The Faithful Minister – Part 1

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.”

– 1 Thessalonians 2:1

 

You can’t give what you don’t have. The effectiveness of a pastor, preacher, teacher, or minister of any kind in service to God is rooted in their personal experience. A minister of God, to be effectively used by God, and to be seen and received as credible by those they minister to,  must walk the talk. When Paul was inspired by the Spirit to write the Thessalonians he was able to refer to himself as evidence of the reality of what he taught them. Every minister should be able to do that. Parents who tell their children “Do as I say, not as I do,” are never effective. A ministry that operates on that same premise will be shallow, hollow, empty and ineffective. In this four part series The Faithful Minister we will look at seven characteristics of ministry that is faithful to God’s calling.

 

It is true that when we look in scripture at the people God uses we see His propensity to use unlikely people. God uses people that by worldly standards would not likely be used. Abraham lied. Jacob connived. Moses had an anger problem. Joshua was fearful. Gideon was timid. Samson wasted his heaven sent gifts. King Saul thought he knew better than God. David was an adulterer and premeditated murderer. Solomon disregarded God’s scriptural warnings and allowed his wives to turn his heart from God. John the Baptist dressed weird. Peter was impulsive. The apostles were competitive and spiritually dull. Saul of the New Testament hated Christians. God worked with and used all these people. And when we look outside the Bible throughout history we continue to shake our heads in wonder at the people God chooses. God does this to assure He gets the glory. He doesn’t want our faith to be in ourselves or people, but in Him alone. But it would be a mistake to look at the exceptions in order to build a rule that excuses those God uses from His prescribed scriptural standard of ministry. We should not glorify deficiencies, oddities, quirks, or exceptions so as to excuse us from living the ministry standards God requires.  

 

A minister is a servant. Our attitude to serving God Most High should be that we are indeed serving God Most High! We serve in the sight of God. We serve a risen Savior; Lord Jesus. That should be reflected in a desire not to lower the standard of ministry but to elevate our efforts to abide by God’s prescribed high calling for ministers. We should want to serve Him faithfully. We should serve faithfully.

 

This is not to say the minister is perfect. Paul admitted to his imperfection saying, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; . . . .” (Phil. 3:12).  No matter who we are, we are who we are, by God’s grace (1 Cor. 15:10). God wasn’t finished with him. Even the great apostle had room to grow. He wasn’t all he could be; yet. He was vastly more than he could have ever hoped to be without the Lord. And he was “perfect” (telieos) or mature in his commitment to see God’s work completed in him and through him (Phil. 3:15). Faithfulness was and is the ingredient God gives to attain that objective.

 

The first twelve verses of 1 Thessalonians 2 are a gold standard for ministers. This is what a minister should look like. Remember, minister means servant. Whether you are serving the Lord as an usher, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, disciple maker, counselor, youth pastor, worship leader, assistant pastor, senior pastor, or a parent, etc., these characteristics should be prayerfully considered. Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14). Pray the Spirit lead you to apply these ministry standards of faithfulness to your life.

What follows are the characteristics of a faithful minister as seen in Paul’s personal testimony. If you are or want to serve the Lord, take heed.

 

First, a faithful minister practices what they preach (2:1). Paul wrote, “For you yourselves know, brethren,  that our coming to you was not in vain.” Paul did not instruct or require from others what he himself was not willing to live out. Paul’s ministry was effective with the Thessalonians. It was not “vain” (κενός kĕnŏs, ken-os´) or empty, worthless, void, ineffective. Paul’s life backed up what he was inspired to teach the Thessalonians. Paul’s ministry was full, substantial, valuable and effective. And this is true first because Paul was faithful to practice and live out what he preached. He lived in the Spirit and grace of Christ what he preached in the Spirit and grace of Christ (cf. 1 Thess. 1:5; 1 Cor. 15:10; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:29).

 

Hypocrisy is offensive to God. Jesus had some very strong words for the religious hypocritical leaders of His day (cf. Matthew 23). In the early church hypocrisy was seen as lying to God (Acts 5). It was strongly condemned and judged. If we willfully present ourselves as something we are not we are acting hypocritically. It would be better to honestly admit that we aren’t all that we should be but are working in the Spirit to improve. God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5-6).

 

When we speak of practicing what we preach we are speaking of personal experience. Experience is important. Being a brain surgeon fresh out of Harvard Medical School is well and good, but if you were looking for someone to operate on your brain, would you want a new graduate with no experience (you would be their first real case), or perhaps a brain surgeon from even a lesser recognized school but who had 30 years of successful experience doing the operation you need? A rookie has more to learn from experience. A veteran has learned from experience. Book learning is valuable, but to experience the truth of a book in the realities of life is even more valuable. Yes, experience is important.

