DENYING THE LORD
Text: Luke 22:54-62.
Delivered on: October 28, 2007. Streetsboro.
Luke 22:54-62. Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him." 57 But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
PETER.
Peter’s Position.
Sometimes we are guilty of looking at a person who is a strong Christian and feeling “That person will never fall away.”
Peter teaches us that this is a mistake. Anyone can stumble.
He was one of Jesus’ closest friends.
Peter, James, and John seemed to make up Jesus’ inner circle.
They were the only ones present at Jesus’ transfiguration. Matthew 17:1. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
They were present in the Garden with Him. Matthew 26:36-38. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
A disciple and soon to be apostle.
He was one of the first disciples chosen. Matthew 4:18-20. And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Notice how he was willing to leave all and follow Jesus.
He had deep faith in Jesus.
Luke 5:8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
Matthew 16:13-16. When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
He had a great love for Jesus. John 21:15-17. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
Peter’s Problem.
Perhaps he was a little overconfident in himself.
Peter had proudly proclaimed that he would die for Jesus. Luke 22:31-33. And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."
Peter didn’t think it was possible that he could ever forsake Jesus.
But Jesus said… Luke 22:34. Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."
He followed afar off after Jesus was arrested.
He tried to lose himself in the crowd.
The only reason he was there was to see how everything turned out. Matthew 26:58. But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
By trying to distance himself from the Lord and hide his faith in the Lord, he opened himself up to temptation and sinned.
Peter’s Penitence. Luke 22:61-62. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
Can you even begin to imagine how Peter felt when he heard that rooster crow?
Then to see Jesus looking at you with the knowledge of what you had just done?
Peter was penitent. He repented.
YOU AND ME.
Our Position as Christians.
We are children of God. 1 John 3:1. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
We are heirs to an incorruptible inheritance. 1 Peter 1:3-5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
God has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3. As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
He has given us His word. Acts 20:32. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Potential Problems.
In spite of this close relationship that we have with Christ, many often deny him. Either in word or deed.
Like Peter, we dare not get overconfident.
This is not saying that we can’t be confident in our salvation. We can. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
What we are saying is that we dare not get to the point that we think we are beyond temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
Staying close to Christ takes vigilance. 2 Peter 1:5-11. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Like Peter, we dare not follow at a distance.
Christians who follow at a distance are ashamed of their relationship with Christ. Luke 9:26. For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.
Christians who follow at a distance are more concerned about the praise of men than they are the praise of God. John 12:42-43. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Christians who follow at a distance are the ones that seldom ever read their Bible.
Christians who follow at a distance are the ones who are the first to murmur and complain while others are doing the work.
Unfortunately, many preachers have begun to follow at a distance. 2 Timothy 4:3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
Elders too sometimes follow at a distance. Acts 20:29-30. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Importance of a Penitent heart.
If we have been following afar off…
If we have been denying the Lord by word or deed…
We need to be like Peter and repent.
Peter did not allow his weaknesses to cause him to give up.
2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
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