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Peter

Peter:

 

  • Peter      was a man just like all of us.
    •   
    • He       had times at which he proved faithful, and his faith shined though.
    •   
    • However,       other times Peter failed. He showed a lack of faith and put his own foot       in his mouth.

 

1. When we first meet Peter he is fishing.

 

Luke 5:1-11 - 5:1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

 

  • Peter was so      impressed with Jesus that he left all to follow Him. Peter demonstrates      great faith by leaving what he knew, his livelihood, friends, and family      behind to "catch me.” That’s great faith!

 

Confession:

2. Peter continues to demonstrate great faith by confessing that Jesus is the Christ.  

Matthew 16:13-19 - 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock  I will build my church, and the gates of hell  shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

o       Peter has an understanding of who Jesus is when others just see Him as a man, prophet, or great teacher.

o       Jesus as the Christ – Messiah/One for whom the Jews had been waiting and longing for.

o       Peter is given the keys which he uses on the day of Pentecost to preach the first gospel sermon.

Denial:

3. Following the great confession as Jesus as the Christ, Peter disciplines Jesus, and says that Jesus will not die.

Matthew 16:20-23 - 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord!  This shall never happen to you.”23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

o       Peter the one who in one breath proclaims Jesus as the Christ and is praised for his faith/understanding, then in another breath rebukes Jesus and is called Satan.

o       Here Peter demonstrates a immature faith.

 

4. We learn that Peter had a big mouth that sometime got him in trouble:

The Transfiguration

Matthew 17:1-5: 17:1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

o       Peter opens his mouth and inserts foot.

o       Imagine what is running through Peter’s mind with Moses and Elijah disappears, and God’s voice comes booming for the clouds, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

o       Peter is quick to speak, but even though he has good intentions, he misunderstands the significance of Jesus.

5. As we studied last week, Peter opens his mouth and tries to tell Jesus what to do.

John 13:8 - Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

6. We learn that at times Peter was too big for his britches:

Jesus Walks on the Water

Matthew 14:22-33: 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way  from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, "Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God.”

o       Peter tries to walk on water, and while he has the faith to get out of the boat, he easily becomes distracted, and begins to sink. Jesus has to rescue him.

7. We learn that sin has unspeakable consequences:

Matthew 26:21-35: 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee 33 Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:69-75: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

o       Just as Jesus prophesied, Peter denies him three times.

o       Peter lets two servant girls put him to shame.

o       Peter not only denies Jesus, but he also curses.

o       Peter’s denial of Jesus shows that he still has a lot of growing to do.

Peter has ups and downs. He is a man who God used despite his sin and inadequacies. 




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