Begin Again

Message Transcription

I like to fashion myself as a handyman. Bear with me on this one. I grew up in San Antonio on about 11 acres or so. I can't really call it a farm or a ranch. It really wasn't either of those things. My father is an attorney. My mom was a schoolteacher for a long, long time. Worked as my dad's office manager for the rest of her working career. But he liked to fix things. He was an older oldest child. Both his parents worked. My grandfather was in the army. My grandmother worked as a civilian nurse in the Army hospital, So he often had to make dinner and and fix things, kind of get things together for the family when he was a kid. So he kind of grew up fixing stuff that's just kind of in his nature. I picked that up somewhere along the way. I like to fix things. I like to figure things out. I don't really have an engineering mind, but I do enjoy learning about how things work. And so from time to time now, being a homeowner myself, I've loved to tinker with a few things. A couple of weeks ago, I got to tinker with a disposal. Kitchen sink. Disposal had never changed. One of those out before had a chance to do that. I wish I could tell you.

It only took me one shot, one uninstall, one reinstall, one trip to Home Depot and bada bing bought a boom. We got a new kitchen Disposer. It turns out it took a couple of trips to Home Depot. It took taking apart a few things that I didn't need to take apart that I didn't know, I didn't need to take apart until I'd taken them apart and then went, Oh, I didn't need to take that part. And I had to had to begin again. I had to start over. Have you had that experience before where you tried something out and lots of hope and optimism. It just didn't go the way you thought. Now, I am glad to tell you and my kids and wife will attest that that kitchen sink Disposer is still working. Joseph, so I don't have to call you over to to fix it. Right. But this little rhythm that I've gotten into of trying and then trying again, beginning and beginning again, has become so much a part of my handyman work around the house that it's actually factors into our conversations. When I say, Hey, I think I can fix that. How many how many Home Depot trips are we talking about here, Carl? Is it easier just to call in the professional now before it gets too much worse? Right.

But there's something about beginning and beginning again, this natural rhythm of life. The longer I've lived, the more I've realized That's actually kind of the way it goes. The way things have started have been built into the system, so to speak. I can't tell you how many home projects I've begun and then had to begin again at some point because I forgot something or I mis measured or miscalculated and I had to come back and and start all over again and again. My years of experience of doing this, it's it's really become part of life. In fact, I think it is the way things have have been built on purpose. It's not always easy, but if we're willing and we're open, what we find is that beginning again is not such a bad thing. It's actually a gift of grace. I think that's why I love this story in John 21 so much. If you have your Bible, invite you to turn over there. Melanie Read part of that and for us a couple of minutes ago, I want to start just a few verses earlier. We find the disciples and verse one afterward, we're told, John tells us. Afterward, Jesus appeared again to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way.

Simon Peter Thomas, also known as Didymus Nathaniel from Canaan, 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. You know, after Jesus death, I imagine the disciples didn't really know what to do with themselves. You know, grief has a way of doing that to us. It drives us back to the basics, just to the to the foundation of who we are and what's going on. Sometimes it's hard to think. It's hard to think critically. It's hard to to think rationally. We just we want to get back to something familiar, something that we do know. And so Peter is drawn back to something that he knows fishing. He knows how to do that. I don't know. Maybe he was looking for a break. He just needed a break from all the conversations happening around the room. Maybe he needed a break from from the emotions and the stress and all the thinking that had gone into the last few days. He wanted to get back to normal. Or maybe Peter was wondering why. He's going to wonder what they were going to do if Jesus really was gone, How was this going to make sense? How are they going to pay for the bills? How are they going to make a life for themselves? How are they going to pay for a ministry? Well, he knows how to fish.

And so he went back to the thing he knew could support them. Maybe. We don't know. In fact, we're not told why Peter went fishing. All we're told is that he did, and the other disciples said. Sounds like a plan. Let's do that. And then, as Jesus often does, he shows up in this unexpected way. Early in the morning, we're told verse four, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize 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 in the net because the large number of fish. I'm struck here that Jesus calls them friends. I think this is a remarkable think about how would you respond if the people closest to you in your life. They betrayed you. And they left you alone at the most important moment of your life, the most critical time. You were all by yourself. Jesus, says, "Friends. Have you caught anything?"

By my count, this is the third time Jesus has shown up after the resurrection. The first two times happened in John Early and and John 20 or actually halfway through John. Chapter 20. At the end of that first Easter Sunday, he appears there. The disciples are upstairs. They're in a locked room. They're they're terrified of what's going to happen to them, what the Jews might do, the religious leaders of the day, a Jesus appears, peace be with you.

