Introduction

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you men like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” 34 But He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

54Now they arrested Him and led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 After they kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a slave woman, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and staring at him, said, “This man was with Him as well.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know Him, woman!”

58 And a little later, another person saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 And after about an hour had passed, some other man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he, too, is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” And immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 And then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

So What?!

Why is Peter’s life story so encouraging?

#1. The best of us fall short.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

#2. Jesus never fails.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” II Timothy 2:13

#3. No matter what you do, Jesus doesn’t let go.

“…and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:28

#4. Jesus always forgives.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I John 1:9

Jesus the Philosopher: Answers for Life

Luke 22:31-34 & 54-62, January 19 & 22, 2022

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion:

Read out loud: Luke 22:31-34 & 54-62,

Why is Peter’s life story so encouraging?

#1. The best of us fall short. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Do you remember what it was that ultimately convinced you that you are a sinner? Paul had to rebuke Peter’s hypocrisy of eliminating Gentiles from fellowship, and Peter’s hypocrisy was after he had received the power of the Holy Spirit! Since that is true why do we expect perfection from ourselves and everyone else when even the Apostle Peter couldn’t arrive at perfection. What do you think of the slogan, “Progress not perfection!” What are you making progress in? Do you set small achievable daily steps or grandiose instantaneous goals that are unattainable and defeating? Do you give yourself too little time to change?

#2. Jesus never fails. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” II Timothy 2:13. If our salvation was dependent on our faithfulness we’d fail dismally, but it’s dependent on Jesus faithfulness which gives me security. In what area would you like to be more faithful to Jesus? What one really EASY thing could you do to be more faithful to Jesus?

#3. No matter what you do, Jesus doesn’t let go. “…and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:28. What’s one sentimental thing that you possess that you will never discard or sell? Why is it so important to you, what does it symbolize or of what does it remind you?

Have you ever moved far enough that you had to make new friends? How hard was that? Jesus never leaves and never lets go of us!

#4. Jesus always forgives. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. How often do you confess your sin, or talk to God about something that hasn’t gone well? Do you instantly feel forgiven or does a sense of forgiveness take time?

Family Time: Read the story of Peter to your kids. Ask them: “How scared was Peter to not admit he even knew Jesus?” “Does fear ever cause you to change how you act or speak?” “Do you think Jesus forgave Peter for his fear and lying?” Play the game trust. Have you child stand facing away from you and then fall backwards toward you and you catch them. Does it get easier every time? Trusting in the person doing the catching makes the fear go away!