Recap
Title: This Is Your Time For Restoration
Series: Discovering The Real Jesus
Key Text: John 21
Key Message:
As we conclude our series on 'Discovering the Real Jesus', we come to the final chapter of John’s gospel, where we see that the disciples of Jesus also needed great restoration.
After the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus the disciples had run away and lost their way. They were shaken up and confused because what they had expected to happen had not happened and what they never imagined would happen had happened. They had been plunged into darkness and sadness as they saw their beloved Messiah, teacher and friend, hanging bloodied and beaten on a Roman cross. They went into hiding from the world and were in no condition to change the world.
And despite twice discovering for themselves that Jesus was risen from the dead, they had gone back to their familiar world of fishing. And they had caught absolutely nothing. We pick up the story in John 21:1-5. Despite their empty nets, this was the moment that their restoration began.
Restored in our vision for multitudes (John 21:6-11)
Restored in our experience of the love of Jesus (John 21:9-14)
Restored in our calling to serve Jesus (John 21:15-17)
Apply
Restored in our vision for multitudes
Jesus later told them to feed the multitudes with the bread from heaven and to take His message throughout the world. John 21:6-11.
For three years the Disciples had seen great crowds of people touched by the ministry of Jesus. When the crucifixion happened, they felt all alone, and their vision of the multitudes was no more. But here post resurrection on the shores of Galilee, Jesus showed them once more that they could have a very big catch when they trusted and obeyed him.
Jesus wants us to focus on inviting many to the great banquet of the kingdom of God but often, as in the parable in Luke 14, we find we are too busy with other things, like business or family matters. Right from the Old Testament starting in Genesis, God shows that His heart is for increase and fruitfulness. He wants us to be people of faith with a limitless, not limited, vision of great numbers of people coming into the family of God. Genesis 15:5
In our story here the disciples needed quickly needed a renewed vision because their moment of ministering to the masses was at hand. For, within a few weeks, they would stand up before a vast international crowd and 3,000 would be added to the church in one day. So there needed to be a rapid transition from their own personal pain and self-focus.
This is a time to have a new vision of many people coming to salvation. This is a time to see many great new churches established all over our cities and towns.
Have you had your focus taken away from reaching out to the multitudes? Come to God and experience the fulness of life.
Restored in our experience of the love of Jesus
In the past the disciples had experienced many special times with Jesus. But now they needed to come closer to Him. After all the stresses and strains, they had endured, they needed bringing back to the basics of personal fellowship with Jesus. John 21:9-14
They needed just to be with Jesus. They needed to receive from Him.
It’s always important to always have a fresh encounter with the Lord. There are particular times, however, when even the greatest servants of God need a new encounter with the Lord.
Elijah, for instance, was burnt out and depressed after his powerful showdown with the prophets of Baal. He needed to sense the presence of God in a new way and to hear ‘the still small voice of God’ to give him new perspective and future direction. There were times when the apostle Paul needed an angel to encourage him. Maybe you feel burnt out or heavily burdened right now.
Are you worrying, anxious or afraid? Do you need restoration in your heart to know the love of Jesus?
Restored in our calling to serve Jesus
John 21:15-17. For the Christian, there is nothing is more basic than this question that Jesus asked; do you really love Jesus? When Peter answered that He really did, then the Lord told him that his love for God should translate into him loving people.
Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, was calling for Peter and his disciples to be under shepherds, to feed the sheep, to show the love of God to people, to nourish them with the Word of God, to look after them with practical care and constant prayer.
This is a time when we need to see a great spiritual restoration throughout world and in this nation. And it all begins in our hearts when we have our vision restored, our hearts restored and calling restored to feed all who God has entrusted to our care. Let’s pray.
