Download “The Last Great Fishing Story in the Bible.” Theme: Going Fishing

“The Last Great Fishing Story in the Bible.”
Theme: Going Fishing- The Fishing Stories of Jesus
Message preached by Pastor Roger Haney
July 21 and 22 2012 at First United Methodist Church, Durango
Tonight/Today we conclude our sermon series on the Fishing Stories of
Jesus with The Last Great Fishing Story of the Gospels. Let me say right
up front that I am a novice when it comes to fishing. Now Pastor Jeff is a
fisherman but I am known as Roger the fishless. Maybe that is why I am
the Associate Pastor and he is the Senior Pastor.
All of us have read the stories found in John 21 many times and I
suspect you, like me, sometimes think—because the words have become
so familiar— ‘Oh, there’s nothing new here, I know that story.”
But each time we open the Bible the Holy Spirit has something to teach
us, sometimes, in spite of ourselves. Our lives are constantly changing
and the Spirit wants to show us how these “old” words can help us with
today’s issues. That’s one of the reasons we encourage you to write
down words or ideas you hear today and we also suggest reading the
other related scriptures and thoughts in the meditation moments.
Our Scripture tonight/today, comes from the Gospel of John and when
we come to the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; Matthew,
Mark, and Luke see things pretty much the same way, this is why these
three accounts are called the synoptic gospels. The word “Synoptic”
means to “see together” or “hold a common view”. Matthew, Mark and
Luke are straight forward accounts of what happened, more like reading a
history book. Now, don’t get me wrong. There are passages in the
Synoptic gospels that I puzzle over. But when we read John’s Gospel, it’s
a different kind of story. The early church called John’s Gospel the
spiritual gospel. John is not, like a journalist, trying to give you a detailed
account of what happened. He is most interested in telling you what Jesus
meant and how it affects your life. If you read John’s gospel out loud—
and I recommend that you do—you will find it “reads” differently than the
other gospels. John’s gospel is also called the poetic gospel because it
uses language to create images—images that add and deepen meaning
to the words. There is also one more thing about John’s Gospel that might
interest you. Many scholars believe chapter 21 was added as postscript
and when you read chapter 20 you do get the sense that the gospel has
ended. But then in chapter 21 it seems to start up again. Scholars wonder
if John added chapter 21 to ties up loose ends.
SLIDE: JOHN CHAPTER 21 VERSE 1
After these things Jesus showed himself again to his disciples by
the Sea of Tiberius (Sea of Galilee) and he showed himself in this
way.
Showed himself is one word in Greek and it means he revealed himself or
manifested himself to them. John’s repeating the word “showed himself” in
verse one would have been understood by his first century readers as
signaling that something important was coming, John’s announcing an
epiphany, a revelation, an ah-ha moment is about to happen so pay
attention. So what was the revelation? In Acts chapter 1:3, we read,
“After his suffering he showed himself to these men and gave many
convincing proofs that he was alive”. Have you had those moments
where suddenly the light bulb comes on and you say “oh, now I get it”!
John is telling us that disciples are about to have one of those moments.
Before now they have thought about Jesus in just one way—a human
messiah. They are about to get a lesson in the Incarnation—they are
about to learn about a Jesus that is both man and God.
SLIDE: VERSES 2 AND 3
Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,
Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the son of Zebedee, and two others of
his disciples. 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. I confessed to you earlier I
am not much of a fisherman, but I have done enough fishing to know all
too well the ‘not catching part’! I imagine the disciples felt just like I do
when I go fishing. I don’t mind the first hour of not catching anything. It is
nice to be outside on a beautiful lake. But by the second hour I am
thinking where in the heck are the stupid fish!
So why did the disciples go back to fishing? You remember the
disciples had been with Jesus the night he arrested, they knew he had
been crucified and buried. They had had gone to the tomb on Sunday
morning and found it empty.
