This Sunday’s order

Sunday
Series
Multiplied
Preaching
Kendall Ellis

This is a sermon preview for November 2, 2025, the first of four sermons in FBCM's "Multiplied" sermon series.

The readingJohn 21:1-19

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' -from John 21:1-19

Read John 21:1-19

1Later, by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples. He made Himself known in this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.”
“We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night. 4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus. 5So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”
“No,” they answered. 6He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea. 8The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards. 9When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread. 10Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. 12“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. 15When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.”
Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” 16Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.”
Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?”
“Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.
And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”

Berean Standard Bible, public domain

People talk a lot about growth: personal growth, spiritual growth, financial growth, and even growth of the church. But what does it look like to grow? In the Bible, we see that God multiplies exponentially in all things. If we are good stewards of love, hospitality, resources, and family, we might be surprised how God multiplies them! Not just for our individual good, but for God's glory and the good of the community.

As we kick-off our "Multiplied" sermon series this week, we find ourselves in the final story of John's gospel. This passage is a sort of "origin story" for Peter. It's the miracle when Peter (arguably) has one of the greatest turn arounds in the entire Bible.

How does he go from denying Jesus to being one of the loudest proclaimers of the good news in the book of Acts?

The pivotal moment of Peter's life is here, when he is reconciled with Jesus over a fish breakfast. When we read this story, it's tempting for us to get stuck on the multiplication miracle of the fishes. But Jesus is multiplying something much more than fish. Jesus multiplies his love for Peter, which in turn allows Peter to multiply his love for the "sheep" entrusted to him.

I wonder what would happen if we started viewing love as something to be multiplied in our life, rather than earned?

First Baptist Church Muncie · 309 East Adams Street, Muncie, IN 47305 · https://www.fbcmuncie.org/post/multiply-love

More from this series

All posts
  1. The Way, The Truth, & the Life

    John 14:1-14

  2. The Resurrection & The Life

    John 11:17-43

  3. ONE Truth

    John 18:28-40