All right, if you have your Bibles, John chapter 20. John chapter 20. John chapter 20. And I'm going to read a few verses here and stay mainly in chapter 21, but let's just start reading here John chapter 20 and we'll start in verse 4. So they ran both together, and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying, yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie. And the napkin that was about his head not lying with the linen clothes, but ramped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw and believed." Don't you just love that? I mean, there's just something about John when he does that, you know. It's the beloved disciple, the one that's writing the book, you know. Anyway, verse 9, "'For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.'" Then the disciples went away again unto their own home." Let's pray. Father, we do thank you, Lord. I thank you for the opportunity, Lord, to preach, but I want to thank you, Lord, for allowing us to be able to come to this church. Father, you know how much we love this church and how much we love the folks in it. And Father, just thank you for that opportunity to have those kind of friends. Lord, as we come to the message tonight, I just pray that you might hide me behind the cross, help me to say the things that need to be said. And Father, as we look at some things in Peter's life, Lord, help us to glean those things in our own life for use in our own life. And Father, we'll thank you for it. Just open every heart, open every mind, Lord, to what is being said tonight, Father. And we look forward to just getting together with the Lord's Supper, Lord. And Father, thank you. We love you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Now, we're going to just look at Peter real quick. But as verse 9 says, We've got to remember that there are many scriptures that Jesus prophesied when he walked with his disciples, they really did not understand. So really, number one, after the resurrection, but also after the ascension. Probably not even some months or maybe even a year or two, really understanding what Jesus Christ said was going to happen. Tying the Old Testament scriptures into the New Testament scriptures. In verse 10, Then the disciples went away again, and look at this, unto their own home. I really think, and we're gonna zero in on Peter, but I think it happened to the other disciples, but Peter seems to be the leader of the apostles. He went home, they went home unto their own home. In other words, they went back alone, no fellowship, We see in the next chapter there was some fellowship, but I really think Peter and the rest of the disciples, but Peter as we're dealing with him, really had a struggle with what went on, with Jesus Christ's death, with the resurrection, and what was going to happen. Now put yourself in that place. You're going to the garden, you walk with Jesus Christ for three and a half years. Peter believes that he is the Lord. He believes that he is the Son of God. Yet when he goes to the garden, they take him captive. Can you imagine the apostles looking at their Lord with his hands behind his back, let's say in handcuffs. How would you feel? You've seen him raise people from the dead. You've seen people, you've seen Jesus Christ raise people from the dead. You've seen Jesus Christ heal people up. Yet here he is being led away by someone. They don't know what's going on. They're confused, they're scared. Peter denies the Lord three times. You remember that. Now, go to John chapter 21, and I really believe that something happened to Peter between the denial of Jesus Christ and Acts chapter two. Because Acts chapter two, man, when Peter's preaching, he's a preacher. And there are many people that get saved, but there's something that happens between that denial of Jesus Christ and Acts chapter two. And I really think looking at some of these points and some of the things that Peter went through, I think we can identify with him and hopefully we can learn some things. Now, John chapter 21, take a look at verse one. It says, after these things, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. Now, at the end of John chapter 20, he has already shown himself at least once to the disciples. Verse two, there were together Simon Peter and Thomas Calderimus and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go fishing. They say unto him, we also go with thee. They went forth and entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing. I think I see Peter as dazed and confused, looking at his life and saying, what's gonna happen? What's going on? I don't think he questions that Jesus Christ is The Lord but he just can't figure out what's happening even with all the things Jesus has told him You know, what was going to happen is crucifixion that his death and that they really don't understand that So, you know what Peter does he does what he knows best to do he goes fishing. I I mean, he's a fisherman. Listen, I've seen people, and I'm gonna tell you, I've been there, I