WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.640 Good morning everyone. How are you? Good? Feeling comfy? That's good. 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:11.580 We're going to look at this passage together from John's Gospel. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:17.400 It's kind of a strange little passage though, don't you think? 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:22.900 I mean, if I was Steven Spielberg, if I'd been writing the movie of what's just happened, 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:25.160 then I'm not sure I would have put this bit in. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:32.079 You see, Jesus has told his disciples that he would be betrayed, and he was. 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:34.920 He's told them he'd be arrested, and he was. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:38.460 He's told them he'd be killed, and he was. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:42.400 He also told them he'd be raised from the dead, and he was. 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:48.579 And so in terms of the story, it's all sort of come to this great climax, the crescendo, 00:00:48.579 --> 00:00:57.219 was that Jesus, crucified on the cross, buried in a grave, is now alive again, and he has appeared. 00:00:57.479 --> 00:01:00.439 And he's appeared to the disciples, those who are following him. 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:01.960 He's appeared. He's alive again. 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:05.140 And then John, at the end of chapter 20, says, 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:12.599 These things have been written so that you can know, so that you can believe that Jesus is the Christ. 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:13.760 He's the one that was promised. 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:15.099 He's the Messiah. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:21.120 And by believing in him, you can have eternal life. 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:23.760 And at that point, if I was Steven Spielberg, it would be, 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:30.359 and the curtain would come down, and the credits would roll, and we go, wow, that was awesome. 00:01:30.939 --> 00:01:32.060 But we've got chapter 21. 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:32.219 It's done. 00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:34.820 It's like he keeps going. 00:01:35.420 --> 00:01:36.780 In fact, the first word, did you see? 00:01:36.980 --> 00:01:37.900 After these things. 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:38.519 Afterwards. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:40.299 After these things. 00:01:40.540 --> 00:01:42.939 You think, but the climax has happened. 00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:44.060 So what now? 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:47.500 What's in this bit here? 00:01:49.240 --> 00:01:54.820 I think we need to concentrate a little bit this morning together to see what God is saying. 00:01:54.820 --> 00:02:01.719 For as Steve has rightly said, we should not harden our hearts if we hear God speak. 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:06.120 And so God is going to speak through his word to us. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:13.280 Let's open our eyes, our ears, our minds, and our hearts so that we might hear from him. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:16.740 So I'm going to pray, and we'll listen to what he has to say, shall we? 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:24.620 Dear Father, we thank you for your word, and we thank you that it's been preserved in a way that we can have such easy access to it. 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:32.060 I pray this morning as I speak, I'll be clear and careful with what you've given us so that we might hear you speak. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:39.240 I do pray, as we already have, that we would not harden our hearts, but that we would receive your word. 00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:40.420 Amen. 00:02:40.420 --> 00:02:40.540 Amen. 00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:44.180 Well, I don't know why you're here this morning. 00:02:45.020 --> 00:02:47.080 Well, I guess you're here for church, right? 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:48.520 But I don't know what's brought you. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:54.879 I don't know whether someone invited you or whether you come regularly because you're part of the family. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:57.160 I don't know whether you're here because of the confirmation. 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:01.040 I know that the people sitting in the front row always sit in the front row like this, right? 00:03:01.580 --> 00:03:02.560 Yeah, no, no. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:04.960 It's not a coincidence. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:10.840 In fact, I'm not sure that anyone is here by coincidence. 00:03:11.920 --> 00:03:13.879 You know what a coincidence is, don't you? 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:22.039 A coincidence is a remarkable alignment of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection, 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:24.060 which is a dictionary definition. 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:32.319 I mean, it's basically saying it's when things line up without any kind of apparent reason for them lining up. 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:38.920 Maybe you didn't know the confirmation was on today. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:41.280 So you might say, oh, what a coincidence. 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:43.699 Maybe you didn't know I was speaking today. 00:03:44.420 --> 00:03:45.879 That would be a coincidence, wouldn't it? 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:46.900 You just turned up. 00:03:47.020 --> 00:03:49.259 Although, I do have a friend here this morning, David. 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:50.740 He knew I was going to be speaking. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:51.960 David's from Adelaide. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:52.860 Welcome, David. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:56.000 It's not a coincidence. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:58.699 I don't believe in coincidences. 00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:05.699 See, I believe that God is behind everything. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:09.500 So it's not an accident that you're here. 00:04:09.659 --> 00:04:11.839 It's not an accident that we're looking at John 21. 00:04:11.959 --> 00:04:15.719 It's not an accident that we have the opportunity to be here together. 00:04:15.959 --> 00:04:17.060 I don't think it's an accident. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:22.000 Now, I don't, at the same time, think it's terrible to say there are coincidences. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:27.399 Because so long as what you're saying is, wow, I didn't realise those things were going on. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:32.579 But God has a very, very clear plan. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:36.240 And he wants you to know him. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:42.620 And I think he uses events, even like this morning, so that you might get to know him better. 00:04:43.280 --> 00:04:45.500 Here's the question that I have for you right now, though. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:50.300 Are you prepared to be open to God and to get to know him better? 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:54.460 Or do you just sort of come and tick the box and say hello to your friends and go home? 00:04:56.379 --> 00:04:59.019 Well, why would you need to get to know him better? 