Lessons From Peter's Life: Lesson 5: God Uses People Who Make Mistakes

Pastor’s Bible Class

Thomas Road Baptist Church

Lessons From Peter’s Life

Dr. Elmer L. Towns

Lesson 5: God Uses People Who Make Mistakes

February 17, 2008

INTRODUCTION – REVIEW

1. Indecisive: It took three calls to get Peter, What lesson did he learn? Commitment.

2. Unbelief: Peter sank in the storm, what lesson did he learn? Faith.

3. Peter jumped to conclusions: rebuked by Jesus. What lesson did he learn? Think through things.

4. Embarrassment: Denied Jesus three times. What lesson did he learn? Boldness.

WHAT MISTAKES TEACH US

1. How to consider your mistakes.

a. Mess up

b. Blow up

c. Cover up

d. Back up

e. Slow up

f. Wake up

g. Grow up

2. It’s not the size of your mistakes that make you a failure; it is the size of your heart that makes you a success.

3. Bear Bryant said, “We can do three things about mistakes”

a. Admit it,

b. Learn from it

c. Never do it again.

4. Mistakes are:

a. Friends to help me see myself.

b. Keys to unlock opportunities.

c. Windows to look at the world.

d. Prophecies to predict my future.

e. Highways to take me where I want to go.

f. Teachers to give me insight.

g. Poetry to fit life together.

h. Paint for the portrait of my life.

WHAT PETER LEARNED FROM MISTAKES

A. Embarrassed by a maid, but confronted a multitude (Acts 2:14-41).

1. After mistakes, Peter witnessed better, bigger and bolder.

2. He accused them of sin. “This same Jesus whom you have crucified” (2:36).

3. He convinced them of sin. “They were pricked in their hearts” (2:37).

4. He called for instant obedience. “Repent and be baptized” (2:38).

5. He got results. “They gladly received his word and were baptized . . . about three thousand souls” (2:41).

B. He couldn’t walk on water, but he walked out of jail (Acts 12:5-17).

1. He was at peace in the face of martyrdom, “Peter was sleeping” (12:6).

2. He had to follow directions, “Arise quickly . . . get dressed and put on your shoes” (12:7-8).

3. He knew where to go, “He came to the house . . . where many . . . were praying” (12:12).

C. He jumped to conclusions, but carefully followed God’s will (Acts 10: 1- 11:18).

1. He listened to God’s message (10:9-23).

2. He accepted people different from himself (10:23-29).

3. He carefully took witnesses. “Certain brethren . . . accompanied him” (10:23).

4. He asked for help. “Can any forbid water?” (10:47).

5. He explained to others “Peter rehearsed the matter (11:4).

D. Indecisive at the beginnings but deliberate in ministry (Acts 3:1-26).

1. Didn’t let a beggar intimidate him. “Ask alms” (3:2).

2. Didn’t mind creating a spectacle. “Look on us” (3:4).

3. Was deliberate in instruction, “In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk” (3:6).

4. Was unflinching. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Forgiven. “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin” (I John 1:7).

2. Restored. “I will restore to you the years the locust have eaten” (Joel 2:25).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

To receive this lesson, log on to www.elmertowns.com. You will find it under Sunday School lessons. To email Dr. Towns, eltowns@liberty.edu. For more information on the class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.