Sermon nuggets Fri Nov 21
Theme – Failure
Verses John 18:27 “Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.”
Luke 22:61-62 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times."
And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Facing Jesus
Jesus predicted that before the rooster crowed Peter would deny the Lord three times. When Peter failed he was faced with his own sin, pride and weakness. Any failure that will be properly handled has to be faced. We will only rise again when we admit that we are in need and must change. When we have sinned we cannot deny it, but must realize we have been the ones who are in need of forgiveness. Peter wept bitterly, implying not just his disappointment but his remorse. Peter’s pride kept getting in the way of his discipleship. If you would master temptation then let Christ master you. The Lord has His ways of humbling us. It may be different for different people.
How one gets up after they have fallen is also by the grace of God. But what change has happened? The one who faces the facts is not as arrogant in the future.He better understands the failings and weaknesses of the other. He realizes the words of Christ, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.” He is the one that remembers when trouble hits someone else, “There but for the grace of God, go I.”
For the alcoholic to recover he must face that fact and say, “ I am an alcoholic.” He must face his problem, and come to the point realizing he is unable to control one’s own life. He needs help.
We all need to come to pray, “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. I cannot do it any longer.” There are barriers of sin, selfishness and pride that need to be removed in order for life in Christ to continue to mature with success. Peter was never the same again. Now he was useable in a manner that was better than before. He used his failure to rebuild his relationship with Christ and trust Him even more. He was no longer a secret believer.
Do others know you are a disciple of Jesus? It should show to your family, to your friends, at work and in school.
Dennis Miller explained that it was the house rule when his son was small he had to call home when he arrived at a friend’s house. When he forgot once, Dennis told him the next time he’d have to come home. Of course it happened again. Dad was going to going to call again and make him return home. Then it seemed as if the Lord said, “Treat him like I treat you.” He gave him a little more time. Shortly, his son called telling him he had arrived. How often do we think of God as one who waits to punish us when we phone home?
When Peter faced Jesus and faced himself he saw differently than before. The next fire he stood next to recorded in the Bible was made by Jesus when he was cooking fish for the disciples out in the boat. Following the resurrection and the reconciliation before Jesus ascension at one point the disciples went fishing. This figure called to them from the shore and Peter recognized it was the Lord after they were to told to put their nets on the other side of the boat and a great haul of fish were caught. Peter swam to shore to be with the one who loved and forgave him. That is the love the father has for his children. Peter was asked “Do you love me? “then feed my Sheep” Tend my lambs.”
Peter did rise again. God can and does restore you just as he restored Peter and used him mightily to witness to His name. He does that to us too.
Pastor Dale
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Failure John 18:25-27
Sermon nuggets Thur Nov 20
Theme- Failure
Verses- John 18:25-27 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not."
One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?"
Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Failure
All of us unfortunately, made promises that we didn’t keep. Maybe they were important promises to people we loved. Maybe it was a promise to ourselves. It likely was a promise to God. The worse scenario was when Adam and Eve made the promise not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Israel continued to promise to do away with idols.
When we break a promise that we make with a sincerity we feel like a failure. We are embarrassed, angry, discouraged, and humiliated, depending on the one to whom we made the promise. Any promise broken to God is sin.
I promised to meet someone at a resturant by a certain time. I was late but easliy forgiven. It was not so easy when on another occation I completely forgot the appointment and the person was waiting and eventually left. It wasn't until the next day I realized I had broken the promise and felt much worse. The greater the offense in my mind, the worse I felt.
Those promises are still failures to carry out what I indendent but my desire to do so was there. Carelessness was the problem. But my mind went back to my college days when I was upset with a persistant insurance saleman who wanted to meet with me. I was fed up with repeatedly saying no until the day I was to leave town. I set up the appointment to meet with him and had no intention to do so. At first I was feeling justified standing up a pesty salesman, but then the conviction of my broken promise had to lead to my confession that it was indeed sin. I lied to him. Yet lying, not forgetting, was the offense to him and to God.
Peter was standing with the soldiers outside of the courtroom in the courtyard warming himself by the fire. He was definitely in enemy territory. Perhaps he felt like a spy. It is the job of a spy to lie and hide and pretend he is something he is not. He wants the others to believe he is one of them so he can get information that will ultimately be helpful for his cause.
