INTRODUCTION

1. When you look at the twelve DISCIPLES you will find just average, ordinary folk
1. Folk like you and me
2. Folks, like us, who had their GOOD days of FAITH
3. Folks, like us, who had their BAD days of FAITH

1. Peter certainly manifests both characteristics
1. He was the most prominent of the twelve
2. His name was always listed FIRST
3. He was without doubt the most OUTSPOKEN of all
4. He lived in Capernaum

                                                              i.      Located on the north end of the Sea of Galilee

1. He worked with his brother in the ‘fishing’ business
2. He was married

                                                              i.      There are 3 references to his mother-in-law (Mt 8:14, Mk 1:30 & Luke 4:38)

1. He was a DISCIPLE of Christ  

1. What is Peter’s MOST prominent trait? His FAULTS
1. Yet Peter was used in a mighty way #. Why?  Like King David, Peter quickly his sins
2. Peter was a GREAT disciple of Christ
3. Peter’s life shows us what WE must do if we are to be Christ’s Disciple

FIRST:  LIKE PETER WE GOT TO LET GO OF OUR ‘NETS’

1. When we FIRST read of Peter he is called ‘Simon’
1. Simon lived in Capernaum  but now was way down south of Capernaum - in Bethany – just west of the Dead Sea
2. Why is Simon down there?

                                                              i.      He and his brother Andrew were followers of John the Baptist

                                                            ii.      That was WHERE John the Baptist was baptizing

John 1:28 (KJV) These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

1. Brother Andrew tells Peter that he has found the Messiah
2. Brother Andrew brings Simon to Jesus

John 1:42 (KJV) And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

1. Here Jesus calls Simon ‘Cephas’  

                                                              i.      It is the Aramaic word for ROCK

                                                            ii.      The Greek word for ROCK is - Peter

1. Jesus KNEW that one day Peter would be a GREAT disciple                                                               i.      Jesus also KNEW that Peter would be - as 1st part of his name means - a HALLOW rock

1. Some time later, Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee, He sees Peter and Andrew Fishing
1. Jesus calls out to them  

Matthew 4:19 (KJV) And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

1. Jesus called them out to be FISHERS of men

                                                              i.      Jesus calls US to be FISHERS of men

1. After this first encounter, Peter and Andrew went back to their fishing                                                               i.      But NOW Jesus calls to Peter to leave his NETS
2. Jesus calls us to leave our NETS                                                               i.      Nets are WHATEVER that would hold us back from giving our ALL to Jesus

                                                            ii.      Nets are WHAT hinder us from FOLLOWING Jesus

                                                          iii.      If we are to be Christ’s Disciple we must be willing to LEAVE our nets BEHIND

SECOND:  LIKE PETER WE MUST BELIEVE IN THE DIVINITY OF JESUS

1. The disciples had almost 2 years LEARNING at the feet of Jesus
1. Peter along with James and John make up that INNER circle #. These three were with Jesus when Jesus RAISED Jairus’ daughter

Luke 8:51 (KJV) And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

1. These three were with Jesus during His PRAYER in the Garden of  Gethsemane
2. These three certainly saw Jesus at work - up front and close

1. Jesus told His disciples that SOME of them will see the KINGDOM of God BEFORE they die  

Luke 9:27 (KJV) But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

1. Just 8 days LATER, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to a mountain

Luke 9:29 (KJV) And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

1. Jesus was TRANSFORMED                                                                  i.      His countenance or face was altered and became different.

Matthew 17:2 (KJV) And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

1. His imagine being as bright "as the sun!" #. His clothing was changed and became different,

                                                              i.      They were glittering or dazzling white.

                                                            ii.      The word "glistering" or "dazzling" = to flash like lightning, to gleam, brighten, be radiant.

1. THEN 2 Old Testament saints appear  

Luke 9:30-31 (KJV)  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

                                                              i.      There Moses and Elijah appear and are seen talking to Jesus

1. Jesus spoke of his ‘decease’ - exodus                                                               i.      Jesus was to accomplish

1.      A NEW exodus,

2.      A NEW saving deliverance,

a.       EXCEPT this time it was to be for ALL men.

                                                                                                                                      i.      ALL men were to be DELIVERED from the bondage of sin and death,  

1. Moses - the Law       #. Elijah - the prophets

                                                              i.      Both of these OT saints had their own miraculous experiences with God on a mountain

1.      First on Mt. Sinai  

2.      The other on Mt. Carmel

                                                            ii.      All speaking of HOW Jesus would fulfill the Law, the Prophecies and God’s plan of Salvation by dying in Jerusalem

1. These two are very excited                                                               i.      Moses had waited over 1,400 years and Elijah over 800 years for the coming of the Messiah

1. Meanwhile back to our trio of disciples
1. Peter, James and John had fallen asleep when Jesus went UP into the mountain to pray  

Luke 9:32 (KJV) But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

1. NOW the dazzling glory awakens them
2. Awaken to see Moses and Elijah
3. Awaken to see them about to leave
4. Peter, being Peter, quickly asks Jesus if he might build THREE shrines

                                                              i.      One for Moses,

                                                            ii.      One for Elijah

                                                          iii.      One for Jesus

1. The WHOLE point of this experience for Peter, James and John was to show the DIVINITY of Jesus                                                               i.      Peter FLUNKS the FIRST test

1. As Peter is asking Jesus about building a shrine, a CLOUD envelopes them  

Luke 9:33-34 (KJV)  And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

1. This is the SAME cloud the led the Israelites in the wilderness
2. This is the SAME cloud we read of Wednesday night that filled Solomon’s Temple
3. This is the cloud that represented God’s PRESENCE
4. Why a cloud to represent God’s PRESENCE?

