THREE PORTRAITS OF PETER
SERMON STARTER
LUKE 22:54-62
One of my most frustrating and disappointing areas in forty years of pastoral care is Discipleship and the Development of Christian Character. Looking back over my failures in leading people to Christ and attempting to become disciples of Jesus, it has been both a heartbreaking and wonderful experience. Many of the people I have encouraged to become lifelong followers of Jesus have wounded me. I have cynically developed a phrase, "Either you will develop Christian character, or you will become a Christian character."
The Apostle Paul knew very well about Character Development in discipleship when he wrote in Romans 5:3-5. . .
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Character is that illusive part of the human spirit that makes us altruistic and noble, self-less and giving. It is an integral part of the human spirit, that non-material part of us that doesn't age with time.
Discipleship is a life-long journey in which we will either acquire and display character or we will become one. Paul has a lot to say about discipleship and acquiring the Character of Christ in out own hearts and lives. In Galatians 5:22-23 he writes. . .
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
The Old Testament's King David and the New Testament's Peter are two Biblical studies in character that we can both admire and groan over their failures. Peter, in particular, demonstrates some of my own failures in both discipleship and being a disciple. Looking at the life of Peter as a follower of Jesus, I can easily see myself. Can you?
Pastor Phil <><<
April 24, 2,016
Sheepfold Ministries, Pastor Phil Roland
THREE PORTRAITS OF PETER
LUKE 22:54-62; ACTS 2:14; 3:6; 4:7-13
“God has awesome ways of dealing with those He loves and chooses for His purposes. With Peter God takes a raw, uneducated fisherman and molds him into a mighty man of God. In order to use him, God first breaks his heart.” Pastor Phil
PETER = PET-ROS = Petros = A small rock, pebble
“And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).John 1:42
SIMON = A Reed
3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. Isaiah 42:3
Peter's Mini-Portraits:
1. PETER THE GALILEAN FISHERMAN - Matthew 4:18
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
2. PETER THE MARRIED FAMILY MAN - Mark 1:30-31
30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
3. PETER SHARES IN A MIRACLE - Matthew 14:26-29
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
4. PETER WITNESSES JESUS' TRANSFIGURATION - Matthew 17:1-3
1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
5. PETER AT THE LAST SUPPER - John 13:5,6,8
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?"
8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."
THREE PORTRAITS OF PETER, cont., p.2
6. PETER AT GETHSEMANE - John 18:10
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
FIRST MAJOR PORTRAIT OF PETER:
I. PETER AROUND THE FIRE – Luke 22:54-62
A. Peter IN Control – Luke 22:31-34
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift 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." But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the
rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
1. Note Peter's Arrogance -
"Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
2. Competitive, Aggressive
"Lord, I'm not like the others! I'm different. . .better!"
A. Peter is Not-so-in-control, hurt, frightened, confused
55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
1. Two of three of Peter's Denials occur
2. This is the Fruit of Peter's feeble attempt to be in control
3. There is only one person in control: it's not us!
II. PETER IN THE FIRE – Luke 22:54-62
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."
60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
A. Peter OUT OF Control
1. Torn between Anger and Fear
2. Tears of Frustration
B. Peter feels keenly the Fire of Depression – Isaiah 42:3
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;”
1. Failed Someone he loved deeply
a. Have you ever betrayed someone who loved and trusted you?
b. Have you ever failed to live up to your own standards?
2. A Sense of Failure
a. Ever written bad checks on an overdrawn relational account?
b. Expected others to pay your bad checks anyway?
C. Peter's most out-of-control moment - Verse 51
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you
will deny Me three times."
THREE PORTRAITS OF PETER, cont., p.3
III. PETER ON FIRE – Acts 2:14
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
A. Peter UNDER Christ’s Control
1. Peter boldly seizes the moment – Acts 3:6
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I
give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
2. At Pentecost – At the Gate Beautiful
B. Peter UNDER the Holy Spirit’s control - Acts 4:7-13
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or
by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
1. He’s no Christ-Denying Coward
2. He’s a Mighty Man of God Under God’s Power
C. Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Presence
1. Humility – Meekness born out of pain
2. Mercy – Forgiveness born out of personal failure
3. Love – Undeserved, freely-given by God
PETER, FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MEN AND WOMEN OF CHARACTER
The world needs men and women. . .
- who cannot be bought;
- whose word is their bond;
- who put character above wealth;
- who possess opinions and a strong will;
- who are larger than their vocations;
- who do not hesitate to take risks;
- who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
- who will be as honest in small affairs as in greater;
- who will make no compromise with wrong;
- whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
- who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it;"
- who are true to their friends through good and bad, in adversity as well as in prosperity;
- who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;
- who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular;
- who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes."
~~ Author Unknown ~~
COURTESY OF SHEEPFOLD MINISTRIES
THREE PORTRAITS OF PETER
Luke 22:54-62
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance.
55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."
57 But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."
58 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."
60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
MEN AND WOMEN OF CHARACTER
The world needs men and women. . .
- who cannot be bought;
- whose word is their bond;
- who put character above wealth;
- who possess opinions and a strong will;
- who are larger than their vocations;
- who do not hesitate to take risks;
- who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
- who will be as honest in small affairs as in greater;
- who will make no compromise with wrong;
- whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
- who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it;"
- who are true to their friends through good and bad, in adversity as well as in prosperity;
- who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;
- who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular;
- who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes."
~~ Author Unknown ~~
COURTESY OF SHEEPFOLD MINISTRIES
http://www.jesus-story.net/peter.htm
"Either you will grow in Christ and develop character, or you will become one." Pastor Phil <><<
No Scar?
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet, I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?
No wound, no scar?
Yet as the Master shall the servant be,
And, pierced are the feet that follow me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who hast no wound, nor scar?
Amy Carmichael
God Knows What He’s About
When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all his heart
To create so great a man
That all the world will be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial lumps of clay which only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
and he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends, but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out . . .
God knows what He’s about!
Author Unknown
PORTRAITS OF PETER, Texts:
Luke 22:54-62
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.
56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."
57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.
58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied.
59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."
60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times."
62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Acts 2:14
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
PORTRAITS OF PETER TEXTS, cont.
Acts 4:7-13
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!
9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
