the sifting of peter

Remember this event took place in Jerusalem,during our lords last passover. Jesus is about to be taken unto judgement where He will be crucified in a few days. Oddly enough, in spite of His warnings to the disciples many time before, they still didn’t grasp His words that He was going to die. He would be Crucified. In this time that was the worst possible way for anyone to die,and yet that is how our Lord Jesus died so that we might have salvation by grace-alone and through faith-alone in Jesus Christ-alone. We don’t deserve His Salvation, But He has Great love for you and I. We see where the disciples are arguing about who was going to be the greatest among them. Then Jesus says to peter the text for today

Luke 22:31–34 NKJV

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

strangely we see the words of Jesus directed toward Simon peter, but the you in this passage is plural meaning was not just at peter Jesus was talking about peter and all the disciples.

this may not be strange at all since Peter was the usually the mouth or mouthpiece of the disciples. He was somewhat a leader of the disciples.

Peter was usually the one who entered a situation mouth first.

but he was the disciple who had the insight (from God the Father) to speak up when Jesus asked Who do men say that i am? Some answered this and that, but peter answered “you are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.

but we also see in Matt 16 peter have the audacity to rebuke Jesus and Jesus say’s Get behind me satan! you are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interest but mans.

So peter had his insights, blind spots and boldness. Isn’t that just like a lot of us? I believe we somewhat symbolize peter in away we all have your ups and down.

Matthew Henry in his commentary he says this that peter was the mouthpiece of the group, this time Jesus made him the ear.

Listen when you step up in ministry or rise your head up for Jesus A target is painted on u by the enemy.

WHY? They are three angels God name in the bible Micheal, Gabriel, Lucifer two of them are still in heaven one is not. Jesus says one of them fall like lightening. He saw satan fall like lightening. He had instruments on the inside of him.he could sing better then anybody u know put together. but instead of worship coming from him he wanted it to come to him, So God kicked him out cause nobody can handle worship but the living God, Nobody is worthy of worship but the living God. the reason the enemy hates us so much is that he messed up once and got kicked out we mess up all the time but God is still waiting to here from us.

VS-31

satan has to get permission to test you. satan is God’s devil permission has to come from God. Its scare in a way, but actually it should comforting.

God is soverner everything that happens has to go through Him. we could refer back to the book of Job 1 6-12

Job 1:6–12 NKJV

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

“Satan wants to sift you as wheat”

in biblical times wheat or other grains was sifted through a sieve or large strainer. It would be shaken violently, the dirt and other impurities that clung to the grain during the threshing process would separate from the good,usable grain.

so what is Jesus telling peter? He is telling peter your faith is about to be tested your about to face some difficult situations or hardships.

We are no different from peter we will all face the sifting our faith as we walk with Christ. that's where growth comes from

James 1:2–4 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Romans 5:3–5 NKJV

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

when are faith is being test its a process that separates the impurities we have in our hearts like doubts or worldly attachments or whatever it my be by removing this negative elements from our lives allows us to grow closer to God and development maturity so that we will be ready for what Gods has in store for us in life.

well didn’t peter fail? absolutely or we going to fail absolutely.

Jesus know that peter was going to fail but He also knew that through the process all that chaff that was latched on the peter it would be removed. God had a plan for peter He just know that he needed to get peter’s heart right for what He had in stored for peter.

VS-32

this is amazing that Jesus Him self is praying you when you are being sifting or trialed.

He is interceding with the father on your behave.

Romans 8:34 ESV

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

I'm here to tell you at your dark's hour when it seems like everything is crumbling, when your wondering why this is happening to me,when it seems like your being tested when it seems like your being trailed u an understand one thing that Jesus is before the father praying for u.

Listen im here to tell you His pray works.

He does not pray for the test to be removed. How many have every done that?

John 17:15 NKJV

I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

the evil ones goal is to destroyer your faith and to bring you down that's why Paul wrote to the Ephesians He knew people all over the world would sifted and this is what he says

Ephesians 6:10–14 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

At the end of the day when the smokes clear we should be found staying firm on our Faith in God.

Now we see Jesus say when u have return, strength your brother.

Im here to tell you this morning that you my be like peter you have have failed the test u have falling and satan has it in your mind that your done Listen know matter what you have done you are not out of reach of the arms of Jesus.

you will never be able to strengthen ours until u have been sifted until u have gone through it yourself and once you have gone through it you will have a power testimony how there is hope and restoration in Jesus Christ.