OPENING STATEMENT: Have you heard of the of the term “Too many cooks in the kitchen”?

In our lives, there can be too many cooks in the kitchen. Us being one of those cooks.

• God is the ONLY COOK that is qualified to be in the kitchen of our lives.
• He knows the right timing, the right temperature, the right ingredients for our lives.

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes ALL THINGS TO WORK TOGETHER [AS A PLAN] FOR GOOD for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28 AMP)

• ALL THINGS: All the ingredients. That’s all the good times but also all the painful times. That’s all the good things but also all the bad things. That’s all the good relationships and also all the bad ones.

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (John 21:1-3 NIV)

• Familiar story from Matthew 6, when Jesus met Peter.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21: 4-6 NIV)

• “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
They did not recognize Jesus but they recognized that voice. They recognize the pattern casting the net on the other side.
• I believe there is a pattern that God uses to get our attention. I believe there is a pattern that God uses to speak to us.
• If you want to know God’s plan for your life and be able to follow Him, look for a pattern of Him speaking to you.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. (John 21:7-9 NIV)

• Jesus used the same pattern from the miracle of the feeding of the 5000.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:10-12 NIV)

When you let God cook, it’s not just breakfast that’s on the menu: Your Purpose is on the menu. Your Character is on the menu. Your Restoration is on the menu.

#1 PURPOSE

• You were created on purpose for a purpose
• God knows the right timing for your purpose – Let Him Cook!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV)

• Peter went fishing because he lost his sense of purpose.
• Right there on that beach Peter was not served just breakfast but he was served a reminder of his purpose, his calling.

#2: CHARACTER

• God will never put you in a position of authority until you have the character to sustain it.
• God knows the right temperature for your character – Let Him Cook!
• Your plan might look like a straight line to get where you want to go. Quick and Easy!
• But God might want to you to take the scenic route. Long and sometimes very trying.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

#3: RESTORATION

• Whenever God restores something or someone, the value becomes greater than its original one.
• God knows the right ingredients for your restoration – Let Him Cook!
• That day, Peter was carrying a heavy burden; it was the burden of guilt and shame.
• Listen to how Jesus restored him and gave him his calling and purpose back:

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21: 15-17 NIV)

• I believe Jesus asked him that same question: “Do you love me?” 3 times to make a point: His complete restoration was based on love. Would he still love God through the trials? Would he still love God through the easy times as well as the hard times?
• Here’s how Jesus responds Peter: “Feed my lambs” “Feed my sheep”- That was the restoration of Peter’s calling.

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?