HAVE YOU HEARD THE ROOSTER CROW?
Surving Life's Failures
Selected Passages
INTRODUCTION
SHOW “FAMOUS FAILURES” VIDEO CLIP (1:15)
From failing at show business to failing at sports or politics, it was amazing to see some of those names on the screen, don’t you think?...Think how different society would be today if Abraham Lincoln had decided to quit, if Thomas Edison had gone into “a different line of work” or if Walt Disney had packed it in.
The people mentioned in the video clip certainly had their impact upon our world, but I suggest that their influence pales in comparison with the influence of the Apostle Peter, another individual who could have been highlighted in that video, for Peter’s life was marked by failure as well…But far more serious than failing acting or basketball, Peter failed God…But out of his life are some great lessons that should encourage us in SURVIVING FAILURE…And specifically, we’re going to talk about how we should respond at those times when we fail God.
We're going to explore this subject by looking at some events in the life of the Apostle Peter.
Peter: brash, bold, impulsive, speaks before he thinks…But he was committed to Jesus.
From Jesus' first words to Peter: "Come ye after me" to the last conversation recorded by John in which the Lord tells Peter to "Follow me", Peter followed the Lord…He stumbled/faltered...but he continued to follow…Like many of us.
Let's start this morning in the 16th chapter of Matthew and note, first of all, PETER'S REGENERATION.
I. PETER'S REGENERATION
REGENERATION = rebirth, born again.
• Acknowledge you're a sinner.
• Sin separates you from God.
• Jesus is the bridge between us and God.
The exact moment of Peter's conversion is not recorded; but there is evidence of his salvation:
A. He Acknowledges Jesus As Christ
MATTHEW 16:13-16
Peter speaks up.
Jesus is the Christ--long awaited, long-promised Messiah; fulfillment of OT prophecy.
JOHN 6:67-71
B. He Acknowledges Jesus As Lord
JOHN 13:1-10
Passover supper completed...disciples oblivious to what is going to take place over the next several hours and over the next few days...Judas' plan of betrayal in place... Jesus takes towel, fills bowl with water and begins washing disciples' feet like a household servant; Peter speaks up: JOHN 13:6-10
Some are critical of Peter.
• He still does not understand Jesus' ministry.
• But the thought of not being a part of Christ is so abhorrent to Peter, that he responds this way.
Have you experienced regeneration?...Is there evidence of your salvation?...Have you committed your life to Christ?
II. PETER'S REGRESSION
We either move forward (progress) in our relationship with Christ, or we move backward (regress; backslide)
MARK 14:27-31 records a period of regression in Peter's life:
MARK 14:27-31
• Jesus: All of you will fall away…You’ll all abandon me tonight.
• Peter’s reply: “Not me…You’re mistaken, Jesus!”
This illustrates the First of three elements of regression:
REGRESSION OCCURS WHEN WE FAIL TO BELIEVE & FOLLOW THE WORD OF THE LORD.
• Preacher preaches: "You must be talking to someone else...my situation is different."
• We read the Word and think of a dozen people we wish would read that Scripture.
God's people must spend time in His Word if they desire to spend time in His will.
MARK 14:32-41: Jesus & disciples depart for Gethsamane…Jesus asks Peter, James and John to go in to garden and pray.
• MARK 14: 33 describes Jesus as deeply distressed and troubled.
• Mark 14:34
The MESSAGE says of Jesus: He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony.
THE POINT IS THIS: Jesus reveals the troubled condition of his soul…Jesus asks these disciples to watch and wait; goes to pray; returns to find disciples sleeping--wakes them up.
MARK 14:37, 38
Jesus directs comments to Peter.
• Peter, who has just promised intense loyalty, falls asleep even after the Lord has revealed his anguish.
2nd principle of regression: REGRESSION OCCURS WHEN WE FAIL TO PRAY.
As the events of the 14th chapter unfold, Jesus is met by Judas and those who will take Jesus captive. Our Savior is betrayed by a kiss.
MARK 14: 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
• When Jesus offers no resistance to arrest, disciples all flee.
MARK 14:54a Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.
Peter follows from afar, but probably should not have followed him at all.
14:54b There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
He warms himself by the enemy's fire.
3rd principle of regression:
REGRESSION OCCURS WHEN WE GET TOO CLOSE TO THE ENEMY'S FIRE.
The Enemy's Fire: materialism, activities of the world, etc.
v. 66: Maid I.D.s Peter as on who had been with Jesus…Peter: "I neither know nor understand what you are saying."
WARNING: ROOSTER'S FIRST CROW.
4th Principle: REGRESSION OCCURS WHEN WE FAIL TO HEED GOD'S WARNING SIGNS.
• Still small voice...Family members, Friends, This service today.
Maid tells others that Peter was with Jesus. He denies it.
VERSE 70 Picture: people sizing Peter up--questioning him: Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."
• Galilean accent noticeable.
VERSE 71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."
"SWEARS"..."CURSES"... MAY GOD STRIKE ME DEAD IF I'M LYING.
PETER'S REGRESSION IS COMPLETE.
• He has completely failed the Lord...He has broken every commitment he made to the Lord--His commitment to total dedication...to dying with Him, if necessary.
• As far from the Lord as at any time since He came to know Jesus as His Savior.
III. PETER'S REALIZATION
MARK 14:72a Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.
Then it happened..the rooster's crow caused Peter to realize what he had done.
LUKE 22:61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter…
First of Jesus' trials had been taking place in the room above the courtyard where Peter was… He had been slapped, pushed around, and spat upon.
Represents a low point in Peter's life.
• doubt, despair, depression set in.
• Just a few hours earlier, Peter boasted loyalty (not only did he remember the word of the Lord, but he remembered his own words as well.)
Represents a turning point in Peter's life.
POSITIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ROOSTER'S CROW: Reminder that Jesus is still in control:
• Although He was in custody an on road to Calvary, He was as much in control as when he raised the dead, cast out demons, healed the sick, calmed the angry waves...
IV. PETER'S REPENTANCE
MARK 14:72b Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.
MATTHEW: …wept bitterly.
Reaction represents a repentant heart.
1 JOHN 1:9 IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
Realization = Repentance (e.g. Judas)
V. PETER'S RESTORATION
Restoration promised when we repent: DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEARTO YOU.
JOHN 21 records Jesus' appearance to Peter and a few others who are back to their old trade of fishing.
VERSE 15
SIMON, SON OF JOHN... Reminiscent of how Jesus addressed Peter when they first met.
• Before Spiritual highs and lows.
To SURVIVE FAILURE and to experience revival and restoration, it is helpful to return to that place where we first met Jesus. (spiritually, not physically.)
Jesus tells Peter, "If you love me, serve me." (3 times)
That's what he asks of each of us as he restores us to places of fellowship and service.
• Real commitment always leads to service.
CONCLUSION
No matter how you look at it...no matter what kind of spin you put on it...when you look at the events we discussed this morning, you have to admit it--Peter failed God.
Praise God: The final view of Peter is not cowering in fear in the courtyard of the palace of the high priest… God isn't through with Peter yet.
And He's not through with you… You say, "but Pastor, you don't know what I have done."
• Have you denied Jesus?
• Have you boldly and openly repudiated your relationship with Him in such a way that it will be recorded for future generations to see?
It’s possible not only to SURVIVE FAILURE, but to be restored to a place of useful service…But first, you have to hear the rooster crow.