What was Peter’s cause here? We can only guess. It certainly wasn’t to gather a group to allow for Jesus escape. I believe he saw his best friend arrested and put himself in danger while he wanted to see what happened to Him. He is a believer among unbelievers standing with them and pretending he is one of them. It is hard to maintain a strong faith when we are pretending to be like the world.
M.R. DeHann, in the Daily Bread, told the story of one farmer bothered by some crows that were eating up his young corn, so he loaded his shotgun and crawled unseen along the fence row, ready and waiting for them to return.
He had a very “sociable” parrot who made friends with every bird. Seeing the crows coming, the parrot flew over to greet them. He joined them, just being sociable of course. His owner saw the crows but didn’t notice the family pet. He took careful aim and shot. When he climbed over the fence to pick up the crows he found the stunned parrot badly ruffled and with a broken wing, but still alive. Tenderly he carried it home. The children saw that their pet was injured and they tearfully asked, “What happened to Polly, Father?”
Before he could answer the parrot spoke up, “Bad company, Bad company.”
Many get into trouble traveling with the wrong crowd. Peter didn’t really want to accept them, but he wanted to hide his true identity. When confronted it was to his advantage, he thought, to lie. He did it once already and so it was easier to do again.
Having denied Jesus once and then a second time, he was confronted with a relative of the one whose ear he cut off. The denial was not a mumble or looking to the ground embarrassed, but was the type of lie that looked the other into the face and said with a vow that he did not know the man. According to the other Gospel accounts we see it was done with a curse. It was with swearing.
Peter didn’t realize what he was doing until the rooster crowed. Now all of the sudden the focus changed from protection to conviction of sin. He was revealed to him that the very thing Jesus said would happen him happened. He didn’t want it to happen. In the presence of the company of believers he made a public statement that he would not be like them he would die first, and here he was not only hiding, but swearing and denying his Lord.
What are ways we might deny before others that we are really His follower? Is it in subtle ways or ways that are more direct? Lewd jokes, cursing, going to places with the friends that no one would have a clue you were be a Christian? Could it be in private? When we have made promises that we will change have we kept our promise to the Lord, or broken it?
I think we are all like Peter in various ways and have failed Him. But the good news is that even in our failures there is hope. There is a way back into His grace and the joy of experiencing his renewed love is more than comforting. There is great rejoicing in forgiveness. Forgiveness is only granted to those who admit they have failed.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Failure
Verses- John 18:25-27 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not."
One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?"
Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Failure
All of us unfortunately, made promises that we didn’t keep. Maybe they were important promises to people we loved. Maybe it was a promise to ourselves. It likely was a promise to God. The worse scenario was when Adam and Eve made the promise not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Israel continued to promise to do away with idols.
When we break a promise that we make with a sincerity we feel like a failure. We are embarrassed, angry, discouraged, and humiliated, depending on the one to whom we made the promise. Any promise broken to God is sin.
I promised to meet someone at a resturant by a certain time. I was late but easliy forgiven. It was not so easy when on another occation I completely forgot the appointment and the person was waiting and eventually left. It wasn't until the next day I realized I had broken the promise and felt much worse. The greater the offense in my mind, the worse I felt.
Those promises are still failures to carry out what I indendent but my desire to do so was there. Carelessness was the problem. But my mind went back to my college days when I was upset with a persistant insurance saleman who wanted to meet with me. I was fed up with repeatedly saying no until the day I was to leave town. I set up the appointment to meet with him and had no intention to do so. At first I was feeling justified standing up a pesty salesman, but then the conviction of my broken promise had to lead to my confession that it was indeed sin. I lied to him. Yet lying, not forgetting, was the offense to him and to God.
Peter was standing with the soldiers outside of the courtroom in the courtyard warming himself by the fire. He was definitely in enemy territory. Perhaps he felt like a spy. It is the job of a spy to lie and hide and pretend he is something he is not. He wants the others to believe he is one of them so he can get information that will ultimately be helpful for his cause.
What was Peter’s cause here? We can only guess. It certainly wasn’t to gather a group to allow for Jesus escape. I believe he saw his best friend arrested and put himself in danger while he wanted to see what happened to Him. He is a believer among unbelievers standing with them and pretending he is one of them. It is hard to maintain a strong faith when we are pretending to be like the world.
