Resurrection: Lessons in Galilee
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. LIFE-LESSON ABOUT FAILURE
A. OUR STRENGTH IS INSUFFICIENT
1. PLANS Jn 21:1-3 Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberius: [seven] of His disciples were together and Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They said to him, “We’ll join you.”
2. PROGRAMS Jn 21:3b-5 They went out in the boat, but that night they caught nothing. At daybreak, Jesus stood on the shore (the disciples didn’t know it was Jesus) and said to them, “Children, do you have any food?” They answered him, “No.”
B. OUR SUCCESS COMES FROM OBEDIENCE
1. PLIANCE Jn 21:6-71 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and were unable to haul it in because of the quantity of fish. [John] said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
2. PROFFER Jn 21:7b When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (he was stripped for work) and jumped into the sea.
3. PROPOSAL Jn 21:12-13 Jesus said to them “Come and eat.” Now none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus took the bread and fish and gave it to them.
II. LIFE-LESSON ABOUT FORGIVENESS
A. OUR SINCERITY IS PROVEN IN DEEDS
1. PREMISE Jn 21:15
When they had finished, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He replied, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
2. PONDER Jn 21:16 A second time He asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
3. POINT Jn 21:17 He said a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you have affection for Me?” Peter was grieved because He asked him [this] again, and said, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I have affection for You.” Jesus said to him “Feed My sheep.
B. OUR SERVICE IS TESTED IN ADVERSITY
1. PROPHECY Jn 21:18-19a Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you get old, you’ll hold out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” (This showed by what kind of death he was to glorify God.)
2. PERSONAL Jn 21:19b And after saying this He said to him, “Follow me.”
III. LIFE-LESSON ABOUT FOCUS
A. OUR SUBMISSION IS TO GOD’S WILL
1. PERCEPTION Jn 21:21 When Peter saw [John], he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
2. PURSUIT Jn 21:22 Jesus said to him, “If it’s My will that he remains until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
B. OUR SATISFACTION IS GLORIFYING JESUS
1. PROVEN Jn 21:24 This is that disciple who witnessed these events and has written these things; we know his testimony is true.
2. PUBLISHED Jn 21:25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were they listed one-by-one, I suppose that the whole world couldn’t contain the books written.
I don’t know about you, but I am THANKFUL to be looking at this “Postscript” and learning the lessons on FAILURE, on FORGIVENESS, and on FOCUS. Lessons we ALL still need as we walk by faith simply believing and trusting a Savior we cannot see with a love that cannot end.
After all, the Lord always uses weak and sinful people to advance His kingdom . . . because there are no other kind of people.