Cookout on the Beach

Pt. Dave Kenney

Luke 5 : 1-11 (NLT)

Why did John write John?

John 20:30-31 (NLT)
He had a reason / purpose :

• How many miracle in the book of John? NONE. He recorded it as signs, and only 7 signs - would believe the Son of Messiah.
• Three books he wrote together? He isn't trying to cover what the others are writing. E.q Last Supper. He wrote it differently. It helps to see who Jesus is but different from what others has covered.

What has happened just before this event? The disciples had gone to Jerusalem and had experienced in less than 6 weeks a tumultuous series of events :

• The Triumphal Entry - start from Lazarus' death, then Palm day
• the expectation of a new kingdom
• a betrayal by a trusted friend
• near arrest
• denial of Jesus by their leader Peter
• the agonizing crucifixion of Jesus - He let the Roman catches Him
• the Resurrection
• and the appearances of the risen Lord

Many Bible shcolars believe that Chapter 21 was written later as kind of an epilogue by John. It is not wrong or unspiritual to believe this.

¹ Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. ² Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

³ Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

• Jesus showed up but not for many people. He didn't go back and get revenge from Pontius Pilatus :)
• Peter still has influence

Back to finishing

⁴ At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. ⁵ He called out, “Fellows have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

⁶ 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.

⁷ Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. ⁸ The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. ⁹ When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

Where have we seen this before?

Why did Jesus do miracles twice?
Wants to remind them that He still has control on their calling as a "fisherman" - common used by teachers to their disciples, not only Jewish but also Romans.
He was using the same common language that they understood.

¹⁰ “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

¹² “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. ¹³ Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. ¹⁴ This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

Jesus' attitude (been executed, humiliated, and raised) is now serving breakfast :
He is still living up, aboutbeing great in God's Kingdom, serving others. Not trying to look important.

How about us? Do we serve, or we expect to be served?
What about the attitude that we have? [clip : the denial of Jesus by Simon Peter]

¹⁵ After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

¹⁶ Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

¹⁷ A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

¹⁸ “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Seem to be three things here

First - We all been called as "fisher of man"
Love God, Love Others, and Reachout for others

Second - Peter has been totally faithfull, even with all this waving. Peter has been totally unstable, but turned out to be the Rock till the end. Crucified upside down!
John wrote to showed that Peter has been trully restored to Jesus. NOT once, twice. BUT three times. Has been totally forgiven.
This denial part will be forgiven by grace!

Thirdly - Peter thinks he loves Jesus more then any disciples. Turn out not so true! :) The truth of love isn't in the boasting, but in the doing!

²⁰ Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved (john)—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” ²¹ Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

²² Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” ²³ So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

²⁵ Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

Why did John write this?

• wants to clear the rumour.
• The nature of human / Peter - v.21 , always live our life compares to others. What about comparing to HIM? Try to loive our journey according to HIS.
• John got to clear the rumour because he is getting older and people is expecting Jesus to come soon.

Applicaitons:
we have all been called to be a fisher of man

IES is a harvest church - make disciples of Jesus everywhere

Do you serve or do you expect to be served?
Are you an asset of the Kingdom of God or an deficit?

You may be sinned many times, but Jesus is looking for people who is willing to fish for men and feed the lambs.

Don't compare yourself with others.

Focus on being ready and being busy for the Kingdom (NOW)

Supplemental Material
John 21 : 15-17
Many commentaries point out that, in this conversation, two different words are used for "love". In His questions in John 21:15-16, our Lord used agape, which is the Greek word for the highest kind of love, sacrificing love, divine love. Peter always used phileo, which is the love of friend for friend, fondness for another. In John 21:17, Jesus and Peter both used phileo.
However, it is doubtful that we should make too much of an issue over this, because two words are often used interchangeably in the Gospel of John. In John 3:16, God's love for man is agape love; but in John 16:27, it is phileo love. The Father's love for His Son is agape love in John 3:35 but phileo in John 5:20.
Christians are supposed to love one another. In John 13:34, this love is agape love; but in John 15:19, it is phileo love. It would be appear that John used two words as synonyms, whatever fine distinctions there might have been between them. The Bible Exposition Commentary

The Second Donkey

Pt. Dave Kenney

Matthew 17:24-27 (NIV)
²⁴After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

²⁵"Yes, he does," he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?"

²⁶"From others," Peter answered.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. ²⁷"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

********

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Yes, he does," he replied.

Capernaum

Peter's real name is Simon.
Capernaum is a small city, head city of fishing field. Most of the disciples originate came from Batsyeba [means house of fishing] : Simon, James, John, Matthew, Philip, Nathaniel.. 7(12).
Jesus is the living in Capernaum.
That's why the question pop out.

Temple Tax

a voluntarily tax - every non slave through out Mediterian will sent it.
Rome conquered and destroyed the temple, but keep the tax system but sent it to Rome.
That's why they are questioning Jesus' on paying taxes.

Peter is always quick in giving answer.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own sons or from others?"
"From others," Peter answered.

Taxes are from others to the King, not the king to the King.
"I don't have to pay cause I am the SON." Not obligated.

Simple Parable - Jesus give answers to Peter.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. ²⁷"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Matthew 17: 27 (NIV)

Jesus wants to do it because He doesn't want to offend others.

• What kind of fish is this?
• it might have been a tilapia [also called St. Peter's fish]

• 

• The coins came out - this is one out of two stroy that don't have result.
• Only Peter's tax was paid. Why? Because Peter is older. Jesus was 30. The others is under 20 years old.

So why this story became important? Why did the Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to tell this story?

1. Jesus is God's son - check out the parable about King and Son.

2. Jesus uses His power
Jesus knows what's going on.
miracle with the coin [pix of coins eating fish]
It was at the right time, right coins : Miracle!
Jesus' miracle is the same kind of miracle. When He says something, it actually happens!

3. Jesus has total control.

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
[they didn't bring him to be repent, but to get him healed]
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say,'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on eart to forgive sins..." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." ANd the man got up and went home. WHen the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 9:1-8

it's easier to say "your sins are forgiven" - everyone can say, coz there's no evidence.
That's why then Jesus decide to say 'Get up and walk' so crowd knows the power He have. This is the miracle He did to validate.

4. Jesus accepts everyone.

Jesus chose :
Peter - failed as a Rabi
Matthew - tax collector, a crook.
Levi
James and John - disciples of John the Baptist.
Nathanael, Philip, Andrew - no one want then for students.

These are all non star potential Galalean - they talk funny, and people make fun of them.

Applicaitons

Jesus really is God's Son
He is the Son of God. Not just as a role model.
How do you related yourself to Him?

Jesus uses His power - and keep using it. We just need to be reminded.

Jesus has total control
He knows every action. But He doesn't control what you want and what you desire.

Jesus accepts everyone
Not just accepts. BUT He chose, and give value and purpose in people's life.

The Second Donkey

Pt. Dave Kenney

Historical Background
Jesus is going to be riding up [Jericho is at sea level] to Jerusalem through a crowd of Jews on their way to Jerusalem for Passover, one of the greatest if not the greatest feast. A time they remembered God's deliverance from Egypt when God killed Egyptians but spared the Israelites.

Jesus is riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, in fulfillment of a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9
most people walk from place to place, so it's not common. Only people that has money that ride on donkeys.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
crowd who's only looking for the KING, not the King of Peace, but just a King

The Hasmonean Dynasty (the Maccabees)
Ruled from 167 BC until the Romans conquered in 63 BC

Mattathias (the leader of Maccabees), the head of the family, served as a priest (Jewish) in the temple. -revolved against the Celluist? who ruled after Alexander the Great.

Judas (ruled from 166 to 160 BC), nicknamed Maccabeus or the "hammer", was Mattathias' third oldest son.

Jonathan (ruled from 160-142 BC), 4th son of Mattathias, a good worrier and a diplomat. Named high priest.

Simon (ruled from 142-134 BC), 2nd oldest son, ruled into Independence.

John Hyrcanus, Simon's son, ruled from 134-104 BC.
Time of prosperous.
John was the one who died at peace full death.

By 103 BC the throne passed to Alexander Janneus who ruled until 76 BC.

His wife Alexandra, ruled from 10 years after him.

Civil war broke out between her sons Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II - since they invited Rome Pompeii. Small nation against big empire.

The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!" - John 12:12-13 (NIV)

Palm branches were a symbol of the Maccabees
in other words : get out of Roman! - a small symbol of protest.

The other words are from Psalm 118 - songs ascending riding up to Jerusalem.

He is riding a donkey's foal, like the promised messiah.

[a few days earlier] He has raised Lazarus from the dead in Bethany.

Jesus has all the qualification as predicted.
3 days later they were standing in from of the court, executing Him.

Matt 21: 1-11
¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ²saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

⁴This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
⁵"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

⁶The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. ⁸A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

¹⁰When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

¹¹The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Expectations of the Crowd [miss guided]

1. Militaristic liberator

• David - Goliath
• Mattathias - Maccabeus
• Jesus - ?

2. Something to happen NOW

3. Return to glory and importance for Israel
They were humble : God chosen people, but was laughed out by the Romans. Now they're going to be prominent again. Unmet expectation when they didn't get it from Jesus, then they started to turned their back from Him.


What does this say to us today? what usually happened when we ask something from Jesus?

• The answer that we want - if we didn't get it, we don't like it. We should not wonder when we don't get it

• The answer when we want - God's timing is the best.

We won't get good stuffs, if we decided when we want it.

• The conditions that we want.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." john 16:33
Are you disappointed about your condition? Have you been crucified yet? Don't expect an easy life.

• Empty praise

They were singing good words to Jesus, but their hearts was filled with what they can't get. And their hearts was quickly changed when they realized they're not gonna get it.
"Not as long as it fits my heart" attitude, will brings to frustration.

What did Jesus do that day? - Jesus came to died on the cross. Nobody realized that.
Heb 2 : 14-15
¹⁴ Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. ¹⁵ Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to t he fear of dying.

They were looking for someone to conquer the Romans.
Jesus conquered the death, sin and the grave!

They were looking for someone to set up Israel as a kingdom.
Jesus reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

They were looking for a leader of power who would make them great as a people.
Jesus is at the right hand of God the Father, where He intercedes with God for us!