M.R. DeHann, in the Daily Bread, told the story of one farmer bothered by some crows that were eating up his young corn, so he loaded his shotgun and crawled unseen along the fence row, ready and waiting for them to return.
He had a very “sociable” parrot who made friends with every bird. Seeing the crows coming, the parrot flew over to greet them. He joined them, just being sociable of course. His owner saw the crows but didn’t notice the family pet. He took careful aim and shot. When he climbed over the fence to pick up the crows he found the stunned parrot badly ruffled and with a broken wing, but still alive. Tenderly he carried it home. The children saw that their pet was injured and they tearfully asked, “What happened to Polly, Father?”
Before he could answer the parrot spoke up, “Bad company, Bad company.”
Many get into trouble traveling with the wrong crowd. Peter didn’t really want to accept them, but he wanted to hide his true identity. When confronted it was to his advantage, he thought, to lie. He did it once already and so it was easier to do again.
Having denied Jesus once and then a second time, he was confronted with a relative of the one whose ear he cut off. The denial was not a mumble or looking to the ground embarrassed, but was the type of lie that looked the other into the face and said with a vow that he did not know the man. According to the other Gospel accounts we see it was done with a curse. It was with swearing.
Peter didn’t realize what he was doing until the rooster crowed. Now all of the sudden the focus changed from protection to conviction of sin. He was revealed to him that the very thing Jesus said would happen him happened. He didn’t want it to happen. In the presence of the company of believers he made a public statement that he would not be like them he would die first, and here he was not only hiding, but swearing and denying his Lord.
What are ways we might deny before others that we are really His follower? Is it in subtle ways or ways that are more direct? Lewd jokes, cursing, going to places with the friends that no one would have a clue you were be a Christian? Could it be in private? When we have made promises that we will change have we kept our promise to the Lord, or broken it?
I think we are all like Peter in various ways and have failed Him. But the good news is that even in our failures there is hope. There is a way back into His grace and the joy of experiencing his renewed love is more than comforting. There is great rejoicing in forgiveness. Forgiveness is only granted to those who admit they have failed.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Fear John 18:17-18
Sermon nuggets Weds Nov 19
Theme- Failure
Verses-John 18:17-18 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not."
It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
Fear
Much of lying comes from fear. In threatening situations it certainly would be normal to protect oneself. If Peter could fall anyone can fall. From time to time we see Christian leaders fail miserably. When sin sneaks in lying about it to ourselves and others is common. Peter feared for his life but in order to preserve his life he felt he needed to lie and thought he succeeding.
Romans tell us if anyone thinks he stands take heed lest he falls. Peter could take on the army in the garden but before the girl at the gates unexpectantly fell in denying the Lord. He needed his pride broken and it was. The Lord has ways to humble us for our own good, just to make us realize how really weak we are. We are afraid to show our weaknesses to others. Peter failed to see himself as the rest and as someone needing Jesus all the time. Jesus was not there to rescue him as he was when he failed walking on the water or swinging a sword in the garden. But still Jesus had prayed for him that although he would sin, he would not be overcome by the sin. Although he would sin, he would not lose his faith and give up.
Satan is the father of lies. Certainly lies are mean to deceive. There are many reasons to lie. But the most common reason for kids is not to get into trouble. Sometimes it works. When we think that is true it is easier to lie.
On America’s Funnies Videos it is cute to see a little girl denying she had piece of chocolate cake while it is smeared all over her face. The evidence is clear. But when I watch COPS the program of people encountering the police, I am amazed how many lie to the officers when it is clear they have broken the law or had been drinking. Before Judge Judy person after person stands before the judge and lies. We are deceived thinking we protect ourselves through lies when sooner or later lies are revealed and the trouble we get into is greater.
There are many times when we are away from our comfortable environment we are tempted to do things we would not normally do. Under the stress of the evening Peter who thought he was strong and willing to die began fall when fear came in while standing before a girl.
What is the remedy? The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18 The more we realize our protection is in Christ the less fearful we become. Peter loved Jesus very much, but failed to understand, when his life was threatened, how much Jesus loved him.
When you are fearful, beware of the temptation to lie.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Failure
Verses-John 18:17-18 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not."
It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
Fear
Much of lying comes from fear. In threatening situations it certainly would be normal to protect oneself. If Peter could fall anyone can fall. From time to time we see Christian leaders fail miserably. When sin sneaks in lying about it to ourselves and others is common. Peter feared for his life but in order to preserve his life he felt he needed to lie and thought he succeeding.
