PRESS TOWARD the PRIZE

PRESS TOWARD THE PRIZE

Philippians 3:8-14 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Christ has many ways of making himself known to his people usually in his ordinances, but sometimes by his Spirit he visits them when they are employed in common business. He is often better than his word, but never worse, often anticipates and outdoes the believing expectations of his people, but never disappoints them. HENRY

If we will do just one thing that is to forget those things which are behind and reach out for that which is before us that is to PRESS TOWARD the PRIZE, which is the revelation of Jesus Christ in you, the hope of his glory and the manifestation of his presence.

Text: John 21:1-14

I. When you PRESS TOWARD the PRIZE…

Your PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF

John 21:1,2 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

You will most likely persevere while keeping good company

The disciples were companions who helped one another out

His manifestations to each of us is confirmation to one another

By the testimony of two or three witnesses every word is established

Here there were seven witnesses in accordance with Roman law

John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee.

They chose to redeem the time rather than be idle

Spiritually speaking we are not to be idle rather “fishers of men”

Fisherman actively cast their nets into the sea to obtain a prize

We must cast our nets if we will succeed to gain spiritual meat

They were busy about their employment so as to burden no one

They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

As we labor for souls there may be dark times without a harvest

Nevertheless we must persevere by casting our nets in tough times

In due time we shall reap if we faint not

In times like these we learn to completely trust in him not ourselves

John 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

The Lord works in mysterious ways

You may not recognize Him in the midst of your trials

When you lose yourself he will find you

Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning

Little expecting to see him there, and not looking intently upon him, they took him for some common person waiting the arrival of their boat, to buy their fish. Christ is often nearer to us than we think he is, and so we shall find afterwards, to our comfort. HENRY

John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

He spoke to them with tenderness as a father to his children

His concern for their well being is evident by his inquiry

Jesus cares for you as His own children… the children of God

He wants you to be spiritually fed with the meat of the word

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:13, 14

Believers who have no meat may still be on the milk

John 21: 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Jesus gave the direction where to cast their net

He will give you the path to take to spiritual progress

Your obedience to his direction will ultimately be rewarded

Their perseverance paid off with a multitude of fish

He is able to supply all your needs according to his riches in glory…

II. When you PRESS TOWARD the PRIZE…

Your PRESENCE is PREFERRED

John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord.

John was the one who stayed by Jesus side during his trial

His ability to discern the presence of his Lord was notable

You must recognize that he prefers your presence as well

Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

Peter could not wait to join his Lord and hurried to shore

We should be more like Peter knowing Jesus is willing to forgive

He longs for our repentance and prefers us to be present with him

The coat may represent the covering of God’s mercy and grace

you may have been naked but you’re now clothed in righteousness

Therefore you are now accepted in the beloved

John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

Whether we excel or not all are preferred to be present with Jesus

He does not exclude anyone who desires his company

Even the last shall be first to sit with him in His glory

We are all members one of another, preferred by him and for him

John 21:9,10 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

Jesus has a fire and coals prepared for their preferred fellowship

Fellowship with God provides warmth for the soul

He invites them to bring the meat which he has provided

Jesus provides us with spiritual meat that will feed your hungry soul

Ministers, who are fishers of men, must bring all they catch to their Master, for on him their success depends. HENRY

III. When you PRESS TOWARD the PRIZE…

Your PARTICIPATION is PRICELESS

John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

Peter is recognized for his effort in bringing the catch to land

It must have been an honor to participate in such a great catch

To participate in the work of the Lord is priceless

Can we put a price on the value of serving the Master’s cause

The number of fish was more than they could have expected

The prize was of great value on the market to fund their mission

John 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. Jesus longs for the fellowship of his disciples

The king of kings and lord of lords invites you to dinner

It is a great privilege to dine with royalty

It is even better yet to be a child of the king

He has a table spread where the saints of God are fed

He invites his chosen people to come and dine

Christ has wherewithal to dine with all his friends and followers; there is room and provision enough for them all. HENRY

And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

They were first hand witness of another post resurrection miracle

How could you even doubt that it was the Lord now?

When God, in his providence, has given us sensible proofs of his care for our bodies, and has given us, in his grace, manifest proofs of his good-will to our souls, and good work upon them, we should be ashamed of our distrusts, and not dare to question that which he has left us no room to question. HENRY

When he works a miracle for you, your participation is priceless

John 21:13,14 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Seven men give witness that Jesus Christ has risen indeed

He is alive and capable of dining with them

The fact that Christianity has survived over two thousand years is proof that we serve a living Savior who is in the world today. You can see his hand of mercy and hear his voice calling softly and tenderly. Won’t you press toward the prize of his fellowship daily as you Come and Dine!