Originally delivered at New Hope Community Church on August 25, 2024.

The Feeling of Fall

Can you feel it in the air? That subtle shift as summer fades into fall? Me either. But somehow every single store in all of existence seems to feel it as they’re already putting out Christmas decorations. I think by next year we’re going to see combo-fireworks stands selling candy canes and Christmas ornaments. It’s a missed business opportunity, I’m telling you. But for many of us, this time of year brings a sense of transition, doesn’t it? Maybe you’re a parent and you’ve been in the thick of the back-to-school chaos. Buying school supplies, figuring out new schedules, and trying to wrap your mind around how your kids grew three inches over the summer. I mean, seriously – what are they feeding them? And why didn’t it work for me? Some of you might be gearing up for what always seems to be the busiest quarter of the year. New projects, looming deadlines, year-end goals to meet. I see some of you nodding – you know exactly what I’m talking about! It's that time when your coffee maker becomes your best friend and most trusted confidant. "Oh Keurig, you're the only one who truly understands me."

Whatever your situation, there's something about this time of year that speaks of new beginnings, of fresh starts. It's like we all collectively take a deep breath, look at our lives, and think, "okay, what's next? How can I do better? What needs to change?" personally, I love this time of year because it's like making new year's resolutions, but without the guilt of breaking them by January 2nd. And you know what? That's exactly what we're going to be talking about over the next two weeks in our new series, "getting back at it." we're going to explore what it means to prioritize our relationship with Christ, especially when life gets busy and complicated. Because let's face it -- it's all too easy to let our spiritual lives take a backseat when everything else seems to be demanding our attention, isn't it? We start treating our prayer time like that gym membership we bought in January -- we know it's good for us, but somehow, we just never quite get around to it. But here's the thing -- our relationship with Jesus isn't just another item on our to-do list, sandwiched between "buy milk" and "fix that weird noise the car is making." it's the foundation that everything else in our live should be built upon. And sometimes, we need a little reminder of that. Sometimes, we need to intentionally "get back at it" in our walk with God.

To kick things off, I want to share a story about someone who knew a thing or two about comebacks, about getting back at it when everyone thought he was done. I'm talking about Michael Jordan. And yes, despite what some of you are thinking, I am old enough to remember Michael Jordan – and watching him live on tv.

Michael Jordan’s return to Basketball

Now, for those of you who might not be big sports fans – I’m not going to put you down or anything – instead I’ll just set the stage. Regardless of what you might think, Michael Jordan isn't just a basketball player – he's the basketball player. He's to basketball what cheese is to pizza, what coffee is to Monday mornings.

By 1993 Jordan had:

• Led the Chicago bulls to three consecutive NBA championships (’91, ’92, ’93)

• Been named NBA finals MVP in all three of those championship runs

• Won seven consecutive scoring titles (’87-93), averaging over 30 points per game each season

• Been named the league MVP three times (’88, ’91, ’92)

• Made the all-star team in every full season he played (9 times by 1993)

• Won two Olympic gold medals (1984 and 1992 as part of the “dream team”)

• Has the record for the highest season scoring average in NBA history for the last 37 years (37.1 points per game in 86-87)

And get this: in the 1992-93 season, Jordan led the league in scoring with 32.6 points per game, and then cranked it up to 35.1 points per game in the playoffs, leading the bulls to their third straight championship. The man was like a video game character with all the stats cranked up to perfect. But in October of 1993, Jordan did something that shocked the world. At the absolute peak of his career, he retired. Can you imagine that?

It would be like if... Well, it's hard to even think of a parallel. It would be like if Gordon Ramsay hung up his chef’s jacket to become a mime. Picture him silently mouthing “where’s the lamb sauce?” In the middle of a park. It was that level of unexpected. And so, for almost two years, Jordan pursued a new career, playing baseball in the minor league. And let's be honest, he wasn't exactly setting the baseball world on fire. It was like watching a fish try to climb a tree – impressive effort, but…“meh” results. But then, on March 18, 1995, Jordan made a simple announcement that sent shockwaves through the sports world.

