Sermon preached by Rev. Robert Undercuffler
Hanover Presbyterian Church
18th Street and Baynard Boulevard
Wilmington, Delaware
September 17, 2006
(This sermon was written to be spoken, which does not always translate into correct grammatical form for a document written to be read.)
Love, So Amazing!
John 21:1-19
When days are difficult -
When I'm anxious - frustrated - afraid -
---I'm drawn to these verses - to this story -
for encouragement and challenge.
It's surprising to me that Peter is going to RETURN
TO HIS FISHING NETS for it has just been a few short
weeks since Jesus had been crucified.
And then the resurrection.
"I'm going fishing," Peter announces.
"But Peter, wait, The Lord is returning."
"Don't lose hope"
"Don't fall back into the old ruts."
"Wait - Pray - be patient ?
"Jesus will return."
"Soon we will awaken from this bad dream ?"
But Peter is determined -
And his friends rely, "We will go with you."
So Peter and his friends trudge back to the fishing boats -
And familiar nets -
The changing tides -
and the storm-tossed sea of Galilee.
Now they have fished all night with no luck -- no fish.
But as dawn breaks a man on the shore calls ??
"Throw-out your nets on the other side of the boat."
They haul-up the net -- move to the starboard side -
Let the net down into the water -
AND IMMEDIATELY THE NET FILLS WITH FISH.
As they haul the net to shore, John nudges Peter -
"IT'S THE LORD!"
Peter is overwhelmed.
Impulsively (that is always Peter's way)
-- he plunges into the surf and wades to shore
and greets his risen Lord.
Now, let's pause and look at the story more closely -
Peter said, "I'm going fishing."
When we say that it implies -
"I'm taking a vacation,
"I need to get away from it all."
I'm getting off by myself for awhile
perhaps off with my friends for a change of pace.
But for Peter these words signified A RETURN TO WORK.
Peter was getting back into life -
Back into the nitty gritty of being responsible -
getting a job
and supporting himself - and family.
So when Peter made that move to
Take responsibility
And to get to work
HE WAS MET BY THE LIVING LORD.
What are you doing ? STARTING TODAY?
I encourage you to join Peter and his friends AT WORK.
And be met there - in the action -by the RISEN -
LIVING CHRIST.
It has been my experience that we are met by the LIVING CHRIST as we engage in work.
* As we reach-out in friendship to others.
* In faith - As we leave the security of locked
upper rooms -
* The refuge of sentimental places -
And stride out into the world with purpose and commitment
Building bridges --
Extending and receiving forgiveness -
Welcoming a broadening diversity of people.
Let me give you an example of how this happens:
A friend of mine retired?after long years of consistent and dedicated work.
Trips followed - and leisurely months at the beach - then in the mountains of New Hampshire.
But then loneliness - and frustration -
He went back to work doing some consulting but that left him empty. He missed the consistent relationships with colleagues.
Regret followed. Then cynicism.
Then a friend said to him - let's be mentors.
He tried it - "once" he said. And he was captured.
I was making a difference in a young man's life
"And that work made all the difference in the world"
You see, he was met by the living Christ there in his mentoring.
Many people tell similar stories.
Engaged with others - engaged for others - The Risen Lord meets us.
So - the Risen Christ meets us ---
2. HE ALSO FEEDS US!
When Peter and his friends got their loaded boat to shore, Jesus had a charcoal fire going --
And fish cooking -
And fresh baked bread.
"Come, friends, let's have breakfast."
Nutritionists tell us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day ---
n and breakfast is the meal Jesus provides ?
n a hearty breakfast
n enough to get us through the day.
n Ample nourishment for us to face the challenges.
I know how you members of Hanover Presbyterian Church are nourished by Christ - as you feed one another --
By giving yourselves to one another in moments of trial and loneliness -
Comfort in times of sadness?
Counsel in times of confusion -
Encouragement in times of despair.
It's amazing and thrilling how this congregation rallies around people caught by tough times -
Meals miraculously appear
Trips to the doctor or hospital are arranged -
People generously offer listening ears
and caring hearts ?
Money is given to tide people over -
You truly feed one another -
You nourish one another -
And you reach out and with nurture and compassion and so nourish the neighborhood and beyond --
And you are all better people - more healthy people - because of those experiences of giving and receiving - of sharing with others.
When we take the life God has given us
And invest it ?
Lay it on the line -- for others
When we get to work on behalf of others ...
