Breakfast on the Beach

This is April 8th's sermon discussion guide.

Breakfast On The Beach

Jesus, by his resurrection from the dead, launched the restoration of the world. John 21:1-3
a. Jesus was raised from the dead, as confirmed by his appearances to his followers and others.
i. This is the ‘third appearance’ since the resurrection. John 21:14 Notice that the Resurrection is the key event by which all these other events are dated.
1. This particular appearance is calculated by the number of times these particular disciples saw Jesus.
This is one of many such appearances, besides those to this group of former followers.
b. Jesus restored his disciples.
First,
i. He found them, fishing. John 21:4-5
Second,
ii. He blessed them. 21:6
1. Though they were not sure who was on the beach…21:7
2. He called out instructions which proved fortuitous. 21:6-7
3. Their obedience resulted in an abundant catch. 21:8
Third,
iii. He reaffirmed his calling to them to become fishers of people.
By this action, Jesus recalled them to a supernatural vocation: fishing for people, with the promise of spectacular results. 21:9-13

Questions: How does this relate to your life? In what sense are you now ‘fishing’? What is your vocation? Is that the same as your job? How does your job relate to your call to be a follower of Jesus? What conflict has there been? What difficulties in this do you presently sense?

c. Jesus restored the leader of his disciples, Peter.
The setting…
i. Peter, who led by temperament, had disqualified himself by his denials under duress. John 21:9
ii. Jesus dealt with Peter’s three denials by challenging him to make three affirmations. 21:15-17
iii. The sign of Peter’s love was to be his care and feeding of the flock.
1. Jesus modeled this feeding as he…
a. Began breakfast on the beach, apparently with his own fish.
b. Ensured that the fisherman caught many fish.
i. Caught many.
ii. The nets held, ‘not one was lost?’
c. Fed the disciples with fish and bread.
i. Just as he had done before: John 6:1-14
ii. Now he repeats the provision of a meal that the disciples have provided in part.
1. Jesus works.
2. We, his followers, work.
3. People are nurtured and enfolded.
d. Jesus prepared his disciples to fish for people, while he directs them from a distance. Luke 5:1-11
1. Jesus joins Peter in his boat.
2. Jesus taught from the boat.
3. Jesus directed Peter to launch the boat and fish again.
4. Peter protests that there were no fish here last evening.
5. The weight of the catch tore the nets.
6. Jesus promised that they would henceforward catch people.
7. The new disciples left all and followed Jesus.

Message: Jesus restores those who have fallen, by extending new life to each one. The restoration launched by his resurrection covers all who will believe. Peter is restored fully to his role as leader of the disciples: three denials, three affirmations.

Application: Jesus restores us, as he did his first disciples. In what sense has Jesus ‘restored’ your life? What particular things come to mind as being changes that he has led your transformation? Could you tell us those things that need similar adjustment? Can we pray for you about these?

Message: Jesus had been [Luke 5] in a boat with his disciples when he called for renewed fishing, to great success. Now, Jesus calls for renewed fishing from a distance, to great success. The difference? Jesus is first present, then he is not. The task of ‘fishing for men’ is to be done by the disciples, while Jesus calls the shots from heaven.

Application: Jesus signals now from heaven (a distant beach), as we implement his instructions to fish for people, etc. Why do you think Jesus would have any interest in sending us guidance from the Father’s throne? How does he see his present responsibility towards us? What has he committed to do for us during our lives on earth? Why do we need his help? How would you learn to ‘hear’ his instructions ‘from the beach’?