 

Similarly, for example a minister who is joyfully married with children is going to have a leg up on a minister who is single with no children when it comes to marriage and family counseling. There are just too many emotions and experiences involved with marriage and family relations to ignore or know about merely from a book or from observing from outside such relationships. 

 

But what about Jesus, He was single? The Church is His Bride. What about Paul, Timothy, Titus, Barnabas, James and John? The Bible doesn’t mention them as being married. No, but it doesn’t say they weren’t married either. We simply don’t know whether or not they were married. Generally speaking, being able to practice what you preach and preach from a position of having practically worked out what you teach, is better than if one is simply speaking from theory. Whether or not Paul was married is not the issue here. His ministry was credible because he did live out and practice what he preached to the Thessalonians.

 

With this in mind Paul counseled Pastor Timothy that when choosing leaders he should not choose a “novice” (νεόφυτος nĕŏphutŏs, neh-of´-oo-tos) or a newly planted or new convert (1 Tim. 3:6). The danger in putting someone into ministry too soon according to Paul was that they would be lifted up in pride making themselves vulnerable to the devil’s attacks. A person should be introduced to ministry through the instrument of discipleship or mentoring. Then by the leading of the Spirit and the development of their spiritual gifting they are prepared for ministry. When is someone ready for ministry? When they are humbled and have a servant’s heart. They are ready when through fruitfulness in ministry the Spirit makes their readiness evident to the Body of Christ. When there is a peaceful consensus amongst those overseeing the candidate that it is God’s will (cf. Col. 3:15).

 

Another aspect of this point is that Paul was willing to sacrifice privacy so that those around him could see how he lived. Paul comments, “you yourselves know . . .” (2:1; 3:3) and “you know” (1:5; 2:2, 5, 11; 3:4; 4:2). How was Paul able to say that they knew something about the way he lived? How did they know about him? He made himself accessable and visible to those around him. It doesn’t mean Paul was acting merely for their benefit. Perhaps he took some of them along with him for local ministry efforts while at Thessalonica. Or they simply observed the way he lived among them.

 

Ministry is often said to be lived in a fishbowl. Some in ministry even complain about this. But it is essential.  If those around the minister are to follow their example, they must be able to see that example. This accessibility is used by the Lord to enhance ministry as people observe the minister and see the genuineness of their faith.

 

The one contemplating ministry of some kind, especially pastoral ministry, should be aware of this sacrifice of privacy. They need to be willing to count the cost to themselves as well as to their family. A spouse and family members should be included in the decision making process to go into ministry since they will, like it or not, in reality be living in that same fishbowl. It’s not easy being accessable and observable. But if others are to see the example of the minister, it is necessary. Ministry will cost you your privacy.

 

“It is the Lord!”- Part 2

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” – John 21:7a

When we cast our nets or act on impulse and/or in our own strength, we’ll come up empty. We will never be as full as we could be if we cast without Jesus. We need to learn “It is the Lord!” who makes all the difference in every facet of life.

John is inspired to note there were exactly 153 fish caught that day (John 21:11). Why 153? There’s a lot of speculation involving mathematical machinations as well as allegorical explanations. Perhaps the Lord simply wants us to know that those caught in our nets at His instruction are valuable and worth counting and caring for individually. That is what He modeled for us when He sat down with Peter and had the following conversation.

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15a). Jonah was a prophet who ran from the call of God. Did Jesus refer to Peter as “Simon, son of Jonah,” to allude to Peter’s backsliding to fish for fish instead of fishing for men? Possibly; Peter may have felt himself unworthy to fish for men given his thrice denial of Jesus. Maybe he was so discouraged he was on the verge of turning from Jesus to live for “these,” fish, friends or something else. Certainly we can be discouraged and downcast because of fleshly failures. Peter definitely had issues. But what we need to grasp hold of here is that Jesus was willing to work with Peter. Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter even if he was, “Simon, son of Jonah.” He’s not finished with us either.

What was the primary issue Peter was struggling with? What is the primary issue we struggle with? Love; we struggle with the kind of love we have for the Lord. Love is the main issue in our walk with the Lord. The Bible says whatever we do without love is worthless (cf. 1 Corinthians 13). Jesus said His disciples would be known and recognized by their love (John 13:35). Love is Jesus commandment (John 13:34; 1 John 2:8; 2 John 5). Love is the greatest! (1 Corinthians 13:13). Therefore Jesus got right down to business addressing Peter’s love.

