Introduction: What do you do when you feel like a failure? Remember, the Word of God is full of those who failed the Lord. Peter is no exception.
After being warned by Jesus that he would fail miserably by denying his Lord, Peter fell flat on his face in defeat. Oh, by the way, this was after caving in to peer pressure with tormenting fear—not once, but three times. Three strikes, and you’re OUT! Do you wonder if he thought he was done? Finished? A complete failure? Irreparable? Unreconcilable?
Well, here are three steps to climb to rise above your failures—the ABC’s to fixing our failures.
1. Admit Our Failures Need Fixing! (John 21:3-4) – “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.”
Because of feeling defeated and discouraged, Peter went back to his profession—fishing. After all, that was how he made a living. Perhaps he was hoping to catch a mess of fish to make him feel better. However, he came up empty-handed—without a nibble!
Honestly, I love that statement: “When the morning was now come.” Thank God for the morning!
Are you patiently waiting for the morning?
2. Believe Your Failures Can Be Fixed by Fishing with Jesus! (John 21:5-8) – “Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 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. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. 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. 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.”
Get this: Jesus knows where the fish are biting, how to catch them, and He even cleans them!
Did you notice that our Lord told the professional fisherman, Peter, how and where to catch the fish—despite the fact that he had fished all night long?
Bottom line: We need to listen to Jesus even if we think we know what’s best. Right? Will you do that this moment?
3. Commit to Be Free from Failure by Following Jesus to the Finish! (John 21:12) – “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”
An invitation from the MASTER should result in a positive affirmation.
There is a song that comes to mind that was sung in children’s church. It goes like this:
“Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus, anywhere, everywhere, I will follow Him!”
That prompts this question: Are we really following Him? Or are we following our own agenda and wanting Him to follow us? Which is it?
Conclusion: Since we all fail at times, it is absolutely necessary that we get this right. Namely, we need to admit when we are wrong, listen to the words of Jesus as well as the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and finally—Lord, help us—follow You all the way to the finish!
And the church said…?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
