Series – Come Alive in 2025
Thesis: We can come back to life – with a breath from heaven – nothing is too dead for God to bring back to life! The Bible says nothing is too lifeless for God! He is the Creator who took nothing and made it something and He can bring back to life anything! Can you catch the vision of this truth and reality for 2025?
Let’s all call on God to breathe life back into that which is dead and lifeless in our lives, our churches, and our schools in 2025!
Main Scripture Text for Series: Ezekiel 37:1-14:
1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”
4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ ”
Introduction to series:
We need to Come Alive in 2025! It’s the breath of the Spirit of Heaven which takes something dead and hopeless and brings it back to life. We need a fresh vision of the Lord Jesus in all His glory today to believe this! We need to understand that there is hope beyond our failures, hope beyond our brokenness, hope beyond our circumstances, yes even hope beyond our sins!
Peter is our example to see how God can bring back to life that which is dead because of our failures (for Peter it was denying Jesus 3x) and yet Jesus restored Peter. Jesus will do the same for you if you humble yourself – if you repent of your sins and seek a breakfast campfire experience with Him like Peter.
Sermon: Peter pt 2 –The Fisherman’s tale
Thesis: Peter reveals through his rollercoaster life of mountain top experiences with Jesus to the valleys of denial and rebuke from the Lord that there is hope beyond our failures and mistakes.
Scripture: 1 Peter 1- A fisherman’s tale says – There is hope beyond failure, beyond hardships because we have a living hope! (I Peter 1:3)
Praise to God for a Living Hope 1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), 1 Pe 1:4–9.
Be Holy -1 Peter 1:13-21
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), 1 Pe 1:3.
Summary of Peter from last week’s message:
We looked at the life of Peter and his call in Mark 1 and Luke 5 last week in which he and others gave up their life of fishing to follow Jesus! What got their attention was the massive catch of fish Jesus gave them. So, they gave up fishing for fish to change the world. We mentioned Peter’s time with Jesus for 3 ½ years! I have a Question: “Could you imagine spending 24 hours a day for 3 ½ years with Jesus?” Seeing the healings, the miracles, the miracle provision, and sitting under great teaching. But amid riding the highs with Jesus on the ministry field comes the climax of failure for Peter – it revolves around the death of Jesus and Peter’s denial of Christ three times before the crow cries twice – just as Jesus had predicted – His failure propelled him to return to fishing. Even though Jesus rose from the dead! He decided to return to his old way of life. But you need to notice that 6 other disciples came along with him – so in his misery of failure he is not alone. Yes, Peter caved and denied Jesus – Have you? – his world and heart collapsed in on him – failure and sins do that to you – He had denied Jesus, and he knew Jesus knew it – Jesus looked at him when he denied him – Peter wept! Have you wept over your sins?
But this predicted failure his denial of Jesus means in his head and heart that he is through – Jesus is done with him! Have you felt like that? In Peter’s mind he is now out of the family – God’s family – he can never fulfill his call now. He is unworthy to represent Jesus the one he denied! But we read in John 21 and the unexpected happened to Peter – Jesus showed back up!
I am sure Peter heard the voice of the enemy saying there is no hope for you – you are worthless – flawed – unholy – hypocrite – coward! Jesus is done with you! You deserted him in his hour of need! So, he returns to fishing. He returned to his old life amid his guilt, pain and agony and with almost no hope in his mind. Have you ever been there? I know I have!
But Jesus shows up after Peter and the others fail to catch any fish and once again Jesus gives him another catch of a lifetime, to be specific 153 fish! Can I say this again – “Whenever Jesus is around you catch the catches of a lifetime!” This miraculous catch of a lifetime along with his conversation with Jesus launches him back into his call! The morning talk with Jesus and his 3 questions “Do you love me more than these fish?” and Peter’s answers, “Yes Lord I do!” brings the grace he needed, the healing he needed! Jesus’ love comes flooding back into his wounded and broken soul! He felt it! He experienced it! He received it! It changed him and gave him the hope and boldness to be a great leader in the emerging church!
Sometimes – The last person to forgive amid our failures is usually ourselves. Do you agree? Why because the Devil wants to steal away our hope of restoration and renewal.
Someone has wisely said that if you convince a man there is no hope, he will curse the day he was born and then give up.
The same goes for a nation, a family, a church and even an organization. Hope is a dangerous thing to the enemy of Jesus – the Devil knows that, so he fights hard to get you to give up! To convince you there is no hope! To beat you down so you return to your old life!
Listen there is Hope Beyond your failure too!
“Quote Swindoll: “Peter - He would later be the one who would write the classic letter of hope to those who needed to hear it the most . . . those who were residing “as aliens, scattered” across the vast landscape of the Roman Empire (1 Pet. 1:1). Between his earlier failure and his writing this letter, Peter had been used of God as the catalyst in the formation of the early church.” (All this happened after his denial of Jesus). Swindoll, Charles R. Hope Again: When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
T.S. - Acts reveals a changed Peter – a restored disciple! Just read Acts and see what He did – see how his Hope was restored by Jesus. Yes, Peter discovered there is Hope Beyond failure: Yes, even his own failure! There is hope beyond your failures too!