Romans tell us if anyone thinks he stands take heed lest he falls. Peter could take on the army in the garden but before the girl at the gates unexpectantly fell in denying the Lord. He needed his pride broken and it was. The Lord has ways to humble us for our own good, just to make us realize how really weak we are. We are afraid to show our weaknesses to others. Peter failed to see himself as the rest and as someone needing Jesus all the time. Jesus was not there to rescue him as he was when he failed walking on the water or swinging a sword in the garden. But still Jesus had prayed for him that although he would sin, he would not be overcome by the sin. Although he would sin, he would not lose his faith and give up.
Satan is the father of lies. Certainly lies are mean to deceive. There are many reasons to lie. But the most common reason for kids is not to get into trouble. Sometimes it works. When we think that is true it is easier to lie.
On America’s Funnies Videos it is cute to see a little girl denying she had piece of chocolate cake while it is smeared all over her face. The evidence is clear. But when I watch COPS the program of people encountering the police, I am amazed how many lie to the officers when it is clear they have broken the law or had been drinking. Before Judge Judy person after person stands before the judge and lies. We are deceived thinking we protect ourselves through lies when sooner or later lies are revealed and the trouble we get into is greater.
There are many times when we are away from our comfortable environment we are tempted to do things we would not normally do. Under the stress of the evening Peter who thought he was strong and willing to die began fall when fear came in while standing before a girl.
What is the remedy? The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18 The more we realize our protection is in Christ the less fearful we become. Peter loved Jesus very much, but failed to understand, when his life was threatened, how much Jesus loved him.
When you are fearful, beware of the temptation to lie.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Following John 18:10-11, 15-16
Sermon Nuggets Tues Nov 18
Theme- Failure
Verses John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
18:15-16 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
Following
The song of commitment and dedication says, “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.”
In Peter’s attempt to live out the call to follow Jesus he thought he would protect Him by taking a sword and start swinging at the time of the arrest. He might have been prepared to die, but he wasn’t going down without a fight.
We talked about this incident a couple of weeks ago. Violence in the name of Christ of the New Testament is never the way of the Lord. Bombing abortion clinics or leading an attack on Muslims and their property would not come from the commands of Jesus. Violence is done to us, not done by us for Jesus’ name. We are the ones who need His defending. Jesus was never in the need for Peter to rescue him, only the other way around. It is not by our strength or our activity or our wisdom that the Kingdom of God is advanced, but by the power of God and His might and our desire to follow Him.
There is no question that Peter’s heart is in the right place. We see in the story where the other disciples fell away. Peter is following now from afar. Some preachers make a sermon from that phrase, “following afar.” John doesn’t say in his gospel but it is implied. Some will try to conclude that Peter is not close to Jesus and this is an allegory about backsliding where people are not close to Jesus but secret followers. Certainly it is true the farther we are from Jesus the more spiritual problems we will face. The closer we are to Him the more we depend on Him for our strength, love and courage. But that is not the implication from this passage. Peter is doing something none of the others are doing, with the possible exception of John. His following Jesus even into the dangerous courtyard of the high priest is part of his character and personality. He was the first out of the boat and walk on water. He was the first to confess publically that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. He is the first to want to build a tabernacle on the Mount of Transfiguration. He is the leader of the group.
The problem was his short sightedness with his own human weakness. He was overconfident in his desire and failed to see what Jesus saw- how weak we really are when put in the right situation at the right time. Self confidence and over confidence can make us vulnerable. Thinking we can overcome what is ahead underestimates the power of Satan and the dependency we have on our Lord. It isn’t what we can do for Him, but what He does through us that is the key to every day living.
We can come to worship as we have for years and go through the motions and not worship. We can regularly participate in committee meetings or programs confident because we have been through the routine. But we can do so without the humility and dependency on prayer for God’s wisdom. We fail.
A preacher can take pride in his faithful service and burning desire to serve the Lord but it is not in the area of open public arenas where one fails, but overconfidence cuts low in the private and secret contacts that catch him unprepared.
