Biblical People

Biblical People

Peter

Introduction:

· Studying a person from the Bible can be an extremely meaningful way to gain insight about God and his relationship with humanity.

· We can see the model of godly living

· We can also the examples of fallenness of humanity

· We will focus on Peter

· Let’s do some background

· He was a fishermen on the Sea of Galilee.

· This would have been a physical job – and Peter would have been rough another the edges

· Simon, the fisherman-turned-disciple, was hotheaded, impulsive, and overeager.

· Jesus even called him Satan

· His first meeting with Jesus.

· John 1:41–42 (NLT) — 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

John 1:41–42 NLT

Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

· Jesus calls him Peter or “Rock”

Peter the Rock

a. The Inner Circle

i. In every list of disciples found in the New Testament, Peter is listed first.

ii. Probably closest to Jesus

iii. The inner circle was James, John, and Peter

iv. Peter became the leader of the first in Jerusalem

His weakness

i. By nature Simon was brash, indecisive, and undependable.

ii. He would make promises he couldn’t keep

iii. He would lunge wholeheartedly into something and bail out before finishing

Peter was exactly like most Christians

a. Carnal and spiritual

i. Sometimes the habits of flesh would take hold – Like us

ii. Sometimes the fruit of the Spirit was on display – Like us

Why would Jesus pick Peter?

i. Because of his potential

ii. Of course, like us we have the potential for our God called task

The Character of Peter

He was highly inquisitive

i. When Jesus would tell a parable it was Peter that asked to explain it.

ii. Matthew 15:15 (NLT) — 15 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”

Matthew 15:15 NLT

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”

iii. Luke 12:41 (NLT) — 41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”

Luke 12:41 NLT

Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”

iv. Check out this question

1. Matthew 18:21 (NLT) — 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

Matthew 18:21 NLT

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

v. Peter has this exchange with Jesus

1. Mark 11:20–25 (NLT) — 20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Mark 11:20–25 NLT

The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

vi. He always wanted to know more, to understand better.

vii. The lesson for us is obvious

1. Always learn and always ask

Simon Peter was willing to take the initiative.

a. Who do you say that I am?

i. Mark 8:27–30 (ESV) — 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

Mark 8:27–30 ESV

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

ii. Peter answered boldly and correctly

1. When God calls we should be willing to answer that call

Peter would always step up.

a. Walked on water

i. Matt 14:22-32

b. It was Peter that followed Jesus when he was arrested

i. Luke 22:61 (NLT) — 61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Luke 22:61 NLT

At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

1. Sit and soak

His greatest failure

a. Before the rooster crows

i. He denies knowing Jesus three times

ii. Jesus knew he would fail him

iii. Luke 22:31–32 (NLT) — 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:31–32 NLT

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

But Jesus wasn’t done with him

i. John 21:15-17

ii. You may be like Peter.

iii. Made some huge mistakes

iv. Jesus took Peter and cultivated within him a spirit of submission, restraint, humility, and love.

Jesus is not done with you either

i. If there is a weakness in your character

ii. He calls us to be transformed in Him into the person He intends us to be.

67  Forgiveness. Nothing is more foreign to sinful human nature. And nothing is more characteristic of divine grace.

John MacArthur

The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness (1998)

John F. MacArthur