His voice

John makes the connection, it’s the Lord.

It’s understandable. He knew immediately it was the Lord.

Questions - Do you have a revelation of Christ?

Do you recognise Jesus when He is calls to you (that’s Him it’s the Lord)

The danger can be, we have been in the church for so long that if Jesus walked past us would we miss Him? Or would you recognise Him?

Read John 10:25-30 (Discuss – The Sheep know His voice)

"Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one."

Questions for possible discussion

Do you recognise His voice. Have you made the choice to tune in to Jesus.

Thought

The closer the sheep are to the shepherd, the faster the sheep can hear and respond. The closer we are to the shepherd, the faster we can respond to His voice.

Action Man - Peter

John turns to Peter - Peter jumped into the water fast as possible.

Discuss:

Peter just jumped in - Did not hesitate. Straight away!

There is something marvellous about this.

Peter wanted is to be with the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is there - I am here - I am going there – I need to be where Jesus is.

No matter how great your failure, move nearer to Jesus.

Peter the failure, the rejector, feeling like a has been, bull headed.

All of Peter jumps into the water and swims toward Jesus.

He didn’t care, it’s all going to Jesus. All of me……

We need the John’s to say - “here is the Lord”

We need the Peter’s – Action people.

Read John 21:8 – 12

"The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”  So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord."

“come and eat”

Jesus did not say - you’re an embarrassment, betrayers, what are you doing in the boat. Come on guys………

No, it was never like that – He said come

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

Eating is a symbol of fellowship and relationship.

Jesus wants to fellowship with us.

He enjoys our company and He is interested in you.

Remember - When he called out to the disciples, they were at their lowest point.

Jesus then served them breakfast

Conclusions

Come to Me’s

When you come to Jesus - you will find - Jesus has been preparing good things for you all along

John 7: 37-39 - “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink

Application

Is anyone dry? Come and drink

Is anyone hungry – Come and eat

Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Come and I will give you rest