Untitled Sermon

What Does Jesus Do When We Fail?

Matthew 26:31–75

31 On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 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. 36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” 42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. 44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” 47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. 50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. 52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” 55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 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. 57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 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. 59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward 61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” 67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?” 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.

INTRODUCTION:

Failure is a word that strikes fear into every heart. One of the most commonly expressed fears is that of being labeled "a failure" by those around us. This fear is so real that its occurrence is because some people to take their lives. With others, it is cause them to do irresponsible and sometimes illegal acts. Still others are so paralyzed by the fear of failure that they refuse to take any decisive action or make any decision.

At some point in life, every individual either has experienced or will experience failure in some area of life. Few types of failure bring the devastation and depression that spiritual failure does. Yet spiritual failure does not make the end of it all. God's love and grace can and will redeem our failures – all of our failures – if we will allow it to happen!

In our text, we find an incident of extreme failure in the life of the Apostle Peter. What can we see about failure through Peter’s experience?

I- THE PATHWAY OF FAILURE (MATTHEW 26:31 – 69)

A. Pride in self (Matthew 26:33 – 35)

33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 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.

1. Peter possessed a dangerous level of pride.

a. He boasted of a strength and character that existed only in his mind.

1) He claimed that he was strong enough to stand alone for Christ if necessary.

2) His mistake was in failing to seek Jesus for strength, supposing that he was strong enough in himself.

b. Jesus predicted Peter's failure.

1) Peter would not only fail the test once, but 3 times.

2. Pride in self is a dangerous road to follow.

(Proverbs 16:18)

18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

(Proverbs 29:23)

23 Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

a. Pride in self (haughtiness) is a trust in our own self-sufficiency.… Our own supposed strength and might.

1) The attitude expressed is "Lord, I do not need you; I can handle this myself."

a) When this is our attitude, we do not seek God's strength and guidance.

b) The result is spiritual failure!

B- Reacting without God's leadership (Matthew 26:51 – 56 a)

51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. 52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” 55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 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.

1. When confronted with a hostile mob, Peter reacted without the leadership of God.

a. Jesus had told his disciples on a number of occasions about his impending crucifixion.

1) Jesus had made it clear that his purpose in coming was to die. It was the will of his father.

2) He had just finished the last supper, in which she foretold his death and instituted a commemorative meal that pointed to his death for sinful men.

b. In spite of all of this, Peter pulled his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. (John 18:10)

10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave.

(Luke 22:50 – 51)

50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

1) It was only by the grace of God that only the ear was severed – Peter was aiming at the head!

(a) Luke adds that Jesus immediately healed the man’s ear. (Luke 22:51)

2. When you and I go down the road of pride and self-sufficiency, we become reactive.

a. We began to react in ways that are outside of the will of God.

1) The results of this can be very costly!

C- Failing to maintain intimacy with Christ (Matthew 26:56 – 58)

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. 57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 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.

1. In order to escape persecution by the enemies of Jesus, Peter chose to maintain his distance from the Lord on the trip to the courtyard of the high priest.

a. Note – Peter did better than the others (except John), who forsook Jesus completely, but he still ultimately fail.

2. This is one of the most common mistakes made… And ultimately leads to failure due to spiritual weakness.

a. Above all else make sure that you do not neglect your personal walk with Jesus.

b. Take time – unhurried time – to be alone with Jesus in prayer and the word of God! (John 15:4)

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

c. If the branch becomes detached from the tree it withers… So will you spiritually if you do not abide in Christ.

D- Remaining in the company that weakens resolve

(Matthew 26:69)

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.”

1- Peter decided to remain with those who are enemies of Jesus… (To see the end.)

a. He consigned himself to the company of the defeated.

b. He began to weaken… Did not want to be the odd man out… Wanted to fit in.

2- Christian friend, when you remain in the company of those who are living in rebellion against God, you will be weakened.

(1 Corinthians 15:33) “…bad company corrupts good character.”

a. The Bible commands you and I to be a separated people.

(2 Corinthians 6:17)

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,

and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.

Don’t touch their filthy things,

and I will welcome you.

II- THE PROBLEM OF FAILURE (Matthew 26:69 – 74)

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.

A. Failure is complete.

1. Peter's failure was complete.

a. Peter had stayed with Jesus longer than almost all of the other disciples.

1) Judas left Jesus during the supper and lead the man who arrested Jesus… became the betrayer.

2) With the exception of John and Peter, the rest of the disciples forsook Jesus and fled when he was arrested in the garden.

3) Peter lasted until he was in the courtyard of the high priest.

b. When Peter failed, he did so completely.

(Matthew 26:69 – 70)

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.

2. Our failure is complete.

a. We sometimes kid ourselves that we have been "almost completely obedient" and defined this as being obedient to the Lord.

1) Saul was "almost completely obedient" to God, but God called it rebellion and stubbornness.

(1 Samuel 15:23)

23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

* Obedience is doing exactly what God says to do, when he says to do it, how he says to do it. Anything short is rebellion!

B. Failures usually come in clusters.

1. One of Satan's most effective tools is destroying Christian servants through the use of the clustering of failures.

a. Many times one failure is followed closely by another, so that in the end they are like grapes in a cluster of failures.

1) When this happens, the believer feels that it is all over… He is totally defeated!

b. Peter experience not only one failure, but many failures in a short amount of time.

1) He failed to defend the Lord in the garden.

2) He failed to submit to the clearly revealed will of God… Tried to stop the predestined death of Christ.

3) He failed by remaining far away from Jesus on the trip into town.

4) He denied even knowing Jesus – not once, but 3 times!

a) He even cursed to prove it!

*Can you say that you failed worse than Peter? Certainly not!

III- THE PRESENT OF TOTAL REDEMPTION OF OUR FAILURES (Matthew 26:75) (John 21:15 – 21)

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.

*There are no failures beyond his power to redeem! What should you do?

A- Realize and admit your failure.

1. Do not deny your failure or make excuses for it.

a. Admit that it is what it is – sin. (1 John 1:9)

“if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

1) When the rooster crowed and Jesus looked at Peter, Peter realized his failure. (Luke 22:61)

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.”

B- Repent and return to Christ (Matthew 26:75)

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.

1- Peter "went away" – he separated himself from the crowd (the enemies of Christ) – turned from his sin and failure.

2- Peter "weeping bitterly" and he expressed godly sorrow and repented.

3- You must repent (turn away) from your sin and failure and confess it to Christ (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 total redemption of your failures.

(John 21:15 – 21)

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?”

1- Jesus totally redeemed Peter's life.

a. Renewed his love covenant with Peter.

b. We commissioned Peter as an apostle.

c. Used him in a mighty way in the early church.

1) Remember, it was after Peter's colossal failure in Jesus's redemption of it that Peter was used in such a mighty way.

2) Peter failed again on occasion after this, but God reading those failures and made a spiritual giant of him.

2- Jesus will totally redeem your failures! None are too big for him!

a. The greatest days of your service can still be ahead of you.

CONCLUSION: