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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE
THE APOSTLES OF JESUS CHRIST
THE APOSTLE PETER
Matthew 4:18-37; 16:13-23; 26:69-75; 28:16-20; Luke 5:1-11;Luke 8:22-25; John 1:40-42;
John 20:1-8; 21:1-22; Acts 1-12; 1 Peter; 2 Peter
Introduction:
You have heard of Superman – the Man of Steel. Tonight we see Peter – the Man of Zeal!
Peter is a man who is somewhat familiar to all who have ever studied the New Testament.
His position among the apostles and in the early church was certainly prominent.
He was obviously the top man until the Apostle Paul came on the scene. However, his elevation to the position of "Vicar of Christ" and the claims that he was the first pope by the Roman Catholic Church are without foundation.
Some of Jesus’ first recorded words to Simon Peter were “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19).
Some of His last words to him were “Follow thou me” (John 21:22).
Every step of the way between those two challenges, Peter did his best to follow—even though he often stumbled. Proverbs 24:16–“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.”
When Jesus entered Peter’s life, this plain fisherman became a new person with new goals and new priorities. However, he did not become a perfect person and he never stopped being Simon Peter.
We may wonder what Jesus saw in Simon that made Him greet this potential disciple with a new name, Peter–“the Rock.” Peter, who was very impulsive, certainly didn’t act like a rock much of the time. But when Jesus chose His followers, He chose people who could be changed by His love even though they often failed Him.
We may wonder what Jesus sees in us when He calls us to follow Him. But we know Jesus accepted Peter, and, in spite of his failures, Peter went on to do great things for God.
The question for us is this, are we willing to keep following Jesus, even when we fail Him?
Strengths And Accomplishments:
Peter became the recognized leader among Jesus’ disciples–he was one of the three in Christ’s inner circle of disciples.
Peter was the first great voice of the Gospel during and after Pentecost.
Peter wrote two epistles which became accepted into the Canon of the Scriptures.
Weaknesses And Mistakes:
Peter often spoke without thinking and he was brash and impulsive.
During Jesus’ trial, Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus.
Peter found it hard to treat Gentile Christians as equals.
Peter's life offers many lessons for us as we study his life.
I. THE BACKGROUND OF PETER.
A. His family background. John 1:40-44
1. His father was Jona, a man who we know nothing about.
2. His brother was Andrew, also a disciple, who led him to Christ.
3. He was from the city of Bethsaida, in Galilee. (On the North shore of the sea of Galilee.)
B. His pre-salvation life.
1. As a young Jewish boy he most likely would have been raised in the synagogue schools. (We are not told this for sure, but it is highly likely.)
a. There he would have learned many Scriptures.
b. He would also have learned to value his Jewishness and to look down on Gentiles.
2. As a grown man he was involved in the fishing business with his brother Andrew. (Matthew 4:18)
a. This was apparently a prosperous business since Peter had a wife and a home in Capernaum. (Mark 1:21,29-30)
b. The fisherman's life would have given much freedom and independence to Peter as opposed to the control and discipline necessary in a group situation.
C. The salvation and call of Peter. John 1:40-42; Matthew 4:18-20
1. He was led to Jesus by his brother Andrew. (John 1:40)
2. Jesus immediately changed his name. (John 1:42)
a. His original name was Simon, a Jewish name, which means “hearing or listening.”
b. Jesus named him Cephas.
(1) Cephas is an Aramaic or Syrian word.
(2) Cephas is interpreted to mean a stone.
c. Peter or Petra is the Greek word for stone or rock.
d. The new name did not reflect Simon Peter's immediate character.
(1) Jesus knew about his instability and presumptuousness.
(2) Nevertheless, Jesus saw his potential and began to train him.
(3) Jesus anticipated the time when he would be the rock man.
3. There was a second call when Peter and Andrew left all to follow Jesus. (Matthew 4:18-20)
II. THE LIFE OF PETER AS A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST IN HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY.