Just two words: "I’m back."

Not "I’m considering returning" or "I might play again someday." Nope. "I’m back." Short, sweet, and to the point.

Now, a lot of people were skeptical. They wondered if Jordan could still compete at the highest level after nearly two years away from the game. Had he lost his edge? Was he out of shape? Would the game have passed him by? It's like when you try to use a slang word you just learned, only to have your kids inform you it went out of style two years ago. Well, in his very first game back, Jordan put up 19 points. Not bad, but not exactly earth-shattering. But then just four games later, playing against the New York Knicks (one of the best defensive teams in the league) Jordan dropped 55 points. Fifty-five! It was as if he had never left. It's like riding a bike, if riding a bike involved embarrassing a bunch of professional athletes on national television. His brief time away hadn't diminished his skills. If anything, it had only solidified his love for the game and his determination to excel. Jordan went on to lead the bulls to another three consecutive NBA championships, cementing his status as the greatest of all time. And then he had Space Jam, and 100% cemented it. Done deal.

Now, you may be wondering, “Austin, this is all incredibly interesting – thanks for the 30-year-old sports history lesson. What does that have to do with absolutely anything?”

Well, maybe you're sitting here today, and you've drifted away from your faith. Maybe the busyness of life, the challenges of the past few years, or just sheer exhaustion have led you to step back from your relationship with Jesus or your involvement in church. Perhaps you've been "playing baseball" when God has called you to "basketball," so to speak.

If that's you, I want you to know this: it's okay. God isn't angry with you. He's not tapping his foot impatiently, checking his watch, wondering when you'll get your act together. No, like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, he's scanning the horizon, eagerly waiting for your return. And here's the most important thing I want you to take away today: it's never too late to come back. Just as Jordan’s return to basketball led to even greater success - three more championships! - your return to faith can lead to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God than you've ever experienced before.

But let me be clear: this isn't about God wanting you to be more religious or to check off more spiritual boxes. It’s about him wanting you to experience the fullness of life that can only be found in relationship with him.

It's about rediscovering your true purpose and passion.

Fishing in the Sea of Tiberias

You know, as I was preparing this message, I couldn't help but think of another story of return - one that's recorded in the pages of scripture. Just as Michael Jordan needed to get back to what he loved, we often need to return to following Jesus after a season of distraction or distance. And that's exactly what we see happening in our passage today. We're going to look at a story that takes place after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples, much like Jordan in his baseball years, had returned to what they knew best - fishing. But Jesus was about to call them back to their true purpose.

Let's turn in our bibles to John 21:1-14. As we read this passage, I want you to put yourself in the disciples' shoes. Imagine the mix of emotions they must have been feeling: confusion, perhaps a sense of aimlessness, maybe even a bit of shame for having denied and abandoned Jesus. And then, watch how Jesus meets them right where they are, calling them back to himself.

The Disciples’ Return to the Familiar (John 21:1-3)

Setting the Scene

Remember, this story takes place after one of the most pivotal moments in human history – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The disciples have witnessed something extraordinary, something that absolutely defies human understanding. They’ve seen their teacher, their friend, brutally executed on a cross. They’ve experienced the crushing despair of thinking all was lost. And then, miraculously they’ve encountered the risen Christ. Can you imagine the roller coaster of emotions that they must have been experiencing? The confusion, the joy, the lingering fear, the tentative hope? They’ve seen Jesus alive, but they’re still trying to wrap their heads around what all of this means for them. What does it mean for the kingdom Jesus talked about? What does it mean for their role in God’s plan? What are they supposed to do now? And in the midst of all this uncertainty and confusion, what do they do? They go fishing on the Sea of Tiberias.

