The Bible Speaks to our Condition: The Apostle Peter Scripture Reading: Mk 3:13-19

Introduction Most of us are very familiar with the Peter as he seems to be one of the most outspoken of the 12 Peter possessed some very natural strengths Outgoing Transparent Enthusiastic Genuinely loved Christ Peter also at times was impulsive and strong-willed allowing us to see some of his faults As we follow the life of Peter we can learn what it means to grow from our mistakes as we continue to strive to follow the Lord

Personality Trait 1: Impulsive He requested Christ to command him to join Him out on the water Mt 14:28-30 “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. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” He attacked the servant of the high priest Jn 18:10-11 “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. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” The washing of the disciple’s feet Jn 13:6-9 “6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” 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.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

Personality Trait 2: Outspoken (Good and Bad) Peter emphatically answered Christ question (Good) Mt 16:13-16 “13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter rebuked Jesus (Bad) Mt 16:22-23 “22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Presumptuous Peter (Bad) Mt 17:1-5 “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. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

Personality Trait 3: Humility Peter went through the most humbling of almost all experiences: understanding he had forsaken and denied Christ Lk 22:60b-62 “…Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then 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.” The example of the healing of the lame man at the temple Acts 3:12-16 “12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Peter’s teaching of humility in his 1st epistle 1 Pet 5:5-6 “5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,”

Personality Trait 4: Respectful Submission Who would have thought that Simon—independent, self-willed, strong- willed, presumptuous, brash and bragging Simon—would become a role model of a humble servant-leader, having a shepherd’s heart? But all that we read of Peter in the book of Acts shows him to be that humble, dedicated example. His two epistles are filled with beautiful instruction on how to live the Spirit-filled life. Peter makes it clear that what motivates and empowers us is the “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” 1 Pet 1:3 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Personality Trait 4: Respectful Submission The theme of submission to authority in 1 Pet 2 1 Pet 2:13 (government) “13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.” 1 Pet 2:18-20 (masters) “18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” 1 Pet 2:21-25 (example of Jesus) “21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Personality Trait 4: Respectful Submission The theme of submission to authority in 1 Pet 3 1 Pet 3:1-2 (wives) “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” 1 Pet 3:8-12 (all to God) “8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Conclusion The life of Peter should serve as an excellent example for us today Peter reminds us that you don’t have to be a perfect person to follow Christ, just one willing to learn from your mistakes Peter shows that the mistakes we make in the past can be overcome in the future As you consider the life of Peter this evening, I encourage to remember that the struggles and difficulties you face can be overcome and are not an excuse to serve the Lord If there is any way we can assist you in dealing with these struggles, make it known while we stand and sing