Peter
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· 5 viewsA study on Peter and How God used Him.
Notes
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How many of you have failed at something miserably that you were later successful in doing?
In the early 1900’s there was a man born in Chicago and was raised in Missouri, he desired to work in the entertainment industry and his name was Walt Disney. Early in Walt Disney’s career he and his older brother launched their own cartoon business in 1920 but it failed and went bankrupt. So since that failed Walt Disney moved to California and tried to become and actor. But he failed at that too.
But then Walt Disney noticed that there were no animation studios in California so he started one. He found success in the beginning making some successful characters but eventually, his producer had stolen his team of animators and the rights to his characters and Disney had to start over.
While on a train ride back to California from New York Disney created a character called Mikey Mouse, then he had a nervous breakdown and spent the next few years struggling.
Walt Disney then started to see success in making animated movies and TV shows. This allowed Walt Disney to develop Disney land and Disney World.
Walt Disney ended up being known for being an extremely successful creative who changed entertainment in the 20th century and his work still impacts entertainment today.
Today we are going to look at how God uses imperfect people to build His kingdom.
Today we will be talking about Peter.
Big Idea- God calls, redeems, and transforms His children to be used by Him.
Big Idea- God calls, redeems, and transforms His children to be used by Him.
Take Aways
Take Aways
Believers were chosen and called to a work.
The Lord corrects His Children in love.
God uses the imperfect for His Glory.
Peter was an disciple of Jesus, an Apostle and used mightily by God to establish the Church and Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
So here we see the introduction of Peter and his brother Andrew onto the scene. Jesus is walking by and he chooses these two men, Peter and Andrew to follow Him. But He also lets them know that He will make them “fishers of men”.
So what exactly does it mean to be fishers of men?
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
This is what it means to be a fisher of men. Peter would go out and proclaim the good news and those who put their faith in Christ would be baptized and would be taught the statutes and ways that Jesus taught making them disciples.
Just as Jesus called Peter and the disciples to make disciples of all nations, we who have placed our faith in Christ are to proclaim the good news making disciples.
Now, when we say that we are to make disciples that does not mean make people say “the prayer” or who claim to follow Jesus. This is saying to make true disciples meaning that these new believers are discipled, that they are taught the teachings of Christ and held accountable to the life of a believer.
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
This is important, every believer is to be taught and discipled in the way of Christ. When believers give their lives to Christ they are called for a purpose. We are called to be disciples as well as to go out and make disciples.
Now the next question is, who are these fish that Jesus told Peter he would be fishers of. What kind of people would he be going after?
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
These are the fish we are after, those who God has chosen and called from before the foundations of the World. It is important to know that we do not know who is who, who is chosen and who is not, so we go out and proclaim the Gospel to everyone and we disciple them helping them to grow in their knowledge of the Lord.
There is something else that we see in Peter when Jesus called Him, Peter left what he was doing and followed the Lord. Just as Peter left all that behind, we also are to leave everything for Christ!
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,
who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
In order to follow Christ, He must be Lord of your life and the most important thing in your life where you follow Him and live for HIs will and not your own. With this complete dedication to Jesus comes unimaginable benefits that far outweigh what has been given up and most importantly eternal life with the Lord.
When we place our faith in Christ He also changes us with His spirit giving us the power to live for Him.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
What this means is that if we are in Christ and have His spirit then He changes us and we have a desire to please God and to do His will so we no longer live with a will to please ourselves and to do evil. Instead we live to do the will of God and to please Him.
This change is shown in Galatians where there is a contrast between the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. We as believers are to go after the fruit of the Spirit and not after the desires of the flesh.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
So when we follow Christ leaving all things behind us our flesh is crucified and we follow the Spirit. What this means is that we do what God wants us to do and we do not do what our flesh wants to do, which are those sinful desires that are contrary to the Word of God and to the Spirit of God.
For example if our flesh wants to look at inappropriate things on the internet, or on the TV we do not do those things, instead we deny the flesh
If our flesh has a desire to drink to the excess and get drunk, we do not do that, instead we meditate on the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to control us.
If our sin nature kicks in and we desire to Lie or act pridefully or cheat or steal or murder or to do anything against the Lord we crucify the flesh and follow after the Spirit.
Following after Christ and living for the Lord takes effort and it must be intentional working to do the Will of the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul says
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
When we are followers of Christ he gives us His Spirit and gives us the desire to please Him. However we must follow after the Spirit and, crucify the flesh denying it and not giving into its desires.
So here in the passage where we are first introduced to Peter, we see that He is handpicked by Christ and called to follow Him. In this we see that Peter left everything behind to follow Christ.
Now we will go to Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
So here in Matthew 16:13-16 we see that Peter was given divine revelation by God that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. Now this is significant, Peter and most of the Apostles were Jews so they were taught the law and the history of Israel and they were looking for the messiah to come. This messiah was one that was promised from the beginning to defeat Satan, to save humanity from the wrath of God and to restore mankind’s relationship with God.
The Messiah was spoken of in the beginning after mankind sinned in Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
In Genesis 22:18 it was said that the messiah would bless the entire world. Genesis 22:18
In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
So here it is identifying the Messiah to come through the see of Abraham which is from the nation of Israel. So it is saying that the Messiah would be a Jew. He would also bless all nations of the earth and this is through His death bringing salvation to all nations.
