A Restoring Savior

Ian Woodall December 28, 2025 John 21
Outline

I. A Savior Who Abundantly Provides (vv. 1-14)

John 21:4-8 - But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus *said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.”

John 21:9-14 - So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus *said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

John 21:12 - Jesus *said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.”

II. A Savior Who Restores (vv. 15-17)

John 21:15-17 - So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

III. A Savior We Follow (vv. 18-25)

John 21:18-25 - Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!” Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written.”

Authors

Ian Woodall

Roles

Pastor of Student Ministries - Faith Church

Bio

B. A. – Communication, Cedarville University
M. Div. – Cedarville University

Ian was raised in Faith Church (1997-2011). It was during those early years that he understood his need for a Savior, believed the gospel, and was saved by God. His family then moved to upstate NY before starting high school. It was in NY that he met his wife, Beka. They married in 2019 and were blessed with two sons, Liam and Owen.

Ian received his Master of Divinity in 2023. Throughout the degree he was heavily involved in his local church serving in kids ministry and student ministry and working on staff as intern and as pastoral assistant. It was during that season that the Lord deepened Ian’s love for the local church and desire to preach God’s Word to God’s people.

Ian highly enjoys movies, books, coffee, games with friends, and walks with his wife and sons. His heart and mind have been shaped by authors like D.A. Carson, John Piper, John Sailhamer, Dale Ralph Davis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the puritans.