I. How do I know there is Hope Beyond our failure’s: I look at Peter’s life after his moment of failure and his thinking there is no hope for me – But Jesus shows up to restore him and I then see Peter’s successful ministry:
a. Just read the book of Acts and you see how he failed forward: In the Book of Acts, Peter is depicted as a prominent leader, performing miracles, preaching boldly, and playing a key role in the early church's growth, including the inclusion of Gentiles in the Gospel.
i. The life Peter lived after this moment of failure did not define his life and ministry – he emerges a different person – his failure and Jesus’ forgiveness changes the man from the inside out!
1. Maxwell stated: In his book “Failing Forward”
a. “Every person's life is filled with errors and negative experiences. But know this: Errors become mistakes
when we perceive them and respond to them incorrectly. Mistakes become failures when we continually respond to them incorrectly.”
b. He adds, “People who fail forward are able to see errors or negative experiences as a regular part of life, learn from them, and then move on.”
c. He highlights, “They persevere in order to achieve their purpose in life. Washington Irving once commented, "Great minds have purposes; others have wishes. Little minds are subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them." The terrible truth is that all roads to achievement lead through the land of failure.
d. The revelation we need, “Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. If we learn to embrace that new definition of failure, then we are free to start moving ahead—and failing forward.”
i. Maxwell, John C. Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success. Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
2. Peter got up from his failure and returned to the mission – for Jesus! That is why he calls Jesus a Living breathing Hope! Peter’s restoration on the beach over breakfast with Jesus did set him in motion to change the world.
b. Here's a breakdown of Peter's achievements in Acts:
i. Peter’s Leadership and Authority:
1. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, Peter emerges as a leader among the apostles, overseeing the appointment of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1).
a. Judas a disciple who betrayed Jesus too!
2. He takes the lead in addressing crowds, like at the feast of Pentecost, where he preached, and many were baptized (Acts 2).
a. It says 3,000 were added to the church that day – they were baptized and became new believers in Jesus – Yes, the Holy Spirit used the imperfect Peter to do His will.
b. He is considered the first leader of the early church. Yes the one who denied Jesus three times is now a leader in the church.
ii. Peter’s Miracles and Healing:
1. He heals a lame beggar in the name of Jesus (Acts 3).
2. He heals Tabitha (Dorcas) in Joppa (Acts 9).
3. He heals Aeneas in Lydda (Acts 9).
iii. Peter’s Preaching and Evangelism:
1. He boldly preaches before the Sanhedrin despite threats (Acts 4).
2. He travels and preaches, spreading the gospel.
3. He is instrumental in the conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his household, marking the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith (Acts 10).
iv. Peter’s Vision and Revelation:
1. Peter experiences a vision instructing him not to consider anything impure that God has made clean, which leads to the inclusion of Gentiles (Acts 10).
v. Foundation of the Church:
1. Peter's actions and teachings, particularly his ministry to the Gentiles, are seen as foundational to the growth and expansion of the early church.
2. He is considered a bridge-builder, uniting Jewish and Gentile believers.
vi. Peter Travels and does Ministry:
1. He travels to various places, including Samaria, Lydda, Joppa, and Caesarea, spreading the gospel and performing miracles.
a. Yes, the one who felt hopeless in his failure in a successful minister and leader of the Gospel.
2. He is a key figure in the establishment of the Christian community in Rome.
3. Yes, Peter – the one who denied Jesus 3 times, the one who sinned by denying Jesus in the moment of his trial and suffering – yes the one who ran back to fishing for fish because he knew he was a failure and there was no hope – thinking he blew it – his ministry is over – His denial of Jesus denied himself hope – he thought – he was convinced there was no hope for him! Jesus said otherwise!
vii. Peter’s writings:
1. Peter's Writings: Peter penned two epistles (letters) that are part of the New Testament.
a. 1 Peter and 2nd Peter
b. He also is the main contributor to the Gospel of Mark
viii. Peter's Death:
1. Tradition holds that Peter was martyred in Rome, crucified upside down, as he considered himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
c. The Old Fisherman’s Letter: (1 Peter is a book of Hope – hope to the broken, to the ones who failed, to the suffering, to the persecuted, to the hurting)
i. HOPE is a wonderful gift from God, a source of strength and courage in the face of life’s harshest trials.
1. When we are trapped in a tunnel of misery, hope points to the light at the end.
2. When we are overworked and exhausted, hope gives us fresh energy.
3. When we are discouraged, hope lifts our spirits.
4. When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going.
5. When we lose our way and confusion blurs the destination, hope dulls the edge of panic.
6. When we struggle with a crippling disease or a lingering illness, hope helps us persevere beyond the pain.
7. When we fear the worst, hope brings reminders that God is still in control.
8. When we must endure the consequences of bad decisions, hope fuels our recovery. When we find ourselves unemployed, hope tells us we still have a future.
