Sermon Outline

Learning From What Peter Did Wrong:

1. He overestimated his strength. “³¹ Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will run away because of Me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. ³² But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” ³³ Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!” ³⁴ “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!” ³⁵ “Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.” (Matthew 26:31-35)
2. He feared the disapproval of others. “Meanwhile, Peter was following Him at a distance right to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and was sitting with the temple police to see the outcome …”  (Matthew 26:58 & 69-70)
3. He spoke without thinking. “⁷¹ When he had gone out to the gateway, another woman saw him and told those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!”⁷² And again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” ⁷³ After a little while those standing there approached and said to Peter, “You certainly are one of them, since even your accent gives you away.” ⁷⁴ Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I do not know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed, ⁷⁵ and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:71-75)

Learning From What Peter Did Right:

1. He grieved. “… and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75)

2. He let his small group support him. “She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping.” (Mark 16:10)

 3. He cast himself on God’s mercy. “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

What Does Jesus Do When You Fail?

“³¹ Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)

• He isn’t shocked by it.

“Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.” (v. 31^a)

• He prays for you.

^“But I have prayed for you …” (v. 32^a)

• He believes in you.

“… that your faith may not fail.” (v. 32^b)

• He shows you mercy when you’re down.

“And you, when you have turned back …” (v. 32^c)

• He uses your failures to build His church!

“… strengthen your brothers.” (v. 32^d)