Spiritual Metamorphosis

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament (ἐπιστροφή)

conversion ⇔ turnabout — turning from one set of beliefs or behaviors to another; understood as literally turning away from some direction toward another direction in order to give one’s attention to something

The New King James Version (Chapter 1)

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1: 16-17

"Metamorphosis" refers to a biological process by which an animal undergoes a significant transformation during its life cycle, often involving a conspicuous transformation in its body structure and function. This process is especially common in insects, amphibians, and certain other animal groups.

Introduction

What do people think about Christians in the US?

1- Perceived Intolerance

2- Political Influence

3- Hypocrisy: Accusations of hypocrisy arise when Christians are perceived as not practicing what they preach, particularly when prominent figures are involved in scandals.

- Peter’s background

- Son of Jonah

- Married (Peter never asked for his mother-in-law to be healed)

- A great leader of the Early Church

Reading Text: Luke 22: 31-34

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

33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

- Just as it happened to Job, however, Job’s story happened to review his faithfulness and commitment to God.

- But with Peter was different, it happened to develop Peter’s faithfulness to God.

- Throughout the Bible we see people being sifted for two reasons: 1) to testify unconditional faithfulness to God or 2) to learn and develop their faithfulness to God.

- In verse 32, Jesus says: “I prayed for you”

"The vigilant care of Christ for Peter was what brought him restoration. Nothing could Satan do against the all-efficient intercession of Christ. And the prayer made by Christ on behalf of Peter, He makes for the benefit of all who are humble and contrite in heart."

(From: Sons and Daughters of God, 91.4)

- and when you have returned to Me

- Peter was the leader of the group.

- He stated that Jesus was the Son of God.

- Peter said that he was ready to go.

- Nobody will be faithful to God if he/she trusts more in his/herself skills and abilities than in Jesus Christ.

"The reason why so many professed disciples of Christ fall into serious temptations is that they do not have a proper knowledge of themselves. This is where Peter was so deeply sifted by the enemy... Peter fell because he did not know his own weakness. He thought himself strong."

(From: Reflecting Christ, 337)

- Peter denied Jesus because he did not know himself. Nobody knows the heart.

- The worst thing is when we fail in what we do the best, and with someone we love.

- Peter was brave but he failed. He said, even if everyone ran away I would never do it.

- However, when Jesus was arrested, Peter was there with John.

- But Peter had a different attitude than John’s.

"The disciple John, entering the judgment hall, did not seek to hide that he was a follower of Jesus. He did not mingle with the rough crowd that was mocking the Master. He was not questioned; for he did not assume a false character, thereby becoming an object of suspicion. He sought a secluded corner, away from the gaze of the crowd, but as close as possible to Jesus. There he could see and hear everything that happened at the trial of his Lord."

(From: The Desire of Ages, 711)

"Peter did not intend to reveal his true identity. By assuming an air of indifference, he placed himself on the enemy's ground, becoming an easy prey to temptation. Had he been called to fight for his Master, he would have been a courageous soldier; but when pointed out by the finger of scorn, he proved to be a coward. Many who do not shrink from active battle for their Lord are, in the face of ridicule, led to deny their faith. By associating with those they should avoid, they place themselves in the path of temptation."

(From: The Desire of Ages, 712)

- There is a huge difference between John and Peter. Attitude.

My life in high school.

- We can hide ourselves from others. Peter did not run away so that he would not see Jesus but he did not get close to commit to Jesus.

- I want to be part of the church but I don't want to get involved. We can't hide. We can't follow Jesus from a distance.

- We don't sin only when we do something wrong but when we don't do the right thing.

- Even though he stated that he didn't know Jesus, the Savior affirmed that He knew Peter very well.

Luke 22:61-62

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster [i]crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

- There is no full conversion if I don't have a fight with myself.

- If didn't confront ourselves, it is because we don't know ourselves or Jesus.

- When I know Jesus, I will know how bad I am.

Mark 16

Jesus will never leave us, even though we deny him.

John 21

There is grace for every mistake.

Feed my Lambs

Feed my Sheep

Feed my Lambs

There is a order is this conversation: “strengthen your brethren”

"Before his fall, Peter was always speaking rashly, driven by the impulse of the moment. Always ready to correct others, he expressed his own thoughts before having a clear idea of himself or what he was going to say. The converted Peter, however, was quite different. He retained his former fervor, but the grace of Christ regulated his zeal. He was no longer impetuous, self-confident, or presumptuous, but calm, controlled, and gentle. He could then feed both the lambs and the sheep of Christ's flock."

(From: Lift Him Up, 254)

"The way the Savior dealt with Peter had a lesson for him and for his brothers. Although Peter had denied his Lord, Jesus' love for him never wavered. And as Peter took on the responsibility of ministering to others, he was to treat the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and compassionate love. Remembering his own weakness and fall, he was to treat the sheep and lambs entrusted to his care with the same tenderness that Christ had shown him." (From: Reflecting Christ, 337)

- Peter did not treat people well before.

- It is important to have zeal for God and the church. But God’s grace should come first.

- We should be strengthening our brother and sister or we need to be converted again.

- We should be taking care of one another or we need to be converted again.

Pastor Junior De Souza

Brookhaven SDA Church (May, Sabbath 18)

Guntersville SDA Church (June, Shabbat 8)