PETER, THE MAN WHO FELL BUT ROSE AGAIN


Scripture reading: Matthew 16: 13-23; Luke 22: 54-62; John 21


Memory verse: Matthew 16:16 “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”


FIRST, LET’S NOTICE SOME THINGS ABOUT THIS GREAT APOSTLE.


1. His name always heads the list whether given in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or Acts, though he was not the first disciple.


2. He is always the spokesman for the twelve.

· It was Peter who asked, “How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? (Matthew 18:21).

· It was Peter who inquired what was to be the reward of those who left all and followed Jesus (Matthew 19:27 ).

· It was Peter who asked about the fig tree when it withered away (Mark 11:21 ).

· It was Peter who answered when Jesus asked the crowd, “Who touched me?” (Luke 8:45)

· It was Peter who suggested prior to Pentecost electing another apostle to replace Judas.

· It was Peter who preached on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 people were converted (Acts 2:14 -41).


3. He was a married man (Mark 1:29 -31). Therefore, he could not have been the first pope as some claim.


4. His name was changed. Simon means “hearing.” The Lord changed his name to Peter which means “rock.” In John’s Gospel, he is called by both names, Simon Peter. Also, he was called Cephas. Both Peter and Cephas mean “rock.” Peter is a Greek name and Cephas is an Aramaic name. In the ancient world, almost everyone spoke the Greek language as well as his own language. Most people had two names: a Greek name which was their business name and then also the name of his own native language by which he was known in private to his friends.


I. PETER BELIEVING

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16:13-23


A. It doesn’t matter who people think Jesus is. What matters is, “Who do you and I think He is?” It’s the difference between Heaven or Hell (John 8:21 ,24; Romans 10:9-11).

B. Peter not only believed, but he also confessed. A public confession is important (Romans 10:9-11).

C. Baptism is a means of public confession (Acts 2:41 ).


II. PETER BACKSLIDING

SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:54-62, John 21


A. Backsliding is not the loss of Salvation. It is the loss of fellowship (I John 1:7-9).

B. Backsliding is a gradual getting away from God. If you were once closer to God than you are now, you are backslidden.

C. The events that led to Peter’s backsliding:

Ø He became self-confident. Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-34

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

Stand in His strength alone.

The arm of flesh will fail you;

You dare not trust your own.”

Ø He followed Jesus afar off. Luke 22:54

This is often the trouble. We are to be fanatics for Jesus, but we are afraid to be.

D. He denied Christ.

Ø Luke 22:57 “…I know Him not.”

Ø There are many ways to deny Christ. It is not just in words.

E. He cursed and swore (Mark 14:71).

F. He left the ministry (John 21:1-3) “I go a fishing.”

G. He influenced six others to leave the ministry at the same time.

Ø John 21:1-3

Ø Influence on others can be strong. You fall; you take someone with you.

Ø You stay straight; someone else may stay straight.



III. PETER’S NEW START


A. The Lord brought Peter back (John 21).

B. The Lord made him a business failure

Ø John: 21:3 “They caught nothing.”

Ø Peter was an experienced fisherman. If anybody could catch fish, he could, but he failed.

C. The Lord showed Peter he could succeed in the will of
Christ. (John 21: 4-6)

D. The Lord provided for Peter’s needs by preparing him a warm breakfast.

E. The Lord cut into Peter’s heart when He asked, (verse 15), “Don’t you love me?”


Conclusion:


Two chapters later in the Bible, it was Peter who was preaching on the Day of Pentecost. He had been forgiven and his fellowship had been restored. The result was 3,000 people got saved.


You may be down and out. Don’t stay that way. The Lord can restore you and use you. There is no better time than right now. Learn from Peter!