Never Say Never Matthew 16:22-23; 25:31-35; John 13:5-9

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Feb 8, 2015 Prayer Requests Benny Prichard Linda Anderson Ruth & Keith Gawith Lua McNew Helen Carpenter Tim – Brenda’s brother Ginny Jellison Lucy McKinney Richie & Mary Merryman Milton Davis & Kathy Davis Trenton Hattler Jack Enright Young families – Gods guiding in upcoming changes. Gods leading and direction in our Church Families College Students Keith McNew-Christ’s working in his life. James Alexander -- Dialysis Unspoken

SandraGreat Britain DavidMexico Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia RuthIndia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand Keith & Ruth Switzerland SarahSwaziland WayneAfrica The message of hope, from one refugee to another Rev. John Yual Nguth, the Nazarene mission coordinator for South Sudan and Western Ethiopia, ministers in refugee camps in East Africa. In 2000, his family was accepted into a resettlement program in Australia, giving them a chance to start over. But John felt a pull on his heart. "God was telling me I cannot go, I must stay with my people and preach to them," he said. "And I said no, no that is not right. Our life in the refugee camp was terrible. If I go to Australia, it will be better. But (God) said, 'No, stay, serve my people.‘”

Praying for the US & Canada Richie Merryman: NY, NM, CA Alexanders: CA, OK, GA, QC Vanderpool: NM (SE ABQ) Jellisons: UT, TX, AK Shultzs: CA, DC, MA, BC Moores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QC Abby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QC Aliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEI L. Kilgore: VA, MI T. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DC Nielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RI Griffins: VT, OH, (Northeast) C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo Nation Adams: NM, CA, MA B. Brown: GA, OR, ON B. Vito: NY,ID ion.nazarene.org Near-record 4 Nazarene players chosen in MLB draft Major League Baseball held its annual First-Year Player Draft this week and four players from Nazarene schools were chosen — the most since a record five were taken in Clayton Brandt (MidAmerica Nazarene University), Josh Altmann (Olivet Nazarene University), Hunter Newman (Trevecca Nazarene University), and Jake Reppert (Northwest Nazarene University) join the list of at least 66 others as MLB draftees from Nazarene schools since the draft started in 1965.

Matthew 16 (NIV) 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. 6

Good Intentions & the Devil Why did Peter think that he needed to have a private talk with Jesus? How is this a “frame of reference” problem? Was Jesus using a “figure of speech” or did Satan really have a role in this conversation?

Matthew 26 (NIV) 31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

What Peter Didn’t Know Is this interaction between Peter and Jesus consistent with the interaction in Chapter 16. What is the basis for Peter’s confidence in his own faithfulness? What role did the other disciples play in this interaction? Is there a lesson for us in this interaction? 9

John 13 (NIV) 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10

After These Things Why did Peter object to Jesus washing his feet? Was this a “false” humility? Why is Peter’s being washed a requirement for “having a part with Jesus?” Do you think Peter got the message? Why? Why not? Jesus set Peter an example – Did Peter follow it? 11

Next Week Unit 1: Prayers & Sermons of God’s The Spiritual Journey of Peter Lesson 2: Never Say Never Matthew 16: 21-23; 26:31-35 John 13:5-9 12

Wesley’s Guidance I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: Just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: For this very end he came from heaven. He [has] written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri [that is, a person, comparatively speaking, of one book]. 13

Wesley’s Guidance Here then I am, far from the busy ways of [life]. I sit down alone: Only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book, for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: —“Lord, is it not [your] word, ‘If any... lack wisdom, let [them] ask of God?’ [You ‘give... liberally and ungrudgingly.’ You have said, ‘If any are willing to do your will, they shall know it.’] I am willing to do, let me know, [your] will 14

Wesley’s Guidance ” I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” I meditate [upon these] with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I [do and] teach (Wesley’s Works, Vol. 5). 15

Summarizing Wesley’s Guidance 1. Go to a private place 2. Read the scripture 3. Pray for understanding of the scripture 4. Be willing to obey God according to what you learn 5. Compare passages of scripture that deal with the same topic 6. Meditate on the scripture’s teaching 7. If you do not understand, consult with other Christians and read the writing of Christians from the past. 16