Following Jesus is where He leads, not where we think we should go. Daily fellowship and study in His word and prayer are key parts in His leading. Peter failed, but he did so in a situation which none of the other disciples even dare to face. He failed, not because he was a coward, but because he was willing to risk because he followed. If you are following Jesus then be aware Satan would shift us all like wheat. If he can get the best of Peter, who is the most faithful and zealous of the lot, then we are all in need of warning and alertness. The stronger we think we are the more vulnerable we can become. Desire is important. It is commendable. But it does not alone prevent us from falling into temptation.
Seek to be a follower of Jesus with all your heart, but also with complete dependency seeking His will and way even today.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Failure
Verses John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
18:15-16 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
Following
The song of commitment and dedication says, “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.”
In Peter’s attempt to live out the call to follow Jesus he thought he would protect Him by taking a sword and start swinging at the time of the arrest. He might have been prepared to die, but he wasn’t going down without a fight.
We talked about this incident a couple of weeks ago. Violence in the name of Christ of the New Testament is never the way of the Lord. Bombing abortion clinics or leading an attack on Muslims and their property would not come from the commands of Jesus. Violence is done to us, not done by us for Jesus’ name. We are the ones who need His defending. Jesus was never in the need for Peter to rescue him, only the other way around. It is not by our strength or our activity or our wisdom that the Kingdom of God is advanced, but by the power of God and His might and our desire to follow Him.
There is no question that Peter’s heart is in the right place. We see in the story where the other disciples fell away. Peter is following now from afar. Some preachers make a sermon from that phrase, “following afar.” John doesn’t say in his gospel but it is implied. Some will try to conclude that Peter is not close to Jesus and this is an allegory about backsliding where people are not close to Jesus but secret followers. Certainly it is true the farther we are from Jesus the more spiritual problems we will face. The closer we are to Him the more we depend on Him for our strength, love and courage. But that is not the implication from this passage. Peter is doing something none of the others are doing, with the possible exception of John. His following Jesus even into the dangerous courtyard of the high priest is part of his character and personality. He was the first out of the boat and walk on water. He was the first to confess publically that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. He is the first to want to build a tabernacle on the Mount of Transfiguration. He is the leader of the group.
The problem was his short sightedness with his own human weakness. He was overconfident in his desire and failed to see what Jesus saw- how weak we really are when put in the right situation at the right time. Self confidence and over confidence can make us vulnerable. Thinking we can overcome what is ahead underestimates the power of Satan and the dependency we have on our Lord. It isn’t what we can do for Him, but what He does through us that is the key to every day living.
We can come to worship as we have for years and go through the motions and not worship. We can regularly participate in committee meetings or programs confident because we have been through the routine. But we can do so without the humility and dependency on prayer for God’s wisdom. We fail.
A preacher can take pride in his faithful service and burning desire to serve the Lord but it is not in the area of open public arenas where one fails, but overconfidence cuts low in the private and secret contacts that catch him unprepared.
Following Jesus is where He leads, not where we think we should go. Daily fellowship and study in His word and prayer are key parts in His leading. Peter failed, but he did so in a situation which none of the other disciples even dare to face. He failed, not because he was a coward, but because he was willing to risk because he followed. If you are following Jesus then be aware Satan would shift us all like wheat. If he can get the best of Peter, who is the most faithful and zealous of the lot, then we are all in need of warning and alertness. The stronger we think we are the more vulnerable we can become. Desire is important. It is commendable. But it does not alone prevent us from falling into temptation.
Seek to be a follower of Jesus with all your heart, but also with complete dependency seeking His will and way even today.
Pastor Dale
Monday, November 17, 2008
Failing and Feelings John 13:36-38
Sermon Nuggets Mon Nov 17
Theme- Failing
Verses- John 13:36-38 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
38 Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! (NIV)
Feelings-
There seems to be passionate people and also folks who seem emotionally deadened to experiences of life.
Sometimes in my communication with Judi I will try to determine how strongly she feels about something. Just like trying to understand one’s pain level the nurse may ask, “On a scale from one to ten how strong is your pain?” So when we are discussing possible options to decisions that formula has helped. “On a scale from one to ten how strongly do you feel about buying this car?” That is more important if a decision compared to which restaurant we might choose to go to.
There are some people who feel strongly about most things, and others who are almost always 5s. They really do not have strong feelings either way. The apostle Peter seems to fall in the first category. He is passionate about most things. His personality lends itself to strong feelings.
