The Refuge

		“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and people will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of God of Jacob.” Micah 4:1-2

Our church can be Your home.

July 6, 2003

“Walking on Water to Swimming”

Text: John 21: 1-14

Thesis: The Big Q –

“Why does Peter continue to chase after Jesus?”

* * *

1^st Reason: Peter had a hunger and a thirst for righteousness.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

A. There is parchness in every person’s soul.

“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, where rivers of pleasure I see.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land.”

Fanny J. Crosby

B. The world’s candy will not satisfy the hunger of our soul. It will only make it sick.

2^nd Reason: Peter needed to believe in something that would bring hope.

A. HOPE for our children.

“your children I will save”. Isaiah 49: 25

B. HOPE for happiness in this life.

“life to the full”. John 10;10

C. HOPE for life after life.

“would have everlasting life” John 3:16

3^rd Reason: Peter wanted to be part of something bigger than the normal, everyday, run of the mill life.

A. Face it, apart from the “Eternal”, life appears to be an endless cycle of meaningless activities.

1. With Jesus life is not an endless cycle, but a

linear “Destiny”.

B. Jesus gave Peter the privilege to be personally involved in the literal transformation of peoples lives.

Jesus said, “Peter, feed my sheep (people).”

John 21:15:15