00:04:59.019 --> 00:05:06.019 And I, look, I wrote this sermon during this week, preparing for today. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:09.859 I had no idea that what was going to happen in Westfield at Bondi yesterday. 00:05:09.979 --> 00:05:14.479 I had no idea that Iran was going to launch into Israel. 00:05:17.039 --> 00:05:23.099 But both of those things, and no doubt other things that are going on in your life, 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:28.819 should convince us that actually we need to be in touch with God. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:33.560 We need to understand that he is the sovereign one who is in control of everything. 00:05:34.159 --> 00:05:35.319 There are no accidents. 00:05:36.019 --> 00:05:37.680 There are no coincidences. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:40.540 God is sovereign over everything. 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:45.120 And we need to realise and understand some important things. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:51.639 And that, as I consider this passage, is exactly what John 21 is doing. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:54.959 John, who was the disciple Jesus loved. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:59.139 John, who was known in the early church as the theologian. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:04.719 It was John who, other writers in the Bible describe what God was like. 00:06:05.039 --> 00:06:07.680 But it was John who said, this is what God is. 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:09.599 God is spirit and truth. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:10.919 God is light. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.019 God is love. 00:06:13.719 --> 00:06:16.479 John was the great theologian of the early church. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:23.500 And he has deliberately, not coincidentally, not accidentally, he has deliberately given us chapter 21, 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:28.140 so that we can understand about the sovereignty of God. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:30.300 Of who's in charge. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:33.080 Of who we need to come to and learn from. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:36.899 So, if you've got a Bible, open it up. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:42.120 If it's on your phone or your tablet or your other device, whatever you have, please open up. 00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:42.899 John 21. 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:49.659 And you'll find seven disciples back on the boats, once again working with their hands, working in a very humble role. 00:06:49.799 --> 00:06:50.319 They were fishermen. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:53.959 In the ancient world, fishermen were not wealthy. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:58.620 Fishermen were actually just sort of the second level up from poverty. 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:07.079 We do know from archaeological work that about nine out of ten people lived in abject poverty around Galilee. 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:08.360 Nine out of ten. 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:12.459 Ninety percent of the people lived what we call a subsistence life. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:15.439 In other words, they had food for today. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:18.439 And it wasn't a Krispy Kreme donut, let me tell you. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.759 They had a very, very poor diet. 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:24.959 Well, Krispy Kreme's not a great diet either, just quietly. 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:28.300 But they had an incredibly poor diet. 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:40.160 And we know that because of the way that their bodies, when they were buried, were affected by their diet, their bone structure, their bone density. 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:44.100 It's amazing what archaeologists have discovered. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:48.680 But we know that fishermen were probably second to the poorest. 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.819 The richest people were landowners. 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:52.939 Most of them didn't live in Galilee. 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.899 They owned the land. 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:58.699 But they lived somewhere nice like Tiberias or Sepphorus or even in Jerusalem. 00:07:59.339 --> 00:08:01.579 And they had people managing their properties for them. 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:03.620 And then the next level down were the fishermen. 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:08.060 And then the lowest of the low were people called tectones. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.620 Tectones were people who worked with stone. 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:13.439 That's where we get, that's the Greek word. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:15.319 The English word would be tectonic. 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:17.899 You know, tectonic plates when they have an earthquake. 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:21.120 Tectones were the poorest of the poor. 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:23.620 And you know what the English word for tectone is? 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:24.699 Carpenter. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:28.399 Jesus was a tectone. 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:30.680 The poorest of the poor. 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:32.439 Well, you knew that, didn't you? 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:33.819 You remember Christmas? 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:35.419 Where was he laid? 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:37.279 In a manger. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.360 They were the poorest of the poor. 00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:45.220 He grew up in the poorest group in society. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:47.779 These fishermen were not much better. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:48.779 And here they are. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:51.319 They are back on their boats. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:54.500 We know that Peter and John had no silver and gold. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:57.660 They told a beggar as much in Jerusalem. 00:08:58.160 --> 00:08:59.920 But they are incredibly poor. 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:05.980 And they've lived for the last three years on the generosity of others. 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:08.720 They've been following Jesus for three years. 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:13.000 As he taught, as he did miracles, as he did all kinds of signs and wonders. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.920 They've followed him. 00:09:15.540 --> 00:09:18.880 And for three years, people have taken care of them. 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:22.000 Their generosity meant that the disciples could eat. 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:28.139 We know that Lazarus and his sisters, for example, hosted them in their home and looked after them. 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:34.600 We know that through many of the gospel accounts, they stayed with people who fed them and looked after them and gave them money. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:38.620 But now, their rabbi, their teacher, has gone. