It's Not About the Fish - April 6, 2008 - John21:4-14

This is all likelihood the largest catch of fist they have ever seen in their lives
153 and many large ones

What did they do with the fist?
Did they eat them all?
Sell them? Give them away?
Buy a big house and retire?

I have caught a few fish in my time

• 100 lb catfist at bass pro
• Yellowstone park
• Bass in pond by Paddio Q Joe McMurtery
• Bass in the Arbories ponds with Doug Hawley
• Small mouth bass
• Niagua river gar

What is the main point of fishing?
Its not the fish
Its who you are with

The disciples have 153 blessings Things to know about blessings
They come with a responsibility
To whom much is given, much is required - Luke12
If I won the lottery
We are blessed and there is a responsibility that goes along with that
You know this and I love this about our congregation...
We shouldn't feel guilt, we should feel responsible.

Fish...you have to clean them.

• Blessings have their burdens
• Pets, you have to feed them and walk them
• Lawn mowers, you have to change the oil. Have gas around
• Poin it, sometimes the simpler life is a blessing
• If you are a company owner, you have that blessing, you are also responsible for the welfare of your employees and their families
• If God gives you a big vision, what will you do with it

What kind of blessings can Christians ask for?
When I was in seminary
You go to the butcher. You order steak. You don't settle for hamburger
You go back, you keep asking until you get what you want......
Prosperity gospel
God wants to give you the net breaking, boatload for fist
Famous preachers of our day
God wants you not just to work at the company, he wants you to own the company
Usually sounds like, send us money and God will bless you

the prayer of Jabez...God expands my borders.....
Jabez called on the God of Isreal, saying, 'Of that Thou would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast [territory], and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou would keep me from evil, that is may not grieve me!' And God granted him that which he requested." 1 Chron4:10

1Timothy6...warn those who are rich....
3If anyone teaches false doctines and does not agree to the sound insturction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly treachng, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, eveil suspicions 5and constant fristion between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who whant to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

I think you should have dreams. I think you should strive in just ways to move forward in life
But simpl y focusing on, or accepting our blessings as something we are owed...
This is not the point of the Christian faith

prayer is not magic. You will not get it just because you ask
prayer is not about us controlling god, prayer is about submission in prayer, instead of asking for our comfort, we should be seeking god purpose

Bad theology is self centered.
Good theology is go centered

The disciples....They did not say,
Oh, I deserve these fish
Of, if you have more faith, you can have this big load of fish too
They did not sell them and buy a home

The fish are not for their stomachs
10 fish would have sufficed for this
the big load of fish is for their hearts....so that they realize it is Jesus

Conclusion - The fish are a turning point
In this blessing, they see Jesus
They are accustomed to poverty, so when abundance comes, the recognize god

We are accustomed to abundance and when difficulty comes
We compaign
Wouldn't it be nice if in every blessing we saw God

the biggest blessing in life, is not the fish, it is the presence of Jesus with them

Are you interested in the fish or the presence of God?
If you prefer fish, then we have a like centered on stuff, security
If you prefer Jesus, then there are spiritual blessings.

• a heart filled with joy
• a sense of why you are here
• the presence of God in you life

The best part of fishing was always the meal with friends
He invites the disciples to bring some fish and sit down to eat.
Come and dine
It's not the fish - its about fellowship with Jesus