Another Chance

TEXT: JOHN 21:15-19

TITLE: “ANOTHER CHANCE”

INTRODUCTION: A. I read about a fellow who definitely needs another chance in the employment scene.

This fellow described his plight this way:

1. My first job was working in an orange-juice factory, but I got canned because I

couldn’t concentrate.

2. Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn’t hack it, so they

gave me the axe.

3. After that, I tried to be a tailor but I just wasn’t suited for it; mainly because it was

a sew-sew job

4. Next, I tried working in a muffler factory but that was exhausting.

5. I wanted to be a barber but I just couldn’t cut it.

6. Then I tried to be a chef – I figured it would add a little spice to my life.

7. Finally, I attempted to be a deli-worker but any way I sliced it I just couldn’t cut

the mustard.

8. My best job was being a musician but eventually I found I wasn’t noteworthy.

9. I studied a long time to be a doctor but I didn’t have any patients.

10. My next job was in a shoe factory. I tried it but I just didn’t fit in.

11. I became a professional fisherman but discovered that I couldn’t live on my net

income.

12. I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company but the

work was just too draining.

13. Then I got a job at the zoo feeding giraffes but I was fired because I wasn’t up to it

14. So then I got a job in a health club but they said I wasn’t fit for the position.

15. Next, I found being an electrician interesting but the work was too shocking

16. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian –

until I realized there was no future in it.

17. My last job was working at a gourmet coffee shop but I had to quit because it was

always the same old grind.

--He concluded his story by saying: You got any ideas? I’m open for suggestions.

Maybe you have something that WORKS – because I don’t!

B. Have you ever been in a position where you needed another chance?

--I’m sure that if we’ll answer honestly, we’d all have to admit to being in that

position many times

1. The apostle Peter was in that kind of position

--during the arrest and trial of Jesus, Peter denied that He even knew Jesus three

different times

2. Isn’t it great that we serve a God who specializes in second chances?

--and third chances, fourth chances, fifth chances, etc.

3. Peter would later write about God’s patience – about God being the God of second

chances in 2 Pet. 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some

understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish; but

everyone to come to repentance.”

C. In the 21st chapter of John, it starts out with an appearance of Jesus to the disciples

after He was resurrected.

1. It was actually His third post-resurrection appearance

2. This appearance was especially important to Peter

--Why so? What had Peter done?

a. After already experiencing two encounters with the risen Christ, Peter’s gone

back to his old life of fishing along with Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and

two other disciples.

--they’d been fishing all night and had caught nothing

b. Someone from the shore yells, “Fish on the other side of the boat!”

--They did and had an overload in their nets

c. John says, “Hey! What a coincidence! This happened once before when Jesus

said the same …. Hey, Pete! It’s Jesus!”

d. Peter says, “What are you talking about?”

--John says, “It’s the Lord, Peter.”

e. Impetuous Peter jumps in the water and swims ashore while the others bring

the boats in.

f. When they all get there, Jesus has breakfast ready

--I can guarantee with certainty that there were no women present at this event.

A woman would have said, “Ew! Fish … for breakfast?!?”

3. Now the stage is set for our scripture passage this morning

a. It’s a most revealing conversation between Jesus and Peter

b. Most commentators call this passage “the redemption of Peter” because Peter

gets another chance

c. Listen closely as we read it together

--As people in need of second chances, let’s hear what Jesus says to Peter in

these verses. There are some definite lessons we need to learn.

D. John 21:15-19 – “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon

son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know