Their Problem and Ours
Peter
- the Problem of failure
John 21:1-25
Do we think
we are so strong that we are unlikely to fail? Maybe we have failed.
Is there hope for us? The story of Peter is both a warning and an encouragement.
1. The
Possibility of failure
- (i)
Peter had a smug attitude. Matt.26:33; 1 Cor. 10:12.
- (ii)
Peter acted on the spur of the moment. James 1:19; 2 Peter 1:5,6.
- (iii)
Peter faced Satan's attack. Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8.
- (iv)
Peter faced unexpected situations
"Be
on your guard, stand firm in faith" 1 Cor. 16:13.
We must
recognise that we too could fail. We need to commit each day to the
Lord, lest today be our day of failure.
2. The
Path of failure
- (i)
Peter was careless "Watchful in you prayers" 1 Peter
4:7. Failure is the path of least persistence.
- (ii)
Peter was changeable James 1:8, Eph. 4:14.
- (iii)
Peter was complacent "He sat by the fire" Luke 22:55.
- (iv)
Peter was caught; he denied his Lord. Luke 22:60, 61.
"Have
you not brought this on yourself, in that you have forsaken the Lord
your God when He led you in the way?" Jeremiah 2:17.
Peter
failed but the Lord looked on him in mercy, love and grace.
3. The
Provision for failures
- (i)
Jesus prayed for Peter "I have prayed for you.. "
Luke 22:32. "I pray for them .." John 17:9, 20
- (ii)
Jesus pursued Peter Mark 16:7, "go, tell His disciples - and
Peter .. " . also see 1Cor. 15:5;
- (iii)
Jesus pardoned Peter
- (iv)
Jesus had a plan for Peter. John 21:18,19. Acts 1: 3-8.
Psalm
51:12,13. "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me
by your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and
sinners shall be converted unto You."
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