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:44.940 And I guess they're figuring, if the rabbi is gone, our money is gone. 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:46.879 We'd better go back to work. 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:47.919 You'd think that, wouldn't you? 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:52.100 You would think, if he's gone, how are we going to live? 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:52.639 I don't know. 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:53.980 We'll go back to what we know. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:56.179 We go back to fishing. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:10:00.980 And I'm convinced that they were completely confused by what had happened. 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:04.500 And when you are confused, what do you do? 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:06.580 You do what you know best. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:09.960 If you're confused, you go to what you know. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:12.799 Because that at least is secure and safe. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.599 They're confused. 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:23.419 Because their leader, who had taught them so many things that were mind-blowing, who'd shown them so many things that were astounding. 00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:25.379 People who were healed of disease. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:28.579 People who were blind, who could see. 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:30.779 People who were raised from the dead. 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:33.120 They saw him do all that. 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:34.779 They saw him walk on water. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:38.299 And now he's gone. 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.120 That's kind of confusing. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:44.399 Not only gone, they saw him killed and buried. 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:47.600 And then they saw him raised. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:49.139 But where is he now? 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:51.659 They're confused. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.480 So they go back to what they know best. 00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:55.620 They go back to fishing. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:11:01.460 But did you pick up the coincidence that John is making really clear here? 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:03.360 Because, again, I don't believe in coincidences. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:05.440 But look at the coincidence. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:06.919 Where are they? 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:08.840 Sea of Galilee. 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.060 Sea of Tiberias. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:14.000 It's actually a massive big lake in Israel. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.500 But listen to Mark chapter 1. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:45.480 I wonder if Peter, James and John, who are mentioned in John 21, 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:47.860 who are in their boat again fishing, 00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:50.519 who are again on the Sea of Galilee, 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:54.080 I wonder if they picked up the coincidence here. 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:58.060 I wonder if it came home with peculiar power. 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:04.080 That they're back in the place, the very place where Jesus called them. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.519 I wouldn't be surprised if it did. 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:08.659 Listen to Luke's account of what happened. 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:10.180 This is from Luke chapter 5. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:13.519 When Jesus had finished speaking, 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:15.159 he said to Simon Peter, 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:16.679 to put out into the deep water, 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:19.539 let down the nets for a catch. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:22.659 This is three years ago from this moment. 00:12:24.579 --> 00:12:25.360 So Simon answered, 00:12:25.719 --> 00:12:27.279 Master, we've worked hard all night. 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.360 We haven't caught anything. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.879 But because you say so, 00:12:29.959 --> 00:12:30.939 I'll let down the nets. 00:12:31.219 --> 00:12:32.399 When they'd done so, 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:35.240 they caught such a large number of fish 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.559 that their nets began to break. 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:41.519 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.619 They came and filled both boats so full, 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:46.839 they began to sink. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:49.539 When Simon Peter saw this, 00:12:49.839 --> 00:12:52.199 he and all his companions were astonished 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:53.639 at the catch of fish they'd taken. 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:55.839 And so were James and John, 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:57.179 the sons of Zebedee, 00:12:57.679 --> 00:12:58.419 Simon's partners. 00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.199 Do you get this? 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:01.100 These same people 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:04.340 on the same waterway, 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.040 in the same boats, 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:07.300 doing the same job. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:10.520 Jesus called them three years before 00:13:10.520 --> 00:13:11.300 and said, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.240 come and follow me. 00:13:12.520 --> 00:13:14.879 And I will make you gather people, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.460 no longer gathering fish. 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:18.980 I will make you fishers of men. 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:21.980 So come and follow me. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:22.900 And where are they? 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.900 They're back on the Sea of Galilee, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:27.159 fishing for fish. 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:31.819 And not only back on the Sea of Galilee, 00:13:32.699 --> 00:13:34.620 but when Jesus said, 00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:35.899 cast your net over, 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:39.000 they have a miraculous catch. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.539 The first time, 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.720 so big, 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:44.699 that their nets began to break 00:13:44.699 --> 00:13:45.939 and the boats began to sink. 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.639 This time, 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.139 the catch is so big, 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:50.159 they can't even get it into the boat. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:53.340 Do you think that they might have just gone, 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.159 hang on, 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:55.819 we've been here before. 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:57.959 This has happened before. 00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.419 Hang on, 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:01.079 is this just a coincidence? 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.039 Do you think? 00:14:03.819 --> 00:14:06.100 Or do you think Jesus is actually saying, 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:08.719 do you remember when I called you? 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.299 Do you remember why I called you? 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.459 Do you remember what I did? 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.779 Do you remember when I told you 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:17.139 to bring in the fish? 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.240 Do it again. 00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:21.220 Do you remember? 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:24.639 Do you see who I am? 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:27.540 But there's another thing. 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:29.460 How could they miss that coincidence? 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.800 But then there's another thing. 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:35.560 When they pull in this massive catch 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:37.820 of fish, 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:42.620 they're reminded of his incredible power. 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:47.340 And they're reminded of the way they followed. 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.460 But for Peter, 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:52.519 there's an incredible reminder that's coming. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.320 You see, 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.720 when Peter sees Jesus, 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.139 he jumps out of the boat, 00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:58.080 goes in, 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.879 onto the beach, 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:01.580 and Jesus is there cooking fish. 00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:02.759 Did you notice that, 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.299 by the way? 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:05.879 He doesn't need their catch of fish. 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:07.259 He's already got fish. 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:09.939 Did you notice also 00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:11.539 that he's got bread, 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:12.539 fish, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.620 and bread. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:14.700 Did you notice that? 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:17.340 Do you think that's a coincidence? 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:20.139 That here by Galilee, 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:23.360 he's about to feed them with fish and bread. 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:23.879 Gee, 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.379 I wonder if that's happened before. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:28.480 In John chapter 6, 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.240 there is a moment 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:32.259 by the Sea of Galilee 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:35.080 when crowds are following Jesus. 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:38.840 And Jesus turns to the disciples 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:41.500 and he says to Philip, 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:44.159 let's feed them. 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:46.580 Let me read to you from John chapter 6. 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.100 When Jesus looked up 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.360 and saw a great crowd coming, 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.620 he turned to Philip and he said, 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.960 where will we buy bread 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:53.139 for these people to eat? 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:55.559 He asked this only to test him 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:57.299 for he already had in mind 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.360 what he was going to do. 00:15:58.679 --> 00:15:59.419 Philip answered him, 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:01.779 it would take more than half a year's wages 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.639 to buy enough bread 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.779 for each one to have a bite. 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:06.139 Another of his disciples, 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:07.799 Andrew, 00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:10.639 the same names keep popping up, 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.679 Simon Peter's brother spoke up, 00:16:13.059 --> 00:16:15.100 he's a boy with five small barley loaves 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.139 and two small fish, 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.299 but how will they go so far 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.000 among so many? 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.399 And Jesus answered, 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.840 have the people sit down, 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.059 there's plenty of grass in that place, 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.639 they sat down, 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:26.079 about 5,000 men were there. 00:16:26.619 --> 00:16:27.879 Jesus took the loaves, 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:28.979 gave thanks 00:16:28.979 --> 00:16:30.619 and distributed to those 00:16:30.619 --> 00:16:31.239 who were seated 00:16:31.239 --> 00:16:32.759 as much as they wanted. 00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:34.659 He did the same with the fish. 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.479 Do you get it? 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:41.000 Fish and bread. 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.059 He's done this before 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:44.439 by the Sea of Galilee. 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.399 It's no coincidence 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:48.679 what's on the menu for breakfast 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:49.759 that day 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:51.580 because he wants them to remember 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:51.600 because he wants them to remember 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:53.019 that he is the one 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:54.899 who miraculously fed 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.679 thousands of people. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.519 He is the one 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:59.000 who's in control of everything. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.419 He is the one 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.259 who is the sovereign 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:03.720 who can even defeat death. 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:04.799 He is the one. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.000 Have you forgotten that? 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.799 Why have you gone fishing again? 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.900 And when that miracle happened, 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.259 do you remember that story 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.900 with the feeding of the 5,000? 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:16.140 Do you remember how many baskets 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.019 were left over? 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:19.539 There were 12 baskets 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:21.000 of fish and bread left over 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:23.000 after Jesus had fed everyone. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.980 And I reckon it's like the show bag 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:26.099 for each of the disciples. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.920 There's 12 of them. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:27.579 There you go. 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:28.139 One each. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.139 Take that home 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.940 and just remember. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:30.900 Fish and bread. 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.879 I'll look after you. 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.799 I will care for you. 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:34.019 I'm in charge. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.420 I am sovereign of everything. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.920 God is in control. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.299 I think they've forgotten. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.559 They've gone fishing again 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.920 because they're so confused. 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:48.440 But just after Jesus fed them 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.779 and gave them their show bags, 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:51.200 he said this, 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:54.600 Do not work for food that spoils, 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.800 but for food that endures 00:17:56.800 --> 00:17:57.960 to eternal life, 00:17:58.320 --> 00:18:00.000 which the Son of Man will give you. 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:00.740 Do you hear that? 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.680 Seek after Jesus. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:06.000 Turn to Christ. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.019 Follow him. 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:11.220 That's what Jesus is telling. 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.460 That's what the word is telling us. 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:14.879 That's what the message here is. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.579 How could you not follow him? 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:20.460 How could you ever deny him? 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:22.099 And then, well, here's another thing. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.720 Did you notice 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:27.139 when Peter got to the beach 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.680 and the fire was burning, 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.779 did you notice it wasn't just 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:32.619 Jesus was using the barbecue 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.700 or he had the web around 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.539 or there was a fire on the beach? 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.440 Did you notice what it said? 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.600 There is a coal fire burning. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.200 That word coal fire 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.920 is only used twice in the whole Bible. 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:44.820 Here, 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:47.799 and a couple of chapters earlier, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.940 here in Galilee in 21 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:54.259 and in 18 in Jerusalem 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.580 in a courtyard. 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.340 And in that courtyard 00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:59.019 where the coal fire was burning, 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:02.960 Peter saw Jesus arrested. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:05.160 And when Peter was asked, 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.940 Don't you know him? 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.500 Aren't you one of his followers? 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:10.539 Three times Peter said, 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.340 I don't know him. 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.340 I've never met him. 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.840 I have no idea who the guy is. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:16.799 Three times Peter denied knowing Jesus 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:19.320 before a coal fire. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.180 Now, why do you think that's been mentioned? 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.160 Because it's not a coincidence. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:26.500 It's because coal fires smell different. 00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:28.000 Have you ever smelled a coal fire? 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:32.779 And smells have this capacity 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:34.480 to make us remember things. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:37.779 For us to associate with things. 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:38.940 You know, 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.819 the smell of a new car. 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.099 How nice is that? 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:46.240 Or the smell of aviation fuel. 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:48.079 Well, that's not something you should go sniffing. 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.380 I wouldn't recommend that. 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:51.519 But when you smell aviation fuel, 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.000 you sort of, 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.960 I know you start thinking, 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.319 maybe I could go to Adelaide again. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.160 Or maybe I could go up to the Gold Coast 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:57.039 or Noosa or somewhere. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.220 Or maybe we could go and visit our kids in Sweden. 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:01.720 Ah, that smell of kerosene. 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.720 Yeah, lovely. 00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:05.819 Actually, smells can do all kinds of things. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.360 Whenever I smell jasmine, 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:08.100 you know jasmine? 00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:09.859 Beautiful flower, 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.719 beautiful scent. 