April 10 Native American Ministries Sunday; Psalm 30, John 21.1-18 “Feed My Sheep” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

This morning’s text begins with the words “after these things.” [ slide # 1 after these things] We immediately ask ourselves, “after what things.” The chapter before tells us that Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb and found it empty.[ slide # 2 Empty tomb]Jesus, who had risen from the dead, found his disciples hiding behind closed doors, fearing for their lives. The Roman government in cooperation with the Chief Priests had executed Jesus and they would surely come after the disciples, now that his body was missing.

The government had sealed the tomb and set up two Roman guards [slide # 3 Roman Guards] so that his disciples could not steal the body and then claim that he had risen from the dead. In spite of all their efforts, they could not prove that Jesus had not risen.

How about you? Can you prove that Jesus did not rise from the dead? Biblically, historically, psychologically, or spiritually we believe Jesus rose from the dead!

“After these things” John writes, the sweetest things happen. The disciples went fishing together, which was sweet; it was great male bonding, but then everything went wrong that could go wrong. They spent the whole night and did not catch any fish. No fish. No results.[slide # 4 disciples in boat at night] Well, that is most undesirable. That is cause for quitting. No fish is like having no money, no food, no friends, no satisfaction, no help, no results, no job. [slide # 5 head down]They worked all night long and had nothing to show for it, even though they were together. How discouraging is that? [slide # 6 discouragement Satan’s tool]

At the break of day, they heard someone calling from the shore. “Children, you have no fish, have you?” [slide # 7 Jesus on the shore]How many times has someone asked you if you have any results, a good outcome, or money, or members? When have you been asked, “How are things going?” by others following up when they know things haven’t gone well. Things may not be any better or they may even be worse than ever. Sometimes bad news is all we have at the moment. “Children you have no fish, have you?”

On the other hand, how many times have you heard Jesus speaking to us while we are out in the depths? When things were at their worse? How many times have we heard Jesus’s direction:  ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find what you are working for.’  [slde # 8 Jesus on shore, again ]

Good stuff is always on the right side. [slide # 9 Jesus with  lots of fish] Think about a situation in your life or the life of a loved one where there is a struggle, where everything that is tried leaves you feeling like you’ve worked long and hard and you still get nothing out of it. You get no results. Nothing you do seems to work out. None of your fervent prayers lead to the answer for which you are looking.

That is the time to ask yourself if you are on the right side of the boat. Are you on the right track or did you get off track somewhere along the way? [slide # 10 stay on track] A time of struggle is a time to make sure you are on the right track so the journey can be as smooth and safe as possible. Whenever you are struggling through the night and getting no results is a time to listen and hear as Jesus tells you what next steps to take.

The next steps always involve others because whatever God has for us, it involves somebody working together. None of us can steer the boat, cast the net, and pull all those blessing to shore on our own. It only happens with unity and togetherness. We count our blessings, and we can name them one by one. We would rather not count the blessings that we forfeit when we cannot stick together in unity. [slide # 11 unity]

Alter the crucifixion, Peter and the disciples go about their normal lives; Jesus shows up suddenly and feeds them breakfast. [slide # 12 breakfast with Jesus] I enjoy hearing so many of you talk about your breakfast rituals. I hear, “my husband makes blueberry pancakes on Sundays,” “my wife fixed a special omelet for me this morning” or “Mom made a chocolate chip smiley face on my waffles,” [slide # 13 waffles] “I ate four apples and two bananas for breakfast” or “I start each day with a bowl of oatmeal for me and my children.” We are fond of the fellowship that we have around breakfast or coffee hour or special church dinners.

Psychologically, we are convinced that the Lord is with us during those times. Biblically, we read that he is with us always. Historically, we hear again and again the old, old story of Jesus’ loving presence with us. Spiritually, we are inspired to draw near in faithful fellowship, serving one another and serving our God. He IS alive! [slide # 14 He is Alive]

There are still those days when our best efforts leave us empty-handed. We know we need a miracle. We pray for miracles, but we forget that miracles come when we are together, when we have prepared in the light of day together and worked through the darkness of the night together. [Slide # 15 working together on nets]

We really want the miracles and the money and the might to just roll into our lives and sit at our feet, but as we well know, miracles come with blood, sweat, and tears. Sacrifice, hard work, and some grief over having to make a change are a part of any miracle.

Are you ready for a miracle? Let’s ask ourselves, what sacrifice I can pray about making in that area of my life, or the life of a loved one, or the life of our church where the desired results are not happening. [slide # 16 Jesus walking on sand] What work can I pray about accomplishing where nothing seems to be going well? What grief, sorrow, or sadness will be mine if I venture out into the deep and follow Jesus’ direction? [slide # 17 at the cross]

When we ask, the Lord always provides enough physical or spiritual food to feed each little lamb and enough love to love every one of the sheep and enough strength to feed the weakest and most ornery of all the sheep. If and when we ask.

Jesus is clear with us as he was clear with Peter in verse 18, there are times that the journey with Jesus ‘takes you where you do not wish to go.’ And, if you have been on this journey long enough, you have already allowed the Holy Spirit to lead you to places you did not want to go! It seemed too hard, too much, to sad, but you knew you were being led there, and you knew the end result would bring glory to God and blessings to many.

When we are with Jesus, we are used to letting the good times roll. [slide # 18 let the good times roll] There are plenty of good times; there are also times when we learn to roll with the punches. [slide # 19 keep calm…] Are you ready for a miracle in a place where nothing seems to be going well? [slide # 20 Lord, I need a miracle] May today be the day of miracles in one of your places of struggle. Amen. [slide # 21 God will not…]      [slide # 22 He Lives]