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Gone Fishing! (Relating to a Risen & Returning Lord)
By Skip Heitzig
John 21:1-14

I am not a great fisherman. I don't do it often and when I catch something, it's pure luck! My dad was the opposite—he loved it and was great at it. At least seven of Jesus' disciples were fishermen and here we see them plying their trade after the resurrection. Some beautiful lessons can be discovered about how to live while we wait for Jesus to come back for us.

From the teaching series 43 John - Believe:879 - 2009

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John 21 (NKJV™)
1	After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:
2	Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
3	Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
4	But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5	Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No."
6	And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7	Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
8	But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
9	Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
10	Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
11	Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
12	Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"--knowing that it was the Lord.
13	Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14	This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

<p><strong>Gone Fishing! (Relating to a Risen & Returning Lord) - John 21:1-14</strong><br /> From the series: 43 John - Believe:879 - 2009<br /> <em>By Skip Heitzig </em><p></p> <p><strong>MESSAGE SUMMARY</strong></p> <p>I am not a great fisherman. I don't do it often and when I catch something, it's pure luck! My dad was the opposite—he loved it and was great at it. At least seven of Jesus' disciples were fishermen and here we see them plying their trade after the resurrection. Some beautiful lessons can be discovered about how to live while we wait for Jesus to come back for us.</p> <p><strong>OUTLINE</strong></p> <p><ol type="I"><br /> <li>We Need to be Together—Fellowship (vv. 1-2)</li><br /> <li>We Need to be Active—Partnership (vv. 3-6)</li><br /> <li>We Need to be Obedient—Stewardship (vv. 7-11)</li><br /> <li>We Need to be Intimate—Worship (vv. 12-14)</li><br /> </ol><p>Breakfast Chat:</p><ol> <li>Where's your favorite spot for breakfast? What company do you like to eat with? Why?</li><br /> <li>Can you think of an isolated person who is spiritually healthy?</li><br /> <li>Which statement would you say your life is characterized by: <br /> A "I am going fishing" or B. "Cast the net on the right side of the boat"?</li><br /> </ol></p> <p><strong>DETAILED NOTES </strong></p> <p><ol type="I"><li>Introduction <ol type="A"><li>Fish Stories <ol> <li>Disinterest leads to not being very good at it</li> <li>Jim Byrne caught a marlin, stabbed in chest by its sword, fish flopped back into the ocean</li> </ol></li><li> John's conclusion <ol> <li>"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (<span class='verse'>John 20:30-31</span>) <ol type="a"> <li>Seems an appropriate ending</li> <li>John wrote another chapter (25 verses; 3 paragraphs)</li> </ol> </li> <li>John's purpose for chapter 21 <ol type="a"> <li>John a good friend to Peter <ol type="i"> <li>Peter had denied the Lord</li> <li>John records how the Lord restored him to useful ministry</li> <li>Peter prominent in Acts 1-12</li> </ol> </li> <li>John a great teacher: wants us to know how to relate to a resurrected and soon returning Lord</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>After resurrection, Jesus just shows up then disappears suddenly <ol> <li>Early morning walk; men on the road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:13-31)</li> <li>Evening meal; disciples in the upper room (see John 20:19-25)</li> <li>To disciples when Thomas was present (see John 20:26-29)</li> <li>Going to work; Jesus on the shore </li> <li>Imagine living that way: always on alert—Jesus may show up at any moment <ol type="a"> <li>We should live that way</li> <li>He is returning at any moment </li> <li>"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (<span class='verse'>Matthew 24:42</span>)</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li> </ol></li><li>We Need to be Together—<em>Fellowship </em>(vv. 1-2) <ol type="A"><li>The disciples gathered frequently <ol> <li>"And being assembled together with them" (<span class='verse'>Acts 1:4</span>)</li> <li>"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place" (<span class='verse'>Acts 2:1</span>)</li> </ol></li><li>"On this rock I will build My church" (<span class='verse'>Matthew 16:18</span>) <ol> <li>Church: originally a secular term—a group of citizens called out of society to assemble</li> <li>ἐκκλησία; ekklésia - church <ol type="a"> <li>ἐκ; ek - out of</li> <li>καλέω; kaleó - called to assemble; summon; invite</li> </ol> </li> <li>He calls us an assembly; He wants us to assemble</li> <li>Biblical definition of the church: a holy assembly called out separately to meet regularly and worship Christ principally</li> </ol></li><li>God's design <ol> <li>Integrated with each other</li> <li>Not isolated from each other</li> </ol></li><li>Problem: age of technology <ol> <li>Social networking: a façade; studies prove that with increase of technology, society becoming