A CONTRAST OF CHARACTER
Mark 14:27-72
Sermon Objective: We find in Jesus the secrets to spiritual stamina and we see in the disciples the elements that lead to spiritual failure.
Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 55:6; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Peter 1:1-10;
Read the full text:
I want you to notice some interesting contrasts in these stories.
Jesus says: "You will all stumble"
Peter and friends say: "Even if all stumble, I will not."
Jesus says: yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.
Peter and friends say: I will never disown you.
Jesus says: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," so he fell to the ground and prayed
Peter and friends: Take a nap
Jesus says: “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Peter and friends: Take another nap
Jesus says: “Enough!" Suggesting he has settled the matter.
Peter and friends: Resort to violence
Jesus: Quells the violence and submits to the Father’s plan
Peter and friends: Flee
Jesus says: "I am," And in doing so seals His fate and the redemption of humankind.
Peter says: "I am not" And in doing so distances himself from the Redeemer.
These contrasts are between Jesus and His followers. Did you notice that the term “follower” is an oxymoron? That they were anything but “following” Jesus?
For Example:
THERE IS A CONTRAST BETWEEN THE DISCIPLE’S SELF-CONGRATULATIONS AND THE HUMILITY OF JESUS. (V. 27-52)
There is no question about the disciple’s loyalty and sincerity. They were more than confident in the ability to face any battle – spiritual or otherwise and they will show this when they use the sword. The question of their source of confidence, of the other hand, is real and answered. They thought the source of strength and courage would lie within themselves … hence they set themselves up to stumble and fall.
Jesus, however, gives us another alternative for facing the battle. When Jesus comes face to face with the horror that awaits him. Unlike the disciples, he does not brag of his ability and then flee; he flees immediately into the arms of the Father for strength and confidence.
Jesus understood that the circumstances were dire. The Gospel writer uses words like Deeply distressed, Troubled and Overwhelmed with sorrow.
The very Son of God placed no confidence in his flesh but fled to the Father as the source of all he would need for the unfolding event. And the Father’s presence indeed is proven to be satisfactory. With one simple word (enough/settled) Jesus gives the Father credit and credence.
THERE IS A CONTRAST BETWEEN PETER’S LACK OF INTEGRITY AND JESUS’ AWARENESS OF HIS PERSON AND MISSION (53-72)
To have integrity means that all the parts are assimilated … that they have been fused into a “whole.” We sometimes refer to it as having character. Peter shows his lack character and his lack of lack of courage when the pressure is on.
Peter sought acceptance and approval of the bystanders instead of Jesus.
I am sure that as Peter recounted these stories to Mark the words of Jesus (found in 8:38) were ringing in his ears.
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels."
We must not water down what has happened here. It will be important as we look at the conclusion of the book. Peter failed completely and miserably. There is nothing but guilt – no excuse or rationale would do – he was a coward and distanced himself from his friend and savior.
Jesus, by contrast, shows complete character, complete integrity as he stands in harm’s way. When they asked him if he was the “Son of God” he does not mince words. He calmly but certainly acknowledges who he is with full understanding all its eschatological and cosmic ramifications … fully understanding what it would cost him personally too.
The contrasts are not perceived but real.
They are not just historical either are they? I will only speak for myself today when I say that my spiritual journey is pocked marked with contrasts and failures.
I will let you give testimony of your experience.
But, I have learned lessons along the way; lessons from both Peter and myself that might transfer to you as well.
There are certain elements that always seem present when I fail spiritually. The disciples illustrate them too.
> Confidence in self and thinking I am more “advanced” than I really am.
> Looking at the problem not “THE SOLUTION.”
> Accompanied by a lack of prayer.
> Failure to develop the mind of Christ (spiritual mindedness) and unwillingness to see things from God’s vantage point.
But, as I grow in Christ, I have also begun to discover God’s gifts for living victoriously. They are modeled in Jesus during his greatest temptation.
> A desire to please the Father not man … I desire to hear the Father say “Well done good and faithful servant.”
> Accompanied by a an intimate prayer life
> Not thinking too highly of one’s self and strength
> Not thinking too lowly of one’s potential in Christ
You see, we have been given all the gifts we need to please God. The Holy Spirit, the Word and the Church all call us back to these important elements for success.
WRAP-UP
There is a beautiful back-story taking place here. Mark’s first readers were very familiar with it and it makes Peter’s contrast with Jesus come alive.
> There is ample internal evidence in the Gospel to suggest that Mark was writing to the Church is Rome; a church that was, at this moment being persecuted and called upon to deny Christ.
> There is ample evidence in Mark’s Gospel to suggest that the major source for the book’s content was Peter himself … the pastor of this persecuted church in Rome.
With these facts – the story of Peter’s failure becomes relevant and indeed even beautiful because:
1. We observe a pastor who can relate to the temptations his parish is currently experiencing.
His congregation knew he understood what they were going through.
2. We witness a pastor who has been restored from his self-imposed distance from Jesus by the VERY one he denied.
Mk 16:5-7 says: As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples AND PETER, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”
3. We see a pastor, who through growth was able to model the success over temptation that all his parishioners were facing.
Tradition tells us that Peter would again be asked to deny and distance Himself from the Savior. But this time … well … Peter was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross, according to church tradition because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died
4. We see a pastor who was able to assure His followers that God would forgive and restore if they would indeed sincerely repent and turn from their failures back to Jesus.
Peter’s spiritual failure is a call to the backslidden – for the failures amongst us.
Maybe you have failed God.
> Too much confidence in self and self’s advancement?
> Have you been looking at the problem not “THE SOLUTION”?
> How’s your prayer life? -- I heard Church Swindoll once say, “Without prayer we either fail miserably or we succeed even more miserably.”
> Are you looking at things from the world’s vantage point instead of seeking God’s heart and mind about what you are facing?
Peter’s restoration began when he … broke down and wept.
Yours will begin with repentance too. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
Junk Food
A Children’s Sermon
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Hello everyone! It is wonderful worshipping with you today!
I have some things here in my treasure box to show you today. Oh look at these things … they are wrappers from all sorts of snacks and “junk food.”
Speaking of junk food – did you know some children eat way too much junk food? Do you know what it does to their bodies? That’s right is makes them fat, or sick, or even diseased if they do it too much. We have to be careful how much of this stuff we eat.
They same is true about growing up spiritually too. Sometimes, as Christians, we eat way to much “spiritual junk food.”
> We listen to Bible messages and teachers that are “easy”
> Or we decide we already know truth and refuse to study God’s word
> Or we excuse our actions and rationalize God’s will and Word
Just like there is a lot of different junk food so, there is a lot of spiritual junk food too.
Do you now what the result is? Sure you do … we become spiritually sick … or even spiritually diseased.
The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 3:18 to But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Growth requires obedience, discipline, and sincerely seeking God. Not “junk food.”
Let’s pray together.
This Children’s Sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
