FISHING FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BOAT

John 21:1-25 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

A. GOD’S THOUGHTS AND WAYS are far above ours. Our LORD entry into the WORLD was of HUMILITY, POVERTY, and SORROW ... “a man of sorrows”.

1. He was born in a STABLE, reared as a CARPENTER, He surrounded Himself with the POOR and HUMBLE men of His day.

2. He had NO HOME, no ORGANIZATION and then He DIED a DEATH of DEGRADATION and SHAME.

3. This is the way GOD ARRANGED HIS LIFE.

B. US EARTHLINGS would have ARRANGED His LIFE DIFFERENTLY.

1. We would have BROUGHT Him DOWN in GREAT POWER and GLORY.

2. We would have put A DIAMOND CROWN on His HEAD.

3. We would have CLOTHED Him in GOLDEN GARMENTS.

5. We would have RESURRECTED HIM with SOUNDING TRUMPETS, Firing of GUNS, and at the SINGING of GREAT CHORES.

6. We would have GIVEN Him a THRONE that TOWERED above the earth.

7. We would have made ALL MEN BOW down and WORSHIP HIM.

Jesus was a servant of servant's and on the last mission of His life on earth it was no different. We see our Lord reminding His followers to FISH FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP. For them to follow Him and become a SERVANT OF MEN.

I. THE FISHING SEAMEN.
Verses 1-3

(a). The Place.
Vr #1. .... “the Sea of Tiberias.”

1. After His appearance to Thomas the ... DISCIPLES PACKED and went BACK HOME to GALILEE’

(b). The Partners.
Vr#2. ... “Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, and the sons of Zebedee, ... John and James. ..... and two other of his disciples.

TWO OTHERS: {Peters brother = Andrew ?} or {Nathanel’s friend = Philiph}
The HOLY SPIRIT left TWO ... “ANONYMOUS” ... Perhaps so you and I could take OUR SEATS in the BOAT.

(c). The Proposal.
Vr#2 ... Simon Peter said unto them .... “I go a fishing”.


II. THE FALTERING SAILORS.
Verse #3b .... “They went forth, and ENTERED into a SHIP IMMEDIATELY; and that NIGHT CAUGHT NOTHING.”

Simon Peter did not hesitate a minute ... he was a SEAMAN and a SAILOR and he knew these waters .... he had fished them many a time.

(a). Immediate Shipping.
Verse 3b ... “ship immediately”

1. Peter in Luke 5:1-11 Years ago ... “forsook all” to follow Jesus.

2. Now Peter was ALREADY THINKING of GOING BACK in BUSINESS.

3. When I was a pastor in Anderson Indiana ... I had SIMILAR thoughts of going back in the CARPET BUSINESS 17 Years ago.

4. The FISH stayed AWAY that Night ... and our CUSTOMERS stayed away.

5. The Lord was NOT LEADING Peter back into the FISHING BUSINESS and HE was not LEADING ME back into the CARPET BUSINESS.

(b). Insulting Show.
Verse #3b ...... “that night THEY CAUGHT NOTHING”

1. Our Lord has a way of getting our attention.

III. THE FAITHFUL SERVANT.
Verse #4-13

(a). The Servant’s Presence.
Vr#4 ... “Jesus STOOD {“in the midst”} on the SHORE”

1. Jesus is always “with us even unto the end of the earth”

2. He will “never leave us nor forsake us”

(b). The Servant’s Proclamation.
Verse #5 ... “Children, have ye any meat?
POEM ... “He Maketh No Mistake” .... {My Father’s Way May Twist and Turn,}

(c). The Servant’s Program.
Verse #6-8 Vr#6.... “cast the net on the RIGHT side of the SHIP"

1. RIGHT SIDE ... we will find what he has for us.

2. Jesus had MEET Peter at the SEA of GALILEE. {“...come and follow me and I will make you to become FISHERS OF MEN”}

(d). The Servant’s Provision.
Verse #9-13. {Our Lord wants to give us good things} Matt 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you".

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