Read with me again starting in verse 1:

Now, at first glance, this might seem odd to us. Well maybe not some of us. But you get the point. We might think, "Come on, guys! Jesus just rose from the dead! Shouldn't you be out telling everyone? Shouldn't you be starting churches or something? How can you not be telling people?" But let's pause for a moment and consider this from their perspective. For Peter and several of the other disciples, fishing wasn't just a hobby - it was their profession before Jesus called them. It was what they knew, what they were good at. In a time of uncertainty and confusion, they went back to what was familiar and comfortable.

It’s a very human response, isn’t it?

From 5th grade through high school graduation, I played the violin. I was serious about it - participating in all-region orchestras, competitions, you name it. My senior recital was even performing the Bach Double concerto with one of my best friends. Now, here's the thing about playing an orchestral instrument like the violin: it's all about muscle memory. When you're first learning, every movement is deliberate and often awkward. You have to think about every finger placement, every bow stroke. But as you practice, something amazing happens. Your muscles start to remember. Your fingers find their places without conscious thought. Your bow arm moves instinctively. I remember preparing for my senior recital. By that point, I could play sections of the Bach Double almost without thinking. My muscles remembered what to do, even when my mind was elsewhere. That's the power of muscle memory.

The Muscle Memory of Sin

This return to the familiar reveals something about human nature, something that I like to refer to as the “muscle memory of sin.” Now, you might be thinking, "Hold on, just a dang second! Are you saying that just because I’m uncomfortable, I’m going to retreat into sinning?"

Not exactly. But, maybe. Let me explain.

Just as our bodies can remember physical tasks without conscious effort (like riding a bike or typing on a keyboard, I’m sure some of you out that could destroy me on a typewriter) our spirits can have a kind of muscle memory, too. We develop spiritual habits, patterns of thinking and behaving, that become ingrained in us over time. Returning to doing what we are familiar and comfortable with is as easy as riding bike, because once we've learned how to ride a bike, our muscles remember the balance, the pedaling motion, the steering. We don't have to relearn it every time we hop on. It clicks, we got it.

When we return to what’s comfortable, to what clicks, and the comfort is sinful, that means that there’s probably a part of us yearning to get back to the life we had before we knew Jesus.

Think about it: how many times have you found yourself slipping back into old habits, old ways of thinking, old patterns of behavior that you thought you’d left behind when you came to Christ? Maybe it’s a quick temper that flares up in traffic. Maybe you need to be the first to always find out information and share it with others – that tendency to gossip when you’re with certain friends. Maybe it’s falling back into addictive behaviors when you’re stressed. This “muscle memory of sin” isn’t just about obvious outward obvious sins, either. Sometimes, it’s more subtle. It might be defaulting to self-reliance instead of trusting in God. It might be seeking comfort in material things rather than in God’s presence. It might be, like the disciples, retreating to what’s familiar instead of stepping out in faith into the new thing God is doing.

The apostle Paul understood this struggle well. In Romans 7:15, he writes:

Paul, one of the greatest apostles, still struggled with this spiritual muscle memory. Now, you might be thinking, "well, if even Paul struggled with this, what hope is there for me?" but here's where it gets exciting. Just as an athlete can retrain their muscles to perform better, we too can retrain our spiritual muscles. It's a process called sanctification - the ongoing work of the holy spirit in our lives to make us more like Christ. We can develop new habits, new patterns of thinking and behaving that align with our identity in Christ. It's not easy, and it doesn't happen overnight, but with God's help, it’s not just possible, but probable. And you know what? We're about to see a beautiful example of this spiritual retraining in action. We're going to see how Jesus meets the disciples right where they are - in their familiar boat, doing their familiar tasks, but He doesn't leave them there. Instead, He calls them back to their true purpose, reigniting their passion for the calling He had given them. This is the heart of our passage today, and it's the heart of what God wants to do in each of our lives.

