Finding Grace When a Fall Happens
God’s Transforming Grace • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 11 viewsPeter's life provides a good example of what to do when a spiritual fall takes place in the life of a believer.
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(John 21:15-22)
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”
19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”
21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
INTRODUCTION:
No believer begins the Christian life with the desire for moral and spiritual failure. Most of us begin like Peter did:
A. Answering the call to follow Jesus.
A. Answering the call to follow Jesus.
(Matthew 4:18-22)
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.
19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too.
22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
B. Experiencing the mighty power of Christ personally.
B. Experiencing the mighty power of Christ personally.
(Matthew 8:14-17)
14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever.
15 But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.
16 That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.
17 This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”
C. Commissioned by Christ to a specific work.
C. Commissioned by Christ to a specific work.
(Matthew 10:2)
2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother),
D. Allowing Christ to do the impossible through you.
D. Allowing Christ to do the impossible through you.
(Matthew 14:28)
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
E. Listening to the voice of Jesus
E. Listening to the voice of Jesus
(Matthew 15:15)
15 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”
F. Experiencing boldness in the faith.
F. Experiencing boldness in the faith.
(Matthew 16:16)
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
I. FINDING THE ROAD TO A FALL:
I. FINDING THE ROAD TO A FALL:
(Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:6-27)
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
A. Refusing to accept the will of God.
A. Refusing to accept the will of God.
(Matthew 16:22)
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
B. Justifying wrong attitudes
B. Justifying wrong attitudes
(Matthew 18:21)
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
C. Making the shift to a self-focus
C. Making the shift to a self-focus
(Matthew 19:27)
27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”
D. Allowing pride in self to develop.
D. Allowing pride in self to develop.
(Matthew 26:35)
35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.
E. Giving in to spiritual slumber.
E. Giving in to spiritual slumber.
(Matthew 26:40)
40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?
F. Choosing to react in the flesh rather than responding in the Spirit.
F. Choosing to react in the flesh rather than responding in the Spirit.
(John 18:10)
10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave.
G. Experiencing a spiritual collapse.
G. Experiencing a spiritual collapse.
(John 18:26-27)
26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?”
27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.
1. From fight to flight
1. From fight to flight
(Matthew 26:56)
56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.
2. From loving fellowship to long-distance relationship.
2. From loving fellowship to long-distance relationship.
(Matthew 17:1; Matthew 26:58)
1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.
58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.
3. From bold proclamation to cowardly denial.
3. From bold proclamation to cowardly denial.
(Matthew 16:16)
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
(Matthew 26:69-75)
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
4. From confident love to crushed spirit.
4. From confident love to crushed spirit.
(Matthew 26:33)
33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”
(Matthew 26:73-75)
73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
II. FINDING GOD’S TRANSFORMING GRACE :
II. FINDING GOD’S TRANSFORMING GRACE :
(John 21:15-22)
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”
19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”
21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
A. Recognize what you’ve done.
A. Recognize what you’ve done.
(Luke 22:60-62)
60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.
B. Repent and Turn back to Jesus.
B. Repent and Turn back to Jesus.
(John 21:7b)
7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.
1- Repentance begins with abandoning your pride.
(James 4:6–10)
6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
a. Allowing shame to keep us from repentance is just a form of pride!
2- Confess your sins to the Lord.
(1 John 1:9)
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
C. Receive the Grace and renewal from God.
C. Receive the Grace and renewal from God.
(John 21:15-17)
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
(Heb 4:16)
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
D. Recommit to follow Jesus whatever the cost.
D. Recommit to follow Jesus whatever the cost.
(John 21:17-22)
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”
19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”
21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
CONCLUSION:
