Peter's betrayal to self
Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsPeter's denial, may we not fall to denying Christ ourselves
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Bright beginnings do not prevent denial
Bright beginnings do not prevent denial
Among all the things Jesus suffered in the flesh, betrayal by Judas was painful, but so is the shame, humiliation and embarrassment of Peter’s denial.
In the times of tribulation, of increasing troubles Peter denied knowing Christ three times, just a Jesus said would happen (Mk14:66-72)
From bright beginnings
Beginning with earthly ministry and his calling (Mk1:16-18)
A night of fishing with his brother turned into what would be a fisher of men. He did not know his life would make such drastic changes, which yes included denying Christ.
Starting strong, having a bright beginning does not promise you no stumbles along the way.
Being witness of His healing power (Mk1:29-31)
His own family, mother in law, was touched by Jesus and Peter witnessed the power of God through Jesus
We too may see the power of God working in people without seeing Jesus directly can’t we? (Can you give an example?)
Being called out to step out by faith (Mt14:22-33)
From a stormy night in ministry to a calm in the storm when focused on Christ. Peter was called to step out by faith.
How have you been called to step out faith?
Being present at the transformation of glory (Mk9:2-6)
Peter witnessed the transformation of Jesus to see the glory of God in the Son and the witnesses proclaiming Him as well as the Father saying to listen to Him.
We hold the truth in our hands and we are best to listen to it too.
How did Peter get here? How did he who had so much, such bright beginnings come to deny his Lord and Savior? What forces were at work in him or around him? Might these same forces be ones we may face today?
From Peter’s bright beginnings to being denying Christ we can learn much so not to deny Christ in word or in deed ourselves. Peter learned from the experience and records this for us (through Mark) and in his own words in his epistles.
So, may we look at the passage and see what we can learn so not to fall into the denying that Peter did.
66 As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.”
68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” And he went out onto the porch. 69 The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This is one of them!”
70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.” 71 But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are talking about!”
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.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Peter was overconfident (prideful)
Peter was overconfident (prideful)
Overconfidence is pride, and pride can cause one to rely on self and selfwill and deny Christ and His power
Peter’s pride displayed (Mk14:27-29)
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.”
Pride is one of the first steps before the fall (Pro16:18
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Overconfidence is not always sure ground (1Cor10:12)
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
So there is Peter before the fall, but there is much we can learn after the fall too, after the denial.
Peter learned the hard way about the danger of pride and overconfidence. He helps us so we can learn from his experience so not to repeat. He wants us to understand the value and importance of humility.
From experience came humility (1Pt5:5-6)
Peter gives instructions from experience so that others may learn.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
Peter was overcome by laziness
Peter was overcome by laziness
Laziness, maybe lack of diligence, perseverance, watchfulness would be better. But hey, laziness got your attention didn’t it and it will fit as you will see.
Peter kept falling asleep (Mk14:37-42)
Lack of persistence lead to temptation and the denial
Without proper preparation we too can be unprepared (Lk21:34-36)
34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.
36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Drifting away can be gradual, so be diligent, take heed (Heb2:1-3)
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,
3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,
What is the reason we need to pay closer attention or take heed (v.1)?
Why is it important (v.2)? - it is unalterable!
(Lessons learned picture)
As Peter learned he gave more instructions about careful persistent work effort.
Be diligent, vigilant in your resistance against the devil (1Pt5:8-9)
Our calling is to be diligent (2Pt1:5, 10) in the grace and knowledge of Jesus
All, so that we may be found in peace without spot or blemish (2Pt3:14)
Doe we allow simple laziness, lack of diligence and perseverance to keep us from careful preparation? Do we allow things to keep us from studying God’s Word or gathering for worship with God’s people? How about prayer, do we give proper attention to it? If so, great then we can be able to stand up under the tests, the trials when they come.
Peter appears to have become cowardly
Peter appears to have become cowardly
Peter’s actions spoke before his words did, both spoke volumes. There is much we can learn from this too.
54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.
(How do I follow Jesus picture)
Peter followed, but now at a distance (Mk14:54)
Jesus had been very popular and followed close, then when became unpopular he now follows still, but now at a distance.
He stays far enough away so not to be identified with Him.
He was unprepared to face possible persecution, ridicule or any other challenges that may come as a follower of Jesus. He was trying to be an undercover follower.
Can we be guilty of this too? Being cowardice
Ashamed to proclaim Christianity
Ashamed to carry a Bible, much less quote from it.
Ashamed to pray or give thanks in public places
Ashamed to be seen with professed, Jesus followers, Christians
From experience came wisdom; wisdom to exhort others
Don’t be ashamed, give glory to God (1Pt4:16)
16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
what name, the name of Jesus, the name of a Christian!
Follow the commands of Jesus will get the intended results (Mt5:16)
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
May your deeds bring the light of Jesus to a darkened world and it will bring glory to the father of light.
So, with cowardice keeping Peter at a distance, Peter was a prime target for succumbing to what we come to next.
Peter was overwhelmed by worldliness
Peter was overwhelmed by worldliness
At a distance, hanging out with the worldly (Mk14:54) that is where Peter was.
Sitting by the fire at a distance instead of in the presence of the Lord.
Ashamed to be associated, it is easy to entangled with the world
You cannot have the comfort by the fire of the world without getting burned
Be close to the fires of this world can have harmful effect (Pro6:27-29)
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?
29 So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not go unpunished.
Don’t think you can flirt with the world and get away unscathed (1Cor15:33)
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Don’t get corrupted by the world! Again, Peter learned and shares from his Epistles.
Live as sojourners; don’t get caught up in the worldly (1Pt2:11-12)
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
What are the instructions given? What are the results if you follow the instructions?
Be diligent to be found by Christ in peace (2Pt3:13-14)
13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
I think there is a little more we can learn from the aftereffects of Peter’s betrayal of self and denial of the Lord.
Beware lest you fall (2Pt3:17)
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
Notice it it falling from your own steadfastness, but notice there is a comma, the thought is not done is it?
Don’t fall by being steadfast and growing in grace and knowledge (2Pt3:18)
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
May we learn some valuable lessons from this.
Be humble and not prideful
Be diligent and not lazy
Give glory to God in and through all things
Watch out for worldliness; be a sojourner!
We know how it ended for Peter in our passage
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.
He began to weep. Peter was restored, we goo can be restored if we find we have denied Jesus by our words or actions at times, don’t let mistakes keep you from the presence of God!