haven't walked away, I've never really walked away from God in the sense of, you know, I'll see the Lord, I've had enough, and gone for a year. I've never done that, praise the Lord. But I'll tell you what, I think Peter is almost at that point. Christianity has kind of disappointed me. It's not what I expected. It's not what I wanted to happen. And he goes fishing. Now, what I'd like you to see is how merciful and how compassionate God is. because he takes Peter by the hand and he restores him. Listen, there'll be times when you and I will walk away from God. And I'm not talking about quitting church, I'm not talking about giving up your standards and not reading your Bible, but there are times where you get discouraged and you say, man, why did this happen to me? Why is it my health that's failing? Why is it my job that is lost? Listen, it's all under God's control. It's all under his control. But I believe something happened to Peter between Peter's denial and Acts chapter two that changed his life forever. He slips back into the old habits, he goes a fishing, because that's what he knows. That's what he knows. Now, I think we can learn some things from Peter's transformation. And if you take a look at John chapter 21, Look at verse four, as we read in verse three, that night they caught nothing. Verse four, but when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, children, have ye any meat? They answered him, no. And he said unto them, cast the net, on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find they cast therefore, now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." Now, keep your hand there. Let's go to Luke chapter 5, but keep your hand there. We'll go back there very quickly. Luke chapter 5. And I believe what Jesus is doing here, it's a gentle reminder to Peter what he has been through for the last three and a half years to get him to remember some of the things that happened that pointed to Jesus Christ being the Son of God. I think we need to do that at times. Sometimes we forget. You're in the midst of troubles and you say, Lord, where are you? He's here. He's always there. He wants to help you. He wants to take care of you, but he's putting you through some things so that you will get closer to him. That's a hard thing when you're going through it, isn't it? It is. Now, Luke chapter five. And look at verse four. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draft. And Simon answering said unto him, master, we have toiled all the night. and have taken nothing. Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes and their net break. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Now, you know this account. If you go back to John chapter 21, you know this account. I mean, these are professional fishermen. They cast those nets out and they get nothing. And here comes Jesus. And he says, listen, put him over on that side. A professional fisherman. And Peter's standing there going, Jesus, I know you're God, but I'm a fisherman. Isn't that what we do? Hey, I've gone through this before, God. Can you really help me? I think I can do this just as well as you can. When things happen in our lives, we always have, the first thing we do is A, B, C, D, and then E is usually, oh, that's right, I gotta pray about this, right? It's always the last thing. Now look at John chapter 21. Verse 5 again, Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Now, I really think Jesus did this As we read in Luke, you know what happened. Jesus told them to cast the net in a certain place. And Jesus did this so that Peter could see their lack of power. professional fishermen, and they still couldn't catch anything. Man, they had the radar, they had the sonar, they had the calendar when the fish are biting, and they still couldn't catch any fish. And you know what, Jesus is making a point, cast it on this side, I know where they are. I created them, I put them in there, they listen to me. You want money, go catch a fish, open his mouth, amen? I think he's showing Peter his lack of power. Jesus uses the same miracle to remind them of the lack of their own power. Listen, sometimes we got to be reminded of that. We think, you know, especially the older you get, you think, I mean, I've done this 20 times, I can do this. And then you get in the middle of a project or in the middle of something, and you say, how do I, I can't remember, how do we do it? This is different than I've done before. You know, I should have read the instructions. I mean, that's usually the last thing that we say. But I really think that by showing Peter where those fish were, he reminded Peter who had the power, who had that power. Now, just as an illustration, most of you know I still drive Uber and Lyft, and I do enjoy it. But I tell you what, you're at the mercy of Uber. Now, it's not really Uber. It's the mercy of God. Because I don't know who I'm going to pick up. I mean, I take my phone. I start the application. And I say, go. In other words, I'm online. And I start