One of Jesus’ more unusual invitations

• John 21:12 NIV Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

• Favorite invitation

• Better if he cooks

Next Sunday families will gather for Easter brunch

• Gorging & guzzling• Prayer of thanksgiving • Buzz about church• Kids run amok• Adult conversation

– News & sick friends

– Problems at work

– Laugh at jokes & each other

– Sports & television

– Maybe some spiritual talk

There’s a holiness about that circle of friends & family

• Sanctuary & solace at the same time• Home & family in the broadest sense• This is what church should be like

Where Everybody Knows Your NameGary Portnoy & Judy Hart Angelino

• Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.

• Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

• Wouldn’t you like to get away?

• Sometimes you want to go …

Where Everybody Knows Your NameGary Portnoy & Judy Hart Angelino

• Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.

• You wanna be where you can see our troubles are all the same.

• You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

Where Everybody Knows Your NameGary Portnoy & Judy Hart Angelino

• You wanna go where people know people are all the same.

• You wanna go where everybody knows your name.

• Could be a song about family!

• Should be a song about church!

An invitation to breakfastAn invitation to breakfast

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’”

• Had conquered death & risen from the grave

• A kingdom to build• Invited the people

through whom he’d change history to come to the first Easter brunch

Nothing new for Jesus

• Described kingdom of God as banquet

• Fed 5,000 one day • Fed 4,000 on another• Upset Pharisees by

partying with questionable characters

Night before death, hosted a final feast

• Told friends to continue getting together to eat & drink & share like this

• When they did so, they should remember him, because he would be there in their midst

Some important messages for us

• God likes to feed people– Physically– Emotionally– Socially– Intellectually– Spiritually

• Acts 2:42-47 – first video clip of church

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

• They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (43) Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. (44) All the believers were together and had everything in common. (45) Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

• (46) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, (47) praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Original church met primarily in people’s homes

• Sharing– Teaching & praise– Food & resources

• At temple sometimes• Real life of church

– Neighborhood– Fed one another

physical & spiritual food

Many today don’t get this

• Birth & Resurrection church-goers

• Dragged to Christmas & Easter services

• Wonder why we do this every week

• Once-in-a-while something sinks in

• We regulars have spiritual food to share

Not just the usual brunchNot just the usual brunch

The setting of the invitation

• Simon Peter• Doubting Thomas• Nathanael• James & John• Two others• Out all night fishing &

had caught nothing• Probably in their 20’s

The setting of the invitation

• Voice in the darkness from the shoreline

• Told them to make a change

• “Throw your net on the [other] side of the boat, and you will find [what you’re looking for].”

The setting of the invitation

• They obeyed– Maybe desperation– Maybe inspiration

• So many fish that their net nearly broke

• Hungry for some real food after a long night

• Those seven came

This is how it often is for people who come to Jesus

• Some become aware of the voice of God that has led us to blessing– Want to get closer to the source

• Others come after a long night on our own– Not sure what we’ll find, but hungry, &

whatever’s cooking smells good

• Still others are like the nameless people in the story– Along for the ride, but now we’re by the fire

Jesus won’t just do brunch

• “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’“

• Devastating question– “Fillet of soul”– Laid Peter open like a

fish on the grill– Problem was pride

It was never enough for Peter to be just one of the pack

• Had to be better & more valued than others• When Jesus said he would be betrayed, Peter said:

These guys might forsake you, but I never will! I love you more than these guys do

• To save his skin, Peter denied Jesus three times

What might Jesus ask today that would cut to your soul?

• Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

• Word-made-flesh in Jesus is also living & active– Asks penetrating questions that cut to the soul– So they crucified him – but he wouldn’t stay dead

• God keeps coming back to ask questions that need to be answered – not to hurt, but to heal us

Once for each denial, Jesus asks: “Do you love me more than these?” • Question & answer only clear in Greek

• Agape was word for unconditional, unfailing, never-denying love– The way God loves us

• Phileo was word for human affection– Well-intentioned love that may make bold

claims one moment and fail bitterly the next

The first two times Jesus asked, he said: “Do you agape me?”

• Peter could have replied in characteristic pride• But humble honesty has begun to fill the once

empty place at the core of Peter’s soul• “Yes, Lord, you know that I feel fileo for you”

Then he changes the formula in a stunning way

• Jesus asks: “Do you have fileo for me, Peter?” • Peter: “Lord, you know that I have fileo for you” • Then, Jesus restores Peter to his commission

– Feed my people – treat them as I’ve treated you– And Peter went on to do just that

Grace to followGrace to follow

How do you answer Jesus’ question: “Are you my disciple?” • Is your answer like Peter before the cross?

– I’ve got this discipleship business down pat– If so, there’s not much we have to offer you

• Is your answer like Peter after the cross?– Honestly, I’ve got a long way to go, Lord– I could use some help from others– Then, this church is just the place for you– Christ can work with that & we can help– He still meets & feeds his imperfect people