An incredible experience, a very intimate conversation takes place and Jesus breathes on them. John tells us this wonderful image of intimacy and connection and empowering them. He breathes on them.

It's so amazing. In fact, they they go and tell Thomas, who was the only disciple who wasn't there. You're never going to believe what happened in his response was, you're right. I don't believe that happened unless I put my hand in his side. Unless I see those nail scars I'm not believing. And a week later.

It happens again. Jesus shows up. And what does he say? Thomas. Put your finger here. Take a look at these hands. In fact, reach out your hand and put it. Into my side. Stop doubting and believe.

At this incredible conversation. It's amazing. So why in the world would, after seeing Jesus twice now, would Peter say? I'm going fishing. I don't know the rest of you jokers are doing. I'm going fishing. Why would he return to this old habit? This old way of life. I guess that's a question we'll have to ask Peter one day to help us understand and explain. I have a couple of theories. I think there's a part of me that knows why, even though I don't know why, because it's really familiar to me. Have you ever been in a situation where you just don't understand, even though there have been some hints and some signs like this is where this is going, you still just can't quite understand it. There's something inside of me that kind of resonates with, I'm going to go fishing. Look, I don't really know how to I don't know how to connect all these dots. I don't know where this road is going. I don't know what this all means. I'm going to go back to something that I do know. Somewhere. I feel like I can be in control again. Where I can make a few decisions that I know will impact at least something. I think Peter returns to a familiar way. To a familiar path. But again, a question we'll have to ask him one day. But notice Jesus doesn't call them over to shore and just rip into them. Guys, come on. Seriously. This is the third time, man.

Doesn't that number mean anything to you? Guys? Want to Three, three days in the tomb, Like third visit. What are you doing? Fishing.

What is wrong with you? Right. Those are the thoughts that would be coming in my mind. Like what? Hmm. And yet Jesus doesn't.

Respond that way. Instead.

He asked his friends a question. Have you got anything? Has it worked out for you?

As a friend of mine and ministry back in Austin would say, How's that going for you? Any fish. No. Tell you what. Toss the net on the other side.

You'll find something there. It reminds me of the story back in Luke chapter five. Maybe you remember it. I can't help but think this this moment, this memory was on the minds of of especially Peter and John as this story in John 21 takes place. But you may remember the disciples, some of them before they were the disciples. The the disciples before they were disciples were fishermen, and their boats are kind of on the shore. And Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee and a crowd is gathering, and he's beginning to teach them and the crowd is pressing in. So he sees a couple of boats. One of them belongs to Peter before he's known as Peter was called Simon and he says, Simon, push out a little bit.

And so he does. Jesus gets in the boat. And he teaches.

And then we're told after he's done teaching. He says. Simon Once you push out into deeper water. Let's do a little fishing. And Peter says, Simon answered, Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.

Jesus, this is not going to work. Been here, done that. They're not biting today. But because you said so, I'll do it.

And when they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Their nets begin to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats so full that they began to speak sink, rather. And when Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus knees and he said, Get away from me, Lord, go away from me. I am a sinful man, for he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken. And so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, Don't be afraid. From now on. You will fish for people. Now, Peter's response? Lord, get away from me. You don't want to have anything to do with a guy like me. Someone like you does not belong around someone like me. Jesus says, Actually, you're just the kind of guy I'm looking for. Let's get to work. I can't help but wonder if that story was playing in the back of Peter's mind as this new occurrence in John 21 is unfolding. As he hears his friend John say, It's the Lord. Then Peter does what he often does. He acts without even really thinking about it. I picture that scene in in Forrest Gump where he just jumps out of the boat. Boat keeps going. He just jumps, right? Peter gets his his clothes, his tunic back on, and he dives into the water and swims back to shore, leaving his friends once again to to haul in the fish. Jesus as he does. He shows Peter. He shows them all that going back to their old habits. It's not going to bring the life back that they were thinking they had. Instead, they're going to have to learn to keep following, even in the midst of uncertainty. They're going to have to keep listening for Jesus voice and obey.

