John chapter 21 has two main word pictures (images) as we shall see … fish and sheep! (Symbolizing soul-winning and then shepherding! Win lost souls and then mature them via the Word of God!)
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Back in John chapter 20 Jesus appeared to His Disciples on Sunday (1st day of week) when they were all congregated …
But here in chapter 21 Jesus appears to them on a weekday when not all are present, when they are at work!
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I mentioned in class, but did not give the Bible References …
Peter’s notable failures …
1. Matthew 16:21-23 … From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
2. John 13:6-8 … Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
3. John 13:36-38 … Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
4. Galatians 2:11-13 … But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Then here in our Text, Peter going fishing when he should have been on a mountaintop awaiting Jesus’ next appearance! (Matthew 28:16)
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One writer said this … “Failure is good manure!” Meaning that our shortcomings often can be great teachers in our lives, provided we respond to them Biblically.
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Jesus’ Words have great import in this Text. Think of the sheer POWER of Jesus’ Word, or Words!
John 6:63 … It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
1 Timothy 6:3 … If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness …
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Keep in mind that it is always best to watch the Class …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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