Then he appeared to them that night and he appeared to them a
second time later that same week. Now as the disciples gather on the
shore to go fishing they had not seen Jesus for maybe 3 or 4 weeks. Had
he disappeared for good? Some scholars do suggest that the disciples
had gone back to fishing because they had lost their faith. I will give you
fishless Roger’s thoughts on this passage. The disciples had to eat and
meet living expenses. Where was Jesus? They thought they were on a
winning team. When I am discouraged or confused or doubt what do I do?
— I often spend a lot time in my memories, back to a happier time and
place. When I’m spiritually dry, I find myself going back to where I
remember God’s presence. Sometimes I sing (in the shower of course
where only the rabbits outside can hear me) the song’ “Take me back
dear Lord to where I first believed”. I sing not because I think the words
are magical. But because the music and the words remind me—rekindle
memories, of God’s faithfulness in my life.
Sometimes, we come to church because this has been a place where
we have felt the power and presence of God. When we become
discouraged and we began to lose that sense of God’s presence we
remember that in worship we experience the presence of God. Some
people hike certain mountains or re-read a specific book or even prepare
a given meal because in retracing their steps, they remember. The
disciples may have come to the seashore because they remembered that
it was on this beach they first met Jesus. In the first fishing story that
Pastor Jeff preached on the disciples had been out fishing all night and
had caught nothing- sound familiar? Jesus told them to go out into deeper
waters and cast their nets and they hauled in such a large catch that their
nets began to tear. Then Jesus told them to come and follow me and I
make you fishers of people.
Now, after Christ’s death, John doesn’t tell us the condition of the
disciple’s faith, but we can imagine. They probably returned to this place
for many practical reasons. But I think much like us in our most
discouraged moments; they imagined or hoped for something better.
They had a longing for something for something they couldn’t explain.
The three years with Jesus had given the disciples a glimpse, a taste, a
touch of a bigger world, a world they could not forget, a world they
desperately desired, and a world they didn’t want to give up. Their longing
is expressed by C.S. Lewis
SLIDE C. S. LEWIS
“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing to find the
place where all the beauty belongs.”
SLIDE: VERSES FOUR & FIVE
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did
not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, Children you have no
fish have you?” They answered him, “No.
I just love this part of the story. The resurrected Jesus has gone fishing
and he has caught his fish and is cooking his breakfast. The disciples
have been out all night and they haven’t caught a single fish. Jesus is
standing on the shore about one hundred yards from the boat and he calls
to them, “children you have no fish have you?” A more accurate
translation is little boys you have caught no fish ha ha.
Jesus is razzing his disciples and they are probably thinking who is this
jerk and why is he is razzing us. I read these verses and I though this
whole scene is absurd. So I invite you to climb in the boat with the
disciples. You have been fishing all night and you have caught nothing.
You are tired to the bone and your stomach is growling. Then this jerk is
standing on the shore and calling you a little boy. You’re thinking ok God
you can smite him any time now. But the real absurd part is that the
disciples do not recognize Jesus although he is only about the length of a
football field from them. They had been with Jesus for 3 years and had
seen him twice after his resurrection and still they do not know it’s Jesus.
They are truly the du-ciples. But Jesus is getting ready to do something.
SLIDE VERSE 6
”
In verse six we read, He said to them, “Cast the net to 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 there were so many fish.
Have you ever wondered why the disciples took the advice? They were
the pros and this guy on the shore—the one they think is insulting them—
is now giving advice. Even experts get to the end of their rope—
desperation makes us do things we never imagined. Think of the trapped
mountain climber who cut off his arm in order to live or man who risks jail
by stealing food for his family or the mother in a concentration camp who
passes her child over a wall to strangers. Sometimes, we have to be
desperate in order to accept guidance.
If you listen, a fishing guide will take you to where the fish are.
They will equip you, encourage you when you aren’t catching anything, or
things just aren’t going well. Jesus is our guide. It is through worship,
small groups, the study of scripture, prayer and acts of service that we are
equipped to be Jesus Christ to the World.
