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INTRODUCTION:
1. Consider two sad, but real, situations:
a. You know a brother/sister in Christ, seem to be strong faithful; suddenly not faithful.
b. You are part of a local church, you/another person moves away; you here later that they are not faithful.
2. You think, "How can this be so?" I offer two suggestions:
a. Rarely, if ever, happens suddenly, though it may appear this way.
b. Happens in succession of small steps, not one giant leap.
3. A close look at what is happening with Peter while Jesus is enduring the
Jewish trials helps us to see how it can happen in our own lives and/or in the
lives of others:
DISCUSSION:
I. Begins With Overconfidence In Self (Mt. 26:31-35):
A. Peter boldly denied that he would ever deny Christ.
B. While part of his personality, some other contributing factors:
1. 2nd disciple chosen by Jesus overall (Jn. 1:40-42).
2. Named first in all lists of apostles (Mt. 4:18; 10:2; Mk.1:16; 3:16; Lk.6:14).
3. "Inner circle" of apostles (Mt. 17:1ff; 26:37ff; etc.).
4. Past accomplishments (Mt. 16:18-19).
C. Warning - our history/present "connections" in kingdom don't immunize us from danger (1 Cor. 10:12).
II. Overconfidence Often Leads To Carelessness (Lk. 22:31-34; cf. v. 31):
A. Forewarned by name, but missed the application to self.
B. Satan asked for him - as he did Job and Jesus.
C. Lack of circumspection (Eph. 5:15; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).
D. Overconfidence in abilities often leads to carelessness (electrician, carpenter, logger, athlete).
III. Subtle Separation From Christ (Jn. 18:17):
A. Jesus' first trial - before Annas (cf. vv. 12ff).
B. Servant girl asked Peter if he was Jesus' disciple (v. 17).
C. Question unexpected by Peter, sudden; put on spot.
D. His private denial - subtle separation, first step.
E. Often when we are put "on the spot," we will separate ourselves from
Christ, truth, people of God.
IV. Void of Subtle Separation - Filled by Increased Association With World:
A. Whenever void is created, will be filled with something; if not, more
dangerous (Mt. 12:43-45).
B. Comparison of Peter during Jesus' first and second trials:
1. First trial:
a. Peter followed Jesus (Jn. 18:15).
b. Peter stood, warming self by fire (Jn. 18:18).
2. Second trial (before Caiaphas and Sanhedrin):
a. Peter followed "at a distance" (Lk. 22:54).
b. Peter "sat" among those who warmed by fire (Lk. 22:55).
C. Void of separation from Christ filled by increased association with the
people/things of the world.
D. Signal of digression (cf. Psa. 1:1).
V. Open Denials of Christ (Mk. 14:66-70a):
A. First open denial (vv. 66-68):
1. Servant girl looked "intently" at Peter (Lk. 22:56).
2. Charges him as associate of Christ.
3. "He denied it:"
a. "Before them all" (Mt. 26:70).
b. "I do not know him" (Lk. 22:57).
4. "Went out on porch" - got too hot for Peter!
B. Second open denial (vv. 69-70a):
1. Servant girl charged him again as associate of Christ.
2. He denied Christ again.
3. Denied Christ with an oath (Mt. 26:72).
C. Observation: As we increase association with people/things of the world, Satan will use them to openly challenge our faith; we must then make a choice - be loyal to or deny Christ!
VI. Descent Takes One Farther Than Ever Intended (Mk. 14:70-71):
A. About an hour passes between 2nd and 3rd open denials (Lk. 22:59).
B. Peter again charged as associate of Christ's, with his speech betraying
him.
C. "Then he began to curse and swear."
D. Do you think Peter ever thought he go that far in denying Christ?
E. Brings us to real lesson: Sin will take you farther than you ever meant to go, will keep you longer than you ever thought you'd stay, and cost you more than you ever dreamed you'd pay!
VII. Pierced By Reminders (Lk. 22:61):
A. Reminders for Peter:
1. "Second time the rooster crowed."
2. "The Lord turned and looked at Peter" (Lk. 22:61).
B. "Then Peter remembered" (Lk. 22:61):
1. How the Lord foretold his denials.
2. "If only I had listen to my parents, family, friends, teachers, elders, etc."
C. Too late to avoid mistake!
VIII. Peter's Despondency (Lk. 22:62; also Mt. 26:75; Mk. 14:72).
CONCLUSION:
1. How do seemingly faithful Christians become unfaithful?
2. Peter's descent from discipleship to despondency provides one way it happens.
3. Are you on this descent?
- - Richard Boone
