"WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?"

Have you ever been afraid to be associated with someone or something?

Tell about when Ernie and I walked into the Outreach building in Grand Junction in order to waste time. Turns out that that church had been praying for Candace and I after our car accident.

Parallel Gospel Accounts -

Matthew 26:69-75 - make a couple of observations

Mark 14:66-72 - make a couple of observations

Luke 22:54-62 - make a couple of observations

John 18:15-18 and 25-27 - make a couple of observations

Proposition - This morning we are going to look at Peter’s denial of the Son of Man. We will see 1) the first denial, 2) the second denial, and 3) the third denial.

Interrogative question - Who do you say that Jesus is?

1. The First Denial - vs. 69-70

Matthew 26:69–70 NASB95

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.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”

What do you know about Peter? (vs. 58)

What would you be thinking if you were in Peter’s shoes?

What does the word denied mean? (disowned)

What would you say if someone ask you right now about Jesus?

2. The Second Denial - vs. 71-72

Matthew 26:71–72 NASB95

71 When 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.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”

What is Peter doing now?

What do you think Peter was trying to do?

What do you do if people ask you about Jesus?

3. The Third Denial - vs. 73-75

Matthew 26:73–75 NASB95

73 A 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.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And 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.

Can you imagine being in this situation?

It makes me think of poking a bear - it sure seems that people just keep poking at Peter -

What would be going through your mind if you were in Peter’s shoes right now?

SO WHAT?

Who do you say that Jesus is?