A. When Peter started following Jesus everything was new for him but he did not lose the individuality of his manhood.
B. Let’s look at Peter's experiences with Jesus that involved the sea:
1. Jesus told Peter how to fish and then called him to be a fisher of men. (Luke 5:1-11)
a. Jesus taught the people from Peter's boat. (Luke 5:3)
b. After finishing teaching Jesus told Peter to put out the nets and fish.
(1) This was after they had fished all night.
(2) This was not the time to fish.
c. Peter reluctantly agreed to go out and fish.
(1) Peter was an experienced fisherman and knew this didn’t make sense.
(2) Peter's sin nature was surely wanting to speak up more than he did!
d. Fish were caught and Peter recognized Jesus as Lord of the sea and all that was in it.
2. A storm arose at sea and Peter and the others feared for their lives.
(Luke 8:22-25)
a. The ship was in danger of sinking and Jesus slept peacefully.
b. The disciples awoke Jesus and He rebuked the wind and water.
c. The glorious personage of Jesus was acknowledged.
3. Peter walked on the water. (Matthew 14:22-33)
a. Peter had both confidence and an adventurous spirit to attempt the walk.
b. Peter walked on the water as long as he was focused on Jesus.
4. Peter caught a fish and paid their taxes. (Matthew 17:24-27)
C. Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.
(Matthew 16:13-23)
1. Jesus was asking the disciples who men said that he was and in the process pinned them down as to whom they said he was. (16:13-15)
2. Peter said that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. (16:16)
3. Peter was given a special commendation by Jesus. (16:17-18)
a. His answer had been learned spiritually.
b. Jesus said that Simon, the son of Jona was Peter (a little rock) and upon this rock, Jesus will build his church.
(1) Some say that Jesus was pointing to himself as the rock upon which he would build his church.
(2) Some say that Peter's confession of faith was the rock upon which Jesus would build his church.
(3) Roman Catholics say Peter was being given a special place and they proceeded to elevate him to pope or vicar of Christ.
(4) We need to look at the Scriptural teaching taken in its entirety.
(a) Peter had just given a Holy Spirit directed confession of Christ.
(b) Jesus Christ himself is presented elsewhere in Scripture as the true foundation and cornerstone.
(1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:3-9)
(c) With Jesus as the True Foundation the church is to be built on men inspired of God to do and teach great things and who confess that Christ is the Son of the living God.
i) James, Cephas, and John are spoken of as pillars. (Galatians 2:9)
ii) The body of Christ is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
(Ephesians 2:20)
iii) The names of the apostles are in the foundations of the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:14)
4. Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. (16:19)
What were the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” that Jesus gave Him?
A key, of course, unlocks doors and makes available something which was previously closed.
He used these keys on three occasions.
a. He opened the gospel to the Jews. (Acts 2:38-42)
b. He went to Samaria with John where they laid hands on Philip's converts who in turn received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)
c. He opened the Gospel to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house at Caesarea. (Acts 10)
The teachers of the Law in Jesus’ time had “taken away the key to knowledge” (Luke 11:52) and bound the Jewish people to multiple rules that actually “hindered those who were entering [God’s kingdom].” Peter, in preaching the first sermon to Jews (Acts 2) and Gentiles (Acts 10) used the key of knowledge of the Gospel and “loosed” those who had been bound, by directing them to Jesus.
The Holman Bible Dictionary says this about the keys of heaven:
“Scripture nowhere suggests that the “power of the keys” was either a personal privilege or an ecclesiastical office that could be handed on by Peter or anyone else. Rather, it refers to the stewardship of the gospel entrusted to those historically unique eyewitnesses who as Christ’s apostles could give authoritative testimony to the salvation that is found only in Him, a hope which could be confidently offered and promised (“on earth”) as an already present gift (“in heaven”) to those who confess Him.”
