SPECIAL EASTER MESSAGE "Filling Human Deficiencies THIS Easter Sunday" (John 21:1-22)
Introduction: (To show the need . . . )

(1) According to a Money Magazine survey taken this week, most of its subscribers believe that the United States is on a long term economic decline! That being the case, what are you, what are we as a people going to do about meeting the financial needs we have as families 5, 10, 15 or 20 years from now?

(2) This week, Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family sent out a letter to the 120,000 pastors he has on his mailing list with the following comments: "...I'm writing today . . . to address a very deep concern . . . Haley Barbour, chairman of the Republican National Committee, openly admits his intention of creating a 'big tent' under which a polyglot of views would exist . . . he and other GOP leaders intend to abandon the cause of the unborn child and ignore the moral issues that have defined the party for decades . . . (thus) . . . The organized church is the first line of defense for the institution of the family, and it must be protected and supported at all costs . . . " Well, what does the political and governmental future hold for the well-being of the Christian community?!

(3) I heard on the news this week that South African officials under Nelson Mandella are having trouble getting the nation's black communities out to vote for local elections. The people thought that once Mandella was in office, all would be well. S ince he hasn't been able to produce a utopia, they don't believe in voting for local officials, and leaders fear that white supremists will vote and put apartheid supporters back in power! What good does the future hold for whites and blacks in South Africa?!

(4) We have local needs, too. (a) Jim Van Deusen was committed to the Extend-a-Care facility in Torrington due to his weakening health condition! (b) Two people in the Church this month have shared with me their duress over job situations they face! (c) At a PPT meeting this Wednesday that was chaired by the Vice Principal of Torrington High, I saw my daughter's Guidance Counselor quietly shake her head "No" upon lookin g over Connie's sheet of unfinished courses. I knew she was thinking, "How can we ever help this girl graduate?!"



With financial, physical, emotional, mental or even spiritual deficits, where do we go for solutions this Easter Sunday?!

Need: "Though Easter Sunday should uplift one with its focus on Christ's resurrection, right now I am experiencing great physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and even economic needs! What does Christ's resurrection have to do to address these pe rsonal needs one might have TODAY, Easter Sunday, April 16, 1995?!"

1. The events of Christ's passion week left the disciples drained!
1. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, p. 344 states that " . . . the Triumphal Entry, 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, the Resurrection, and the manifestations of the risen Lord" had left the disciples of Jesus "confused and unsure of the future."
2. So, seeking some normalcy after Christ's resurrection, Peter led some of the disciples fishing in Galilee, Jn. 21:1-3.
2. The risen Lord met with these men and showed how He renews His people in every way of need THROUGHOUT history !
1. Jesus renewed his disciples economically , Jn. 21:3b-6!
1. Having fished all night long, the disciples had nothing to show for all of their labor, John 21:3b! Refreshment seemed a hollow hope!
2. Jesus then appeared unannounced on the shore and told them to cast their net on the starboard side for a catch, 21:6.
3. Taking this advice, the disciples acquired a huge profit !
1. Unlike the former catch, the disciples could not lift the net due to its weight; they had to troll with it, 21:6,8; Lk. 5:6-7.
2. Unlike before, they not only ate but also sold part of this catch (why the fish were numbered, Ibid., p. 345), 10-11; Lk, 5:11!
3. Unlike before, this catch had no losses: their net did not break and they didn't have to bail water, 11; Lk. 5:6-7.
2. Jesus renewed his disciples physically , Jn. 21:7-9.
1. Discovering that the seaside stranger was Jesus, Peter put on his coat and swam to Jesus in the cold May dawn, v. 7! This would have left him shivering on the beach, cf. Jn. 18:18! Christ knew all about Peter's coming need, so he readied a fire on shore, 9a!
2. The men were hungry , so Jesus built a charcoal fire (anthrakian) to give a special heat for cooking breakfast, 3, 9!
3. Jesus renewed his disciples emotionally , John 21:10, 11-13!
1. Though He could have provided cooked fish already (v. 9b), Jesus asked the disciples to contribute from their catch , v. 10-11.
2. Peter, who had led the originally unproductive fishing expedition jumped at the chance to do what was emotionally satisfying: he hauled the biggest catch of his life to shore, John 21:11!
4. Jesus renewed his disciples mentally , Jn. 21:15-17; Mtt. 26:74-75.
1. Following his denial of Christ in Mtt. 26:74-75a, Peter suffered intense guilt and wept bitterly over his defeat! This being a public denial, it hurt Peter's relations with Jesus and the other disciples!
2. Thus, with other disciples present , Jesus reaffirmed Peter's devotion to Him by a painful but needed three-fold summons, 15ff.
5. Jesus renewed his disciples (particularly Peter) spiritually !
1. Christ's call to Peter summarizes quality Christian service :
1. Quality service starts with a love for Christ , 21:15-17.
2. Quality service is sensitive in discipling others at their levels of growth: it (a) "feeds lambs" (boske ta arnia or teaches new believers); it (b) "shepherds sheep" (poimaine ta probata or guides maturing believers) and (c) "feeds sheep," (boske ta probata or tutors the mature ), 15-17!
3. Quality service contains suffering , Jn. 21:18; 2 Tim. 2:12.
4. Quality service endures as the discipler focuses on his own discipleship under his risen Lord, John 21:20-22.
2. Christ's call to Peter turned his past personal defeat in denying Christ due to fear of dying with Jesus (Mtt. 26:66-75) into Peter's overcoming by his being crucified for Christ, Jn. 21:18-19.
6. Christ's renewal aid lasted for the disciples until Jesus returned , Jn. 21:22-23; Mtt. 28:20! Since this seaside provision occurred between Christ's resurrection and his return, his provisions listed in John 21 are available now by one's following Jesus, 21:19,22!

Application: If afflicted physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually or financially this Easter, like Peter, (1) believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried and bodily rose from the dead to receive eternal life , Jn. 1:11f; 1 Pet. 3:18. (2) As believers, if we have failed God as did Peter, (a) confess to God our sins (1 Jn. 1:9) and (b) rely on his indwelling Spirit for the enabling to obey Christ's directions, Ga. 5:16-23. (3) Then follow his orders in the Word that address our needs in real life events (where to throw the net) and find provision for all we need to do God's will !

Lesson: Like these fishermen from Galilee, all we need for comprehensive sustainment NOW comes by relating well to the risen Savior !

Conclusion: (To illustrate the lesson of the message . . .)

Some years back while painting the Church's outside wall on a Work Day, Sean Coughlin spoke with me about his ministry with the Thursday night College and Careers group!

At the time, I felt he needed some encouragement, and shared that Christ asks us only to follow His lead and leave the direction, provision and results of ministry with Him. Sean could relate to this idea as he shared how Christ had recently provided for transportation needs. He thus felt compelled to keep on keeping on.

Later, I often remembered leaving Thursday night choir rehearsals and heading out to the van and looking over my shoulder at the lights in the couch room where Sean ministered. Several times I saw him there only with David Slate, meeting together for mutu al edification in Christ. I remember hoping that Sean would eventually see the fruits of his dedication to the Lord on those evening gatherings when just he and David met together.

church a half a world away in a spiritually troubled nation be blessed, but we as a body and Chris as a mother are deeply appreciative and a person in needy South Africa has received eternal life through instrumentality of David Slate in part via Sean's meeting with him on those Thursday nights in the Couch Room!



That's how we handle present and future human needs no matter what the concerns may be -- through trusting the ongoing, sufficient provisions that keep flowing from our risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!