Sermon notes from a message on Saturday 5/14/2016
At various stages of life we all experience various types of failure. How we
respond to failure can determine whether we live a life that manifests joy and
hope versus bitterness and depression. Many biblical figures experienced one
failure after the other. We can learn from their experiences in overcoming failure
and not giving up. Paul exemplifies the attitude we need in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"..we are sore pressed at every point, but not hammered in; we are wit's
end, but never at our hopes end, we are persecuted by men, but never abandoned
by God; we are knocked down but not knocked out."
When we do feel knocked out we need to remember to look to God and remember
his promises of not forsaking us. We may feel like a total failure but Jesus
Christ promises not to abandon us ( Matthew 28:20). God also promises to
use all things -- even our failures -- for our own good (Romans 8:28). God's commitment to these promises can be seen in how Jesus Christ dealt with
Peter. Peter's boast that he would not betray Christ sound like many Christians
today (Matthew 28:33-35). Yet Peter failed miserably and denied Jesus
three times (Matthew 26:74-75; John 18:13-27).
After the resurrection how did Jesus deal with Peter? He could have rejected
him after all Peter's denial was public and undoubtedly cause for some of the
mocking of Jesus by the Roman soldiers. Jesus after the resurrection
sought after Peter who apparently had separated himself from the other disciples. The
resurrected Jesus sought after him and appeared to him first and then to the
twelve (Luke 24;34; I Corinthians 15:4-5). Instead of allowing Peter to languish in shame and depression, Jesus reinstates and reenlists him in his
service (John 21:1-17). How Jesus deals with Peter should fill us with
hope and determination that even in our failures there is still hope and future
victory is possible through God's grace and help!
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