What Went Wrong

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 25

Psalm 25 ESV

Of David. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 27:7-10

Psalm 27:7–10 ESV

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

Sermon:

Good Morning Church!

I was Glad when they said to me let us go and worship in the house of the Lord!

Many of us, most of us... All of us... Have failed at some point or another in our life. And we could probably go through and begin to categorize, if you're anything like me, you fail all the time, but they are not all the same. So we put levels to this some are just like, oh, yeah, David is kind of a screw up, he messes up sometimes to the other extreme of my sort of colossal failures where I begin to regret many decisions. Where you ask: What brought me to this point and things like that.

Well, today we will be looking at the greatest failure In the life of one of the greatest men who's ever lived. We will be looking at Peter’s denial of jesus. And even before we begin to pick on peter and look at, well you can see by the title of sermon “what went wrong” and try to understand his heart and his mind. Is important we understand the heart of this passage. I think if we had peter with us, We could ask him. Are you proud of the affairs of this night? He would say no. Do you regret things that happen that were said he'd probably say, yes. But if we were to ask him: Do you wish they weren't written for us? And this is kind of bold to say, but i think he would say no. I think there's important lessons for us to learn, things that that speak to our heart and life as we look at what is truly Again, the failure Of peter here.

We're going to read Matthew chapter 26, verse 31 through 35 and then skip from Sort of jesus prophecy to all of this coming true at the end of chapter 26. So we'll also be looking at verses 69 Through 75 of chapter 26, this morning. But before we dive into all of these things, let's open. With the word of prayer.

Dear lord, we do thank you for Your grace and mercy. Grace, that is greater than all our sin. Grace that reaches out to us when we are lost. Grace that changes us sanctifies us washes us cleanses us. We thank you for your son, our lord and savior, jesus christ. Thank you that though the cross was set before him. He was willing to endure that. For our sake. For his glory, for our good. Thank you for your spirit at work within us. Who shapes us and changes us. Ultimately, We are grateful that we are viewed not in our own righteousness, but through the work of christ, may we rest in his completed work. It is in jesus name, we pray Amen. Amen.

Well, as we evaluate this, because we're looking at sort of differently. I want to spend the first few moments setting the stage

SETTING THE STAGE

Wrestling through what exactly has happening. We'll pick up. Matthew 26:31. Remembering this is after the institution of the lord's, supper, the final passover with a disciples, There's been this talk at dinner. Jesus sort of put a cramp in the mood of the meal by saying: “Hey guys. Just so you know, one of you will betray me. One of the ones i'm meeting with one who's dipped his hand in the same bowl as me, someone close and intimate will betray me.” And then Jesus did this bizarre for them at the time, but now for us, very important thing. He took his bread broke it “take eat this is my body.” Sure, there was some Confusion probably some misunderstanding in the minds of the disciples yet they did eat. Then he picks the cup up: “Drink this all of you for this is my blood of the covenant.” What's going on here? But the story moves along, they Come back out to the mount of olives singing hymns. And this is where we pick up our passage verse 31. T

Matthew 26:31–35 ESV

Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

As we begin to set the stage, this is the context. This sort of magnifies, but also sets the groundwork for peters betrayal. We start with jesus’ bold declaration. he gives us a prophecy here. It goes deeper than just Peter. After saying one of you will betray me? No no. Is it i? no! Is it? Then we get to this: It's not just that ONE of you will betray me. but that ALL of you. You will all - verse 31, you will all every one of you disciples will fall away Because of me this night.

There is a lot here, but note: TONIGHT! This isn't one of you will betray me in a while. This isn't one of you might betray me in a little bit… tonight. All of you will fall away. Because this was god's sovereign plan.

It's important that we start by noting that sure, I titled this sermon “What went wrong” and we're going to look at that through the eyes of peter through his life through those sorts of things. But according to the plan of god, absolutely nothing went wrong. This is what was going to happen. For It is written: “I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Jesus knows what's going on here. He's also here again predicting his resurrection. Though I will be struck, though you all will be scattered. I will head to Galilee before you.

And so, even here, jesus is showing this is a temporary scattering. We'll meet up in Galilee. The end of the narrative, the end of the story, we all know this, the disciples see the risen lord, their faith is strengthened and magnified and they are then empowered to go start the church.

But as we begin, we start with jesus bold prophecy. but then, but then we have peter though. Good old peter. once again, disagrees with jesus. Okay, jesus. They all may fall away. Verse 33 - though they all fall away. I will never fall away. You may be right, jesus. Sure, there's a betrayer. But all this falling away stuff... don't worry. It would never happen to me.

So Jesus triples down, doesn't just double down. No no Peter. You're going to fall away, and you're going to fall away hard. Not once not twice, but three times you will deny me. Not me, peter says. Even if i have to die. Even if it costs me my life. I would never deny you. Other disciples kind of as a note chime in… end of verse 35 Yeah, yeah, we're with peter, all the disciples say the same.

One thing we should see before we get to peter's denial. Verse 56.

