Courage And Cowardice At The Garden Gate Series

COURAGE AND COWARDICE AT THE GARDEN GATE

(Part 2)

John 18:15-18, 25-27

INTRO: This morning, we started this message on the life of Simon Peter, and just got started. We saw how he was tempted by the devil, and denied Jesus.

Tonight, we want to see why he denied him.

I. MIS-DIRECTED ENTHUSIASM.

A. Notice the mis-direction in Peter’s response at the questions he

was asked.

1. Some people say that opportunity knocks at our door just

once.

But temptation bangs away — persistently all the days of our

life. If you have lived in this world very long you are

conscious of three things. Want, temptation and suffering.

a. Notice that Peter, in the text, does three things. Fights,

Flees, Follows.

b. There is the story of the little girl that prayed: "God,

help me to do good, but don’t fence me in."

c. How many times have we said, "get thee behind me Sa

tan," and under our breath said, "And push."

2. Some can go with safety where others cannot go.

a. Peter went into the garden with self confidence.

b. John went with safety to that same: place, but Peter went

there with peril.

c. We should beware of danger zones. People never slip into

temptation. They march into it.

II. A COWARDLY WITHDRAWAL.

A. The woman did not address Peter the second time but identifies

him.

1. Peter got around the fire in order to identify with these

people, but his Galilean accent gave him away.

2. Many times we make a cowardly withdrawal, and get into the

questionable side of life. We excuse ourselves by saying we

what to find out what’s going on in the world.

III. A PROBLEM OF HALF-HEARTED DISCIPLESHIP.

A. An old French proverb says: "We Fall to the Side to Which We

Lean."

B. How would you analyze Simon peter?

1. Probably with the same analysis we would give ourselves if

we looked in a mirror.

a. We would say he was a failure.

b. His contact with the Lord was broken.

2. When the cock crew, Jesus was doing two things:

a. Awakening the memory of Peter.

b. Warning Peter to be careful of Satan.

CONC: There is a sign in a textile factory that reads, "When the Treads Get Tangled, Call, the Foreman".

Remember, doing your best is sending for the foreman.