And respond even when they aren't sure. At church, perhaps that's the word you need to hear this morning as you face a new year that what lies ahead of you is uncertain and unknown. And the temptation for you is to go back to what you do know, to go back to what's familiar, to go back to what makes you feel more comfortable, to what's in your comfort zone. And maybe the word the challenge for you today is will you we keep following Jesus, keep listening for his voice. For some of us, that may mean we need to to redouble our connection. We need to step back into a life of connection with God and maybe returning to Bible class saying, God, I'm going to jump back into your Word to start listening more regularly to what you have to say. We've got a great series coming up in our Bible classes. Invite you to take a part in that. Two weeks from now, we're going to launch into a series on the Minor Prophets. Maybe for some of us it's leaning back into community, back into those relationships, to the people that we know, know us and love us and can hold us accountable. To ask us, why are we doing those things? Ask us that question. How's it going? How's that working out for you? Do you have any fish?

Maybe you want to try something different. Throw it on the other side. Maybe that's that's the response we need to hear. The word we need to hear is learning to listen again to Jesus. You know, when people are asked why they stopped doing their New Year's resolutions, who are my New Year's resolutions? People in the House today. Nobody's going to join me today. I'm the only one. I'm the only one. You guys.

I'm going to stop and pray for your souls right now because you're lying to me. So imagine if you were a New Year's resolution person, apparently. What do you think might be the most common reasons people blame for why they stopped doing the resolution? Most say it's lack of time. I just. I just ran out of time. There's just no time.

Others have said it's resources if I just had a little bit more. Some of us said motivation. I just kind of lost steam. Lost zeal. They lose a sense of purpose.

A vision. That vision begins to drift. Why I do what I do just isn't why I do it anymore. I wonder if that was part of the disciples problem, if that was part of Peter's problem. They were with Jesus every day, and so vision and mission were on the forefront of their minds. They couldn't escape it. He was constantly pointing them and drawing them and teaching them and moving them. He was healing and inviting them into that life. And so they were in it neck deep all the time. But then Jesus disappears and so things start to drift a little bit. Maybe they stop asking some of the questions that they want to ask. Sometimes grief as a way of overwhelming us in such a way that we can't see anything but what's immediately in front of us. And to get out of that, we think, well, I just got to get back to something I do know.

Even if it's a habit that doesn't help, at least it's something I can control. Or at least that's what I delude myself into thinking. They just start to drift. Church What are the old habits that you're tending to drift back into? Have you ever stopped and just kind of made a list of what are some of those things that that when I feel the drift, when I'm not connected to Jesus, when I'm not spending time with him and community of faith, What what do you go to? What's your fishing? Things you're tempted to pursue when your vision drifts. Perhaps that's a list you need to share with a trusted friend or two who can hold you accountable and kind of ask that question.

How's it going for you? Have you caught anything? I don't think so.

That's not that's not where life is found. Would you be willing to try another way? See, in spite of your failures, in spite of your betrayal, in spite of your returning to old habits, Jesus still considers you his friend. He still pursues you, just like he pursued the disciples on that beach that day, that that conversation with Peter that he embarks on. You know, sometimes that's enough for us to hear that call back to to that life that we know to reinstate that vision. For some of us, that may be enough. But for others like Peter, that's not enough. That's just not enough.

I think Jesus understood that. I think that's why after the the fish has been cooked and they've had breakfast, that Jesus says, Peter, let's go for a walk, buddy. Let's take a walk. And they begin, at least in my mind's eye, they begin walking down the beach. And they're talking. And Jesus again asks Peter this important question. You didn't call him Peter, though. He says. Simon. It's probably been three years since he'd been called Simon. Remember, when you get in trouble, what's your mama call you? All the names. Right? Karl Richard, get in here. I don't know if this was one of those moments so much as it was this reminder of Simon.

I know you, brother. Remember that day back in Luke five?

You remember that fishing experience? They ring any bells? Simon. Son of John.

Do you love me more than these? That's an important question.

That's a question I hope as a church we can wrestle with this next year. As we think about what do we love? Or maybe rather, who do we love? Because that question, it holds the key. It will determine the trajectory of our lives.

Do you love me Simon, son of John?

Do you love me more than these?

He asked them three times, of course, corresponding to the three times that that Peter said, I don't know this man. I don't know who you're talking about. I've never seen him before in my life. This it's this healing moment of him being able to face reality, to repent and confess.

Yeah, that was me. I was the one. And Jesus restores him back each time. Feed my sheep. Take care of my lambs. Feed my lambs.

Jesus asked this question Do you love me? And he invites them to return to those habits that actually lead to life. Those habits that he'd been sowing in him for the last three years. Life of discipleship. Don't. Don't walk.

Away. Just because it gets hard, Peter. It's going to get harder, brother.

Fact, I think that's why he tells him when you were younger, you dressed yourself and you went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will shrink. You will stretch out your hands and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.