Jesus’ Intervention (John 21:4-7)

Jesus’ Appearance

This is where our story takes a beautiful turn. As the disciples are out on the water, likely frustrated by their empty nets (because let's face it, nobody likes to work all night with nothing to show for it), Jesus appears on the shore. And at first, they don't recognize him, verse 4:

Isn't that just like us? Sometimes, when we’ve drifted away, we can miss Jesus’ presence even when he’s right there. We can be so focused on our empty nets - our disappointments, our frustrations, our failures - that we fail to see Jesus standing on the shore of our lives, ready to intervene. But, and I just absolutely love this, Jesus doesn't wait for them to recognize him. He takes the initiative. He calls out to them:

When they answer “No,” He gives them a familiar command:

 This moment echoes their first encounter with Jesus, recorded in Luke 5:1-11. Back then, Jesus had used a similar miracle to call them into ministry. It's as if Jesus is saying, "Remember how this all started? Remember your calling? Remember the purpose I gave your life?” So, what happens next? The scripture tells us:

Now, let me paint a picture for you. These are experienced fishermen. They've been out all night and caught nothing. They're probably tired, frustrated, and ready to call it quits. But they follow this stranger's advice, and suddenly - bam! The net is so full they can barely haul it in! It's like you've been job hunting for months with no luck, and then suddenly you get multiple job offers in one day. Or you've been trying to solve a problem for hours, and then the solution just clicks. That sudden shift from emptiness to abundance, from frustration to amazement - that's what the disciples experienced. And it's this miraculous catch that finally opens their eyes. The Bible says:

 John, often referred to as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," is the first to recognize Jesus. It's like when you hear a familiar voice in a crowded room - you might not see the person, but you know instantly who it is. John recognizes the work of Jesus before he even sees him clearly. Now, here's where it gets really interesting. Look at Peter's reaction:

"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).

Folks, this is classic Peter. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to walk on water to get to Jesus. His reaction here is just as impulsive and enthusiastic. He doesn't wait for the boat to reach the shore. He doesn't even stop to think about how he's going to swim in his outer garment. He just goes! 

It's like a kid who spots their parent at a school pickup. They don't wait for the bell to ring or for the teacher to dismiss them. They just bolt, backpack and all, because they can't wait to be reunited. And Peter's reaction here shows us something beautiful about his relationship with Jesus. Despite his earlier denials, despite his return to fishing, his heart still longs for Jesus. The moment he realizes Jesus is near, nothing else matters. Not the fish, not the boat, not even dry clothes. He has to get to Jesus as quickly as possible.

And you know what? That's the kind of enthusiasm, the kind of eagerness, that Jesus wants to rekindle in each of us. He wants us to be so excited about His presence that we're willing to dive out of our comfort zones to get to Him.

What’s stopping you?

I mean really – what’s stopping you?

Maybe you're here today feeling like those disciples with empty nets. You've been going through the motions, but your spiritual life feels dry. Take heart. Jesus is calling out to you, just as he called to the disciples. He's inviting you to cast your net one more time, to look for him in your everyday life.

The Comfort in the Familiar and Jesus’ Persistent Pursuit (John 21:8-14)

See, after Peter’s impulsive swim to shore, we read that:

"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" (John 21:8, ESV).

When they finally reach the shore, exhausted from their night of fishing and probably still in shock from the miraculous catch, they're greeted with an unexpected sight. The scripture tells us:

“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread" (John 21:9, ESV).

Now, picture this scene with me. Here they are, professional fishermen who've been out all night without catching a thing, and they come back to find Jesus, the carpenter's son, casually grilling up – what? Fish. Yeah, I love it. This is more, though, than just a moment of divine irony (though I like to think Jesus had a little smile on his face). This is a beautiful picture of Jesus' care and provision for His followers. Think about it - these men have been out fishing all night. They're got to be exhausted, hungry, and emotionally overwhelmed. And Jesus, in His thoughtfulness, has breakfast waiting for them. It reminds me of my own childhood. Every morning before school, without fail, my mom would have breakfast ready for me. It didn't matter how busy she was or what else was going on - there was always a warm meal waiting. It wasn't just about the food; it was her way of saying, "I’m thinking about you. I care about you. I want you to start your day knowing you're loved and provided for."

