Overconfidence
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Matthew 26:31-35,56-58,69-75
An education on daily life often comes through what is commonly called “the school of hard knocks.” One of the chief tools in Satan’s arsenal is developing overconfidence in the life of the believer. Peter was a God-called and God-gifted man, but he was also a man who was very sure of himself. Peter was confident in the fact that even if others would deny Christ, he would remain the “last man standing.”
God’s Word warns us against this very attitude of self confidence. The Scriptures state in
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
In this lesson we’ll learn that while we can doo all things, we can only do them through Christ who gives us strength. A lesson that Peter learned the hard way.
Peter’s Willing Boastfulness
Peter’s Willing Boastfulness
Christ tells His disciples that they would all be offended and forsake Him, singling our Peter once again and telling him especially that he was Satan’s special target. Peter states, “ Not so, Lord.” Peter’s response should stand as a stark warning for believers today. First he compared himself to others. He stated “though all men should be offended...” The moment we begin to think that we are better than or unlike others, we are deluding ourselves. Each of us is just a sinner saved by grace. We are all robed in the flesh and possess the carnal nature.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Remember the pious Pharisee? Have we ever been guilty of having a similar attitude?
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Peter’s second statement was that he would “never be offended.” Anytime we think would Never do something we need to remember that Noah undoubtedly never believed that he would be a drunk, yet he does in Genesis 9:21. David also, never believed he would be a murder, yet again he does in 2 Samuel 11:14-15. These two men were great men of God who still erred, and if they could, we can as well.
He would stand with Christ
He would stand with Christ
But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
As always, Peter had good intentions, and here he made a brave resolution. It should be the goal of every believer to stand, and there is no nobler place to stand than at the side of Jesus Christ.
You may have heard the hymn “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.” that exhorts us to “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross.”
The words to the song are based on the dying words of Dudley Atkins Tyng, a minister in Philadelphia. After being morally injured in a farming accident, he is remembered for what he said on his deathbed, “Now father, I am ready. Father, stand up for Jesus. Tell them, let us all stand up fo Jesus. Let us all stand in Christ Jesus in prayer; accepted in Christ, having no other claims than his righteousness, that Christ may be glorified forever.”
The Christian certainly ought to have a desire to stand to encourage others to stand by his words and be his example. But we should consider the spirit in which we announce to others our declaration to stand. God desires for every believer to have a humble heart.
Boast not thyself of to morrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
He would die with Christ
He would die with Christ
And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Peter went on to declare that he would stay with the Lord to the end, and that even if it meant giving his very life, he would not deny the Lord.
This was a man who truly loved Jesus and declared himself wiling to make the ultimate sacrifice for His sake.
Ask yourself this question: Would I be willing to die for Jesus? would you be wiling to give your life rather than deny Christ? we know that others have done so and are doing so even today. No doubt we would all desire to die pleasing the Lord rather than live with the shame of having denied Him. But as we will see with Peter, our flesh can let us down in the moment.
The book we know as the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs was originally published in 1563 with the title Actes and Monuments of these Latter and Perillous Days, Touching Matters of the Church, and gives hundreds of accounts of persecution and death suffered by those who stood for Christ unflinching, down through the centuries. It remains in print as a challenge for us today.
Ultimately, Peter would fulfill his promise to go to prison and later die for Christ, executed by the Emperor Nero about the same time as the Apostle Paul. It is traditionally held that Peter was crucified upside down as his own request. Considering himself not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
But in these dark hour of Christ’s arrest, Peter would obviously fear for his life.
Peter’s Wavering Boldness
Peter’s Wavering Boldness
Matthew 26:33-35
As we look, we see that Peter’s bold boast of his intention to stand with Christ and follow Him to the death is about to be challenged. We notice that where Peter had once been in the inner circle and very close to the master, that during this time of danger and distress, he began to follow “afar off.” we must always be purposeful in drawing nearer to the Lord. The farther we get from Christ, the more prone we are to do things and say things that we would unlikely to do.
His departure
His departure
And they all forsook him, and fled.
Christ first command to Peter and the other disciples were to “follow me,” and now they are stopped in there tracks. Even after that first command Christ had told them to continue following.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
As believers, we need to realize that what Christ wants from us is to follow. This is stated clearly in
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
It is good to remember that one of the great testimonies that we can show to the world is that we are a follower of Christ.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
His decision
His decision
But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
While we are often learning in this series what Peter did wrong- and it is true that he did not stay close to Jesus during this event. It is only fair to mention that he did make the right decision to follow, while the others fled. Although John doesn’t mention himself by name. He followed as well.
When we make a decision that takes us out of the company of Christ, we are often often putting ourselves in the company of those who are not followers of Christ. The Bible tells us on many occasions how important it is that we surround ourselves with the right company.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
His denial
His denial
Matthew 26:69-74
It is interesting that people recognized Peter for having been with Jesus. Every time people saw Jesus they saw Peter close by. This is a testimony we should have as followers of Christ today.
Unfortunately, in the time of crisis, Peter found himself not ready to be associated with Jesus. He learned form this sad time in his life, and would later write:
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Had Peter stayed as close to the Lord as he had intended, he would almost certainly not have denied Christ. But because Peter had stayed from His presence, he found his self confidence was not enough to enable himself to keep the vow he had made.
Peter’s Weeping Bitterness
Peter’s Weeping Bitterness
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Like Peter all of us will stumble and fall in out walk with Christ. When you put all of your hope in your self confidence, you will find your self far from Christ and in a world you don’t want to be in.
But when we fall, we can get up again. Christ will help you get back up, and God is still able to us us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.