Facing Failure
My Cup Runneth Over • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 49:48
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· 31 viewsThis series is based on the 2025 Lenten season curriculum by Foundry Publishing, My Cup Runneth Over. This week we look at three points of dynamic contrast between human weakness and GOD’s divine response from Peter's exchange with CHRIST.
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Greeting
Jeff Foxworthy - If … you might live in Montana
Announce text: Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:54-62
Key Text: Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:54-62
Review
First Sunday of Lent (Bill): The Call to Discipleship
We learned that what we long for matters. JESUS asked what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul?
The Call to Discipleship is a call to focus on what matters most - our relationship with JESUS.
It cannot be a casual relationship - it must be a fully-committed, all-in desire to know and be known by HIM.
Second Sunday of Lent: Preparation and Sacrifice
First, we learned that GOD equips those HE calls.
HE goes before us & walks with us.
HE provides direction & what we need to be successful in the assignment.
Second, we learned that we have a part - our preparation is important.
We must examine ourselves
Allowing HOLY SPIRIT to reveal & remove sin from our life
Repentance & forgiveness makes communion with GOD & others possible
Third, we learned that we must follow JESUS’ example of how to serve in the KINGdom
We must prepare to lay down our lives as a living sacrifice of service to GOD & others.
Third Sunday of Lent: Prayer & Obedience
Three Lessons on Prayer:
Seek Solitude in Prayer
We need to make prayer a priority in our life.
Prayer is an expression of our inability to meet the demands of life by ourselves.
We need to seek solitude.
Frees us from distraction.
Allows us to more clearly hear the “still, small voice”.
Submit in Sincere Supplication
Although JESUS was honest about HIS anguish, HE was also fully obedient to GOD.
JESUS surrendered to GOD’s plan, even in the face of suffering. We are called to do the same.
Following GOD means opening ourselves up to suffering. But we’re also recipients of GOD’s blessings and the fulfillment of GOD’s purpose for our lives.
Stay Spiritually Steadfast
While JESUS was in anguished prayer, the disciples were fast asleep.
This part of the story reminds us about the struggle between human frailty and divine purpose.
How often do we fall asleep—whether literally or metaphorically—when GOD has called us to get something done?
In HIS time of need, JESUS’ disciples failed to do what HE needed them to do.
As CHRIST followers, we’re called to follow the example of JESUS.
In the garden, JESUS’ example reminds us to pray and obey.
We’re called to pray through our struggles.
Just like the angel comforted JESUS, the HOLY SPIRIT offers comfort to us today.
The HOLY SPIRIT provides the comfort and strength we need to face whatever is before us.
Announce text again: Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:54-62
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’
28 “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
29 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.”
30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.”
31 But Peter kept saying insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also.
31 But Peter kept saying insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also.
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance.
55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.
56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”
57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58 A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
Message
Message
The next message in our series, My Cup Runneth Over, is titled, Facing Failure.
Introduction
Introduction
Dr. John C. Bowling, the author of our devotional and this series, tells this story.
There were once two brothers who were very different. Both loved their parents, but like all children, they sometimes made mistakes.
One day, the younger brother stole five dollars out of his mom’s purse and went down to the corner store to get some candy. After the sugar high wore off, he felt remorse for what he’d done and went to apologize. They had a long talk about his behavior, and he never stole again.
The older brother was different. One day, he took five dollars from his mother’s purse and went to the store to buy some goodies for himself. However, he didn’t tell his parents what he’d done. When asked, he got defensive. Although his parents approached the situation gently, he decided this one bad act was a sign that he was bad. And if he was bad, he may as well stop trying to be good.
In today’s scriptures, we see part of Peter’s story. When Jesus told his disciples they would all fall away, Peter promised he would not. Although Jesus specifically predicted Peter’s own denial, Peter assured Jesus it wouldn’t happen. They all promised to follow Jesus to death. Today’s message is a reminder that even in the midst of human frailty, we serve a God of compassion who offers us new life.
This morning we’re going to look at three points of dynamic contrast between human weakness and GOD’s divine response.
