John 18: Preaching/Teaching

Dangers in our walk with God.

Peter: Possessor

two failures: Different outcomes

Have you ever failed before? Personally I’ve experienced my fair share of failure in life. Failure is especially difficult for me when I have to face the person or individuals I have let down. I remember it like it was yesterday. In High School we had one day each year where we could go to school with our parents for a “work day”. Most of the students in high school would however just skip school and then write a pretend report about their wonderful day “on the job”.

Since both of my parents worked my friend asked me if he and his girlfriend could spend the day at my house during his appointed work day. Being a compliant friend I agreed. This is a rundown of what the day looked like. My friend, Pete, dropped me off at school and I hesitantly gave him my house keys. Pete then went and picked up his girlfriend and they watched my house until my mom finally left. Shortly upon entering my house they had unexpected visitors. The unexpected happened, before my mom went to work my sister who was actually going to work with my mom got sick to her stomach. What are the odds? Needless to say my mom and sister busted my best friend and his girlfriend going into my house.

I didn’t know my little sis was sick or that our plan had been destroyed, but that whole day I just had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I got done with school I went to the office and called my house, hoping no one would answer. However I was not so lucky, my younger brother answered the phone and said “What did you do Nate, Mom is really mad?” I knew I was in trouble and even more so I knew if mom was mad I could only imagine how dad would handle the situation.

Now my parents still loved me and I was not banned from the family. But letting my parents down like that was one of the worst feelings I have ever had. I did not cease being their son but I lost some closeness to my parents.

After much discussion my parents finally agreed that I would be strictly grounded for two weeks. No phone, no friends, no extracurricular activities but as bad as the punishment was...it was even worse that I severed the trust in my relationship with my parents... I failed. Have you ever failed somebody?

How is your intimacy with Jesus right now?

God created us from intimacy, but just like a great marriage, friendship there are things that can keep us from closeness. In the same way even as believers there are times where we can not be intimate with Jesus like we need to be.

Today we are going to look at a guy who is a possessor. And even though he was a possessor we are going to see how he acted like a professor. But ultimately how he responded shows us that he is a possessor.

When Judas struggled he was not led back to Jesus.

Just review Judas (reminder)

Professor

-Judas did not confess his failure until he knew he was in trouble.

-Judas confessed his failure to his enemies and not to Christ.

-Judas’ failure lead to self pity and death instead of to God’s grace.

The biggest lesson we can learn from Judas is we can look Christian, we can do Christian things. We can look like one who possesses the God of the universe and just be a professor a faker.

We know that Peter was a possessor. What we are going to learn from Peter is a possessor can look like a professor. As a matter of fact every Christian is going to look and act like a professor at some time. However we can learn from Peter great failure so we don’t have to go down the same road he did.

Peter

Matthew 26:58, But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

Matthew 26:69-Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” 74Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

How in the world did Peter get in this mess.

Dr. Dwight Pentecost gives three reasons Peter made himself vulnerable:

We need to be aware of these vulnerabilities, because if it can happen to Peter it can happen to anyone.

Today we are going to look at three things that make us vulnerable in our walk with God.

The first vulnerability that keeps us from intimacy with God is:

1. Confidence in ourselves. (John 18:10-11).

Peter had confidence in himself:

john 18:1-9 “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.””

Matthew 26:35 NASB95

Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

Isn’t Peter a lot like us.

We are taught to do things on our own our whole life.

John 18:10 NASB95

Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible Exposition

His action was foolish, but it illustrates his courage and commitment to Jesus (cf. 13:37).

“It was forbidden to carry weapons on a feast-day.”

Nevertheless, the disciples had two swords (or knives) in their possession (Luke 22:38). They were apparently anticipating trouble in Jerusalem (cf. 11:16).

John 18:11 NASB95

So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Peter was still resisting the reality of the cross.

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible Exposition

“Peter had a sword in his hand, but our Lord had a cup in His hand. Peter was resisting God’s will but the Saviour was accepting God’s will.”

Application:

Notice Peter does things man’s way and not God’s way.

We talk a lot about time, treasure and talent. Are you doing time, treasure and talent God’s way or your way.

If we begin to start saying “I will never deny Christ” that is the first sign to show we are on our way or that we could fall into temptation as a result of pride or self confidence. Peter’s reliance on himself was a sign of pride and as we know God set’s Himself up against the proud. Humble yourselves, realize you're need for Christ. This is a great first step.

This last week I went on a retreat to Austin and it was a great reminder how it is so easy to try and do everything myself.

I need to put my confidence in Jesus. It is so easy to say but so hard to do.

