Mar 14:27-31 Jesus told them, "You're all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it's my fault. There's a Scripture that says, I will strike the shepherd; The sheep will go helter-skelter. (28) "But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee." (29) Peter blurted out, "Even if everyone else is ashamed of you when things fall to pieces, I won't be." (30) Jesus said, "Don't be so sure. Today, this very night in fact, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." (31) He blustered in protest, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you." All the others said the same thing.
Mar 14:66-72 While all this was going on, Peter was down in the courtyard. One of the Chief Priest's servant girls came in (67) and, seeing Peter warming himself there, looked hard at him and said, "You were with the Nazarene, Jesus." (68) He denied it: "I don't know what you're talking about." He went out on the porch. A rooster crowed. (69) The girl spotted him and began telling the people standing around, "He's one of them." (70) He denied it again. After a little while, the bystanders brought it up again. "You've got to be one of them. You've got 'Galilean' written all over you." (71) Now Peter got really nervous and swore, "I never laid eyes on this man you're talking about." (72) Just then the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered how Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows twice, you'll deny me three times." He collapsed in tears.
Act 1:15-22 During this time, Peter stood up in the company--there were about one hundred twenty of them in the room at the time-- (16) and said, "Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. (17) Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry. (18) "As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. (19) Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow. (20) It's exactly what we find written in the Psalms: Let his farm become haunted So no one can ever live there. "And also what was written later: Let someone else take over his post. (21) "Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us (22) from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection."
Jesus told his disciples he would be taken away. He told them what would happen. Peter declared even if all fell away he would not. Jesus said he would deny him.
The Peter before Christ’s resurrection
(Mk 14:27-31, 66-72)We need to guard ourselves against the following.
- Self-confident – we don’t think we need God.
None of us, no matter how old we are should think we can do no wrong. A big company may think nothing could happen to it. Lehman Brothers had 600 billion dollars worth of assets. They filed for chapter 11/09/2008. It’s the largest bankruptcy ever filed in US.
- Boastful
The scripture reminds us, no matter how smart, how wealthy and how clever, not to boast of ourselves.
2Co 10:17 "If you want to claim credit, claim it for God."
Instead we are asked to boast in the Lord.
Gal 6:14 For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate.
God can use the ordinary to work for his purpose. No one should boast. Smith Wigglesworth dropped out from school at the age of 9. He desired God. God anointed him. He gave what he earned to help the needy. He visited Australia as an unknown but left with thousands bidding him farewell. An ordinary, uneducated plumber did wonderful things through God.
- Likes to compare to others
Peter said even if all others fall away he would not. We are constantly comparing our selves with others. Sometimes this is not wise. We should not follow the way the world measures success. We measure success by the way we do what God intends for us.
2Co 2:14-16 And I got it, thank God! In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. (15) Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation--an aroma redolent with life. (16) But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on?
We must reflect the aroma of life, a fragrance of Christ.
- Low opinion of others
Sometimes we don’t speak of people well / highly. We tend to adopt an air of superiority. We need to be careful how we talk about DUMC.
Time is short and life is precious. We must find a church which we believe to be good and the best place that is worth putting our lives into it to serve God, to make it count.
- Confronted with his true self
Jesus was arrested. Peter was nearby and watched the whole thing. A young servant girl recognized Peter and also his identify as a Galilean through his accent. Peter denied God three times a few hours after he confidently boast his allegiance and loyalty.
Peter broke down and cried bitterly. It must be a terrib. Jesus;s own heart went to Peter.
What has taken place in the life of Peter
- Emphasis on dependence upon the Lord
Immediately after seeing Jesus went to heaven, Peter and the others gathered prayed.
- Exercising right leadership through the use of scripture (Acts 1:15-17, 20)
A church without wall suggests that everyone is welcome.
- Unafraid to take a stand
Are we willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ in our office, our school, our neighbourhood or sometime even in our home? It may not be popular. It may not be easy. It may get us into trouble. Sometimes fruits may not be seen immediately. Let’s be light and salt and make a difference.
- Unafraid to suffer for Jesus
Act 4:19-20 But Peter and John spoke right back, "Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. (20) As for us, there's no question--we can't keep quiet about what we've seen and heard."
Peter refused to give in. He chose to obey God.
When Bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were arrested and burned alive on the stakes, Latimer told Ridley “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
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