Body
Body
Human Weakness & GOD’s Response
Foreseen Failure, Certain Love
27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’
JESUS is quoting prophecy from the prophet Zechariah and informs HIS disciples again that HE is about to die.
7 “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd,
And against the man, My Associate,”
Declares the Lord of hosts.
“Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered;
And I will turn My hand against the little ones.
Strike the Shepherd
In the book of Zechariah, shepherds represent kings.
This verse was originally a reference to a worthless king
JESUS’ quote here indicates HE is acting as a substitute king.
JESUS then adds to this word in Zechariah with HIS own prophetic word.
28 “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
There are three markers of prophecy in the new covenant era:
Edification (strengthening, building up)
Encouragement
Comfort
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
Even though the news is not what the disciples want to hear, JESUS tries to soften the blow with encouragement.
HE prophesies of HIS Resurrection
HE tells them HE will go before them.
Where have we heard that before?
Two weeks ago
When HE assigns us a task
HE goes before
HE goes with
So, HE will go ahead to make preparations for the disciples.
HE will see them again (implied).
The prophecy isn’t lost on Peter.
He understands what JESUS is saying.
He’s just not accepting it.
We’re going to look at Peter’s response in more detail in just a moment
JESUS said all of the disciples would fall away
Peter excludes himself from the rest of the group. (v.29)
29 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.”
Can’t you just hear this?
In his haste (impetuous) to remain firm, he cuts down his brothers.
Probably not his intent.
Probably not aware of all that he was saying.
He just didn’t want to be associated with failure.
JESUS continues prophetically informing Peter that Peter will, in fact, deny HIM.
30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.”
Here’s what we need to understand.
JESUS knew of Peter’s impending failure
HE understood Peter’s weakness more than Peter did.
Yet, JESUS’ words weren’t meant as condemnation.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Rather, they were spoken from a place of compassion and love to prepare Peter for growth.
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
In fact, in Luke’s account of this story, we JESUS had more to say to Peter leading up to Peter’s bold claim.
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
JESUS had already been interceding so Peter would not lose his faith over the coming betrayal.
Again, JESUS speaks life and encouragement to Peter, assuring Peter
Peter won’t lose faith
He will turn back again - pass through the time of testing
Peter will be strengthened in his faith again - enough to be an encouragement to others.
Remember what we learned from the Shema?
HE wants us to give HIM our failures, not just our successes.
Our failures don’t change HIS Love for us.
We can find encouragement, that HE isn’t surprised by our failures.
HE, like the Prodigal’s FATHER, stands watching, longing for our return.
HE will restore us when we turn to HIM.
Human Weakness & GOD’s Response
Foreseen Failure, Certain Love
Flawed Confidence, True Strength
Peter’s actions on the night Jesus was betrayed are the epitome of human frailty. Peter, who was always so quick to jump in, swore he wouldn’t fail Jesus—yet he failed mere hours after promising Jesus he wouldn’t. (vv. 57,58,60)
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
Peter did exactly as Jesus predicted, denying Jesus three times.
74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 26
to curse and swear
Two interpretations of this phrase
He calls divine wrath on himself, if the words are true.
He could have cursed JESUS in an attempt to prove he wasn’t one of the disciples.
Today’s passage says that Peter called down curses when one person asked if he knew Jesus. This doesn’t mean he was using profanity. He was essentially saying that if he was lying, he should be cursed. That’s a pretty serious denial!
This intensifies the break from JESUS, and because he did this in front of two or more male witnesses
(remember, a woman’s testimony was considered unreliable in legal matters)
This was even more devastating.
In this culture, this type of renunciation of ties to a master by a former patron would have severed relationship irreversibly.
It’s likely that Peter was overconfident in his faith. When Jesus told his disciples they would fall away, Peter immediately said that wouldn’t happen. When Jesus told them to pray in the garden, Peter fell asleep like the others. He was so confident that he didn’t critically consider his own weaknesses and how they might put him in temptation’s path.
Peter’s story is a reminder that even close followers of Jesus can fail. We’re not supposed to fail, but we’re frail, so we often do.
To combat our own frailty, we must continually seek God’s face and live into God’s presence. True strength comes from HIS Presence. When we pack our lives full of what God has to offer, there’s less room for temptation and sin to enter our lives.