more isolated and lonely</li> <li>Noting can replace face to face relationships</li> </ol></li><li>"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (<span class='verse'>Hebrews 10:24-25</span>) <ol> <li>Not how often do I have to go</li> <li>Rather, how often do I get to go</li> </ol></li><li>Why do some resist church? <ol> <li>Jewish proverb: a man without friends is like the left hand bereft of the right hand</li> <li>An isolated Christian is like the left hand bereft of the right hand</li> <li>"A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment" (<span class='verse'>Proverbs 18:1</span>)</li> </ol></li> </ol></li><li> We Need to be Active—<em>Partnership </em>(vv. 3-6) <ol type="A"><li>Some say, "Peter and the disciples had no business going fishing—that's what Jesus called them from" <ol> <li>Not true</li> <li>They were in Galilee because Jesus told them to wait for Him there</li> <li>They were obedient; actively waiting</li> </ol></li><li>Wait actively <ol> <li>Stay busy</li> <li>"Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13, KJV)</li> </ol></li><li>"As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me" (<span class='verse'>Genesis 24:27</span>) <ol> <li>Find out where God is moving</li> <li>Get in the way</li> </ol></li><li>"That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (<span class='verse'>1 Thessalonians 4:11</span>): Written to Thessalonian believers who'd quit jobs, believing the Lord would come back at any moment</li> </ol></li><li>We Need to be Obedient—<em>Stewardship </em>(vv. 7-11) <ol type="A"><li>Disciples are the fishing experts <ol> <li>Fishing all night—the best time</li> <li>Caught nothing</li> </ol></li><li>Jesus on shore <ol> <li>They didn't recognize Him <ol type="a"> <li> happens a lot in post-resurrection appearances</li> <li>Jacob: "Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it'" (<span class='verse'>Genesis 28:16</span>)</li> </ol> </li> <li>Sometimes we think He has abandoned us <ol type="a"> <li>He is there</li> <li>"For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (<span class='verse'>Hebrews 13:5</span>)</li> </ol> </li> <li>Why did Jesus ask? He knew the answer <ol type="a"> <li>Admit their failure</li> <li>Recognize their need</li> <li>Frequently asks for this purpose <ol type="i"> <li>To Adam, "Where are you?" (<span class='verse'>Genesis 3:9</span>)</li> <li>"Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" (<span class='verse'>Genesis 3:11</span>)</li> <li>"What are you doing here, Elijah?" (<span class='verse'>1 Kings 19:9</span>)</li> </ol> </li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>Failure good for us <ol> <li>Think about your methods</li> <li>Think about your motives</li> <li>Open to something new</li> <li>Abraham Lincoln: failed at politics, failed at business; 17 years paying off debts; engaged to girl; she died; returned to politics—defeated multiple times; learned from failures</li> </ol></li><li>John discerned it was the Lord <ol> <li>Same occurrence 2 years prior: "When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, 'Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.' But Simon answered and said to Him, 'Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.' And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking" (<span class='verse'>Luke 5:4-6</span>)</li> <li>Also recognized the Lord had risen from the dead</li> <li>For some things, the only explanation is the Lord <ol type="a"> <li>Day of Pentecost, thousands saved when Peter spoke</li> <li>Drug addicts and prostitutes getting clean and walking with Jesus</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>They were obedient <ol> <li>Difference between failure and success: four feet</li> <li>More than competent, diligent, relevant: you need to be obedient</li> </ol></li> </ol></li><li>We Need to be Intimate—<em>Worship </em>(vv. 12-14) <ol type="A"><li>Above all else</li><li>Best part of their day <ol> <li>Not being together in the boat</li> <li>Not the catch of fish</li> <li>Eating breakfast with Jesus</li> </ol></li><li>Possible to be so busy doing the King's business that you forget the King Himself <ol> <li>"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love" (<span class='verse'>Revelation 2:2-4</span>)</li> <li>Serve the Lord and not love the Lord</li> <li>Motives <ol type="a"> <li>Guilt</li> <li>Fulfillment</li> <li>Recognition</li> <li>Love for Jesus: worship</li> </ol> </li> </ol></li><li>Christian life cannot be lived in cruise control </li> </ol></li></ol><p><strong>Greek terms</strong>: ἐκκλησία; ekklésia - church; ἐκ; ek - out of; καλέω - called to assemble, summon,invite<br /> <strong> Figures referenced</strong>: Jim Byrne; Abraham Lincoln<br /> <strong> Cross references</strong>: <span class='verse'>Genesis 3:11</span>; <span class='verse'>Genesis 24:27</span>; <span class='verse'>Genesis 28:16</span>; <span class='verse'>1 Kings 19:9</span>; <span class='verse'>Proverbs 18:1</span>; <span class='verse'>Matthew 16:18</span>; <span class='verse'>Matthew 24:42</span>; <span class='verse'>Luke 5:4-6</span>; <span class='verse'>Luke 19:13</span>; Luke 24:13-31; John 20:19-25; John 20:26-29; <span class='verse'>John 20:30-31</span>; <span class='verse'>Acts 2:1</span>; <span class='verse'>1 Thessalonians 4:11</span>; <span class='verse'>Hebrews 10:24-25</span>; <span class='verse'>Revelation 2:2-4</span></p></p> <p> </p>

