Part 8 - Who Is Simon Peter? Series

The Commission

Part 8 – Who is Simon Peter

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org

WELCOME

INTRODUCTION TO SERMON

† Jesus Begins His ministry by calling 4 Disciples

† He Calls His First Disciples, Andrew (Peter’s Brother) and possibly John, Son of Zebedee.

† We talked about who Andrew was and that from him we could learn to “Go out and eagerly share the good news about Jesus Christ”

† Today we will take a closer look at who Simon Peter is.

PRAYER FOR HOLY SPIRIT AND UNDERSTANDING

SCRIPTURE READING

John 21:15 - 19 Jesus Instructs Peter after His Resurrection

“15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

18 Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

INTRODUCTION

This is the conversation which took place after the Christ’s resurrection when He is having dinner with the Disciples.

But what led up to this conversation, and how can we understand the Lord better through this?

I believe we can learn from Simon Peter as we get to know him better, that God can forgive sins and strengthen the faith of those who love Him.

I. Last week we talked about Simon Peter coming to believe Jesus as Messiah and Lord while they were on the fishing boat together.

This is when Jesus calls the first four disciples to be fishers of men and we see them leaving everything behind to follow Jesus.

But who is Simon son of John, and what lead up to this conversation with the Lord?

a) We know Simon was a fisherman, and lived in Capernaum where he was business partners with James and John, sons of Zebedee.

b) We also know that his brother was Andrew, the first disciples of Jesus, who took the Good News to Simon and brought him to know the Lord.

c) We know from the scriptures that Peter was married,

Matthew 8:14 – 15

“14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

Knowing Peter was a Disciple of Christ, called by Jesus Himself, and was married shows us that the Lord does not forbid those who serve Him from being married, as some teach.

Jesus even goes as far as to heal Peter’s Mother-in-law.

We also know from the scriptures that Peter was one of the pillars of the Jerusalem church in Galatians 2:9.

Simon Peter boldly preached, healed, and ministered to Jews and Gentiles after Pentecost when the disciples received the promise from the Father, the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.

Simon Peter was imprisoned by King Herod for preaching and rescued by an angel of the Lord.

We also know that Simon Peter wrote 1 & 2 Peter.

II. What kind of personality does Simon Peter have? Can any of us here today related to him as a person?

I believe that it is important for us to recognize the disciples as regular people, and to try and relate to them in these situations recorded in the Word of God because it will help us understand God and His Word.

I can relate to Simon Peter.

a) Simon Peter was hot tempered (John 18:10), yet at the same time he was tender hearted (Matthew 26:75)

b) Simon was insightful (Matthew 16:16), yet dense. (Matthew 16:21 – 23)

c) He was impulsive (Matthew 14:28)

d) And after Pentecost, he was courageous and solid…a ROCK (Acts 5:27 – 30)

These are all very normal human qualities that many of us share.

Relating with Simon Peter is easy.

III. What about his relationship with Jesus? What memorable encounters happened after Simon accepted his new name given to him by Jesus, which did not come into full effect until the day of Pentecost?