The word “love” used by Jesus is important to note. In verses 15 and 16 when Jesus asks Peter about his love for Him the Greek term from which “love” is translated is agape. Agape is the supreme brand of love. Agape is selfless, sacrificial, servant hearted love. Agape is the kind of love God has for us. “For God so loved [agape] the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Agape love gives even if it is not reciprocated. This type of love is essential for relating to God as well as being used by Him in ministry. Those who represent Him need to represent Him in His kind of love. That’s why Paul was inspired to write, “For the love [agape] of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One did for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. . . . Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 20-21). “God is love” (1 John 4:8). If we want to know God and serve Him, we need to know His love.

How do we demonstrate or manifest such love? Jesus told Peter to, “Feed My lambs” (John 21:15c). Feed the children of God the word of God. Jesus loves the little children. Children’s ministry is of utmost importance to Him. And children have a way of being brutally honest with us older folk so that if we aren’t sincere, real, true, or effective, children will let us know about it.

Jesus said, “Tend My sheep” (John 21:16b). The word “tend,” means to care for, shepherd, pastor. It doesn’t mean we all have to go into full time ministry and become pastors. It does mean that whatever station Jesus has us serving Him in that we care for those He sends our way. Like a shepherd we guide, lead to good pasture in His word, protect, correct and care for His sheep.

Lastly Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17b). Feed the followers of God the word of God. Don’t make the peripheral the central. Don’t settle for commentaries, human tradition, and worldly philosophy at the expense of God’s word. Bring God’s sheep to graze in His word. That’s where His fullness is found. That’s where people eat and grow.

But Peter had a problem with his love. Each time he responded to Jesus inquiry about love by saying, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You” (John 21:15b, 16b, 17b). The only problem with his response is the word he used. The word “love” used by Peter in his responses was a translation of the Greek word phileo. Phileo is a brotherly affection. It was as though Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and Peter responded, “You know that I like You.” Peter had an affection for Jesus, but not the love Jesus was asking of him.

I don’t think Peter responded this way because he didn’t want to agape love Jesus. I think it was that Peter realized the love that he did have was not enough. The love he had was able to assert his loyalty for Jesus, even unto death. But it wasn’t powerful enough to follow through to death; physical or death to the flesh. And therefore Peter cowered before Jesus acknowledging to His Savior, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” (John 21:17b). It was as though Peter was saying, “Lord, You know what kind of love I have for You. You looked right at me when I denied You” (cf. Luke 22:61-62). That look and Peter’s failure was indelibly marked in his heart and soul. Peter didn’t feel capable of presuming an agape love toward the Lord even if that was what Jesus was asking for.

In Jesus’ third and final question to Peter He said, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” but this time Jesus used the word phileo for Peter’s love. Jesus knew full well and acknowledged to Peter that, “Yes, you like Me.” Peter’s love was lacking. Jesus spoke the truth in love. And this even grieved Peter (John 21:17b). The way of Jesus is to speak the truth in love, even if it brings grief (cf. Ephesians 4:15). Healing and construction in the life of Peter could not take place without coming to terms with the truth about his love. But there was hope.

Even though Peter could only muster a phileo affectionate love for Jesus, Jesus told him, “Feed My sheep.” Jesus was willing to take Peter and work with him right where he was in his love. Jesus goes on to say to Peter, “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” John inserts a clarifying explanation here stating, “This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.” (John 21:19a). In other ways Jesus told Peter. “Peter, before you boasted of dying for Me. But you didn’t have what it took to do so. In the future I guarantee you will find the power to do for me and fulfill all My plans for you to glorify God.”

Then Jesus ended this part of the conversation with the words “Follow Me.” That must have been music to Peter’s ears. But don’t miss the point. Jesus said, “Follow Me.” Where was Jesus going to lead Peter? First, to Himself. He was going to teach Peter the significance of his previous heaven sent declaration, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:18). Secondly, Jesus was going to lead Peter to a place where he would see “It is the Lord!” Where was this place? Jerusalem; the Upper Room. “Wait for the Promise of the Father” that will give you the power you need. “You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. . . . But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:4-5, 8).

