Jesus And Peter Series

Theme: Let’s Talk

Series 3: Straight Talk

What is it?

It’s like when your spouse asks if the new outfit makes her look fat and you say, “Yes, you look like you gained 30 pounds!”

It’s like when your wife asks if you love her new haircut and you say, “No you look like an orangutan!”

It’s like when you best friend asks what you think of his new girl friend and you say, ”She looks like a hooker!”

It’s like when your pastor asks what you thought of his sermon last week and you say, “My son could have done a better job!”

Straight talk is defined by The Free Dictionary as a direct and honest talk from one person to another. So in our case it would be a direct and honest talk Jesus would have with another person.

Scripture text for series “Straight Talk”:

Hebrews 4:12-13:

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Straight talk insights from Hebrews:

Our passage here reminds us that God’s Word and words are living and active. God’s words are never dead but alive, they cut they penetrate into your heart – your soul – your spirit and even your mind. They slice open the truth about situations in your life. They judge you – did you hear that? They judge your decisions – but with truth – with insight that only God has about you and your attitude. God knows everything about you – more than you think He knows. He sees everything in your life – everything – He knows what you place above Him as an idol, He knows if you steal from Him, He knows if you sin secretly, and He knows if you love Him. He knows – this is why Jesus has straight talks with us because He knows all about us inside and out. He has straight talks with us to hold us accountable – so that in the end we will be found blameless by His grace. So in this journey of life He will re-direct us so as to keep us on the narrow the road to eternal life through straight talks.

Straight talk is available anywhere you are – it’s a call away – it’s direct – no fluff - only direct honest talk with Jesus. Have you ever had a straight talk with Jesus? How about with another person? How did it go? Did you enjoy it? Did it reset your life’s compass? Did it tell you that you had taken a wrong turn? Did it highlight how you needed an attitude adjustment?

Straight talks are not like pep talks but I also think they are not as hard as a hard talks. So they are in between a hard talk and a pep talk. Straight talks seek to warn us and lead us into the right paths of life. The key is whether we will listen to them or not!

Sermon 1: Jesus and Peter

Scripture Text: Matthew 26:31-75

31Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”