The Proof Is In The Putting Series

1. Peter Principle

Years ago, Laurence J. Peter visited several corporations and studied some of their management characteristics. As a result, he came up with a maxim he called "The Peter Principle." The Peter Principle roughly said this: A person is hired by a company and does a good job and he is promoted to a higher level of responsibility. He does a good job there as well and is elevated another notch in the corporation. This happens again and again. Eventually the individual is promoted to a position that they can’t handle. They are promoted to a point where they are incompetent. And once they reach that level of incompetence, they are no longer useful to the company. They no longer have value.

God has a different standard. ALL of us are valuable to him regardless of ability, looks, intelligence; or the “what can you do for me?” mentality.

2. God’s perspective: The world looks on the outside, God on the inside – But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16.7

3. Application to Peter – 1 Corinthians 15.3-5

a. Yeshua (Jesus) spent 40 days affirming his resurrection

b. Yeshua (Jesus) spent 40 days explaining his kingdom (Acts 1.3)

c. Yeshua (Jesus) spent 40 days collecting witnesses of his resurrection

[Nazis were convicted by witnesses – including the witness of photographs

4. One of the great proofs of the resurrection is the change in the disciples (witnesses to the resurrection) – also the change in YOU as a disciple (These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, Acts 17.6 -- Thessalonica)

5. Consider changes in Peter:

I. Peter Put Faith in His Ability (Before the Resurrection)

40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). John 1.40-42

A. Peter Was Skilled

1. As a Fisherman – Boats; Nets; Sea; Fish; Business (Would become a ‘fisher of men’)

2. As a Leader – Confidence; Impetuous; Likable; Action-Oriented; A Man’s Man (not a coward – Malchus’

B. Peter Was Self-Assured

1. Bold in his confession of Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 16.18 (You are ‘Rock’)

a. Location – Caesarea Philippi; Gates of Hell

b. Dangerous – pagans and fertility cult

2. Boldness in his Imitation of His Master/Rabbi – Matthew 14.28-29

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

3. Boldness in Declaring His Loyalty – Matthew 26.34-35

34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

C. Peter Was Significant

1. The Name Change – Simon to Peter (Cephas/Kefa) – ROCK – Matthew 16.18; Isaiah 51.1

2. Followers and New Names (God’s significance on us)

a. Abram to Abraham

b. Jacob to Israel

c. Shaul to Paul

d. James and John (Sons of Thunder [OKC and Sons of Thunder Section?]

D. Peter’s Slide from Self-Confidence

1. Not any different than the rest of us – Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10.12

Former heavyweight boxer James (Quick) Tillis recalled his 1st day in the Chicago after his arrival from Tulsa. "I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under my arms and stopped in front of the Sears Tower. I put my suitcases down and I looked up at the Tower and I said to myself, ‘I’m going to conquer Chicago.’ And when he looked down, the suitcases were gone.

He was a heavyweight boxer. He was a big, bad, scary kind of man. AND he was going to conquer Chicago. But, in the blink of an eye, somebody took all that he owned from him.

2. Confusion in the Arrest of Yeshua (Jesus)

3. Which Led to his denials (Luke 22.54-62 cf. Psalm 1)

4. Which led him back to fishing (John 21.3)

II. Peter Came to Put Faith in His God’s Ability

A. Peter Was a Changed Man

1. Bold Proclamation (Acts 2) in front of: