Peter’s Rollercoaster
A. MOST WHO KNOW ABOUT PETER CAN RELATE TO HIM IN SOME WAY.
1. Champion of the cause (Acts 2), martyr for the faith (John 21:18-19).
2. A man of contradictions. Human weaknesses and perceptions plagued his life.
B. TEXT DESCRIBES A LOW POINT IN PETER’S LIFE, BUT POINTS TO A HIGH.
1. Our faith, hence our faithfulness, can be like a rollercoaster with highs and lows.
2. The idea is to bring our lows up without disturbing the high points.
C. MAYBE EXAMINING PETER’S HIGHS AND LOWS WILL HELP.
A. MATERIALLY SUCCESSFUL, YET POOR IN SPIRIT (Luke 5:1-11)
1. Awareness of sin is an advantage (Luke 18:9-14). Who went to his house justified?
2. Who does Jesus seek out and invite (Luke 19:10; Matt. 11:28)
3. Who’s is the kingdom (Matt. 5:3).
B. HE WAS FULLY COMMITTED (Mark 10:28).
1. What does Jesus require of us? (Luke 9:23).
2. What does Jesus guard (2 Tim. 1:12)
A. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH (Heb. 11:6).
1. Faith is trust, confidence (2 Tim. 1:12).
2. The loss of faith leads to awful consequence (Heb. 3:12-14). Hold fast what?
B. JESUS WARNS OF THE EFFECTS OF DISTRACTION (Luke 8:14; Heb. 12:1).
A. WE MUST ALSO CONFESS JESUS (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10).
1. Confession with the mouth is not enough (Matt. 7:21).
2. We must confess him in our lives (Matt. 5:16).
B. PETER WAS PERCEPTIVE AND OPEN TO TRUTH (Matt. 16:18; John 6:66-69).
A. CONFUSION REFLECTS WORLDLY ATTACHMENTS. (Matt. 16:21-23).
B. CONFUSION LED TO PRESUMPTION (Mark 9:2-8; John 13:5-11).
C. WE MUST GUARD AGAINST VERBAL FOLLY (Prov. 10:19; 13:3; James 1:19).
D. WAIT ON THE LORD (Psa. 27:14). Hear what HE has to say.
A. JESUS MADE PREDICTION (Luke 22:31-34).
1. Peter’s pride answered (vs. 33).
2. He fell anyway.
B. PAUL GIVES WARNING (1 Cor. 10:12).
1. The strongest sometimes fall (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8, 10).
2. We must not let our pride blind us to the dangers (Prov. 11:2; Prov. 16:18).
C. WE CAN DENY JESUS BY THE WAY WE LIVE (Titus 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:5).
D. AND BY WHAT WE PROFESS (2 Pet. 2:1-2).
A. JESUS’ PREDICTION INCLUDED HOPE.
1. Hope based on repentance – “when once thou has turned again.”
2. Hope dependent on forgiveness.
B. PAUL AND JOHN GIVE CHRISTIANS THIS HOPE (Rom. 8:1; 1 John 1:6-10).
1. Our attitude toward our own sin should be like Peter’s (Jas. 4:9-10; 2 Cor. 7:10).
2. Sorrow leads us out of the dark toward the light (1 John 1:6-7). Repentance!
3. If we confess … (1 John 1:9).
A. THE EMPHASIS WAS ON JESUS (Acts 2:22; Acts 3:12-13).
B. THE PREACHING WAS BOLD (2:24, 36; 3:14-15; 5:27-29).
C. IT WAS INSTRUCTIVE (2:38-40). THE HOPE OF SALVATION!
D. WE HAVE A DEBT (Rom. 1:14-15; 2 Cor. 5:14).
1. Millions are depending on us (Rom. 10:13-14).
2. God’s plan (2 Tim. 2:2).
A. PETER’S FAITH HAD HIGH AND LOW POINTS, LIKE A ROLLER COASTER.
1. Sometimes his low points led him to sin.
2. His repentance brought forgiveness and restoration.
B. WE ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME DOUBTS, DISTRACTIONS, AND FEARS.
1. Has a low point in our faith led us to denial?
2. If we will repent, the Lord wants to forgive and restore us (Rev. 3:20)
C. IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN BAPTIZED, JESUS IS STANDING AT YOUR DOOR, TOO.