I Want You Back

Intro

Gospel In Miniature

Luther called “the heart of the Bible—the Gospel in miniature.” It’s so simple a child can understand it; yet it condenses the deep and marvelous truths of redemption into these few pungent words:

“God” … … The greatest Lover

… The greatest Lover

“So loved” … … The greatest degree

… The greatest degree

“The world” … … The greatest number

… The greatest number

“That He gave” … … The greatest act

… The greatest act

“His only begotten Son …” … The greatest Gift

… The greatest Gift

“That whosoever” … … The greatest invitation

… The greatest invitation

“Believeth” … … The greatest simplicity

… The greatest simplicity

“In Him” … … The greatest Person

… The greatest Person

“Should not perish” … … The greatest deliverance

… The greatest deliverance

“But” … … The greatest difference

… The greatest difference

“Have” … … The greatest certainty

… The greatest certainty

“Everlasting Life” … … The greatest possession

… The greatest possession

Peter Fails

Luke 22:31 NKJV

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

luke 22 33-34

Luke 22:33–34 NKJV

33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 496–497). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Luke 22:56–57 NKJV

56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” 57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”

lk 22 34

Luke 22:34 NKJV

34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Luke 22:54–62 NKJV

54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” 57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

We Fall Down

God understands that failure through sin is imminent. Peter walked with Jesus for close to, if not, 1,000 days. But he still denied Jesus. The same man who had performed miracles, raised the dead, healed the lame, sick, etc. He denied Jesus when it seemed as though Jesus was failing. Not failing him but failing.

Jesus Gives Peter A Command

luke 22 31-32

Luke 22:31–32 NKJV

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

What Should We Do When We Fall?

Colossians 2:6–7 NKJV

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Learn to encourage yourself!

Hebrews 3:13 NKJV

but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

When you’ve encouraged yourself, encourage others in your new found strength!

Conclusion