Jesus also untangles our lives. Don’t you just hate it when you are fishing
and your line gets all tangled up? Our lives get tangled and twisted up,
and Jesus is the great untangler. Paraphrasing a chorus by the
Maranatha singer; give it all to Jesus. Give him the all tangled and twisted
places and you will enter into new life. We have a wonderful ministry in
our church called Celebrate Recovery for people whose lives are tangled
up in hurts, habits, and hang-ups that keep them from living a life of
freedom.
How many fish did the disciples catch before Jesus guided them?
That’s right, zero. How many fish did they catch after they let Jesus guide
them? 153! Why 153? The truth is we don’t know. What we do know from
this passage is that when you let Jesus be your guide you will haul in a
catch of fish you never expected.
SLIDE VERSE 7.
7. That disciple whom Jesus loved said, “to Peter it is the Lord!’
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord. He put on some
clothes, for he was naked and jumped into the sea.
The word Peter uses for Lord is curios, in Greek means boss, sovereign
ruler, and master, the ruler of the universe, the Lord of Lords, and the King
of Kings. You will notice in verse seven that when Peter heard it was the
Lord he put on clothes, because he was naked. Do you remember the
story of Adam and Eve? God created them and they were not ashamed of
their nakedness. Then when they had eaten the fruit of the forbidden tree
they realized they were naked. When God came in the cool of the evening
to walk with them they made garments to cover themselves, because they
were ashamed to meet God naked. This was no longer Jesus, Peter’s old
friend, but Peter recognized it was God he was going to meet. After
putting on clothes Peter jumps into the sea. He goes totally in no half
measures for Peter. John gives us a picture of baptism. John is telling us
that once you have seen the Lord and experienced his power and
presence it is time to be baptized. We have members of our church who
are going tp be baptized next month. They have said “yes” to Jesus and
now they want to publically acknowledge that he is the Lord of their
lives.That is why we say the Wesley Covenant prayer. Do with me what
you will Lord I am no longer my own, but yours.
Jesus is not just your guide and friend, but he is your Lord, the ruler of
your life.
SLIDE VERSES 8 THROUGH 13
8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of
fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards
off.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with
fish 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, a hundred and fifty three of them and though there were
so many, the net was not torn.
12. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast>’ Now none of the
disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it
was the Lord.
13. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the
same with the fish.
I find these last verses to be very beautiful and very comforting. The
disciples have come ashore. They are tired and hungry. The resurrected
Jesus, God in human flesh, has prepared breakfast for his disciples and
then he serves them. WOW! God cares about your physical needs. He
cares when you are tired. He cares when you are hungry. He cares when
you are discouraged. Sometimes we may not recognize that it is God.
Don’t you love serving a God who gives practical fishing advice and cooks
breakfast for some tired and hungry men? Our God is a God who saves,
who replaces discouragement with hope and covers death with life within
the details of our lives. Sometimes, the Christ that provides for us is a
stranger or friend or even and enemy.
As many of you know I spend much of my time listening, trying to help
those in our congregation and community who are hurting. Often I am
asked if spending so much time among the sick and the broken and the
dying discourages me. And, you know, sometimes it does. But I also get
a ringside seat to see—when I have eyes to look—Christ in action. I am
privileged to hear so many stories of “Christ guides” coming alongside,
making a difference, being the right person at the right time. The
discouraged mother tells me of the incredible hope she got from a
neighbor who spontaneously offered to watch her children so she could
take a walk alone. Or the peace and comfort brought by a church
member who weekly reads to a shut-in. Most of these helpers would be
embarrassed to think of themselves as “being Christ,” they might not even
remember what they did. Maybe that’s because we think Christ is only
concerned about the “big issues.” The apostle John reminds us in these
verses that the revelation, the unbelievable Ah-Ha moment— the moment
Jesus who revels himself as God incarnate—is denominated not in high
minded ideas, but in giving practical fishing advice and cooking breakfast
for some tired and hungry men. We often end our worship services by
saying, “Go, Be Jesus Christ to the World.” We send out mission teams
and organize multiple helping ministries and do things like ‘Love Out
Loud.” All good things, all important things. But here in Chapter 21 John
wants us to see that some of the deepest truths about who God is and
who we are as His children are communicated in the small details of daily
living. Sometimes, to be Christ means simply coming alongside and
helping a friend remember or re-imagine a God who cares. It may be
learning how to give practical advice about how to untangle things. Expert
advice that not only solves problems but is delivered with a humble
elegance—advice containing enough grace that a discouraged or angry
soul will listen. Sometimes, probably more often than we like to admit,
being Christ means doing and not saying. When the Jesus that they saw
crucified, dead and buried, cooked and served them breakfast with his
scarred hands, these discouraged disciples who had spent three years
“not getting it” finally knew that Christ the Lord had conquered death and
was the Lord of this world. These were the men who couldn’t catch fish
by themselves, who transformed the world proclaiming the Living God. It
was these same discouraged sailors who after this simple meal never
forgot that on that morning and in that place they had been served by the
living Lord and went on to lead lives of serving Christ even unto death. All
but John were martyred for their trouble.
Come, let us remember the God that cares, let us listen to the God who
teaches, and let us imitate the God who serves.
.
Sermon Series: Going Fishing – The Fishing Stories of Jesus
Sermon Title: “The Gospel’s Final Fishing Story”
John 21:1-13
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he
showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,
Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 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.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to
them, “Cast the net to 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 there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved
said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some
clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat,
dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said
to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and
hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so
many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now
none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus
came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
Things I’d like to remember from today’s sermon:
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Meditation Moments
Monday, July 23 – Read John 21:1-14. John 20:30-31 sounds as though it was originally the gospel’s
ending. But it seems that the Holy Spirit led John to add chapter 21, which deepens our understanding of
Peter and Jesus. It began with the risen Jesus meeting his disciples in the familiar setting of the Sea of
Galilee. He provided a huge catch of fish; in a tender detail, he even cooked them breakfast.


“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” (verse 7). This was the second time recorded that Peter,
eager to see Jesus, left a boat to do so (see Matthew 14:25-31). What obstacles are you willing to
overcome to spend time with Jesus?
We may think faith was easy for Jesus’ disciples, because “they could see and hear him.” But John
wrote that “Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus” (verse 4). That
happened at other times, too (e.g. Luke 23:13-37). What settings, situations, or spiritual practices help
you trust that Jesus is with you?
Tuesday, July 24 – Read Luke 11:3, 12:13-34. Jesus told his followers to trust him to provide what they
truly needed. He offered this comforting imperative: “Do not be afraid, little flock.” When Jesus appeared to
the disciples by the lake after his resurrection (John 21), he again reminded them that he could provide for
their needs.
 The rich man in Jesus’ story (verses 16-21) believed that he was “set for life.” Jesus said the trouble
was that he wasn’t set for anything beyond that. How are your choices shaping a life that is “rich toward
God”? How much of your energy is directed toward being “set for life,” and how much toward being set
for what comes after?
 Commentator William Barclay said Jesus message was “‘Bend all your life to obeying God’s will and
rest content with that’….if a man seeks the treasures of heaven his heart will be fixed on heaven; but if
he seeks the treasures of earth his heart will be thrilled to earth.” How can trusting Jesus’ promise of
eternity lighten your worries about this life?
Wednesday, July 25 – Read John 21:15-19. Many Bible students think Peter’s words “I’m going fishing”
(John 21:3) may well have meant, “I’ve blown it. I can never serve Jesus again—so I’ll pick up my career as
a fisherman, as before.” After breakfast, Jesus had vital business with Peter. Peter needed to “reverse” the
three times he’d denied Jesus. When he did, Jesus (as before) simply said, “Follow me.”
