0903 Secret Place - Warming by the Wrong Fire

SECRET PLACE part 1 (Warming at the Wrong Fire)

1. Peter focused on his love for Jesus, instead Jesus love for him.

Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Matthew 26:33-34

When we focus on our love for God instead of his love for us

1. We are living for an approval instead of out of being accepted by God.

2. We make empty promises instead of living in his presence.

3. We live on emotions instead of devotion.

4. Our passion lacks compassion.

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

2. Peter slept when he was supposed to be praying.

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Matthew 26:40

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-32

When our prayer life goes to sleep, our past life wakes up. (Judas & Delilah)

SLEEPING devotions produce SLIPPING & TRIPPING in sin.

If we don’t PRAY, we STRAY.

“…Sit here while I pray. And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” Mark 14:32-34

Secret place is where Jesus is interceding for you; enjoy his company, and receive his heart.

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord Proverbs 8:34-35

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 12:28-30

Stay long enough to release the burden. Linger long enough to receive his burden. Release hurt, receive his heart.

3. Peter followed Jesus from a distance to preserve his life.

But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. Matthew 26:58

If we don’t deny self - we will deny the Savior.

It’s easier to sacrifice sin than to sacrifice self.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25

We follow Jesus when it brings success, but when it costs a sacrifice, we play safe by following him at distance.

According to a 2018 report by Open Doors USA, there are more than 215 million Christians persecuted worldwide, and one in 12 live in countries where Christianity is “illegal, forbidden, or punished.” Each day, a staggering 11 Christians are killed for their faith in the top 50 countries ranked on the World Watch List.

4. Peter warmed himself at wrong bond fire

But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. Mark 14:54

Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. John 18:18

World’s fire is attractive (eskimo) When we lose our affection for Jesus, world becomes attractive to us “…If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” 1 John 2:15

World’s fire is addictive (denies 3 times)

World’s fire is annihilating (Jesus looked at Peter)

Intimacy is broken, even through relationship is there. Regret. Remorse.

5. Peter went back to his old life.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. John 21:3

Remorse makes things worse. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

Restitution is making things right without getting right with Jesus.

Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. John 21:9

Enemy’s Fire vs Holy Fire

Build by the enemy Build by Jesus

Jesus at trial Jesus triumphed

Denied Jesus 3 times Affirmed love for Jesus 3 times

Left in regret Left restored

Peter, during Great Fire of Rome in the year 64. 3 months after, Nero, on 10 year anniversary since his ascension to throne, much bloodshed.