Peter’s Restoration
A. Peter outruns John (Luke 24:12; John 20:2-9)
Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. (Luke 24:12, KJV).
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (John 20:2-9, KJV).
B. Tell disciples and Peter (Mark 16:7)
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. (Mark 16:7, KJV).
C. Luke 24:34..the Lord has appeared to Simon
D. 1 Cor. 15:3-5
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: (1Corinthians 15:3-5, KJV).
I. Peter’s struggles come out in his contradictions.
A. Presumptuous
1. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. (John 13:8)
2. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. (John 18:10).
B. Yet At times timid and cowardly
1. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:30).
2. Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. (Matthew 26:69-72).
C. Self-sacrificing and yet self-seeking
1. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. (Mark 1:18).
2. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? (Matthew 19:27).
D. Gifted with spiritual insight and slow to comprehend deeper truths.
1. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (John 6:68).
2. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? (Matthew 15:15,16).
E. Great confessions and great denials
1. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16).
2. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:69).
3. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. (Mark 14:67-71).
II. What causes these struggles?
A. Romans 7:14-8:2
1. These struggles come because we now desire to live in a way pleasing to God and yet find that we still sin and do what we don’t want to do.
2. Freedom comes thru fully yielding to Christ.
a. Being set free from condemnation thru JesusChrist (8;1)
b. Spirit of life that gives power to live according to the ways of God (8:2,3)
B. He added Jesus to Peter’s life, not really LORD OF ALL
1. He always tried to correct or argued with the Lord
a. Luke 8:45
b. Luke 22:31-34
c. John 13:8
d. Mt. 16:22
2. He loved the Lord, but other things got in the way.
III. What ended these struggles?
A. Resurrection
1. A triumph of the Holy Spirit
2. Romans 6:4, Christ was raised from the dead so we may live a new life.
3. Hebrews 8:7-12, a new covenant whereby each knows the Lord and each can walk in a power, with the law written on the hearts as never before.
This is an outline for a monologue I used when dressed in an outfit fit for the occasion.
