New Wine Skins

Luke 22:29–32 NIV

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

State: At your conversion to follow Christ…you were placed in a Kingdom

Authority-Property-Rights were given to you

We can exercise some of it here now....some come later (fullness of Christ Kingdom)

Matthew 19:28 NLT

Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

This is true of all Christians in the future Kingdom

1 Corinthians 6:1–2 NLT

When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?

The Kingdom we are part of and the kingdom of this world are drastically different

The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan

Paul tells us about it......

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

What does spiritual warfare look like?

Luke 22:31–32 NLT

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

satan has to ask!

He wanted to sift all of them…which he did…but Jesus prayed specifically for Peter

2)How was Peter sifted?

The very thing Peter bragged about - was the thing that he was actually the weakest in

Luke 22:33 NLT

Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”

Peter’s spiritual warfare was not wrestling in prayer

It was manifested through a young girl

Mark 14:66–72 NLT

Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.” But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

This is the preview of how the enemy will fight against the Kingdom of Christ

Peter was hit in a weakness...... he had (fear)

John was there also…actually was known by the high priest and was there when they questioned Jesus…yet he did not seem threatened

This ended with Peter denying he even knew Christ 3 times and weeping bitterly

(Charcoal fire- denial & restoration)

Jesus knew Peter had this weakness and “pleaded for him in prayer”

Jesus does not disqualify people for weakness

He intercedes for us

1 John 2:1 NLT

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.

Romans 8:34 NLT

Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Hebrews 7:25 NLT

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Why does Jesus intercede for us....?

Luke 22:32 NLT

But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”