Gone Fishing
“Jesus Restores Us”
John 21

“After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’” –John 21:1-3 

Jesus was supposed to crush the Romans
Sea of Tiberias was a reminder of Rome’s power
Reign over Israel 
But he died, and rose again, and then left.

“They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” –John 21:3

Luke 5:1-11

“And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.“ –Luke 5:4-6 

“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’” –John 21:4-5 
	
You can be skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable and still be empty without Jesus.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” –Jesus, John 15:5

Life in Jesus leads to purpose for Jesus. 
Before Jesus: to please myself
After Jesus: to please Him 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” –2 Corinthians 5:17 

Boat = anything you return to for identity, comfort or control 

What is your boat? 
Sin patterns, addictions, compromises 
Work
Family or friends 
Hobbies or escapes

Going back to your boat leads to empty nets.

“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.” –John 21:9-11

Charcoal fire
ἀνθρακιὰ (anthrakia) in Greek
John 18 – Peter denies Jesus
John 21 – Jesus restores Peter 

When we’ve gone fishing, Jesus welcomes us back to the shore.

Easter is about the empty tomb. John 21 is about the empty boat.
Easter shows us what Jesus did. John 21 shows us what Jesus does.

Jesus is waiting to fill your nets!