9. When we are forced to sit back and wait, hope gives us the patience to trust.
10. When we feel rejected and abandoned, hope reminds us we’re not alone . . . we’ll make it.
11. When we say our final farewell to someone we love, hope in the life beyond gets us through our grief.
12. Put simply, when life hurts and dreams fade, nothing helps like hope.
a. The above points from Swindoll, Charles R. Hope Again: When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade. Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
d. To all who have failed – who think there is no hope – Hear the words of Jesus:
i. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn from me, I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
T.S. – We need to get the revelation Peter received from Jesus that He is in the business of giving grace and mercy to all who repent.
II. Peter's life, marked by both significant faith and notable failures ultimately led to his succession as a leader in the early church, demonstrating God's grace and restoration.
a. The main lesson from Peter's Life:
i. Peter's story serves as a reminder that even those who have great faith can stumble, but God's grace is always available to restore and empower.
1. I will say it again for 1,000 time “God uses imperfect people to do His perfect will!”
a. Romans 3:23: “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
2. Swindoll states: “Two words will help you cope when you run low on hope: accept and trust.”
a. Peter had to accept that he failed – he took ownership of his failure and repented but still felt his leadership with Jesus and the Kingdom was gone. But Jesus came along and said to Peter “Do you love me more than these fish?” Peter said yes – Jesus let him know he was forgiven, and he had a mission to do for him – Peter had to trust Jesus – Trust – He had to trust Jesus words and return to fishing for men and step back out in faith!
ii. Swindoll states “Hope. It is something as important to us as water is to a fish, as vital as electricity is to a light bulb, as essential as air is to a jumbo jet. Hope is that basic to life. We cannot stay on the road to anticipated dreams without it, at least not very far. Many have tried—none successfully. Without that needed spark of hope, we are doomed to a dark, grim existence. How often the word “hopeless” appears in suicide notes.”
1. Swindoll, Charles R.. Hope Again: When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade (p. 3). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
b. Getting through our failures and the hard times is part of the Christian life – no one is immune to pain – no one is immune to failure or mistakes. It does not matter your color, your economics, you place of residence, your country – we all know pain in this life! But listen to me Peter and Jesus teach us 3 lessons we need to learn in times of failure and pain:
i. Swindoll highlights the three lessons to be learned to fail forward through trials and failures:
1. First, trials are often necessary, proving the genuineness of our faith and at the same time teaching us humility. Trials reveal our own helplessness. They put us on our face before God. They make us face the reality of why we need Jesus!
2. Second, trials are distressing, teaching us compassion so that we never make light of another’s test or cruelly force others to smile while enduring it. We through our own painful experiences learn to feel what that person is feeling in their pain. We learn through our own pain to walk quietly and compassionately in his or her shoes.
3. Third, trials come in various forms. The word various comes from an interesting Greek term, poikolos, which means “variegated” or “many colored.” We also get the term “polka dot” from it. Trials come in a variety of forms and colors. They are different, just as we are different. Something that would hardly affect you might knock the slats out from under me—and vice versa. But God offers special grace to match every shade of sorrow.
a. Swindoll, Charles R.. Hope Again: When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade (p. 18). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
ii. In Hebrews 6:19, the Bible describes our hope as an "anchor of the soul," a firm and secure thing that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus has entered on our behalf.”
1. The Metaphor:
a. The Bible uses the image of an anchor to represent the steadfastness and security of our hope in God.
i. Hebrews 6:19: The verse states, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf".
ii. Jesus is in heaven rooting for us – He is always there to help us when we repent and ask for help. We just have to stay tied to Him!
1. Yes, he is our Hope! He is the anchor!
a. Boat illustration rope tied to the anchor! It has to stay tied to the anchor to keep from drifting into danger.
2. Significance: This hope is a sure and steadfast anchor that keeps our souls from drifting and provides a sense of security and stability, even in the midst of life's storms.
a. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth – but we need to listen to the Holy Spirit! He wants us to fail forward to grow into the mature Christian he wants us to be!
3. Jesus as the High Priest is our hope – did you hear this He is our hope!
a. My hope is not in money, success, materialism, career, or fill in the blank!
b. The hope we have is an anchor that enters the inner sanctuary where God dwells and intercedes on our behalf!
4. Unbreakable Lifeline: This hope is described as an unbreakable spiritual lifeline that reaches past appearances to the presence of God.
Closing:
Peter’s fisherman’s letter is structured as such. There are three distinct sections, each one detailing the “How” of an important truth:
We have only explored section 1:
Section 1: A living hope and how to claim it (1:1-2:10)
• The idea of living hope occupies Peter’s mind throughout this section of the fisherman’s letter. And he tells us how to claim that living hope! We do this by focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ and by trusting in His living Word. Living Hope requires faith in the living Word of God – Jesus – and The Bible! Everything in life withers fades and dies but God’s Word abides forever! Hope comes from being tied to God’s Word which is the anchor of the soul in times of misery, failure and hardship.
• We have living hope – He is not dead – He is the one who tells us to prophecy to that which is dead to come back to life – then to ask him to breath life into it!
• So, what are you waiting for! Prophecy like the Lord is telling you and asks his to breathe life into that which seems dead!
Section 2: A pilgrim life and how to live it (2:11-4:11)
Section 3: A fiery trial and how to endure it (4:12-5:11)
Song – Crowder Anchor of our soul – our hope!
