Verbatim Word with Justin Gerry

What if your story didn’t have to end the way it started?

This episode explores Peter’s denial, Jesus’ restoration by the campfire, the call to “Follow Me,” and what it means to finish well when we’ve failed, struggled, or wandered. This final chapter of John’s Gospel reveals a Savior who gently restores bruised hearts, gives purpose after failure, and faithfully leads His people to the finish line.

We’ll explore:

• Why Jesus cooked breakfast for the disciples before confronting Peter

• The meaning of “Do you love Me?” asked three times

• The difference between agape and phileo love

• How Jesus restores broken people instead of discarding them

• What it means to finish well and keep following Christ

• Why your failure is not the final chapter of your life

Whether you’re carrying regret, feeling spiritually exhausted, or wondering if God can still use you, this conversation points to the hope that Jesus is committed to bringing His people to the finish line.

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 21:15-25 | MATTTHEW 12:18-20 | 1 KINGS 17:4-6 | 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5 | MATTHEW 26:33 | DEUTERONOMY 5:6 | DEUTERONOMY 10:12 | DEUTERONOMY 5:6 | DEUTERONOMY 11:1, 13 | DEUTERONOMY 11:22-23 | MARK 12:29–30 | JOHN 14:15 | MATTHEW 10:42 | LUKE 9:23 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:31 | JUDE 1:24-25 | ACTS 12:1-19 | 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

Why did Peter return to fishing after the resurrection? Why did Jesus repeat the miraculous catch of fish? And why does John end his Gospel with a quiet breakfast on the shoreline?

In this episode of the Verbatim Word Podcast, we explore John 21 and discover that the shoreline becomes the meeting place between our old life and God's new calling. Jesus reminds His disciples—and us—that apart from Him we can do nothing, but with Him ordinary lives become transformed.

In this episode:

• Why the disciples returned to the Sea of Galilee

• What the miraculous catch of fish really means

• How Jesus transforms everyone who truly meets Him

• Learning to wait on God's timing

• Recognizing Jesus in everyday life

• Why our greatest lack often becomes God's greatest opportunity

Whether you're studying the Gospel of John, preparing a Bible study, or simply longing to see Jesus more clearly, this conversation offers practical encouragement and biblical insight.

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 21:1-13 | MATTHEW 11:5 | JOHN 9:25 | PSALM 107:1-3 | ROMANS 12:2 | MATTHEW 28:6-10 | MARK 14:28 | JOHN 8:36 | ISAIAH 30:1-3 | JAMES 1:2-4 | PSALM 27:14 | ISAIAH 40:31 | JAMES 1:2-4 | MATTHEW 18:20 | LUKE 11:1 | HABAKKUK 3:19 | REVELATION 3:14-22 | GEN 3:7 | GENESIS 3:21 | LUKE 5:1-11 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

The 1980s band Journey told us, "Don't Stop Believin'," but Jesus points us toward something far greater than vague optimism. In John 20, Thomas moves from doubt to worship after encountering the risen Christ, reminding us that biblical faith isn't about believing harder—it's about believing in Jesus. Discover how fear gives way to peace, doubt gives way to conviction, and why John's Gospel was written so that we, too, "may believe and have life in His name."

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 20:19-31 | JOHN 9:1-33 | JOHN 19:38 | PROVERBS 29:25 | 1 PETER 5:8 | ACTS 14:19-22 | ACTS 16:1-40 | 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 | ROMANS 5:10 | ISAIAH 9:6 | ISAIAH 64:6 | JOHN 16:22 | NEHEMIAH 8:10 | PHILIPPIANS 2:8 | MATTHEW 5:13-16 | GENESIS 2:7 | GENESIS 2:17 | JOHN 3:3-17 | EPHESIANS 1:13 | ROMANS 10:9 | JOHN 11:16 | JOHN 14:5-6 | JOHN 2:11 | JOHN 3:2 | 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

It's the most important empty tomb in history. Explore Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ, the evidence surrounding the resurrection, and what Peter and John discovered inside the tomb. Along the way, we'll see how the resurrection changes everything—and why hearing Jesus call your name still transforms lives today.