The messiah was also to be divine, both God and Man. Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
The name Immanuel means God with us, meaning when Jesus was walking on the earth in the flesh He was God with us.
The Jews also knew that the Messiah would be the Eternal ruler who came from Israel.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
So here calling Jesus the Messiah would be saying that He is the one who would be King and Ruler of Gods people forever, the Eternal King.
It was also prophesized that the Messiah would die for the sins of the World so mankind could have salvation.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
This Messiah is the one who came, lived and died for our sins, so that we can be redeemed if we place our faith in Him.
This messiah would also return for His people who will dwell with Him for eternity.
“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.
This is who Peter was given revelation by God that Jesus is. When Peter said that Jesus is the Son of God, this is who He was identifying Jesus as. The Messiah and Eternal King, God with us.
Back in Matthew 16:18
(For Slides, dont read)
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Where Jesus says that Simon is Peter and that on this Rock he would build His Church he is referring to Peter and the Apostles and as Peter being a leader of the church to come.
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
This is what the church is built on. The Old Testament writings of the Prophets, and the New Testament writings of the Apostles and commands and teachings of Christ. There is no other Authority, there is no other inspired Word from God.
The doctrine, or teaching for the church comes from the Bible which is the Word of God.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
God used the Apostles and Prophets by His Spirit to Write the Word of God.
Now in Matthew 16:18 where it says that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it, Jesus is letting Paul and all other know that the Kingdom of God will be victorious over Satan and those who are with him.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Revelation 17:14 also says
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
For those of us who place our faith in Christ, we will have victory through Christ.
In Matthew 16:19 Where is says that Jesus will give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven it is talking about church authority.
Do not read, this is for slide.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Church authority is divinely given to church leadership by God, Peter and the Apostles were the first to be given this divine authority by Christ.
So here in Matthew 16:13-20 that God gave Peter divine revelation on who Jesus is and Peter was identified as one of the Apostles who the church would be built on and a leader of the church.
Now we will look at the imperfect side of Peter.
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
So here right after Peter Identified Peter as being the Messiah and Jesus let Peter know that he would be a leader of the church and an Apostle then Peter says something against the will of God and Jesus calls Him an Adversary who is trying to oppose the Lords will.
Here when Jesus rebuked Peter, he was not removing the plans that God had for Peters life, but He was correcting Him in Love. Later in Matthew 17 we see Jesus bring Peter and Jesus’s Inner Circle into a most intimate space revealing more of His Glory to them in the transfiguration.
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”
Now we will move to Matthew 26:31-35 This conversation occurred when they were eating together during Passover at the last supper.
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
So here Peter said he would never be made to stumble even if everyone else does, but then Jesus lets him know that he will deny Him 3 times this same night.
Now we will go to Matthew 26:69-75 This takes place after Jesus is betrayed and has been taken from the disciples and is on his way to crucifixion.
Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”
But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”
And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.
How many of you have ever failed miserably at something?
Peter had told the messiah that he would never stumble, even if all others did he would follow the Lord. But he failed miserably just as Jesus predicted.
Lets see what happens later on.
We will go to John 21:15-19 and this is after Jesus dies and raises from the dead and is His first encounter with the disciples.
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
So Here Jesus restores Peter, He asks Peter if He loves Him three times where Peter affirms that He loves Jesus three times where before he denied Christ three times. Jesus also lets Peter know that although Peter did not have it to live for Him before, He will live for Christ going forward whole heartedly and in fact he would die for Christ Glorifying the father.
Just as Jesus restores Peter here after Peters failure. Jesus restores us.
Although Peter was not perfect, God used Him mightily in leading the church after Pentecost.
Lets go to Acts 2:14
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
Then from verses 15-25 Peter gives a powerful sermon. Lets go to Acts 2:36-41
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
God used Peter who denied Jesus three times before his crucifixion to preach powerfully and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ growing the Kingdom of God adding over 3,000 to the church!
Just as God used Peter in such a powerful way, he can use you too.
God also used Peter to do miracles bringing Glory to God, Acts 3:1-10
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”
So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter was also used to help expand the Gospel also to the gentiles and the nations.
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
God used Peter Mightily even though Peter was not perfect, he followed God whole heartedly even to the end.
Peter died by martyrdom, just as Jesus predicted. According to extrabiblical sources Jesus died by crucifixion upside down on a cross. Peter lived Boldy for the Lord being used by Him in a mighty way. Peter experienced the Love and Grace of the Lord and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit even following Christ unto death Glorifying Him even in death showing the love of Christ.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
So the question here is why did Peter live and die for Christ?
Peter lived for Christ dedicating His life to Christ because he knew that Jesus is Lord. Peters life points to Christ in how he lived it. As believers our lives should also point to Christ in everyway with Jesus being the center of all things. We should aspire to live for Christ fully as Peter showed in this example.
We have been created to serve the Lord and to Glorify Him.
However if you are not a believer and have not placed your trust in the Lord then you cannot live your life to the fullest in the way that you were designed to.
Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross and rose again so that we could have a relationship with the Father and so that we could be saved from the wrath of God.
If you have not placed your faith in Christ then do not ignore His call.
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Our take aways
Take Aways
Take Aways
Believers were chosen and called to a work.
The Lord corrects His Children in love.
God uses the imperfect for His Glory.