Human Weakness & GOD’s Response
Foreseen Failure, Certain Love
Flawed Confidence, True Strength
Failure’s Realization, Grace’s Renewal
61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he began to weep.
Peter’s Remorse (blame Toni)
The accounts of Peter’s denial and the rooster crowing are consistent across the Gospels
There is some debate about whether it refers to an actual rooster or a metaphorical "cock-crowing."
Planned, brief rabbit trail ,,, Wesleyan view of Scripture
Plenary inspiration - every word inspired by GOD.
Inerrancy of Scripture - without error in all matters pertaining to salvation.
Three possibilities:
The rooster crowing is traditionally associated with the third Roman watch.
Midnight to 3 AM
Some believe in a reference to a temple crier.
Hebrew idiom - not an animal
Some firmly believe it to be an actual rooster.
Gr. word, alektora, means male fowl
Other differences in the Gospels about the rooster crowing:
Immediately
At once
Only Mark mentions two instances of the rooster crow.
The main takeaway is ...
Whether or not it was a literal rooster crow or a metaphorical reference
Whether it happened only once or it happened twice
… the crowing serves as a powerful reminder of JESUS’ words and Peter’s betrayal.
After Peter denied Jesus for the third time, the scripture tells us, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” Peter immediately remembered what Jesus had predicted.
Jesus was likely bruised and beaten. Peter probably saw him as he was being taken to his trial before the Sanhedrin. Peter didn’t only have to face the reality that he’d failed—he also had to look into the eyes of the One he failed.
62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
Peter went and wept bitterly. There’s something to be said about how deeply he felt the weight of his own failure. Although he would later know Jesus’s forgiveness, he didn’t treat his failure as if it were no big deal.
When we fail, we should feel remorse too. Sure, we know we need only ask forgiveness to receive it from God.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Hebrews 10:17 “17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.””
However, it’s important to know what that forgiveness cost Jesus. That’s one of the big reasons we spend so much time talking about what Jesus endured in his last days.
New Life
While it isn’t covered in today’s passage, that isn’t where Peter’s story ends. We know that Peter went on to become a great apostle. Although Scripture doesn’t record his death, historical records from the time suggest that he was martyred for his faith. The man who denied Jesus ended up dying for Christ.
Peter shows us that broken things can be repaired. Like a bone becomes stronger when it heals from a break, Peter’s commitment to Jesus became stronger. He went from a hothead to a man on fire for Christ.
Failure doesn’t have to define us. We shouldn’t stay there.
We should mourn our failure, but in a way that doesn’t prevent us from going to God’s throne for forgiveness.
For example, Peter went and wept bitterly when he failed Jesus. Judas, on the other hand, went and hanged himself. Judas’s reaction to his failure didn’t leave space for reconciliation with his teacher.
Failure, even a major one, is an opportunity to learn and grow. We can become more devoted followers of Jesus when we continue to seek God’s face, even when we’ve made grave mistakes.
So, pj … What’s the point?
Conclusion
Conclusion
It’s easy for us to point to Peter’s failure and think, I wouldn’t do that. After all, he failed Jesus in the exact way Jesus said he would, mere hours after Jesus’s prediction. It seems pretty silly to us today. The problem is—we’re just like Peter. We make big promises to God and fail to fulfill them. You might even be sitting there right now, promising God you won’t fail in a certain area of your life anymore. I want that to be true. God wants that to be true.
But if we’re honest, we’ve made promises before, and we still fail. Maybe we lose our temper or give in to temptation. Maybe we ignore the nudging of God’s Spirit when we see someone in need. Jesus sees and knows all of that—but he still looks at us with love and compassion. When we mourn our sin, confess, and repent, life with him is waiting for us.
Where will you go from here today? If you’ve sinned this week, how is that shaping you? Have you repented? Are you turning away from that life to something better? Today, choose to follow Jesus with all you have, leaving behind what’s come before.
Closing prayer & benediction
24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
Scripture records the following words in v.27:
27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
So, receive and go with the blessings of YAHWEH!
