1. Title: Peter's Failure to Suffer Text: Mark 14: Mark 14:72 (NIV84) 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. By: Pastor Micah Adamson February 26, 2017
Mark 14:72 (NIV84)
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2. Introduction
One of the main issues that 1 Peter deals with is being willing to suffer for believing in Jesus.
Is Peter a hypocrite to tell us to suffer for Jesus, since Peter is famous for denying Jesus?
What we can learn from Peter’s failure to suffer in Mark, before reading to 1 Peter 4 next week?

3. 1 Peter Overview
Problem: Christians are facing temptations related to suffering for Jesus:
Persecution – Tempted to fear man: in either revenge or despair.
Prosperity – Tempted to go back: to the either the sin of Paganism or the legalism of Judaism.
Solution: The salvation from God that we have in Jesus is really is gloriously good and worth giving up everything for!

4. 1 Peter 5S Outline Faith/Theology: (1st Half) Introduction (1:1-2)
Salvation (1:3–12) We’re saved from God’s wrath.
Sanctification (1:13–2:3) We’re called to live differently.
Selection (2:4–12) We’re God’s chosen people.
Practice/Application: (2nd Half)
Submission (2:13–3:12) We’re called to submit as Jesus did.
Suffering (3:13–4:19) We’re called to suffer as Jesus did.
Conclusion (5:1-14)

5. 1 Peter 4 Outline Suffering abuse for saying no to sin (4:1-7)
Suffering by serving and loving other Christians (4:8-11)
Suffering like Christ for calling ourselves Christians - not for committing crimes (4:12-16)
Suffering for failing to be Christians (4:17-19)
In the end, suffering is unavoidable, you only get to choose what you suffer for and when.

6. 1 Peter 4
1 Peter 3:18 (NIV84) – Since Jesus suffered and died for us to take away our sins… 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 1 Peter 4:1-2 (NIV84) – We should suffer with Jesus and died to sin… 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

7. Objection
So, is Peter a hypocrite to tell us to suffer for Jesus, since Peter is famous for denying Jesus?
Peter’s assistant Mark tells the story of Peter’s failure to suffer for Jesus this way…

8. Mark 14:17-21 (NIV84) – Jesus Predicts Judas’ Betrayal
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely not I?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

9. Mark 14:22-26 (NIV84) – Jesus Predicts His Death
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

10. Mark 14:27-28 (NIV84) – Jesus Predicts the Disciples’ Desertion (and His Resurrection)
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ [Zechariah 13:7] 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

11. Mark 14:29-31 (NIV84) – Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

12. Mark 14:43-46 (NIV84) – Judas’s Betrayal [After Jesus prayed and the disciples slept]
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him.

13. Mark 14:47-54 (NIV84) – The Disciples’ Desertion
47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

14. Mark 14:66-72 (NIV84) – Peter’s Denial [During Jesus’ trial] (1 of 2)
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

15. Mark 14:66-72 (NIV84) – Peter’s Denial [During Jesus’ trial] (2 of 2)
71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

16. What should Peter have done?
1 Timothy 6:12–13 (NIV84) – Paul calls it making the good confession 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession…

17. What should Peter have done?
Mark 15:2 (NIV84) – Mark sums up Jesus’ confession to Pilate very concisely 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. Mark 8:29 (NIV84) – This matches Peter’s private confession of Jesus as the Christ/King very closely 29 “But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”

18. What should Peter have done?
Mark 14:61-62 (NIV84) – Mark sums up Jesus’ confession to the high priest a little bit more completely 61 …the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

19. Mark 16:5-7 (NIV84) – Jesus’ Resurrection
5 As [the women] entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

20. Conclusion: What can we learn from Peter’s failures in his battle vs
Conclusion: What can we learn from Peter’s failures in his battle vs. suffering?
Peter vs. Judas
Don’t give up when you fall into sin and fail to suffer for Jesus! Go to Jesus for forgiveness!
Peter vs. All of the Other Disciples
Don’t think too highly of yourself or compare yourself to others in your struggles with sin.
Peter vs. Jesus
Don’t deny what Jesus and the Bible say about the fact that Christians will struggle with sin and even fail. But, don’t use this as an excuse to give up struggling against sin either!
Peter vs. Us
Like us, Peter knows what it’s like to fail to suffer for Jesus and be given another chance.