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:13.159 Makes me feel terrible every time I smell it. 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.519 Because when Belinda, 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.599 my now wife, 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.539 was young 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.359 and we were courting, 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:19.699 she used to braid jasmine in her hair. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.079 And we would go out. 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.519 Belinda's mum would let us use her Tirana. 00:20:24.199 --> 00:20:25.419 Oh, that Tirana. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.719 Great car. 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:29.419 I don't think I ever put petrol in that car. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:29.719 Ever. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.879 Hundreds of miles we drove. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:34.939 I never paid for one drop of petrol. 00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:37.139 I feel so guilty when I smell jasmine. 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:40.640 All the times I just thrashed that car. 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.340 It was terrible. 00:20:41.800 --> 00:20:42.360 I confess. 00:20:45.040 --> 00:20:46.800 The smells bring back memories. 00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:48.700 And the memory that Peter would have had 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:50.220 on that morning on the beach 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:53.280 was of when he denied it and knowing Jesus. 00:20:57.040 --> 00:20:59.620 It's a coincidence that Jesus is there 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:01.480 at Galilee calling them again. 00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:03.280 Do you think it's a coincidence 00:21:03.280 --> 00:21:05.360 that they had a miraculous catch of fish? 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:07.519 Do you think it's a coincidence 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.919 that there's a coal fire burning? 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.159 No. 00:21:09.479 --> 00:21:10.059 John is saying, 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:10.419 no, no. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:12.179 There is no coincidence here. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:15.299 Jesus is reminding them 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:18.099 because the world will cave in on them, 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:19.699 confuse them, 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:21.000 and make them doubt 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:23.159 that Jesus really is the sovereign 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:24.139 who's in control. 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.699 There will be things 00:21:25.699 --> 00:21:26.779 that will happen to them, 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.619 not long from this moment, 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:30.299 that will make them wonder 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:32.419 if Jesus really is the king 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:35.240 who is to be worshipped. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.440 There will be things 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.960 that will happen. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:39.599 And what Jesus is doing here 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.139 is saying, 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:42.319 there is no coincidence. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.759 I am in charge. 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:45.899 I am in control. 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.079 I am the sovereign. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:49.220 I am the one you are to follow. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.919 So come, 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.000 follow me, 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.859 and obey me. 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:56.740 Let people know about me. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.039 Seek me. 00:22:01.979 --> 00:22:03.219 And when the events 00:22:03.219 --> 00:22:04.579 of a Westfield happen, 00:22:06.199 --> 00:22:07.399 and when there are wars 00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:08.459 and rumours of wars 00:22:08.459 --> 00:22:09.599 taking place, 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.459 brothers and sisters, 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.179 don't forget, 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.299 Jesus is sovereign. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.879 He is in charge. 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:19.320 When your family isn't 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:21.600 having the happy relationships 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:22.280 that you think 00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:23.840 that you should have, 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:25.580 remember that Jesus 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.180 is sovereign. 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.140 When you're at work 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.740 or at school, 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.200 when you're doing 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.420 whatever you do this week 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.480 and you feel like, 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:36.400 I'm just on a wheel, 00:22:37.280 --> 00:22:38.380 like a mouse 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.380 making it spin, 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.880 remember that Jesus 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.560 is sovereign. 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.800 It's no coincidence 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.039 he has placed you 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.960 where you are 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.000 in your workplace 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.440 or your school. 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.220 It's no coincidence 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.619 that you're in the family 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.379 you are in. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.119 It's no coincidence 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.339 that we live in a place 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.019 called Sydney 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:57.460 and there are people now 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.980 rattled by the events 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.599 of yesterday 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:02.379 and we know the truth 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:04.159 about Jesus, 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:04.859 his sovereignty, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.599 his power, 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.639 his majesty, 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.919 his victory over death, 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.000 the hope that we have. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.359 And I wonder if this week 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.419 you might have opportunity 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:19.099 to share that hope.