Understand that the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” were also given to us in a sense. Each time we share the Gospel with someone who does not previously know it, we unlock the door of salvation to them and make it available to them for the first time.
D. Peter made three boasts concerning his loyalty to Jesus.
1. He would never be offended because of the Lord. (Matthew 26:33)
2. He would die before denying his Lord. (26:35)
3. He was ready to go to prison and to death for the Lord. (Luke 22:32)
E. Peter was given three warnings by the Lord.
1. He savored the things of men. Matthew 16:23
2. He would deny Jesus before the cock crowed. Matthew 26:34
3. He would be sifted by Satan. Luke 22:31
F. Peter denied the Lord. Luke 22:54-62
1. He was following afar off.
2. He was warming himself at the wrong fires.
3. His self will and self confidence failed him.
4. His denial was an act of weakness rather than hypocrisy.
5. Peter was convicted and wept bitterly.
G. Peter got a special lesson on forgiveness. Matthew 18:21-22
H. Peter's special session with the Lord after the resurrection. John 21
1. Peter and the other disciples went on an unsuccessful fishing trip. 21:3-8
a. They fished all night and caught nothing. 21:3
b. Jesus appeared the next morning and showed them where to catch fish. 21:6
c. Peter would be reminded of other incidents he had shared with Jesus.
2. Jesus dined with the disciples. 21:9-14
3. Jesus questioned and commissioned Peter. 21:15-17
a. He asked him three times if he loved him.
b. Peter confessed his love three times.
(1) There was one confession for each denial.
(2) Peter's answer shows that his self confidence is no longer so bold and brash.
c. Peter was commissioned to feed Jesus' sheep.
4. Peter was told of the death he would experience. 21:18-19
III. THE LIFE OF PETER AS AN APOSTLE AFTER JESUS’ RESURRECTION.
A. The Lord's patience with and training of Peter came to fruition.
1. He had finally learned self restraint.
2. His sense of sin and his bitter tears appears to have produced tenderness.
3. His natural courage was now mixed with a total dependence on the Lord.
B. Peter preached mighty sermons and stood courageously before the enemies of the Lord.
C. Peter is the dominant figure in the first twelve chapters of the book of Acts.
He was the apostle to the Jews.
D. Peter's human weaknesses were not totally erased. Galatians 2:11-21
1. Peter had been taught that the Gentiles were to be received in the churches on an equal basis. Acts 10; 11
a. He was shown, in a vision, that the ceremonial Law and its requirements were no longer in effect. 10:9-18
b. He preached to the Gentiles at Cornelius' house. 10:34-48
2. He ate with the Gentiles. 11:1-3
3. Certain legalizers came and Peter succumbed to their pressure and ceased fellowshipping with the Gentiles. Galatians 2:11-12
4. Paul rebuked Peter for failing to stand true on grace. Galatians 2:11-21
E. Peter is the human author of First and Second Peter.
1. In his epistles he is seen as subdued, patient, humble, and loving.
2. He is moved to warn of pride and self confidence. 1 Peter 2:21-24; 5:5,8
3. He used the word precious 5 times in 1 Peter.
4. He used the word suffer 16 times in 1 Peter.
5. He wrote 2 Peter when he knew his martyrdom was near.
IV. SOME SPECIAL THOUGHTS ABOUT PETER.
A. He had his faults because he was human. However, his failures and triumphs were stepping stones to higher heights.
B. Only the name of the Lord comes up more often than Peter's.
C. Jesus spoke more often to Peter than any other disciple.
D. Peter spoke more than any other disciple.
E. The Lord apparently saw Peter as a diamond in the rough.
Conclusion
There are some lessons that we can learn from Peter’s life:
1. Our enthusiasm for the Lord needs to be backed up by faith and understanding or it will fail.
2. God’s faithfulness can compensate for our greatest unfaithfulness.
3. It is better to be a follower who fails than one who fails to follow.
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!