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 20:1-18 | MATTHEW 28:1–10 | MARK 16:1–8 | LUKE 24:1–12 | LUKE 8:2 | MARK 16:9 | HEBREWS 11:6 | JOB 26:7 | ISAIAH 40:22 | GENESIS 1:1 | ROMANS 1:20 | PSALM 1:1-3 | PSALM 16:10 | ACTS 2:25-32 | ACTS 13:35-37 | ISAIAH 53:10-12 | HOSEA 6:2 | JONAH 1:17 | MATTHEW 12:40 | HEBREWS 11:19 | LUKE 24:26 | EXODUS 25:10-22 | LEVITICUS 16:15-16 | MARK 16:12 | LUKE 24:16, 31 | 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

Discover what it means to walk with God not just as His servant, but as His friend.

In Part 2 of our series on spiritual origins, we shift from Jacob to Abraham—the one Scripture calls a friend of God. This episode explores how true friendship with God is formed over decades of trust, testing, obedience, and grace.

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

Discover your spiritual roots—and the God who still forms His people through grace and struggle.In this kickoff to a two‑part series on spiritual origins, we dive into the story of Jacob—one of Scripture’s most complicated, surprising, and ultimately transformed figures. From wrestling with God to receiving a brand‑new name, Jacob’s journey shows what it means to be chosen, shaped, and called by the Lord. Adapted from a live teaching, this episode explores how tracing Israel’s story helps us understand our own identity as God’s people today.

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

God had been preparing redemption from the very beginning. From Passover and the Sabbath to the Garden Tomb, we see that the cross was not random tragedy—it was divine fulfillment, opening the door for freedom, rest, and restored fellowship with God through Christ.

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 19:31-42 | MATTHEW 27:62 | MARK 15:42 | LUKE 23:54 | JOHN 19:14, 31, 42 | 1 CORINTHIANS 5:6-8 | 1 JOHN 1:9 | DEUTERONOMY 21:22–23 | 2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 | HEBREWS 4:10 | EXODUS 12:46 | ZECHARIAH 12:10 | ISAIAH 53:5 | REVELATION 1:7 | 2 KINGS 13:20-21 | ISAIAH 53:9 | GENESIS 3:1-15 | 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

Why does the crucifixion of Jesus feel strangely familiar? In John 19, ancient prophecies, foreshadowings, and God’s sovereign plan collide at the cross — proving Calvary was never an accident. From Abraham and Isaac to “Tetelestai — It is finished,” this episode explores the power, purpose, and fulfillment found at Calvary.

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 19:17-30 | 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 | GENESIS 22:1-19 | ISAIAH 53:1-12 | MARK 11:2-6 | LUKE 1:27-28 | MATTHEW 1:21 | PSALM 22:18 | 1 PETER 1:18-20 | PSALM 139:1-3 | LUKE 2:25-32 | PHILIPPIANS 4:19 | 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-25 | MATTHEW 6:33 | PHILIPPIANS 4:16-19 | ROMANS 6:23 | PSALM 22:15 | PSALM 69:21 | 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

Jesus, the true King, is rejected and mocked. This episode explores the contrast between earthly honor and eternal authority. And it asks the question we all must answer: Who is king in your life?

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 19:1-16 | LUKE 23:8-12 | JUDGES 17:6 | 1 SAMUEL 8:4-22 | PSALM 2:1-4 | HEBREWS 9:27 | ROMANS 3:23 | PSALM 18:2 | REVELATION 9:20-21 | REVELATION 19:11-16 | GENESIS 3:17-19 | ROMANS 10:9-13 | 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

Accusations are loud—but they aren’t always true. In John 18, Jesus faces a broken trial built on empty claims and rushed judgment. This episode explores how accusation works—both in the world and in our hearts—and how Jesus stands as truth in the middle of it. Because while the accuser speaks loudly… Christ has the final word.

BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 18:25-40 | GENESIS 3:1-13 | 1 PETER 3:15 | REVELATION 12:10 | ROMANS 8:1 | 1 JOHN 1:9 | PSALM 22:16 | NUMBERS 21:8-9 | ISAIAH 53:5 | ZECHARIAH 12:10 | DEUTERONOMY 19:15 | JOHN 10:27 | JOHN 8:44 | JOHN 8:1-12 

*Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode