Sermon Guide: John 21 "Transformation and Repentance"

Date Preached: May 11, 2025

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Key Passages

John 21:1-10

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 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.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 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. 12 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. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Sermon Overview

Martin Luther’s first of the 95 Theses, posted in Wittenberg in 1517, begins by stating, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." The Christian life continues by transformation, and continues day-by-day in repentance.

In this passage we see the result of Peter’s gospel transformation, and the beginning of his gospel repentance. For both of these aspects, the crucial center is Jesus Christ — his grace, and his initiating love.

Sermon Structure

1. Gospel Transformation

• Peter learned to serve

• Peter learned to be served

• Two sides of the pride coin

2. Gospel Repentance

• Jesus grieves Peter

• Godly grief

• Following Jesus

Questions for Discussion & Reflection

Consider the two sides of the pride coin: one side leans toward thinking that I’m pretty good, and don’t really need help. The other side leans toward thinking that I’m so rotten that I’m beyond help.

1. Which side of the coin are you more prone to? And, as a follow up question, how does the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus help and transform our pride into humility?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism #87 says,

Question: “What is repentance unto life?”

Answer: “Repentance unto life is a saving grace whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.”

2. What is the difference between godly grief and worldly grief?

3. How can we cultivate godly grief in our lives?

Bonus question: looking at Jesus’ words to Peter — as he’s commissioning him as a pastor/shepherd — what can we observe about the nature and role of pastoral work? (And how can that help guide our prayers for pastors & elders?)