                                                              i.      A cloud can NOT be contained

                                                            ii.      God can NOT be contained

1.      God is OMNIPRESENT

1. Solomon UNDERSTOOD this  

1 Kings 8:27 (KJV) But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

1. Yet God chose to CONTAIN Himself in a body of flesh and blood for 33 years  

John 14:9 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

1. WHY?                                                                i.      That God might provide SALVATION for ALL of our SINS
2. Jesus was showing the DISCIPLES that He IS God in FLESH and BLOOD #. Jesus is SHOWING His DIVINITY

1. Then the THREE Disciples HEARD a VOICE  

Luke 9:35 (KJV) And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

1. This is the SECOND time God spoke from heaven saying something about Jesus
2. Remember WHAT was going on when the CLOUD appeared?

                                                              i.      Peter wanted to build shrines to ALL THREE

1.      Yes, Moses was a GREAT lawgiver

2.      Yes, Elijah was the GREATEST of prophets

a.       We have been reading about him this week

                                                            ii.      BUT Jesus – it is JESUS who is the SON of GOD

1. After God speaks from heaven the disciples are ALONE with Jesus  

1. Peter wanted to build a shrine to HONOR Jesus
1. Jesus does NOT want BUILDINGS or SHRINES to honor Him #. Jesus WANTS us to honor Him with our LIVES
2. We honor Jesus by letting Him be Lord of our lives
3. Jesus wants US to TELL the world He is GOD’S SON

Been said:

“I am NOBODY, telling EVERYBODY, about SOMEBODY, who can save ANYBODY”

1. To be Christ’s Disciple we need to leave our NET and acknowledge Jesus’ DIVINITY

THIRD: LIKE PETER, WE MUST FORGIVE

1. Tonight we are going to look at FORGIVENESS from Joseph’s standpoint
1. This morning we are looking at FORGIVENESS as it relates to Peter  
2. One day Peter asked Jesus how MANY times must he FORGIVE someone

Matthew 18:21 (KJV) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

1. Peter then suggests 7 times
2. The Rabbis of that day taught 3 times was SUFFICIENT
3. Peter was going way BEYOND the teachings of his day, or so he thought
4. Peter is learning

                                                              i.      Learning to expand his forgiveness

                                                            ii.      Peter is GROWING as a disciple

1. BUT he STILL has a way to go                                                               i.      Peter was about to learn some DIVINE arithmetic

Matthew 18:22 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

1. Peter will learn that FORGIVENESS has NO limits
1. Jesus uses a parable to illustrate the IMPORTANCE of having a FORGIVING spirit #. Jesus tells the parable of the UNFORGIVING debtor

                                                              i.      A parable of two servants

                                                            ii.      The FIRST servant was about to be SOLD for his debts but he SUCCESSFULLY begs for mercy from his master to whom he owes in our currency billions and billions of dollars

1.      His debt was FORGIVEN

2.      The FIRST servant debt FREE

                                                          iii.      Now the SECOND servant owed the FIRST servant a very SMALL amount of money

1.      About 1/3 of a days wages

2.      Second servant was UNABLE to pay his debt to the first servant

3.      SO, the FIRST servant rather than FORGIVING the debt - has him thrown in JAIL

                                                          iv.      The Master hears of his FIRST servant’s TREATMENT of the SECOND servant.

1.      The Master calls in the UNFORGIVING servant

2.      In anger, the Master sends the FIRST servant to JAIL till he repays the billions and billions he owes

3.      In other words, life long sentence

4.      In other words, this FIRST servant will never see the light of day

1. Point of the parable addresses FORGIVENESS

                                                              i.      FORGIVING not just a FEW times but FORGIVING without LIMITS

                                                            ii.      THAT forgiving – or the LACK of it - has serious consequences both now and in ETERNITY

Matthew 6:15 (KJV) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

1. Jesus is teaching us that IF we really appreciate our being FORGIVEN we will be willing to FORGIVE others #. Few things show the EXTENT of our discipleship than by our WILLINGNESS to FORGIVE
2. LIMITLESS forgiveness is DIFFICULT
3. BUT IF Jesus is the LORD of our life – we WILL do it

1. Practicing LIMITLESS forgiveness does NOT mean we let people walk over us  
1. But it DOES mean we will NOT hold grudges

1. To be a GREAT disciple we must PRACTICE limitless forgiveness  

Colossians 3:13 (KJV) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

CONCLUSION

1. To be Christ’s Disciple we must:
1. Being willing to LEAVE our nets behind

                                                              i.      Leaving behind WHATEVER will hinder, will slow us down in our service to our Lord

1. Believe in Jesus’ DIVINITY

                                                              i.      Peter saw Moses and Elijah

1.      They were GREAT people

                                                            ii.      We see many great folk today

                                                          iii.      We see a creation that is BEAUTIFUL

                                                          iv.      All these are GREAT

                                                            v.      BUT it is JESUS who is the SON of God

                                                          vi.      It is JESUS who is GOD in flesh

1. Practice limitless FORGIVING                                                               i.      We need to apply DIVINE arithmetic

                                                            ii.      We never STOP forgiving