Sermon on 19 April 2020 by Paster Paul Lee
Introduction
“Come and have some breakfast” was what Jesus said to His disciples when he appeared to them for the third time after His resurrection.
Message
Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 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. - John 21:1-7
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. - John 21:10-14
1. Jesus wants to have close fellowship with us
“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. - John 21:12
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” - Revelation 3:20
Normally, master and slave do not come together for a meal. But our Lord Jesus desires to have close fellowship with us. If you hear His voice, open the door of your heart. Jesus will come in and have fellowship with you.
How can we open the door of our heart to Him? Walk in the light and stay away from sin. Don’t do things that displease God.
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practising the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:5-7
We need to walk in the light and practise the truth.
2. Jesus came to serve others
When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them – fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. - John 21:9
Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. - John 21:13
Although Jesus is the master, he came to serve.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a random for many. - Matthew 20:28
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”- Galatians 5:13-14
We are to serve one another in love, just as Jesus came to serve others. We should share each other’s burden. Let us do good unto everyone.
3. The word of God is alive and powerful
Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. - John 21:6
The word of God is alive and powerful. The disciples had difficulty in catching fish all night, but when Jesus instructed them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, they obeyed and a miracle happened. The disciples were hauling more than 70kg of fish while the net was still intact. Only God can do this. The word of God is powerful.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. - Hebrews 4:12
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. - Isaiah 55:11
When God’s word is sent out, His plan will be accomplished. We need to listen and obey the Lord’s command. His words will never pass away. His words give us life and hope.
Closing
The Lord provides. In the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus gave thanks, and multiplied the five loaves and two fishes that were available, to provide for all. Man does not rely on food, but on God’s word. Feed upon God’s word daily. Do them. (Matthew 4:4). Then He will make us fishers of men and share the gospel. (Mark 1:17).
Let us obey His commands. Be the salt and light of the earth.