Who We Are:

We pursue the God who is passionately pursuing a lost world; we do this with one another, through worship, by the Word, to the world.

What We Do:

Upreach
We express our adoration of Jesus through dynamic worship and uncompromised obedience.

Inreach
We explain the relevance of the Bible to empower and transform lives for service.

Outreach
We extend hope to a hurting world by proclaiming the gospel and demonstrating Christ's love.

Our Beliefs

We Believe that there is one living and true GOD, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.

We Believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.

We Believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in Holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

We Believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

We Believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teaching, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth.

We Believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all that believe in Jesus Christ for ministry.

We Believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide.

We Believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We Believe that all people are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, are under condemnation; that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

We Believe that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and empowers the believers for service, often subsequent to regeneration.

We Believe in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the head, and all regenerated persons are members.

We Believe that Jesus committed two ordinances to the church: 1) Baptism and, 2) the Lord's Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion open to all believers.

We Believe also in the laying on of hands for baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and receiving from the Holy Spirit through the believer the gift of healing.

We Believe in the personal, visible return of Christ to the earth and the establishing of His Kingdom, in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and eternal blessing of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.

We Believe in what is termed the Apostles Creed as embodying the fundamental facts of Christian faith.

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Calvary Albuquerque
4001 Osuna Rd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-344-0880
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Gone Fishing! (Relating to a Risen & Returning Lord)
By Skip Heitzig
John 21:1-14

Buy an Audio CD $4.00

From the Series:
43 John - Believe:879 - 2009

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" John 20:31.

Believe:879 is an epic journey through the book of John led by Pastor Skip Heitzig of Calvary of Albuquerque. As we explore each of the 879 verses of this gospel, we'll grow in grace and in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. From His pre-incarnate existence, to His public ministry, through His death and His resurrection we'll traverse familiar territory and embark on new adventures of faith.

Visit Believe879.com for more information on this series.

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