Although we will be centering our thoughts from John 18 this week on Peter's denial of the Lord the story really begins in John 13 when Jesus prophecies that he will disown Jesus before morning. That would be unimaginable to Peter. His feeling of love to Jesus is a 10. To describe how strongly he feels about his commitment he devotes his very life to Christ. He tells Jesus he will die for Him.
We feel strongly about our children and would die for them, or for out spouse. Many are willing to give their lives for the love of country. For a friend they love one might lay down his life. That is how Peter felt.
Last week we looked at religious leaders who felt like they succeeded in what they wanted to accomplish. They were hypocrites by putting Jesus on trial. It was a sham, while they looked very pious. This week we will look at Peter, who was appointed by God and felt like a failure in his coming up short of his feelings of commitment.
His love for Jesus was real. He wasn’t being a hypocrite like Judas was. Judas was with the other apostles but was not one of them in purpose and commitment. You might say that is true for some in any church. Peter however, became the spokesperson for the group often. He was the leader who felt strongly about something and was the first to say how he felt.
Like a football team getting all psyched up for a big game, they feel as if they can conquer the world and imagine in their minds how it will play out with them being victorious. Unfortunately our actions do not always achieve our passion. Sometimes we are a disappointment to ourselves because we so much wanted a different outcome. But it is that passion that makes someone a better player than someone who really doesn’t care very much. Then there are those who are convinced they are going to lose and are less likely to put forth a valiant commitment. There is nothing wrong with passion, but it can get in the way of faith.
Jesus understood Peter’s heart. But he also understood that without Him we can do nothing. He saw how Satan wanted to sift Peter like wheat. He prayed for him. But after his failing and falling, Peter became a more useful servant. Feeling needs to take second play to faith. Faith needs to be placed in Jesus not in ourselves. Feelings come and go. Jesus and His promises are what gives us security.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Failing
Verses- John 13:36-38 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
38 Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! (NIV)
Feelings-
There seems to be passionate people and also folks who seem emotionally deadened to experiences of life.
Sometimes in my communication with Judi I will try to determine how strongly she feels about something. Just like trying to understand one’s pain level the nurse may ask, “On a scale from one to ten how strong is your pain?” So when we are discussing possible options to decisions that formula has helped. “On a scale from one to ten how strongly do you feel about buying this car?” That is more important if a decision compared to which restaurant we might choose to go to.
There are some people who feel strongly about most things, and others who are almost always 5s. They really do not have strong feelings either way. The apostle Peter seems to fall in the first category. He is passionate about most things. His personality lends itself to strong feelings.
Although we will be centering our thoughts from John 18 this week on Peter's denial of the Lord the story really begins in John 13 when Jesus prophecies that he will disown Jesus before morning. That would be unimaginable to Peter. His feeling of love to Jesus is a 10. To describe how strongly he feels about his commitment he devotes his very life to Christ. He tells Jesus he will die for Him.
We feel strongly about our children and would die for them, or for out spouse. Many are willing to give their lives for the love of country. For a friend they love one might lay down his life. That is how Peter felt.
Last week we looked at religious leaders who felt like they succeeded in what they wanted to accomplish. They were hypocrites by putting Jesus on trial. It was a sham, while they looked very pious. This week we will look at Peter, who was appointed by God and felt like a failure in his coming up short of his feelings of commitment.
His love for Jesus was real. He wasn’t being a hypocrite like Judas was. Judas was with the other apostles but was not one of them in purpose and commitment. You might say that is true for some in any church. Peter however, became the spokesperson for the group often. He was the leader who felt strongly about something and was the first to say how he felt.
Like a football team getting all psyched up for a big game, they feel as if they can conquer the world and imagine in their minds how it will play out with them being victorious. Unfortunately our actions do not always achieve our passion. Sometimes we are a disappointment to ourselves because we so much wanted a different outcome. But it is that passion that makes someone a better player than someone who really doesn’t care very much. Then there are those who are convinced they are going to lose and are less likely to put forth a valiant commitment. There is nothing wrong with passion, but it can get in the way of faith.
Jesus understood Peter’s heart. But he also understood that without Him we can do nothing. He saw how Satan wanted to sift Peter like wheat. He prayed for him. But after his failing and falling, Peter became a more useful servant. Feeling needs to take second play to faith. Faith needs to be placed in Jesus not in ourselves. Feelings come and go. Jesus and His promises are what gives us security.
Pastor Dale
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