It was at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the 120 in the Upper Room that Peter rose up in the power of the Spirit to preach Christ and see 3,000 souls saved. “It is the Lord!” What was the nature of this compelling power of the Lord? It was and is the power of agape love. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). It is the Lord! “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). It is the Lord! Are you tired of casting all night only to find an empty net? Jesus says, “Follow Me.” He knows where the fish are biting. He knows how to fill your net. It is the Lord! Follow Him. Trust Him. Wait for Him. Run to Him. Whatever your state of emptiness, jump in and swim to the Jesus. In every station of life the bottom line is, “It is the Lord!”

This teaching can also be read on Pastor Claude’s blog site at www.theshepherdofhope.blogspot.com .

 

Observations on the Character of a Minister

“But you know his proven character” – Philippians 2:22a

The word “minister” means servant. A minister of the Lord is His servant. That should be reflected in the way the minister serves. Our Master is compassionate, gracious and loving, but He is also Holy and Almighty. We serve a Mighty God. Is that reflected in the way we serve as ministers?

Character is reflected in the way a minister serves. Character must be proven (Rom. 5:3-4). When Paul spoke of Timothy he spoke of his “proven character” (Philippians 2:19-22). Paul exhorted the Corinthians to examine themselves to see where they were with the Lord. Ministers especially should regularly examine themselves concerning their character (e.g. 2 Cor. 13:5).

The following are some observations concerning the character of one in ministry. What is the example and model being presented by one in ministry? A minister should take the lead in being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). As you look at these areas ask yourself: What is Jesus like in these areas? What were His disciples and apostles like in these areas? What does the Bible teach us about the character of a minister?

The minister’s attitude. The minister should do all they do as unto the Lord. This means their heart and soul is in everything they do no matter how small or large, important or trivial, etc. (Colossians 3:17, 23-24). It is not a matter of what you are doing as much as it is how you do whatever you do. Jesus “did all things well” (Mark 7:37). If we are crucified with Christ and it is no longer us who live but Jesus lives in us, then that should be reflected in our attitude and the way we carry ourselves in life (cf. Gal. 2:20). What does this area of your life communicate to others?

The minister and time. You can’t lead from the rear. The one in ministry seeking to lead should be first to rise, first to arrive, and first to serve. You can’t lead from a bed. Romans 13:11 states, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

You can’t lead if you’re late. A shepherd leads from the front. He steps out and his sheep follow. If he sleeps, they will sleep. They will follow him for good or bad.

Time is important to God. The word “time” occurs 771 times in 698 verses. The phrase “the time” occurs 155 times in 151 verses. There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1f.). Jesus came “when the fullness of time had come” (Gal. 4:4).

Our time is short (Psalm 89:47). The psalmist prayed and asked God to “Teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90:12). Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4).

No one can or will follow someone who is late or last to arrive. A minister must redeem the time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). What does this area of your life communicate to others?

The minister and work. A minister should be a model of diligence and work. “For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God” (1 Thess. 2:9; cf. also Acts 20:17-19, 34-35). A minister should make every effort to assure that they are hard-working and that the Lord is getting His monies’ worth from their labor.

A hard worker will stand before kings (Proverbs 22:29). The Bible says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

The greatest labor for a minister, is laboring diligently in the study of God’s word - “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). This should be a labor of love for the minister. “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97; cf. also Psalm 119:113, 119, 127, 159, 163, 165).

Ministers should also be people who work at prayer. Paul wrote the Thessalonians to pray nonstop (1 Thess. 5:17). The prophetess Anna was a prayer warrior who prayed night and day (Luke 2:37). Paul warned the Ephesians night and day for three years (Acts 20:31). No doubt that labor included a great deal of “night and day praying” (1 Thess. 3:10; 2 Tim. 1:3). If widows are exhorted to pray “night and day,” how much more should ministers of the word of God?! (1 Tim. 5:5). Jesus told us to pray and not give up (Luke 18:1ff.). We need to apply ourselves to prayer.

The Bible speaks very clearly warning against idleness and disorder in life. Listen to what Paul was inspired to write – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 – ^“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, ⁹ not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. ¹³ But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. ¹⁴ And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

As a minister we are called to a high standard. When you read the above passage, how do you measure up? What does this area of your life communicate to others?

The minister and people. A minister has a balanced relationship with people. He does not put pleasing people before pleasing God (Acts 5:29; Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4). But he does have compassion on people and seek to serve the Lord by serving people. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). That is the way of the Master. The minister has a passion to win the lost people of the world to Christ (2 Cor. 5:14-21).

A minister, like His Master, is not a respecter of people (Luke 20:21). But a minister, like the Master, is respectful toward people. He is not rude or interrupting (1 Cor. 13:5; 1 Peter 3:15-16). He listens when people speak. He does not think his conversation is more important than another’s. He esteems others as better than himself (Phil. 2:3) He has the mind of Christ toward people (Phil. 2). Therefore he is attentive when someone is speaking. A minister is a good listener.

