The Passion of Christ
March 21, 2004
Little Bo Pete – Mt. 26:33-54
Sunday AM
Intro: Little Bo Pete lost some sleep b/c he didn’t trust the Savior
Got out of the boat, and almost did float instead he only got soaked
Little Bo Pete lost some sleep b/c he didn’t hear the Savior
Was there in the night when Judas came near got ticked off and cut off Malchus ear
Insert: Last week we looked at the character of being a Judas - a spiritual fraud – not sold out but a sell out. This week we’re looking at Peter – a man w/ good intentions and a genuine walk – but who denied Jesus b/c of a major character flaw – he wasn’t a sell out but neither was he sold out either.
Text: Matthew 26:33-54
Trans: The impact of 9/11. One lady whose husband worked in the WTC, but wasn’t there due to a meeting at another site. She shared how they’d had an fight that AM and left w/ harsh words. She was so struck by the fact that if he’d been at his desk, their last words would’ve been spoken in anger – not in love. They agreed not to leave each other on harsh terms. You never know what the day will bring, and which of your words will be your last.
Trans: I can only imagine how Peter might have felt when the last words he spoke of Jesus before His death were of denial. Those few hours he spent alone w/ his thoughts and regrets must have been sheer misery. Peter understood that there isn’t much difference b/w Judas’ betrayal and His denial – Judas turned Jesus over while Peter turned his back. But where Judas’ regret led to death, Peter’s regret led to repentance and restoration.
Trans: Truth be told, Peter was often pulling stunts that got him in trouble – stunts that put him at odds w/ others and were often embarrassing God. Like Pete, we tend to get ourselves in some similar predicaments.
I We Replace God’s Way with Our Way (Jn 13:6)
Note: We have a tendency to think we know better than God on certain issues.
Note: Truth is, that’s what sin is – acting upon the belief that some how we know better than God.
Verse: There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death. Pr. 16:24
Idea: You may think you know better than God, but you’re just fooling yourself – and if you don’t wake up and smell the coffee, it is going cost you your life.
Situation: When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, Peter spoke in disagreement w/ Him telling Him that there is no way He was going let Jesus wash his feet.
Idea: God’s way is the only way – Jesus said I am the only way…
How: We replace God’s way w/ our way when we:
• Seek salvation apart from Him (various ways people try)
• Disregard His will for our own plans (we never consult – just do)
Truth: It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about salvation or God’s will – God way is not just the best way – it’s the only way.
II We Make Commitments w/out Considering the Cost (Jn 13:38)
Situation: Jesus predicts Peter’s denial. Peter told Jesus that he’d never forsake Him.
Truth: The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak – in his head Peter was committed, but in his heart he was scared.
Reality: I think many of us are more committed in our heads than we are in our hearts and actions. I truly believe that most of us want our lives to honor God and have an impact for His kingdom – but the truth is, when the cost of following goes up – too many of us tend to fade away.
Why: B/c we tend to make commitments w/out considering the cost. We join churches, make recommitments – but too often on our terms and not God’s.
Trans: What did it cost God to rescue us – everything. (He paid a debt)
Question: If it cost God everything to redeem us – what is He going to require in return – all of us – every fiber and activity of our being.
Note: God is never going to be satisfied w/ just some of you – He will always pursue all of you. He wants your mind, soul, heart, and strength. He wants you time, talents, tongue, treasure, testimony and temple.
Trans: God doesn’t need our good intentions, He needs our singular attention. He doesn’t want our sincere opinion, He wants our uncompromising obedience. He can’t move in our lives until we move out of His way. He is not impressed w/ our sacrifices, He’s impressed w/ a broken and contrite heart.
III We Do Things in God’s Name He Would Never Do (Jn 18:10)
Note: This is the one many of us are most likely to do. We Christians all have a tendency to get so spiritually-minded we’re no earthly good.
We tend to think that God needs our help – that somehow he has gotten himself in trouble and only we can bail Him out. Talk about backwards.
This also happens when we do something for God before praying and getting an answer from Him.
Insert: Two kinds of people – Those who act and then ask God to bless and those who ask, then wait for God’s leading to act knowing that He will bless.
Situation: Peter didn’t wait – he cut off Malchus’ ear in a moment of haste.
Things were tense – Jewish version of the stand off at the O.K. Corral. The disciples are surrounded by the temple guards and they’re coming for Jesus. In the midst of the arrest, Peter pulls out a short sword and takes a whack at one of the guards. And there in the midst of the calamity, Jesus performs His final miracle on earth – He heals the guard – he heals the enemy.
Question: Has God had to come behind you to clean up a mess you made?
Note: There is a right time to step on the gas and a right time to stomp on the break – man who buys a horse from a pastor goes on PTL stops on amen.
Note: The only way to know when the act and when to wait is to get in the habit of asking first and acting second instead of acting first and asking later.
IV Follow at a Distance and You’ll Always Deny (Mt 26:24)
Situation: Peter follows from a distance and denies Christ when he gets confronted.
After Jesus’ arrest, Peter didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t run and hide, but neither could he take a stand. In fact, when he did come out of the shadows and was confronted w/ following Jesus he denied knowing Him.
Excerpt: No Wonder They Call Him Savior
Question: What causes us to follow from a distance and deny Jesus? Is it sin, a lack of faith, fear, or embarrassment? Why is it sometimes so hard to take a stand?
Reality: B/c if and when you take a stand you always take a risk. If you follow from a distance – you will deny Jesus every time.
Trans: Why did Peter do these things? What caused him to continually goof things up? What was his character flaw?
Note: Peter often found himself at odds w/ Jesus b/c he had an “I can do all things” attitude instead of an “I can do all things through Christ attitude.”
Trans: What afforded Peter the opportunity to change? He experienced firsthand the redemptive nature of God
Text: John 21 – Jesus finds Peter fishing and asked him three questions.
Note: Jesus asked, “Peter do you agape me?” The old Peter would have said, “Yes Jesus, you know that I agape you.” But Peter had been broken – so he replied, “I don’t have agape, but I phileos you Lord.”
I can’t show you divine love, but Jesus I‘m your friend. This happened three times and each time – each time a reminder by Jesus that he love and forgave Peter. And each time redeeming and restoring Peter.
Note: God descended to Peter b/c Peter couldn’t ascend to Him. And in that moment Peter was transformed forever.
Trans: Instead of replacing God’s way w/ his way – Peter replaced his way w/ God’s way
Instead of making commitments w/out considering the cost – Peter counted the cost and committed to follow.
Instead of doing things in God’s name that God wouldn’t do – Peter started doing things in God’s name that only God would do.
Instead of following Jesus from a distance and running in fright – Peter stood up w/ Jesus and ran towards the fight.
Note: Amazing things happen when we God strips us of ourselves and fills us w/ Himself – It’s not I can do all things but I can do all things through Christ... What about you – are you following from a distance and denying the Savior, or are you walking w/ Him fighting the good fight.
Concl: Little Bo Pete lost some sleep b/c he didn’t trust the Savior
Got out of the boat, and almost did float instead he only got soaked
Little Bo Pete lost some sleep b/c he didn’t hear the Savior
Was there the night when Judas came near got ticked off and cut off Malchus ear
Little Bo Pete lost some sleep b/c he denied the Savior
Went home in the night in a state of fright b/c he was ashamed of his behavior
Little Bo Pete got some sleep and wasn’t worried about a thing
Though he denied the Savior who died was restored to new
