Title:  Somewhere to Go in 2004
Speaker:  Reverend Sheryl Shipman
Date:  12.28.03

Verses:  John 21:1-13

To live without goals, is to assure that you will go nowhere. It is better to try and fail than to not try at all. 
We've got somewhere to go in 2004. God wants us to do something bigger and better. If we do what 
we've always, we'll get what we've always got.

Simon Peter was excited and had somewhere to go. Six others caught his excitement and decided to go.
They were going fishing. Fishing in a body of water that was renowned for having clear, fresh water and 
an abundance of fish.  The same body of water whose shores Jesus walked and called his first four disciples.

Simon fished all day and night and caught nothing in a body of water know all around for it's abundance of fish.
Some theologians believe this is because they didn't consult God first (the uselessness of man without God's
help). Sometimes, it is like that in church. We have prayer, sermons, and programs but, have nothing to 
show for it.  Our "nets" remain empty.  

When the morning came (meaning new day, new year to us), Jesus was waiting for them as they rode towards
the shore. But, they didn't recognize Him. Do we know who Jesus is?

"Children, have you any food?", Jesus asked. Called them "children" because He knew that they still needed
attention.  After they answered Him with a "no", Jesus told them to cast their nets on the "right side" of the boat. 

There are still people to be saved, healed, and rededicated. If what you are doing isn't working, pick up your
net and cast it on the "right side".  We can't keep doing the same things, the same old ways. Don't be satisfied
with the way things are. 

After doing what Jesus told them to do, they couldn't pull the net up because it was so heavy with all the fish that
they had caught. Then, John recognized Jesus. Peter put his clothes back on and dove in the water and began
swimming towards Jesus. He had somewhere to go!

We have somewhere. We have to get to Jesus with our praying, preaching, and teaching. We must cast our nets
on the "right side" of the boat.  They caught nothing because they were in need of instruction. 

"Be not weary...for we shall reap if we faint not."

We've got somewhere to go, but first we must cast our nets on the "right side".   

Main Points:  Listen for God's instruction and cast your "nets" on the "right side". We will reap more than we ever
                    thought possible if we just do as God has told us.