Matthew 26:56 ESV

But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus goes from an intimate dinner. Proclaiming one will betray him. To here prophesying: You'll all fall away. Still with his disciples who are still claiming to love him claiming to be willing to endure with him. but no, They all left him and fled left alone.

To his (small) Peter didn't go as far as the other ones picking up in verse 69.

Matthew 26:69–75 ESV

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus was right. Peter was wrong. Jesus enduring arrest betrayal. Being put before the council. The shame, the humiliation. Being spit on. being struck. mocked. But then Peter, To save his own skin, Out of fear, Going back on his word: “Even if i must die with you, i will not deny you” here denies jesus three time. Its a tragic story. So now we can ask What went wrong?

What went Wrong

Again, in the eyes of God, nothing went wrong. This was the plan since before the foundation of the earth for the salvation of god's people. But yet, in peter, something changed. Over the course of hours Peter went from, “i will die with you” to invoking a curse upon himself: “i don't even know him.” He went from “though they all fall away. I will never fall away” Within the course of hours, HOURS! He went from this strong, bold stance to “I don't even know him. I don't know what you're talking about... Jesus? never even heard of him.”

How did this happen? Well, i think there's two things that we can look at that are important that can give us understanding to see how these things take place. And the first thing i'd like is to look at is, let's just look at the problems of Peter.

A look at peter’s PROBLEMS

Because they begin to show up way before the denial. Even in how peter is willing to go about taking a stand. And when jesus is prophesying the denial Peters words, even then, begin to betray him. Truly the roots of his problems can be seen even in the first section.

Jesus, as they're standing there on the mound of olives, he says to them, you'll all fall away every single one of you. And peter's response shows that his mind is in the wrong place. There are three things wrong about Peter’s thinking. We start with his condescension of the other disciples. His first problem is, He thinks he's better than them.

Matthew 26:33 ESV

Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”

Though they all fall away... I mean, right? Jesus, these guys. These guys around me, these others, these other 11 disciples. I don't know where you pick these guys up, but me, oh I will never fall away. His first problem is, He thinks he's better. He thinks that would never happen to me. Sure. These these guys around me -- these these scrubs — whatever. But Not me. His first big problem is he thinks he's so much better than the other disciple. But he’s just like them. And here we see. That's not great.

For ultimately, in the teaching of jesus, were to be a servant. We’ve got to be humble and meek. The first shall be last. The last shall be first. Blessed are those who are Meek. Who hunger and thirst for righteousness. The humble, not the bold, not the ostentatious. His first problem is that He thinks he's better. That ultimately leads to his second problem, too. So yes He has a low view, he Has too much condescension towards the other disciples. He also has way too much confidence in himself.

No, jesus. I know me. Even if it costs me my life. I'll stand for you. Really?!? That's a bold statement. How do you know, peter? When You're put in a situation where you have to face this, you know, you don't know exactly what it what this means. When they come in arrest me. When one of you betrays me in the dead of night, when they come upon us. You have a lot of confidence Peter, but it is unfounded. What we will see here is that Peter is willing to fight. But he is not willing to suffer. So his problem is that he has much too much confidence in himself. But his third problem. Probably his most.Pressing and biggest problem. WE move from condescension of the other disciples to confidence in himself. But His biggest problem is going to contradict the word of his savior.

This story would read much differently. If jesus says: “tonight, all of you will fall away because of me” and the response of the disciples was more like: you know, lord, i don't, i don't know. I don't want to, i don't think so. If you say so it must be true. That was the heart earlier at dinner. When one of you will betray me all of the disciples ask: well is it I? But here Peter's willing to contradict his savior. No, not me. Everyone else sure - but not me. Even if i must die, not me. I don't care what you say, jesus.

Jesus again, i said, he triples down. Before the rooster crows you'll deny me three times. “No no no no Jesus You've got it all wrong.” Instead of taking the time to hear and listen. Instead of even here, with repentance in his heart, I don't want to. He instead will contradict the words of his savior. And we read how this pans out. Each time the denials get more and more fervent, each time, his heart set more and more in opposition to What jesus has said. each time bringing condemnation on himself, out of his own mouth until The rooster crows. Then there's bitter weeping.

His problems can be summed up because he has a improper view of a lot of these different things. A condescension towards other disciples too much confidence in himself rather than in his savior and then because of that contradicting his savior Those are his problems. But something i think also interesting comes out if we take a step back, And we actually look at the the context of peter's whole life.

A Look at Peters LIFE

Peter's high points. In ministry in life. Comes back at Matthew 16. If you want to take a full look at peter's life, we look to Matthew 4 and the calling of peter. He’s out fishing and Jesus calls to them, Hey, let's go. Lets go be fishers of men. Okay.

Then we get to chapter 16 this is the pinnacle, who do you say that? I am. Chapter 16 verse 16

Matthew 16:16 ESV

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Good job, peter. Bang up job, peter. but then Verse 22.

Matthew 16:22–23 (ESV)

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!

High point of peter's life. You're the Christ, the son of the living god. Straight to a Pretty low point here. “Get behind me. Satan.”

