The Failing of Peter's Faith

TEXT:  Luke 22:31-34,  54-62

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PETER TO BE TRIED SEVERELY.

          1.       Peter's assertion of his faith, ready to go to death and prison. 

          2.       Demonstrates his faith - cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant.

          3.       Yet he denies that he knows Jesus just a few hours later.

B.      CAN OUR FAITH FAIL ?  WE NEED TO SEE WHY PETER'S FAITH FAILED.

I.      BECAUSE HE FOLLOWED AFAR OFF( vs. 54 ).

A.      JESUS DEMANDS DEDICATION TO HIS CAUSE( Luke 9:23, 62 ).

B.      THE APOSTLES TAUGHT IT( Rom. 12:1;  1 Pet. 1:13;  1 Cor. 15:58 ).

C.      PAUL EXEMPLIFIED DEDICATION( Gal. 2:20;  2 Tim. 3:10-11 ).

D.      WHERE DOES THIS DEDICATION COME FROM?( 2 Tim. 1:12;  4:6-8 ).

II.     HE SAT IN THE MIDST OF THE ENEMIES( vs. 55 ).

A.      HIS PRESENCE TEMPTED HIM WITH SHAME.

          1.       We should not be ashamed of what we believe to be true( Rom. 5:5 ).

          2.       Even in suffering, there must be no regrets( 1 Pet. 4:16;  2 Tim. 1:8, 12 ).

          3.       If we are ashamed of Jesus ... ( Luke 9:26 ).

B.      HIS PRESENCE WAS AN UNCONSCIOUS APPROVAL OF THEIR SIN.

          1.       Association can make us accessories to sin( 2 John 9-11;  Eph. 5:11 ).

          2.       If we love God we will hate evil( Psa. 97:10;  Rom. 12:9 ).

C.      NEGATIVE PEER PRESSURE( 1 Cor. 15:33;  2 Tim. 2:22 ).

III.    HE PARTOOK OF THEIR FIRE       ( vs. 56 ).

A.      HUMAN WISDOM IS WRONG( Prov. 16:25;  Isa. 55:8-9;  Col. 2:8 ).

B.      "BE NOT DECEIVED"( Eph. 5:6-12;  Psa. 1:1).

IV.   HE TRUSTED IN HIS OWN STRENGTH( vs. 33 ).

A.      WE ARE NOT SO STRONG( Rom. 12:3;  2 Cor. 1:9 ).

B.      WE HAVE WARNINGS PETER IGNORED( 1 Pet. 5:8;  1 Cor. 10:12 ).

C.      WITHOUT JESUS WE CAN DO NOTHING( John 15:5 ) BUT( Phil. 4:13 ).

D.      TRUST IN THE STRENGTH OF GOD ( Eph. 6:10 ).  HOW?( vs. 11-18 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      IF OUR FAITH FAILS US, WE WILL SIN( Heb. 3:12 ).

B.      DO WE ENDANGER OUR FAITH AND THEREBY OURSELVES?