driving out of the driveway. And all of a sudden, it goes ping. You have a call so many minutes away. You're picking up that person, the name of that person, and GPS. And I follow the GPS. Now, I'm at the mercy of God, and I know that. I'm gonna tell you, I've prayed a lot more recently when I drive Uber than I ever have, because I don't know where I'm going. I'm there to obviously make some money, so I don't wanna just spin my wheels. So Lord, give me safety in driving. Help me to pick up the people that I'm supposed to pick up and take care of it. He's the one that's in power. I have no idea where I'm going. And sometimes we have to remind ourselves or be reminded, even if it's a gentle reminder, that we don't have our own power. The older I get, the more I realize there is nothing in here that I can do without God. Now look at verse 7 of chapter 21, verse 7. that disciple whom Jesus loved says unto Peter, it is the Lord. Now, when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he grew his vicious coat unto him, for he was naked, and did cast himself into the sea. You know the second thing I see? Let me ask the question. Why didn't he recognize the Lord? John's the one that recognized him. Why didn't Peter say, man, it's the Lord? Remember when he did that in Luke? he didn't recognize the Lord. Because he's, and I don't even wanna say backslidden, I will say he's out of contact with God. He's not walking with him the way he should be. And I believe Jesus is trying to bring him back, he's trying to give him a gentle reminder. First of all, Peter, you ain't got the power to catch fish. And I just wanna prove that to you. And then, the reminder of his lack of focus. Why didn't he recognize him? Remember in Matthew 14, it says, but when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried, saying, Lord, save me. I mean, he certainly lost his power, and he certainly lost his focus on God. I mean, he was walking water. He could have walked for a second, three seconds. I don't know how long he walked. It doesn't say that. But as soon as that thunder struck and he went, ha, he was going down. And the Lord saved him just like that. A reminder of his lack of focus. Now, why would God remind him? Because he wants Peter back to the condition he was in before he denied him. He knows that Peter is confused. He knows that Peter is just trying to figure out the situation, and he's trying to bring him back. And it's a gentle reminder to bring him back to him. Listen, God does that to us all the time. We are so prone to fall astray, to walk astray, and walk away from Him. Even in the most simple way, you get busy with what you're doing. And all of a sudden you realize, oh, hey, I haven't prayed today, I haven't read the Bible today, I haven't been in contact with God today. You can't do that. Stay close to Him, because He wants you close to Him. Look at John chapter 21, look at verse nine. Let's read verse eight. And the other disciples came in a little ship, for they were not far from land, but as it were 200 cubits, dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon and bred. So Jesus had fish ready, he had a fire ready, had some bread, and you know what he wanted to do? He wanted to feed them. You know what I see? It's a reminder of Peter's lack of commitment or faithfulness to the Lord. When was the last time you saw Peter at a fire? it was when they were trying Jesus. And what did he do? He denied them three times. It just seems like these gentle reminders, Jesus is doing this so that he reminds Peter, Peter, do you remember what you did there? Peter, do you remember when I was there and helped you out? Do you remember that, Peter? He's reminding him so that he can get back to him. There were two fires, let me just read John 18, it says, and the servants and officers stood there who made a fire of coals, for it was cold and they warmed themselves, and Peter stood with them and warmed himself. Beware of the world's fire, that gets you nice and warm. because it sucks you in. And you're standing there by the world and you're warming your hands and somebody says, hey, aren't you a Christian? I saw you going to that church. Oh, not me, no, no. Listen, we all have that in us. We all have that in us. I remember the first time I was tested when I was saved. I got saved on a Thursday night, made a profession of faith Sunday. I went to work on Monday morning, and we had our meeting. We had about four or five guys just sitting around talking about the jobs. And we're discussing the jobs, and this guy's cursing over here, and this guy's cursing over there. And it was just amazing. And I'm sitting there saying, man, listen to that language. Same language I used three, four days ago. And I'm sitting here, and I didn't know what to say. I couldn't tell him to shut up, because I was the same way three, four days ago. Now, I got a chance to tell him that I got saved, and I ain't doing that anymore. I'm not talking like that anymore. But I tell you what, the shock of that really put