Comeback Faith
Pastor Brent Snook · April 12, 2026 · AM Service
Text: John 21:1–22
“If you are not dead — you are not done.”
What would take you away from serving Jesus and back into the world? For Peter, it was failure. After the crucifixion, the disciples were discouraged, beaten down, and feeling like failures — their dreams shattered. But Jesus had one last lesson to teach before His ascension. And Peter was about to experience what it means to have comeback faith.
I. THE APPEARANCE OF FRUSTRATION
John 21:1–3 — The disciples, still discouraged, packed up and headed home to Galilee. Nothing was happening. Peter, tired of inaction, made a decision — he went back to what he knew best.
A. The — v. 1
The Sea of Galilee — the most familiar place these men knew. It was here that Jesus first called them, preached the Sermon on the Mount, and fed the 5,000. Now in their discouragement, they had returned to it.
B. The — v. 2
Seven disciples were together: Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two others. Perhaps the Holy Spirit leaves those two unnamed so that you and I can take our seats in the boat.
C. The — v. 3
Peter said, “I am going fishing.” He had denied his Master, broken his promise, and saw no future in serving Christ. So he returned to his pre-Christ vocation. But that night, he caught nothing.
“Failure can hold us in a severe grip that will distort our whole perspective about God, others, and ourselves.”
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” — 2 Corinthians 4:7
II. THE ASSURANCE OF FELLOWSHIP
John 21:6–14 — In their minds, they had lost favor with Jesus. But Jesus loves us more than we give Him credit for. So Jesus showed up.
A. The Master’s — vv. 6–7
Rather than rebuke them with more failure, Jesus nudged them with great blessing — a miraculous catch of fish, echoing the moment He first called them three years earlier. Peter instantly knew who it was, grabbed his outer garment, and swam to shore.
With God’s help, we can find success. We can be experts in a field — but without God, we fail. Invite God in and watch Him work.
B. The Master’s — vv. 8–14
1. He them — A fire on the shore with fish and bread, perhaps echoing the feeding of the 5,000.
2. He them — “Come and dine” — the greatest word in the Bible. God invited Noah into the ark. It closes the Bible in Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, Come.”
3. He them — They knew it was the Lord. They had always been familiar with His humanity — now they were fully aware of His deity.
III. THE AROUSING OF FERVOR
John 21:15–22 — Jesus is interested in one thing: restoration. Three times Peter denied the Lord. Three times Jesus now asked: “Do you love me?”
A. Love That — vv. 15–19a
Jesus Says Love Is 3 Things:
1. Love Is — Love is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus. When love wanes, Christians slide and churches grow lukewarm.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” — Matthew 22:37
2. Love Is — Three times Jesus asked — three times He responded: “Feed my sheep.” Don’t say you love Him without proving it — by obedience, submission, and surrender.
3. Love Is — Love for Jesus is deeply personal. It may even mean suffering — but it is the mark of a life truly surrendered to Him.
B. Life That — v. 17
Peter’s confession was that of a broken man — aware of his weaknesses, afraid to ever boast again. But now he was finally ready to follow. “Follow me” — the same words Jesus had spoken three years earlier.
Proud people are not good at caring for and leading others. Only a humble Peter was ready to feed and care for the sheep.
— Comeback Faith —
How we recover from failure determines our future.