Don't Stay In The Boat

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
April 26, 2026

John 21:1-14

“After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:1-14 (ESV)

* For Those Who Belong to Him, the Risen Christ…

1. Supplies What We Cannot PRODUCE.

“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught NOTHING.” John 21:3 (ESV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

If God doesn’t PROVIDE it, you can’t PRODUCE it.

“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”” John 21:4-5a (ESV)

2. Speaks What We Must OBEY.

“He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”” John 21:6a (ESV)

“So they cast it…” John 21:6b (ESV)

“…and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.” John 21:6c (ESV)

If God has already spoken, you don’t need more PRAYER, you need simple OBEDIENCE.

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” James 1:22 (ESV)

3. Shows What We Cannot SEE.

“That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”” John 21:7a (ESV)

You don’t DISCOVER Jesus; He REVEALS Himself to you.

“When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.” John 21:7b (ESV)

4. Serves What We Don’t DESERVE.

“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” …Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”” John 21:9-10, 12a (ESV)

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” Isaiah 55:1 (NIV)

Jesus didn’t need their PROVISION; He wanted their PRESENCE.

“Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.” John 21:12b (ESV)