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