Because peter, at this point, Didn't think the cross was needed. The the trigger for peter saying, none of this will happen is Jesus starting to say: I'm going to go, i'm going to suffer and die. I will be crucified. On the third day I'll be raised. Peter thinks: We don't need that cross and death stuff. Far be it from you, lord. Peter didn't get here at the beginning that the cross was needed at all. But it seems, he's come around a little bit. So sure the cross is needed. But now, Peter because of where he is in his life he doesn't realize. One of the most important truths. Sure, maybe the cross is needed. But I don't need the cross.

These other disciples. These other sinners. Maybe they need the cross, but not me. Though, they fall away. I'll never fall away. I don't need this. Even if I must die, i mean, that's fine. Because i'm good. A look at peter's life shows that He doesn't understand yet How much he needed the cross. As we look through these things. Peters, low view of others, peter's high view of himself. Peters, unwillingness to listen to his savior. But ultimately here, I think this is the thought, this is the seed and root of all these other problems. Here in this moment, Peter thinks he's good enough.

I want to pause. For just a second. And take a HUGE step back. Flip with me way way back to the Old testament for just a second. To second Samuel, chapter 12.

If you were to start in verse 1, this this is one of my most beloved stories in all of scripture. The prophet Nathan. Probably doesn't get enough respect as a prophet of god. The profit Nathan comes to King David and begins to tell him a story. This is this is the ME version of the story. You can read it in second, Samuel 12, Hey, david just so, you know. Let's tell you about these two guys. There's this problem going on in your kingdom. There's these two guys. One of them. He’s kind of poor. He's got one sheep. But you know what, that guy loves that sheep. He cares for it washes, it loves it. They share ice cream together. They go the park and play. That man loves his sheep. There's also a rich man. Okay, he's got tons of sheep. Sheep far and wide. You know he like The sheep lord of the entire region. He has got like so many sheep. Well, the rich guy was throwing a party. He thinks: I don't want to kill one of my sheep. So he goes and steals the sheep of that guy who only had one, kills it and serves his guests. David was incensed. Who does this? What kind of jerk would do that? You find me that rich, man. And he's going to pay back at least four fold. Because no one should do that.

2 Samuel 12:7 (ESV)

Nathan said to David, “You are the man!

YOU ARE THE MAN

As we look at peter's life. It's really easy for us to put on an air of piousness. Peter, peter, peter. Come on Peter. You could have done better Peter. But here is the truth: We're all Peter. I said earlier that i don't think peter would take this passage out of scripture. And this is why. As we hear this story, it's really easy for us to see these failures. We can come through and we can pick apart and say, you know, peter You, you had such a low view of the other disciples. You're going to be just like them. Peter, you had all this confidence in yourself. You should have known you were gonna fall peter. How could you disagree with the words of your savior? But We do the same thing.

That person is a sinner. I would never Succumb to sin the way that person does. really? “All sin and fall short of the glory of god.” We must cast aside paul writes the sin so easily, entangles. Well, i can do this. No, you can't. Apart from the work of christ, you can do nothing. Which leads us to the most important point. What we all need is a desperate understanding of our own need for the cross. The cross is not just something that was needed because people are sinners. The cross was something that was needed because I am a sinner and that is a profound and important difference. And so we need to hear. Sometimes. You're this man. We're all Peter. We all need to hear these stern warnings. May our hearts be stirred so that we may, like peter, Weep. As we see our desperate need for a savior. The important thought that we need to note here. Is that the same sin Lies at the doors of our heart.

So what's our hope?

Like to pick back up a look at peter's life.

A Look at Peter’s LIFE

Matthew 26:69–70 ESV

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”

Here's the language verse, 69. “You were with jesus” and peter’s response: “i don't know what you mean.” Hold your finger there and flip now FORWARD to Acts chapter 4. Because here Peter takes back up his mantle As hero of the church. Skimming through quickly starting in verse 1

Acts 4:1–2 ESV

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

The result verse 3, and they arrested them and put them in custody.

Then moving to Verse 5

Acts 4:5–6 (ESV)

On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas

Note here, Caiaphas Whose palace peter was standing in front of when he denied jesus. And they were set before them their question, verse 8: By what power or what name are you ding this? So Peter verse 8, filled with the holy spirit, said to them — really he begins to preach. We have seen jesus the one who you crucified we've seen him raised. And here is the payoff.

To remind us in Matthew 26. A servant girl. You were with jesus. Verse 70, he denied it. Acts chapter 4 drug before the priests drug before the same council here with boldness Coursing through Peter's veins he preaches the truth. Not scared of what might happen, but actually facing the same people who Killed Jesus he takes a stand and so acts chapter 4 verse 13.

Acts 4:13 ESV

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

That's the solution. Our savior. His work coursing through us. That's the hope.

When i'm dead and gone this is what i help people say of me. Sure. He was an uneducated common man. But he had been with jesus. That's our hope. That's our solution. That's what changed peter. It's what moved him. So that after getting a stern talking to being drugged before the courts we can get to this in verse 29, He can pray.

Acts 4:29 ESV

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

Peter realizes he can't do it in his own strength. He can't do it in his own might. I mean he tried that and he failed three times. But with god at work in his life, He changed the whole world.

Let's pray.