Isn't that true?

Says Peter. Here are these habits that you are forming that you are participating in. It's bigger than just getting a star in your journal and the great book in heaven, right?

It's bigger than just being able to say, Yeah, I did it. I got my 5 minutes of quiet time in today. Said, Peter, you're forming a life. These habits are forming you. It's shaping what you love. Rather, it's shaping who you love. And based on that question, that answer to that question, that will that will change everything. Because one day you're you're going to be asked some things and you're not going to be able to to do your own thing, to go your own way, to make your own decisions. Somebody else is going to be leading the way and you're going to have to respond. You're just going to have to deal with it, brother. How are you going to respond then? Would you be willing to? Is there anything left after that? I once again, that's maybe I can't help, but just in my own experience, feel that pointing us back to this grief process that we've been walking through, it has a way of stripping away all the fluff.

All the stuff you thought really mattered. Then when you come face to face with reality, all of a sudden now you ask, What am I? What's my. What am I doing? Who am I? What is this all about?

Is there anything more than this? See, Jesus is inviting Peter back.

Hey, let's begin again. Let's begin again.

Let's start with these this process.

Peter, do you love me? And if so, feed my sheep. Do you love me? Then take care of my lambs.

Peter, do you love me? Feed my lambs.

I think Peter's feeling the weight of that, that things have been stripped away and his temptation, his desire to want to run away from that. He's feeling the weight of that as as much as I have in these last couple of weeks feeling the weight of those questions.

And so Peter does what I do. He goes. What about that guy? Let's get the focus off me for a minute, please.

What about him?

And Jesus doesn't say, Uh, pal. Right here. You and me, buddy. This is right. He doesn't do that. Which is what I would have done if I were him. Right. Instead, he says. If I want him.

To keep living, he'll live. What's that to you? You follow me?

Maybe that's the question we need to to hear, or maybe the statement that we need to wrestle with.

Will you follow me?

Will you not base it upon anybody else? Yeah, but.

But if you listen to the way that those people talk. Follow me. Yeah. Have you read.

The material that these folks are putting out? Like, have you listened to the bill that they're trying to get crammed through Congress? Have you?

Follow me. Follow me. Do you love me? Follow me.

In just a moment, we're going to sing a song, an anthem to our love for Jesus precious cornerstone. Sure foundation.

My hope and prayer is a moment when Gary and the team stand up and lead us in that song, that we would allow that to be our hearts cry. Our answer to that question Do you love me? Church Do you love me? Broadway Do you love me?

God, You know we love you. There. May we embrace that opportunity? To begin again.

To say no matter what has happened in our past, no matter what went down in 2022, no matter the failures or the mistakes, the ways that we betrayed even our commitments to ourselves and to the one we love the most. Jesus says.

Friends. How's it going for you? Would you be willing to begin again? And follow me.

Father, may we may we have the courage to face that opportunity to begin again today.

Would you help us, Father?

Would you help us to stand before you just the way Peter did on that day on the beach? Would you give us courage to to listen to those questions? Would you give us courage to feel that spirit nudge in us to to identify the habits and the things that will draw us further away from you, even though they may be comfortable and even though some of them may not even be bad things and maybe.

Just fine. But. But they're not you. They don't lead us into a deeper hope and trust and faith in you. They don't lead us in such a way that in those moments when our souls are laid bare and we have to come face to face with the reality of our lives and our own existence.

They don't teach us. That no matter what. Not even death. Can separate us from your love. And nothing can separate us. That even.

Death is an opportunity to begin again. Oh, God. May This year, 2023. May be a moment here January 1st so we get a chance to begin again. To come back to those things that we know. To be true, to lean more fully into them.

God, would you call us in to your presence and help us with courage to go? Sometimes to speak, but maybe more often than.

Just to listen.

God. Would you give us courage.

To obey you? When you tell us to stop doing what we're doing.

To throw the net on the other side.

Of the boat, God, would you give us the courage to to throw it on the other side?

During those moments when we come face to face with the deep truths, the.

Meaning of life. That question. Who do we love? Or would you help us to live in such a way that that our.

Lives and our hearts are.

Shaped to answer you, Jesus.

You are a precious.

Cornerstone. You are our sure foundation. You are the one upon which we can build our lives.

Father, thank you. That we don't have to walk this road alone. Thank you. That we don't have to face these things alone. But you call us to live together in community. So, Father, thank you for the Broadway family. Would you help us to be family to each other?

Now we pray in Jesus name. Amen.