That's exactly what Jesus is doing here. He's not just filling their stomachs; he's filling their hearts with the assurance of his care and provision. He's reminding them, and us, that no matter what we've been through or how we've failed, he's always there, ready to nourish us both physically and spiritually. But the comfort goes even deeper than that. Notice what Jesus says next:

"bring some of the fish that you have just caught" (John 21:10, ESV).

It's as if he's saying, "I’ve prepared this for you, but I also want you to be part of it. What you bring matters to me." There's a powerful lesson here for us. Yes, Jesus provides for us - abundantly - more than we could ever provide for ourselves. But he also invites us to bring what we have, to participate in what he's doing. Our efforts, as meager as they might seem compared to his abundance, are valued by him. The scripture then gives us this:

"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" (John 21:11, ESV).

Why mention the exact number? Well, biblical scholars have debated this for centuries, but John, as an eyewitness and a fisherman himself, is likely just giving us a precise account of what happened. To these fishermen, the exact count would have been incredibly significant. Imagine spending all night fishing and catching nothing, then suddenly God shows up, a miracle occurs, and you haul in 153 large fish! It’s as if John is saying, “I know it sounds unbelievable, but trust me, we counted!” Now, let's talk about the significance and comfort of this familiar scene. It's comforting because it shows us that Jesus seeks out sinners - people like you and me - over and over again. Think about it. This isn't the first time Jesus has shared a meal with his disciples. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus eating with all sorts of people - tax collectors, sinners, his friends. Meals were a significant way that Jesus connected with people, taught them, and showed his love for them. By preparing this familiar meal, Jesus is communicating something profound to the disciples - and to us. He's saying, "Here I am. I want to be with you. I want to provide for you. I want to have fellowship with you."

How beautiful is this? In this moment of invitation:

• He doesn’t mention Peter’s denials.

• He doesn’t mention the doubts.

• He doesn’t mention the desertion.

• He first, and simply welcomes them back.

Thank God for that.

This is wonderfully captured in the next verse:

"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" (John 21:12, ESV).

In this simple invitation to breakfast, we see the heart of the gospel: no matter how far we've strayed, no matter how long we've been away, Jesus is always there, inviting us back to the table. He's always ready to offer us the comfort of his presence, the nourishment of his word, and the warmth of his love. I love this scene because it reminds us of the persistent forgiveness of Jesus. Take Peter, for example. We know he had denied Jesus three times – then ran away – deserted. Yet here, Jesus doesn’t bring it up. He doesn’t say, “hey Peter, remember when you said you didn’t know me? Apologize and I’ll give you some fish.” No, he simply invites Peter to breakfast, restoring their relationship through this simple act of fellowship.

And it’s a powerful reminder for us:

There is no such thing as a useless person in the kingdom heaven. Nor is there someone who is beyond forgiveness.

Now, let's look at what happens next. Verse 13 tells us, "Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish" (John 21:13, ESV).

There's something beautifully intimate about this moment. Jesus doesn't just invite them to breakfast; he serves them himself. The creator of the universe, the risen king, is handing out bread and fish to his friends. Does this remind you of anything?

It should.

• This scene echoes the last supper, where Jesus broke bread with his disciples before his crucifixion.

• It also mirrors the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus provided abundantly for the multitude.

But here, it's personal. It's not about feeding thousands; it's about nourishing these specific men who, sure Peter had denied and denied and denied and then deserted, and Thomas doubted, but Christ still loved deeply. This is Jesus, once again, demonstrating what it means to be a servant leader. He's still putting the needs of others before His own. What a powerful reminder for us! No matter how far we've come in our faith journey, no matter what position or status we might achieve, we're always called to serve others as Christ served us.

