Scripture: Matthew 4, 26; Hebrews 9:12-14, 22, 27-28; 10:5-10 & John 19-21
Peter’s lack of prayer
Peter was quick to defend
Peter’s lowest point.
Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, and was buried.
“It is finished!”
– Jesus of Nazareth (Son of God)
The Resurrection
Because Jesus was fully man, he was able to physically bleed and die on the cross. Because he was fully God, he carried your sin and mine and paid the penalty for us. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We just don’t measure up to His holy standard and we are separated from Him by our sin. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. His resurrection provides the way for our sin to be totally forgiven; it gives us a fully restored relationship with God, and the sure promise of eternal life.
Simon, Do you love Me?
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Feed my lambs
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Tend my sheep
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Feed my sheep
Peter knew he had failed miserably. Earlier Jesus had explained to his disciples that loving him meant obeying him and following His example. Jesus then told Peter when you are old you will stretch out your hands and be taken where you don’t want to go. Historical writings tell us that Peter was crucified for his faithful obedience to Jesus and died with his arms stretched out just like Jesus. Promising Peter who had his ups and downs, finally trusted Jesus as His Lord and Savior, believing that He died for his sins and rose again providing eternal life. Peter and became totally committed. He followed Jesus to the very end.
Peter who failed so completely was now fully forgiven and redeemed. He went on to preach a clear Gospel message in Jerusalem on Pentecost and thousands of people became followers of Jesus. He was a key leader in the early church and wrote two encouraging books of hope for believers.
If Peter could come back from his lowest point, can you?
CLOSING
Do you love Jesus or do you love Jesus with a total commitment to obey and follow Him?
The good news of Easter is that no matter what you have done, no matter how many times you failed, God will forgive you and offer you new life. Are you living with guilt and sorrow because of the things you have done? Do you feel like your never going to be good enough? Confess your sins, believe that Jesus died and rose again, invite him to be Lord of your life. He will forgive your sins and make you completely whole and clean again.
If you have already trusted Jesus as your Savior, are you totally committed? Are you following him every day? Have you failed to obey Him and done things you thing disqualify you from serving him faithfully? 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Are you following Him faithfully to the end? Make a fresh start right now!
Jesus said “Follow Me.” Who’s ready?
