BREAKFAST ON THE BEACH!!! John 21:1-22

 

Anybody ever had breakfast on the beach, like at sunrise?? Well, I hope you had plenty of coffee!! John tells an amazing story of how the risen Christ prepared a special breakfast for 7 weary hungry disciples on the Sea of Galilee shore. Many nutritionists believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It fuels the brain and body for work and activities for the day. The saying is, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, and supper like a pauper.”  So what do we do? EAT a huge supper and then expect to sleep well.

Israel is known to this day for their big buffet breakfasts in which there is always on the table a variety of fish -----pickled, baked, or grilled plus bread and eggs and plenty of coffee and hot chocolate.

 

Jesus, the risen Christ, made one of his post-resurrection appearances in early morning and prepared a hot breakfast, fish and bread, for the all night fishermen coming to shore. Today there is a beautiful chapel named after St. Peter because of what happened there. Tabgha – the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter’s located in a cove on the North West side of the lake. And the dialogue between Jesus and Peter is very relevant to each of us today on this first Sunday after Easter.

 

I.          THE FISHING TRIP – A return to the old lifestyle of Commercial Fishing.

Discouragement and disillusionment makes many disciples quit or apathetic in Christian service.

Story: Let’s go fishing invitation. All night trip and no catch. Absolutely zero.

Truth: “Failure is never final ---- Success is never sure”

 

II.         Q&A with Jesus around the breakfast fire.        A LOVE TEST           

Leon Morris Reflections: No big difference is made over philaeo vs. agape! First and second times Peter answered with philaeo – 3rd time Jesus used philaeo – But it is both! The exam:  Do you love me with personal devotion and in genuine friendship?

     3-Questions – Do you love me – more than these? Truly love me?

     3-Answers – You know I love you; you know I truly love you, You know all

        things, so you know that I love you.

     3-Directives: Feed my lambs, Feed my Sheep, Take care of my sheep.

 

What is happening? This is Peter’s Restoration and Reinstatement. At the trial by the fire - - Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Now by the “charcoal fire” at sunrise on the beach there are 3 affirmations of love followed by a challenge to faithful ministry.

 

III.               THE TEST FOR LIFE (a litmus test) and Ministry Motivation

      1.    If you love Jesus ---DO SOMETHING v. 18

             Don’t just say it – prove it! If you love your wife or husband then give

            evidence of your love.

            Don’t love Jesus in theory – talk only is cheap!

2.      If you love Jesus ----- DO SOMETHING NOW v. 19

            The problem is Procrastination. Life transitions come and change us and

            Close the doors of ministry and love. Illus. Nursing home cry:   “HELP

            ME”

3                    If you love Jesus ------- DO SOMETHING REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS DO!! V. 21-22

            What about John or a comparison TO OTHERS - (sin of matching gifts.)

            I’ll give $100,000 if he will” No! Give what God is asking you to give

            regardless of others.

 

CONCLUSION         

1.            Peter did pass the Test that morning….PENTECOST proved it. A life of          service and even martyrdom. The writer of 1st and 2nd Peter, and the             epistles of encouragement to struggling Christians

2.            To love much is to CARE deeply. And when you really care your life style         brings honor and glory to Jesus, our risen Lord.

 

Jeremiah Ingalls, Christian Harmony, caught the truth of Simon Peter’s restoration when he wrote:

I love thee, I love thee,

I love thee my Lord;

I love thee my Savior,

I love thee my God:

I love thee, I love thee,

And that thou dost know;

But how much I love thee

My actions will show!

 

Simon Peter never forgot that beach breakfast with the risen Lord. And the risen Christ is ready to encounter your life today.

Dr. Charles Horton

March 30, 2008

Dr. Charles Horton

First Baptist Church

Cocoa , Florida

 

 

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Last modified: April 07, 2008