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Simon Peter "Choices"
¨ On the most important night of his life—on the most important night in history—Peter, "the Rock," sat alone in a dark corner weeping.
¨ This wasn’t common place for him.
o He was a strong self-reliant fisherman.
o He was bold!
o He was courageous!
o And now, he was completely undone.
o The Rock had been shattered.
¨ Every great man or woman of God can point to a time of breaking in his or her life where a time of conflict, a time of pressure, or a time of decision transformed them from an ordinary piece of coal into a precious diamond that is pliable in the master’s hand.
¨ Abraham; Isaac; Jacob; David; Solomon; the prophet Jonah; Job;
¨ The disciples...
Peter is one of those individuals who was broken.
¨ Let’s go back to the very beginning when Jesus called him...
¨ Definition:
¨ Cephas means “A stone”.
¨ Simon means “A little stone
¨ We’re going to look at Peter’s life, through the use of four choices in the life of Peter: Are you....
I. Are you....Fishing or Following?
Luke 5:1-11 (King James Version)
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
¨ The Calling
A. What is the relationship with God worth to you?
1. Peter had a choice TO MAKE.
2. He left the world’s security behind him and chose to walk with Christ.
B. When we follow Christ... it’s a walk of faith.
1. He commands us to follow.
2. Peter did. --He left that boat, the net, the bankroll of fish and began a new fishing enterprise:
3. Peter and Co. Fishers of Men. “we catch ’em, God cleans ’em”
4. The choice was before him, and Peter chose Christ.
C. Just like Peter, God has called you to leave your nets and follow Him.
II. Are you...Influenced or Influencing?
¨ Matthew 16:13-16 (King James Version)
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
A. When Jesus asked the question what do others say.
1. It was easy to give the rumours of the day.
2. “but who do you say that I am.”
It was Peter who spoke up.
3. Can you say with personal conviction that God is great, that God is strong, that God is loving, that God is faithful? Because He is!!!! Some of you can. You’ve seen God in moVE in your life...
III. Are you...Fearful or Faithful?
Around the campfire.
¨ Luke 22:55-62 (King James Version)
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
A. What would you have done? If you were Peter... you’ve just been FOUND OUT.
B. there will come a time when you’ll have to make a decision whether or not to stand up for Christ.
C. Peter blew it!!!! ---Peter is a broken man!
D. Have you had a breaking experience in your life? Christ is here to offer you restoration, forgiveness, healing.
IV. Are you...Passive or Powerful?
¨ Acts 2:14-18;36-40 (King James Version)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
A. Simon went from being "one who hears" to Peter the one who does.
B. One who proclaims who Christ is with his life.
Peter led the church through a time of persecution.
C. Remember what James says about a religious person who just listens but never puts into practice what He hears.
¨ We have choices to either:
o Fish or Follow.
o To be Influenced or to Influence
o To be fearful or faithful followers of Christ.
o to live passive or powerful Christian lives.
¨ be the one who follows in spite of the masses;
o He influences in spite of those around him;
o He’s faithful in spite of public opinion;
o He’s powerful in spite of the lukewarm standards.