New Year Sermon: Life Of Peter

Once a man died & went to the gates of heaven. AS he was about to enter in to heaven, Peter stands by the gates and refuses to let him in. Peter says.. tell me why I should let you into heaven. You list out your reasons. I will score you. And If you score 100 points, then I will let you in.

So the man begins to think and tell his points.

1. I regularly came to church every Sunday – 2 points. So many years, coming regularly to church fetched him only two points. He was thoroughly disappointed.

2. I gave my offerings and tithes – 3 points

3. I participated in ministry – 2 points

He thought hard and then said another point.

4. I shared about Jesus to two of my friends – 5 points

He gets vexed and says, if it goes at this rate, I can only enter by the grace of God. Immediately, the gates of heaven were opened.

It is by grace alone that we have access to God. We do nothing and did nothing to earn the entry to heaven.

We have come to an end of yet another year 2018. Last Sunday of the year! Throughout this year, I am sure each of us can testify to God’s abundant grace. If you were able to accomplish something this year, it is because of His grace. If you went through really difficult and trying times, it is His grace that sustained you.

If we look behind, we can see the fingerprints of God everywhere.

As we approach the end of another year, I thought it good to reflect about ourselves..

How has my life changed over these 12 months? Am I the same person as the beginning of the year? Or is there some change in my character? Do I reflect Jesus better now?

For our meditation, let’s turn to Mark chapter 14.

Mark chapter 14 records some of the most important events. The events begin two days before the Passover, or the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. It starts with a woman anointing Jesus at the house of Simon, the leper, with a jar of expensive perfume.

From vs 12, we begin to read about the Preparations for the Last Supper and then the Last Supper taking place.

Then we read about Peter’s denial of Jesus. We will be focussing from vs. 27 onwards for today’s meditation

Mark 14:66-72 – is a familiar passage where Peter denies Jesus thrice.

Peter does not deny before people with authority like High Priest or Pilate, rather he denies before ordinary people like servant girls. Even if he had told them, he knew Jesus, I’m not sure what authority they would have had to do him any harm. But He was so fearful and he denies His Lord.

Peter denied Jesus. This was the beginning of his fall in spiritual life.

How with what harsh words he denies Jesus!

V68: I neither know nor understand what you are saying. V68 also records that the rooster crowed one time. This should have warned Peter. But Peter didn’t take it seriously.

V70: He denies second time:

Matthew 14:71: third time: Peter began to curse and swear “I do not know the Man of whom you speak”

Cursing and swearing indicates that he is calling God as an ultimate witness of him not knowing somebody called Jesus.

Fear of people overtakes his fear for God. First Peter lies. Then he tells a double lie to cover up the first lie. [It’s natural.. when you tell one lie, you might end up telling series of lies to cover up that one lie]. Peter then takes God’s name in vain by swearing to prove his lie.

Even as I was reading this passage, I was wondering what made Peter to fall?

1. Peter had a good start. His first meeting with Jesus itself was supernatural. Unusually large catch of fish on a dry sea – an amazing start wherein two things happened. Peter realized he was a sinner. He receives his calling from God – You shall be fishers of men. Which means his life had a definite and God-given wonderful purpose.

2. Jesus had 12 disciples among whom 3 disciples James, John and Peter had a special place. So Peter was in the close circle of Jesus.

3. Peter was almost like a leader of the disciples. When Peter left fishing and followed Jesus, others followed him. When Peter went back to fishing, others followed him as well.

4. Peter had the true revelation of Jesus Christ. When Jesus asked Who do you think I am, Peter rightly answered You are Christ the Son of Living God

5. Peter was one among the three who watched the transfiguration of Jesus.