1. Faith: The Rx For “Post-Resurrection” Let-Downs! John 21:1-11

2. “The Game of Sweet Revenge” Just about to reach your goal and … BLAM!!! Back to the Beginning! RELAPSES! Resolutions Weight loss Substance abuse Spiritual progress !

3. Days Following the Resurrection What Was Going On? Retreating to Old Patterns … John 20:19 – doors shut, fear of the Jews Thomas doubtful of all of it vs. 25 John 20:26 – “eight days later” Thomas believes John 21 (also Luke 24) – “the breakfast meeting” vs. 14 – “it was the 3 rd time Jesus met them”

4. Post-Resurrection Relapse John 21:3 – Peter “I’m going fishing!” “caught nothing” John 21:6 – “try the right side” HUGE catch Reminiscent of Luke 5:4-6 Yet, it all started with Matthew 4:19-20 * Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:19-20 What’s the “net” impact of the Resurrection for you?

5. Prone to Relapses After Victories Elijah - 1 Kings 18-19 Elijah calls down fire from heaven; 450 prophets of Baal eliminated; Runs for his life from Jezebel! Disciples – Matthew 17 – Transfiguration; then the “inability to cast out demons” vs. 16 Jesus ministry: *Glorious birth; Herod destroys 2 yr. olds; Egypt! *Baptism – severity of the temptations *Palm Sunday glory; followed by crucifixion

6. Flat Creek’s Pending Summer of Victory! * Burning the bank note / debt retirement * Karen Peck / New River = Homecoming! * VBS 2015 WHAT HAS THE LORD IN STORE FOR US NOW? Temptation to …. Slide back into comfortable? Easy? Auto-pilot? “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think… according to the power within us…” (Eph. 3:20- 21)

7. What Changed the Disciples From This??? To THAT ??? Hiding behind closed doors (John 20:19). “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood"(Acts 5:28). FAITH! “…the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1) “…without faith it is impossible to please Him” (vs. 6)

8. Finding Sustaining Power to Finish the Course in John 21 Key: Faith required to answer each setting 1) Be about His business (John 21:15-17) *Tend My lambs Greek “bosco” = “feed” *Shepherd My sheep Greek “poimen” “shepherd, care for” *Tend My sheep = also “bosco” = “feed” Each step, an expression of love/submission John 14:21 – who is the one who loves Jesus?

9. 2) You Follow Me (John 21:22) Obedience requires faith from you! His invitation – Follow Me! John 14:6 * to the Way (life, heaven) * to the Truth * to the Life especially when you don’t understand! Life’s confusion can “freeze us” – faith moves ahead in trust!

10. 3) “…wait for what the Father has promised” (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4) “you shall receive power” – (Acts 1:8) Power (dynamite) to accomplish all that God has called you to in His will: * in this generation * in your family * with your skills and talents “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” (Ephesians 2:10).