A minister does not get caught up in “profane and idle babblings” (2 Tim. 2:16). He does not quarrel for the sake of quarreling. Quarreling is not a sport for him. “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

The standard for conversation is, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29). The minister is free to enter into casual conversation, but when casual conversation becomes the rule rather than the exception the minister is caught up in trivialities and becomes known as a trivial person. This hinders the minister’s use and effectiveness. The minister should be respected as one that is worth talking to; someone who is going to be used by the Lord to edify and build up those being spoken to.

A minister loves people with a Christlike love (John 13:35; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; 1 John 3:10-18; 4:7-12). The love of a minister to a person is not merely sentimental. It does not compromise truth for the sake of avoiding hurt feelings. The standard of the minister is to speak truth in love (Eph. 4:15). A minister seeks the greatest effect of love; eternal life, salvation, and holiness of life.

If you’re a minister these are areas to examine in your life. The minister’s objective is to glorify God in all they do. Therefore our ongoing prayer should be, Lord, make me all I need to be to do all You’ve called me to do, for Your glory, until You return. Let’s make that our prayer and may He bless us with the right attitude, disciplined time management, a diligent work ethic, and a love for His people. God bless your ministry.

“It is the Lord!”- Part 1

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” – John 21:7a

Ever feel discouraged, forgotten by the Lord? Ever get fed up with waiting for His plan to develop or pan out and just want to chuck it? Ever feel like putting a sign on the door that says, “Gone fishing”? Those are all feelings we at one point or another have been tempted by. The apostle Peter and the disciples experienced those same types of feelings.

In the beginning of the gospels Jesus called the disciples to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17). Jesus had fulfilled His redemptive mission of dying on the cross for the sins of the world (John 19). His redemptive work was accepted by God and its efficacy evidenced by the resurrection (John 20). In John 21 we have the third post-resurrection appearance of Jesus with His disciples (John 21:14).

But there was a lull in the contact between Jesus and the disciples. In John 21 we find Peter and six other disciples on the shores of the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-2). The Sea of Tiberias is another name for the Sea of Galilee (John 6:1). There is a third name for this body of water. The locals call it Lake Gennesaret (Luke 5:1) which is derived from the harp shape of this body of water (“Gennesaret” means a harp). It’s interesting that John was moved by the Spirit to use “Sea of Tiberias” as the designation for the Sea of Galilee here. This name is a very secular worldly name. It contains the name of one of the Caesars. “Tiberias” means literally from the Tiber and refers to a river god. Sea of Tiberias fits well with what might have been going through Peter’s and the disciples’ mind.

Peter, James and John were fishermen by trade. The passage allows us to picture them on the shores of Tiberias waiting on the Lord. I can see Peter sitting on the shore, pondering his recent past, wondering about the future. He had boasted loyalty to death toward Jesus (John 13:36-38). But he ended up sleeping when he should have been supporting Jesus in prayer (Matthew 26:36-46). Peter denied Jesus not once, but three times (John 18:15-27). Peter had utterly failed the Lord; his Lord! He had “wept bitterly” over that (Matthew 26:75). No doubt this was embedded in his mind and heart like a tragic nightmare. How would the Lord respond to him in light of his failure? Would He respond to him? Was this silence an indication Peter would be put on the shelf by Jesus? Would Jesus still love him? Would he, could he still have a part in serving his Lord? These thoughts were all racing through his mind like a cat chasing its tail. Like a harbinger of doom there was a gloom over him. Perhaps Satan was sifting him like wheat (Luke 22:31). Finally, when he could stand it no more, he said, “I’m going fishing” (John 21:3a).

There’s no exclamation point on the end of the words, “I’m going fishing.” Peter simply said it, got up, and went to work. Peter was a man of action. We see that in the gospels. He was the one who had taken a sword and cut off the ear of Malchus when Jesus was taken into custody in Gethsemane (John 18:10). Peter was a man of impulse. Now he just had to do something. He reverted to what he knew best, fishing. And the others followed Peter (John 21:3b).

