He Allowed It

Luke 22:31–38 NIV84

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” 35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” he replied.

Have you ever felt like God wasn't there in your life? Like He was allowing things to happen that you didn't understand? Today we're going to look at a passage in the Gospel of Luke that shows us that sometimes God allows things to happen for a purpose. Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked to sift him like wheat. But Jesus says that He has prayed for him so that his faith will not fail.

How is your faith in the midst of the many trials you face?

Why did Jesus allow it? Why not just rebuke the enemy?

Jn 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

1. He allowed it to reveal His Power in us

He trusts you

The sifting can build our character

Rom 5:3-4 “3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

The sifting can bring us closer to God

Ps 34:18 “18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

The sifting can be used to help others

2 Cor 1:3-4 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

2. He allowed it to reveal your faith

Where is your faith? Whom or what do you trust?

To strengthen your faith

1 Pet 1:6-7 “6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

To test your faith

James 1:2-4 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

To glorify God

Jn 9:1-3 “1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

3. He allowed it so that you learn to depend on Him

Whom or what do you trust?

We should trust God in all things

Prov 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

We should pray for wisdom when we are facing trials

James 1:5 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

We should hold on to His Hand and persevere

Heb 12:1-2 “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

4. He allowed it so that you learn your Victory is in Him

He is with you

If God is for you, He more than the world against you

He said, “But I have prayed that you faith may not fail”

You will not be overwhelmed

Is 43:2 “2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

You will not be abandoned

Heb 13:5 “5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.””

You will be victorious

1 Cor 15:57 “57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

He said, “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers”

When you have the victory, help a brother out

When you have the victory, ensure others are victorious

When you are converted, let others know

Jesus also told Peter:

John 21:15–19 “15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!””