RE YOU ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES
Matthew 26:69-75
Intro: Here we find Jesus has been led into the area known as the Praetorium to be tried in court. Peter has re-appeared after abandoning Him in the garden. Immediately, a young woman has recognized Him as one of Jesus’ followers and begins to interrogate him of sorts about it. Of course Peter denies that he knows Jesus. But I have always been fascinated that after being associated with Jesus for only three years Peter’s entire demeanor, look, attitude everything about him pointed toward Jesus. It told on him. People knew he was one of Jesus’ disciples. I want to preach this evening on this subject “ARE YOU ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES?”
I. A DISCIPLE OBEYS THE COMMANDS OF GOD
A. (Matthew 4:18) And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
B. (Matthew 4:19) And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
C. (Matthew 4:20) And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
II. A DISCIPLE IS SUBMISSIVE TO THE WILL OF GOD
A. (John 13:6-10) Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
B. Peter had no idea why the Lord was doing what he was doing. He knew he was performing a physical act but could not see the spiritual value. He would later see the value of after denying the Lord and being restored unto him. Fellowship with the Lord is valuable. Fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ is valuable.
III. A DISCIPLE SEEKS FELLOWSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD
A. Even after Peter had denied Jesus we find him still hanging around the people of God
B. In (John 20:2) after Mary Magdalene told them Jesus was gone from the tomb Peter out ran John to the sepulchre
C. (John 21:2) There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
D. I have often noticed that backslidden people still like to hang and be around those that are saved and live right
IV. A DISCIPLE RESPONDS TO THE LOVE OF GOD
A. (John 21:15) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
B. (John 21:16) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
C. (John 21:17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
D. Peter had denied the Lord three times and I believed the Lord was allowing Peter to fully restore himself