 Do you find yourself squirming inwardly as you read that Jesus asked Peter a second, and then a third,
time, “Do you love me”? Were Jesus’ reasons for this pointed talk unkind, or was he acting to heal and
restore Peter? How open are you to having God, a trusted spiritual guide, or even the Meditation
Moments ask you a pointed, personal question?
 Peter came to this breakfast haunted by his failure at Jesus’ trial, and perhaps not even sure Jesus had
any more use for him. About a month after this, he preached the great sermon on the day of Pentecost
that led 3,000 people to follow Jesus. What moments or people have had the greatest impact in
changing the course of your life for the good?
Thursday, July 26 – Read Romans 4:4-8. By the lake, Jesus gave Peter the wonderful experience that is
the foundation of Jesus’ good news: God’s forgiveness. In today’s reading, Paul used an accounting
metaphor to convey that truth: God “credits” our faith to us as righteousness! God’s grace sees us as much
more than what we are. God sees us as we can become when we are members of his family.
 Paul cited Psalm 32. The psalmist (probably King David himself) wrote of a time when he hid his sin,
and things got worse and worse. “Then,” he wrote, “I acknowledged my sin to you…and you forgave the
guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). When have you found joy and peace by acknowledging how much you
need God’s forgiveness, and accepting it?
 School grades, workplace paychecks, promotions—Paul said we get those, not as gifts, but because
we deserve them. But God counts us as having a clean slate, and eternal life, even though we don’t
deserve them. When did you last thank God for heaven’s gracious way of accounting, and really mean
it? Why not thank God right now?
Friday, July 27 – Read John 21:20-25. In this passage, Peter was not focusing on his own journey as
Jesus’ disciple. He wanted to know what was going to happen with the disciple “whom Jesus loved.” Jesus
replied, “What difference does that make to you?” (Common English Bible) Jesus’ call on Peter’s life was
unique. Comparing it to someone else’s life was an unproductive use of his energy.
 Comparing ourselves to others is so common that the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses” is a cliché.
But in Jeremiah 1:5 God told the prophet that he knew him and his mission before he was born. In
Romans 12:1-8, Paul taught that each of us has a unique role in the body of Christ. How successful are
you at keeping your focus on your own responsibilities to God, rather than on how other people are
doing?
 In verse 25, John ended his gospel by saying, “Jesus did many other things as well.” As when he
walked the earth, Jesus today does many unrecorded things. What good things is Jesus quietly doing in
your life? How can you share those with others?
Saturday, July 28 – Read Galatians 6:1-10. The apostle Paul pictured lots of interdependence and
interaction when he described the living Christian community to the Christians in Galatia. But even as he
called them (and us) to support, and even correct, one another, one of the most common ways of reacting to
others was specifically ruled out. “Without comparing themselves to someone else,” said verse 4. The early
Christian community remembered, and sought to live into, what Jesus told Peter when he asked about
another disciple. “What is that to you?”
 What inner factors tempt you to compare yourself with others? How does God’s love and grace
empower you to erode the negative patterns taught by a culture whose values are not the same as
God’s? What steps can you take toward living into the freedom God invites you to, basking in the light
of God’s favor and approval without fearing what others will think or how your path will “stack up”
against someone else’s?
Family Activity: Enjoy a fun time of outdoor family prayer. You will need a seeded watermelon, a knife and
some sidewalk chalk. Ask a child to draw a large tic-tac-toe board on a cement surface. In four of the
squares, write these words: thanks, praise, forgive and help. Explain to your family members the meaning of
each word. Invite your family to fill in the remaining squares with names of special people, areas of life such
as work or vacation, and your church. Cut the watermelon and give each person a large slice. Ask each
person to spit his or her watermelon seeds onto the prayer board then pray as the words direct. Enjoy
spitting seeds and saying prayers! Thank God for hearing your prayers and sharing in your fun!