Even in His resurrected state, even as the Conqueror of Death, He's still serving. So maybe as an associate pastor, I should still be serving, right? Maybe as a manager, or vice president, security guard, or delivery driver, or whatever it is that your job title says, you can still be serving. Because I don’t know about you, but my resume is missing that line, “conqueror of death.” And even if it did – I should still be serving. And notice, there's no hesitation from the disciples. They don't say, "Oh no, Lord, we can't let you serve us." they simply receive what Jesus offers. Sometimes, the hardest thing for us to do is to simply receive God's grace, isn't it? We want to earn it, to deserve it. But grace, by definition (unmerited favor) can't be earned. It can only be received.

Now, look at verse 14:

"this was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead" (John 21:14, ESV).

John wants us to understand the significance of this moment. This isn't just another appearance; it's part of a pattern. Jesus is repeatedly revealing Himself to His disciples, gradually helping them understand the reality and implications of His resurrection. Why is this important? Because it shows us that coming to terms with the resurrected Christ here has been a process. The disciples needed multiple encounters with Jesus to fully grasp what had happened and what it meant for them. And isn't that true for us as well? Our understanding of who Jesus is and what He's done for us deepens over time. Each encounter with Him, each time we experience His grace, each time we see Him work in our lives or in the lives of others, our comprehension grows. Our faith deepens. Our trust strengthens.

This verse is also a reminder of Jesus' patience. He doesn't get frustrated with the disciples for not getting it right away. He keeps showing up, keeps revealing Himself, keeps inviting them into relationship with Him.

And I find it so incredible, so merciful, so just - beyond words that He does the same for us. No matter how many times we might miss His presence, no matter how often we might fail to recognize His work in our lives, He keeps revealing Himself to us. He keeps inviting us to breakfast, so to speak. This patience of Jesus, this persistent revealing of Himself, is at the heart of what it means to "get back at it" in our faith. It's not about us mustering up enough willpower or being "good enough." it's about responding to Jesus' constant invitation, His ongoing revelation of Himself to us.

So, as we wrap up our look at this passage, let's remember:

1. Jesus seeks us out, even when we've drifted away.

2. He provides for us, often in ways we don't expect.

3. He invites us to participate in his work, valuing our contribution.

4. He serves us, demonstrating true servant leadership.

5. He reveals himself to us repeatedly, patiently helping us understand who he is and what he's done.

Sure, Jordan came back to basketball after playing minor league baseball for a while, but Jesus is calling us to more than just showing up at church. He's inviting us to rediscover our passion for him, to remember our true purpose in his kingdom. So, how do we respond to this invitation? How do we "get back at it" in our faith? Let's consider two key areas:

Personal Commitment and Helping Others

Personal Commitment

First, take a moment to reflect on how Jesus has sought you out, even when you've drifted away. Maybe it was through a friend's timely word of encouragement, or a familiar bible verse suddenly speaking to you in a new way. How can the realization of Jesus' persistent pursuit encourage you to commit or recommit to him?

1. Have a personal "breakfast with Jesus." set aside time to open your bible and pray, allowing Jesus to speak to you and renew your relationship with him.

2. Identify one area of your life where you've been drifting and make a concrete plan to "get back at it."

3. Start your prayers with thankfulness, expressing gratitude for God's persistent love.

Helping Others

But our faith journey isn't just about us. We're called to support others in their walk too. The body of Christ is meant to build itself up in love (Ephesians 4:16). Consider how you can:

1. Pray for someone, remembering James 5:16: "the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

2. Offer encouragement, as Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs us to "stir up one another to love and good works."

3. Speak the truth in love, helping others grow in Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

As you leave today, ask yourself: who in your life might need encouragement right now? How can you reach out to someone this week with the love and truth of Christ?

Just take one step - both in drawing closer to Christ yourself and in supporting a fellow believer. Let's commit to "getting back at it" together, always remembering that it's Christ who initiates, sustains, and completes our faith (Philippians 1:6). Because Jesus is calling us back to our true purpose, wanting to reignite our passion for the calling he's given us. He doesn't just call us back and leave us there - he invites us into a deeper, more vibrant relationship with him.