The next vulnerability that keeps us from intimacy with God is when we:

2. Follow Jesus at a distance.

Matthew 26:58 NASB95

But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

John 18:15–17 NASB95

Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

It is so easy to get caught up in the motions as ministers of the Word. God desires us to be an overflowing fountain because we are drinking from His cup. If you are too busy to sit at Christ’s feet you are obviously too busy and are most likely an ineffective minister of the Word. Whether the things that occupy your time are for the kingdom and are good investments of your time is merely irrelevant. Without Christ we can do nothing, we labor in vain and yield worthless fruit. We must first seek Him. We are all in danger of following Christ at a distance and not simply sitting at His feet. Today I was reading about when Jesus was walking by and this sick lady in Mark just touched his clothes and he was healed. Do we want Jesus that bad. What I have seen is that we as believers are content with just going to Church once a week. God desires that we pursue him closely.

Talk about the only disciple who was at the crucifixion.

John 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Perhaps 15 percent of Americans participate in Bible studies. * The number of people who read the Bible, at least occasionally is 59 percent. * Less than 50 percent of Americans can name the first book of the Bible (Genesis). * Only 1/3 of Americans know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount (more people identified Billy Graham rather than Jesus). * Twenty-five percent of Americans don't know what is celebrated on Easter (the Resurrection of Christ, the foundational event of Christianity). * Twelve percent of Christians think that Noah's wife is Joan of Arc. * Eighty percent of born-again Christians (including George W. Bush) think it is the Bible that says "God helps them that help themselves." (Actually it was said by Benjamin Franklin.)

Are you following Christ closely or are you following him at a distance. Are you satisfied with where you are at? If you

The last vulnerability that keeps us from intimacy with God is when we:

sitting down in the company of Christ’s adversaries.

It is interesting that Peter’s denial of Christ kept getting more imminent or to the point, even to the extent where he said in matter of fact, ‘I don’t know the man.’ (A quick note here we need to remember we are to be around the lost. For most Christians the danger of being influenced by the lost is not an issue because we quite frankly don’t hang out with them at all.) However, there are some believers who hang out with the lost in an unhealthy way. Our closest friends, the ones who influence us need to be solid believers. We need to follow Jesus example and really build relationships with the lost with the intent of winning them to Christ. I want to encourage us to build relationships with the lost in order to influence them for Christ. We also need to make sure they are not influencing us and that we are not being influenced to please them or validate their lifestyles or moral convictions.

Here is what happens in a ministry. Someone who is a believer begins to date a non believer. Play this scenario out.

-Peter’s messed up and was upset because he had hurt God

The Bible Knowledge commentary says;

Peter knew immediately he had failed the Lord. Though he had affirmed that he would never forsake the Lord, he had publicly denied the One he loved. Filled with remorse, he left the courtyard and wept bitterly. His tears were tears of true repentance for having forsaken and denied the Lord.

Remember how when Judas messed up he was worried about his own skin. Not Peter, he knew he had hurt Jesus.

If you are a possessor in here and acting like a professor you need to repent.

Is it

Pornography, language, not spending time with the master, having time for everything except Christ,

Tonight I think we can obviously learn from both of these men who failed and committed grave sin. First I want each of us to examine yourself... have you been playing religion your whole life? Like Judas, do you walk the walk but fail to possess a relationship with Jesus Christ? If this is you I want to challenge you to come to foot of the cross and confess your sin and ask Jesus to take the place for your sins. From examining Peter’s life I want us to recognize our human nature and areas of weakness. I want us to learn how to address failure since it is inevitable. We need to realize that on our own strength we will fail miserably. We also need to realize that if we distance ourselves from Christ we make ourselves vulnerable. We need to stand for Christ and not worry about ourselves or bodily harm but rather stand firm and not allow unbelievers ideas to influence us. Lastly, when we blow it and mess up we need to bring our failures and sin honestly before the mercy seat of Christ so that we may run unhindered by our failures, persevere and finish the race Christ has laid before us.

Do you think was God with Peter? Here is how it ended for Peter.

Do you know how Peter died. He watched his wife crucified right before his eyes saying remember the Lord, then when it was his turn he said crucify me upside down because I am not worthy of my Lord.”

John 18:2 NASB95

Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples.

Jesus knew his hour had come and he was willing to face it with courage

John 18:3 NASB95

Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Jesus was rejected by the world. His very own people the Jewish people rejected him but the Romans rejected him as well.

Jesus was handed over by his disciple

John 18 NASB95

When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” So the Roman cohort and the commander and the bofficers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people. Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. Then the slave-girl who kept the door *said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He *said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself. The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. “Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” So Annas sent Him bound to aCaiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed. Then they *led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into cthe 1Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Therefore Pilate went out to them and *said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. “But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release 1for you the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.