The Man With The Foot Shaped Mouth And The Cross Shaped Heart

1. WHO WAS THIS MAN SIMON?

• He was the third disciple called by Jesus (VS 42)

• Andrew 1st and John 2nd

• Peter was Andrews brother (VS 40)

• Jesus recognized Simon before he was officially introduced

• He immediately recognized Simon’s leadership qualities and changed his name

• This was probably guidance from above considering Jesus knew who his disciples would be long before he met them

• Jesus said Simon would be called “Cephas” Vs 42 which is an Aramic word and when translated it means “A Stone”

• The name “Simon” (Listener) was pronounced “Simeon” in the Old Testament

• He was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee

2. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DID HE POSSESS?

• Doubting Personality

a. Luke 5:4-5 “When He had stopped speaking He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” “But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

b. Jesus had commanded Simon to let down all the nets

c. The nets; since it were morning; were probably already folded and put away

d. Peter did not want to mess up the nets and do double the work

e. He argued that they had toiled all night

f. Peter doubted that they would catch anything and therefore let down only one net

g. The group caught so many fish that the net began to break and the boat began to sink

• Devoted To Christ

a. John 6:66-68 “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” “Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

b. Peter believed in the purpose of Jesus Christ

c. Matthew 26:33 “Peter answered and said to Him, Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to Stumble.” VS 35 “Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And so said all the disciples.”

• HE WAS A MAN OF A WEAK SPIRIT

a. Just as Jesus predicted he would, Peter denied him three times

b. Matthew 26:69-75

c. Matthew 14:22-33 ‘Jesus calls Peter out of the boat’

• HE WAS QUICK TEMPERED AND MADE RASH DECISIONS

a. Matthew 26:51 “And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.”

• HE WAS IN JESUS’ INNER CIRCLE

a. Matthew 17:1-2 “NOW after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;” “and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light.”

b. Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane, asks the disciples to pray and when He catches them sleeping He confronts Peter

c. Matthew 26:40-41 “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?’ “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

2. PETER WAS A MAN FULL OF FAULTS BUT CHRIST STILL CHOSE TO USE HIM

• Matthew 16:17-19 “…Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”

• Jesus told a man who would do violent physical harm, deny him three times and be full of fault that he would use him to establish the church.

• “While singing at the First Baptist Church in Atlanta Ga., the Southern Gospel Trio ‘Greater Vision’ was doing the introductions of the group. The lead singer of the group, Gerald Wolfe, was introducing the baritone member of the trio whose name is Rodney Griffin. Rodney is one of the most well respected singer/songwriters in the history of this industry. While introducing Rodney, Gerald notified the crowd of the many awards that Mr. Griffin had received. One particular award was the ‘Songwriter of the Year’. Once introduced, Gerald Wolfe turned to the audience and said that Rodney’s winning of this award should give everyone hope…laughter followed and then Mr. Wolfe finished the statement with ‘It should be no surprise that God used a donkey to speak in the Old Testament.”