me in shock. And I had to find out, how do I act? What do I say? I asked the preacher, I said, what do you do in a situation like that? But I tell you what, you stay away from the world's coals, and you'll be better off. Again, it's a gentle reminder to Peter that when he was at that fire, he started going astray. I'm building a fire right now, I want you to come in. Come back to me, Peter, come back. Look at verse 13. Jesus then cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. Now, go back to verse 12. It says, Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord. There's still They knew it was the Lord, but they're afraid to ask him. They're still confused about really what's going on. Verse 13, Jesus then cometh and taketh bread and giveth them and fish likewise. The last thing I see is a reminder of the Lord's compassion and mercy. He wants you to feed on his word. He wants to feed you, and many times, We get too busy in the morning to read. Listen, I make it a point, especially driving Uber, man, I try to get out there by six o'clock or even earlier sometimes, and I'm not awake. I'm not a morning person. I have to, ugh, wake up. But I've got to read, even if it's a chapter in the Bible, even if it's just Proverbs, I've got to focus back on who's got the power and who's taking care of this thing. He wants to feed you. Sometimes we go hungry, we shouldn't go hungry. Listen, you can't just be fed on a Sunday. I mean, you get three messages on Sunday, you get a message on Wednesday night, and it's still not enough to keep you going sometimes. We need to get that hunger up, and God wants to feed us. He wants the fellowship. I mean, he's prepared it, and he wants to feed you. Now, look at verse 15. It says, so when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my lambs. Saith unto him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things. Thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep. This is such a great picture and a reminder of the Lord's forgiveness. He asks him three times, do you love me? And Peter says, yes, feed my lambs, feed my sheep. How many times did he deny him? Three times. It's just a gentle reminder of what Peter had done wrong, but he wants him back. He wants him in fellowship. Isn't that the way our Lord Jesus Christ is? You know what the problem is when you walk away from God or you backslide or you give up or you just, are too busy, and sometimes we say, oh man, I'm so far from God, can I get back? You can always get back to God. And Jesus Christ wants you in fellowship, he wants to feed you, and he'll give you these gentle reminders. You know why? Because he loves you. Because he wants you in fellowship with him. That's my God. Thank the Lord that he is that way. He wants to forgive. He's not just willing, but he's anxious to forgive. First John 1.9 says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Listen, we've got the Lord's table tonight. It's a monument to what Jesus Christ did for you and I. Broke his body, shed his blood for us. He wants to fellowship with us. That's one thing he has established for us to be able to remember what he has done for us. God is a merciful God, and I believe that God, through these scriptures, is reminding us tonight that he's loving, he's gentle, he's merciful, and that he takes care of us. He wants us close to him. This morning, a preacher talked about judges and that circle, you know? We go through that circle all the time in our lives. Sometimes we're close, sometimes we're far from God, and he brings us back. We're constantly in a valley and a mountaintop, always just like this. But he wants you close to him. He wants to forgive you, he wants you close to him, and he wants to feed you. Praise the Lord for that. I thank the Lord that he is that kind and merciful to me. I'm glad he is not a man, because there are things that you and I would do that would certainly not be God-like. Somebody hurt you, you know what the Lord would do? He'd forgive them. You know what we do? God will take care of you. God is a merciful God. God's a loving God. Let's just give him the honor and glory and worship him the way we need to worship him. Amen? Amen. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Preacher, if you'd come. Lord, you are a wonderful God. Lord, you're a merciful God. And Lord, we see these pictures. If Peter can go through what he went through, we certainly could. Father, I've seen many, many Christians over the years just walk away from You and never come back. Father, we go through it probably on a daily basis in one form or another. Help us, Lord, to return to You. Help it to be a gentle reminder to come back to You and to realize that You are the Son of God. You are God Himself manifest in the flesh. Father, we'll thank You for that. And Lord, as we come to the Lord's Supper, help us, Lord, to examine our hearts, to take this bread and wine, and just enjoy it. Realize what you have done for us, Father. I will thank you for it, in Jesus' precious name. Amen, amen.