JESUS: FRIEND OF SINNERS; PETER: FRIEND OF JESUS
INTRO TO SPEAKER: Discuss our road trip to BC and rained-out camping trip with my family.
INTRO TO TOPIC: I wrestled all week with a topic for this morning’s message. When I woke up this morning, I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to tell your people?” I felt like he said, “Tell them about my friend Peter.”
THE BIG IDEA: The life of the disciple Peter teaches us much about the amazing, unconditional love that Jesus has for us as sinners that can transform our lives.
1. Jesus Called Peter to Follow Him: Matthew 4:17-20
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
2. Peter Walked on Water with Jesus: Matthew 14:23-31
“23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
• Peter was reckless, but Jesus was always there to catch him when he fell.
• This is the second time Jesus said to Peter: “Do not be afraid.”
• You don’t have to be afraid when you know that the Good Shepherd is with you!
3. Peter Declared that Jesus is the Christ: Matthew 16:16-17:
“Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
4. Peter Rebuked Jesus for Talking about the Cross: Matthew 16:21-23
“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."”
5. Peter Always Asked Jesus Lots of Questions: Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
6. Peter Was Proud and Confident in His Own Abilities: Luke 22:31-34
“And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
7. Peter Fell Asleep While He was Supposed to be Praying: Mark 14:37
“Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?”
8. Peter had Unresolved Anger Issues: John 18:20
“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”
9. Peter Denied Jesus Three Times: Luke 22:54-62
“54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him." 57 But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”
10. Jesus Called Peter a Second Time and Restored him: John 21:15-17
• After Jesus died on the cross, Peter had gone back to fishing
• After Jesus was raised from the dead, He came looking for Peter.
“15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.”
PERSONAL TESTIMONY:
• I used to think I could do it on my own, but like Peter I realize I can’t.
• Last Thursday I went to an Overcomer’s Outreach 12 step program in Selkirk.
• People there struggled with gambling, pornography, suicide and depression.
• They were on step #1 of the 12 step program:
• “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.”
• (Substitute alcohol with any sin).
• “I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things.” (Romans 7:15-17, NLT).
SUMMARY OF PETER’S LESSONS:
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13).
CHALLENGE:
Do you want to change? Do you want help and hope, peace and joy, and strength in your life?
Do you realize that you are powerless over sin and that your life is unmanageable?
• Come to Jesus in prayer. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
• Spend time in His Word. It’s the truth that will make you free (John 8:31).
• Be committed to open and honest relationships with other Christians. As we confess our sins to one another and pray for one another, we can be healed.
PRAYER
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
