John 18:12-24

A Successful Failure Story

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again… Proverbs 24:16

Failure before success Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he succeeded R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York City caught on. Thomas Edison's teachers said he was "too stupid to learn anything." As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."

I. Peter was part of the minority

(Joh 18:15) And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. (Joh 18:16) But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

A. He PURSUED after Christ

Moses sent out 12 spies that surveyed the land and only 2 believed God for that land. In the book of Kings the kingdom was divided and only 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin) stayed true to God. Jesus had12 disciples and only 2 followed him after his arrest In church about 20% do 80% of the work. In church concerning tithing, about 20% give about 80% of the money 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe as the 80/20 Rule, meaning 20 percent of the people owned 80 percent of the wealth

II. Peter’s emotions controlled his mental state

A. He buckled under the PRESSURE

(Joh 18:16-18) But Peter stood at the door without (Joh 18:16-18) But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

(Joh 18:27) Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. (Joh 18:25) And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. (Joh 18:26) One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? (Joh 18:27) Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

B. He is being trained about his PRIDE

(Mat 26:33) Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. (Mat 26:34) Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

(Pro 16:18) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Pro 28:26) He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

(Luk 22:59) And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. (Luk 22:60) And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. (Luk 22:61) And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

III. Peter grew in maturity

Acts 12:1-7

A. He had learned to trust in PRAYER

B. He had learned to trust in Power of the Sprirt

(Eph 5:18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

C. He had learned to trust in PREPARATION

(Dan 1:8) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

D. He had learned to trust in the PROMISES

(Joh 21:18) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.