THEN we are met by the Risen Christ who works through other people
Who comes alive through other people -
And nourishes us ?
And so our lives are enriched and strengthened?God restores our soul.
CHRIST SUPPLIES ALL OUR NEEDS!
3. AND THEN FURTHER - CHRIST CHALLENGES US!
n Challenges us as he did Peter down by the sea shore -
?SIMON, DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE?'
Do you love me more than these boats and nets?
Love me more than your fishing buddies?
DO YOU LOVE ME ABOVE ALL ELSE?
"YES LORD, YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU!"
"THEN FEED MY SHEEP!"
You see, as we take some first steps --
when we invest our lives and get to work -
then we are met by the Risen Lord.
He feeds us ---
He provides the nourishment we need -
And then too ? Jesus challenges our Idols.
Our warped sense of priorities.
Do you love me more than your security?
Love me more than your financial investments?
Love me more than the freedom offered by your
retirement?
More than the money you make?
Yes Lord --- Yes Lord --- Yes Lord!
And each YES becomes more difficult.
Three times Peter replies to the AGONIZING, SEARCHING QUESTIONS -
YES LORD --- YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU ABOVE EVERYTHING!
"THEN FEED MY SHEEP"
Reach-out to others in love.
Affirm one another - Identify and encourage the personal
assets of others. What others are doing right -
rather than what's wrong with them.
Let God's whole world be the arena for
your active compassion.
Let all God's people be embraced and
nourished by your care.
Jesus says - "Feed my Sheep" -
And that's a command to all who wish to take Jesus seriously -
To all people - no matter our age or position in life
It's a command that says -
"You can take care of yourself and your own
Only as you take care of others -
LOVINGLY
CREATIVELY
JOYFULLY"
DO YOU LOVE JESUS ???
THEN FEED HIS SHEEP!
WELL, WHERE WILL ALL THIS GET US?
This pilgrimage of life ?.
With its work
And encounters with others.
? Nourishment ?
And challenges to care for others ---
Where will it get us? What will be the result?
The Gospel lesson doesn't promise us much ---
Listen again -
Jesus says, "Peter, when you were young you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old you will stretch-out your hands - and another will carry you where you do not wish to go ---
--Peter - you will stretch-out your hands on a cross
and a Roman soldier will hoist that cross
and carry you -
and set that cross into place.
Legend has it that Peter's crucifixion was upside down -
HE FELT HIMSELF UNWORTHY TO BE CRUCIFIED IN THE SAME POSITION AS HIS LORD!
That is certainly nothing to look forward to -
No great success story there ?
EXCEPT THAT THE RISEN CHRIST SAID IT ---
The one who triumphed over death and comes ---
And stands on the beach -
And feeds us ?
And renews the challenge - "Feed my Sheep!"
JESUS STANDS ON THE BEACH ?.
Just when frustration and bitterness and sense of emptiness are
ready to overwhelm us.
THERE STANDS JESUS ON THE BEACH ?.
When we have caught nothing - when the beauty and
meaning of life have slipped through our grasp.
THERE STANDS JESUS ON THE BEACH ?
NOT in isolation in a quiet upper room.
NOT in the hushed quiet of a sanctuary
BUT ON LIFE'S BEACH -
Right where the waters are rough ?
And disappointment and frustrations foam ?.
Where hopes appear to be dashed ?.
Exactly where decisions have to be made
and hard choices followed?
THERE STANDS JESUS ON THE BEACH ?
And he breaks-out the food and shares bread and fish -
And now invites us - ?COME, FOLLOW ME."
Over the years I have been asked, "How much should I give?
How much should I give for others?"
How much of my time?
My energy?
My money?
Let me answer in the most basic terms -
HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOVED?
HOW DEEPLY DO YOU RECOGNIZE CHRIST'S
LOVE FOR YOU? -
CHRIST'S FORGIVENESS -- FOR YOU?
HOW RICHLY DO YOU EXPERIENCE CHRIST'S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE?
CHRIST'S POWER ALIVE FOR YOU - THROUGH YOU?
Friends, Jesus meets us - Feeds us - Challenges us.
This Living, Loving Jesus walks with us -
SUPPLIES ALL WE NEED!
LOVE -- THAT WONDROUS LOVE -
"SO AMAZING ? SO DIVINE ---
DEMANDS MY SOUL - MY LIFE - MY ALL"