It’s never a good thing to impatiently act on impulse. If waiting is required by the Lord it is for good reason. Perhaps He’s putting things in place to carry out His plan. Perhaps He is waiting to teach us something about ourselves as well as the way He works. It states, “That night they caught nothing” (John 21:3c). When you act impatiently, impulsively, in frustration, in your own strength, just to do something, anything, your net will be empty. And going back to old ways even if they are the ways you feel the most familiar with, is not the answer when it comes to the Lord. This was an indispensable lesson Jesus wanted His disciples to learn. Waiting on the Lord was something they would have to do regularly as they fulfilled His call on their life. They had to learn to trust Him; even if it meant waiting in silence. We need to learn this lesson too.

It says, “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (John 21:4). Jesus was there all the time. He always is. He waited and watched patiently as these disciples learned the futility and frustration of acting in their own strength. In their own strength all they got was emptiness. Now Jesus would show them a better way; the best way. Jesus is always watching. He knows what we’re going through. He knows how hard it is to wait on Him. But He also knows how important it is that we do wait on Him, trust Him, follow Him, and not lunge ahead of Him.  

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’” (John 21:5). Jesus knew they had no food. He wanted to emphasize that reality to them. Maybe they were aggravated by the inquiry. That they had no food to eat was clear to anyone with eyes. He who has eyes let him see. More importantly, no food meant they had no instrument to facilitate fellowship. He addressed them as “children,” because they were acting like spiritually immature children. He wanted them to grow up, be spiritual men, spiritual giants in His Kingdom living in His fullness. 

What’s the alternative to all of this? “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some” (John 21:6). Years before these same fishermen had again, “toiled all night and caught nothing.” (Doesn’t say too much about their ability to fish does it?) A “Master” told them to, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter thought the Master’s request useless and said as much. But to be polite he complied with the request and to their surprise hauled in a catch that nearly broke their nets! This was Peter’s and the other’s introduction to their Master Jesus (Luke 5:1-11). Three years of ministry training taught Peter and the others to be open to suggestions about where to cast their nets. You never know, the One telling you to cast might be Jesus. Just like before, when they cast their net at Jesus’ instruction they hauled in a net stretching catch.

Then cerebral John, “that disciple whom Jesus loved,” said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7a). John put the pieces together of what was happening. Any huge catch like that, “It is the Lord!” Any fruitfulness, any full net in our life, “It is the Lord!” Remember that. That’s true in our relationships. We can try all night with all kinds of self-reliant ingenious ways of trying to change our spouse to our liking but without the Lord, it will be empty efforts. That’s true in parenting, family, our jobs, careers, education, ministry, and everything. “It,” must be, “the Lord!” to succeed. If the Lord is not in it, empty. If the Lord is in it, full.

It was Peter who instantly, “put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea” and made a bee-line to Jesus (John 21:7b). I hope we are just as quick to run to Jesus when we realize our catch is from the Lord. Fullness comes from Him. It took the six other disciples to drag the full net toward the shore (John 21:8). But when Jesus invited them to bring some of the fish for a fellowship meal it was big burly Peter who had the adrenaline rush to singlehandedly drag the large fish on shore (John 21:9-11). Peter couldn’t wait to be with Jesus. Are you like that? Or do you let your depression or distractions of life keep you casting an empty net?

“Come and eat breakfast” Jesus invited (John 21:12-13). The disciples were a bit hesitant, but they couldn’t turn down such an invitation; especially Peter. It wasn’t until after Peter had himself been fed that Jesus entered into a conversation about him feeding others. That’s important. We need to feed on God’s word first, before we are able to feed others. We need to practice the priority and discipline of feeding ourselves spiritually on God’s word. Man doesn’t live on physical bread alone but on every word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). We need the solid food meat and potatoes of God’s word. Not the cotton candy junk food of worldly philosophy and human tradition. Not even commentaries or good Christian books can substitute for God’s word. We need the undiluted balanced spiritual body fuel of God’s word (e.g. Colossians 2:8-10). We need to grow up from spiritual children’s formula feeding to the solid food of an adult diet of God’s word (Hebrew 5:12-14).

“Jesus then came and took the bread and give it to them, and likewise the fish” (John 21:13). Jesus wants to spend time with us. He wants us to spend time with Him. He wants us to realize “It is the Lord!” It’s all about Him and our relationship with Him. To the latter day lukewarm church of Laodicea Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). That’s an invitation to the church! for me and for you. “It is the Lord!” But there’s a problem. We don’t always realize “It is the Lord!” Why? What was Peter’s issue, the problem, that Jesus was calling him to sit down and discuss? What did Peter and the others have to learn before their nets could be filled? That is what we will see in part two of It is the Lord!

This teaching can also be read on Pastor Claude’s blog site at www.theshepherdofhope.blogspot.com .