Lessons From Peter's Life 1: Conversion

Pastor’s Bible Class

Thomas Road Baptist Church

Lessons From Peter’s Life

Dr. Elmer L. Towns

Lesson 1: Conversion

January 13, 2008

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Viewed from many perspectives: conversion, saved, born again, prayed to receive Christ, repent, become a Christian, __________.

2. Three stories of Peter meeting Jesus:

John 1:41-42 Mark 1:16-18 Luke 5:1-11

At Baptism After temptation After first tour

At Jordan River Shore of Galilee On Lake Galilee

Andrew brings him Jesus walks by Launch out

Conversion Call to ministry Commitment

3. Some respond immediately and completely. Matthew, Philippian jailer. Others respond over time: Nicodemus, Rich Young Ruler.

a. Untaught to think through Jesus’ claim.

b. Unable to get strength.

c. Unsure to think through personal issues.

B. PETER’S CONVERSION

1. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone)” (John 1:41-42).

2. Some are influenced by family. “Andrew . . . first findeth his own brother” (v. 41-42).

3. Peter needed vision and hope. “We have found . . . the Christ” (v. 41).

4. Peter needed coaxing. “He gently nudged him to Jesus (v. 42, ELT).

5. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves.

6. Jesus changes us inwardly and outwardly. “You are Simon . . . you shall be a rock” (v. 42).

7. Jesus gives us new expectations to stretch us. “You shall be” (v. 42).

C. PETER’S CALL TO SERVICE

1. “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” (Mark 1:16-18).

2. Even though Peter is saved, he is described by his old name “Simon” (v. 16).

When called Peter = committed

When called Simon = backslidden

3. Peter worked hard at his occupation before he worked hard in ministry. “Casting a net” (v. 16).

4. Jesus appeals to people on the basis of their background. “They were fishermen” (v. 16).

5. Jesus must go to Peter; ministry was not the fisherman’s intention.

If you are yielded, you think ministry

If you are not yielded, you are not thinking of ministry

6. The pre-requisite, “Come after Me.”

7. The promise, “I will make you”

God works in us

Before He works through us

8. The task, “fishers of men.”

9. The results, “Immediately they left their nets and followed him” (v. 16).

D. PETERS COMMITMENT

1. “So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing [their] nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. When Simon Peter saw [it,] he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5: 1-6, 8, 11).

2. Third time Jesus goes to Peter.

Jesus is doing His occupation – preaching

Peter is still doing his - fishing

3. Jesus comes at the end of His work. “Were washing” (v. 2).

4. Sometimes we are asked to do minor task before asked to do a major task. Why? To test our obedience. “Put out a little.”

5. Some must observe ministry before they do ministry. “Jesus sat . . . taught the people” (v. 3).

6. Sometimes Jesus uses our possessions before He uses us. “Taught the people out of the ship” (v. 3).

7. Jesus wants obedience in physical before obedience in spiritual. “Let down your nets” (v. 4).

8. Some offer excuses. “We have worked all night” (v. 5).

9. Some offer Christ partial obedience. “I will let down the net” (v. 5).

10. If we completely obey, we won’t suffer consequence. “Their nets broke” (v. 6).

11. Jesus uses positive and negative results to capture us. “When Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees.”