WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.179 seated. Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:15.140 Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special welcome. If 00:00:15.140 --> 00:00:18.940 you're new or visiting with us, we're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here 00:00:18.940 --> 00:00:25.160 not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community, 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:30.320 and as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good they don't 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:36.780 need God's grace, and no one so bad they can't have it, which is why we turn back week after week 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:43.579 to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. We're continuing our series in the Gospel of Mark. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:49.200 You'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and His life and His death and His resurrection, 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:54.980 and for some time now, we've been walking with Jesus through the very last week before 00:00:54.979 --> 00:01:00.439 His death and His resurrection. We're in between a sandwich right now. We're in between trials. 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:06.659 Last time, we looked at Jesus' religious trial, and next time, we're going to look at Jesus' civil trial, 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:14.859 but in the meantime, and we had a hint at this, by the way, in verse 54, we're going to look at a sad 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:22.679 story from Scripture, which is Peter's denial, and as we do that together, one of the main questions I 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:32.660 want to ask is, why did Peter do it? Why did Peter deny his Lord? And so with that, I'm going to invite 00:01:32.660 --> 00:01:38.540 you to turn with me to Mark chapter 14, starting at verse 66. You can turn in your Bibles. You can turn 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:44.040 on your phones. You can turn in your worship guide. Remember, no matter where you turn, that this is 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:49.420 God's Word, and God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold, 00:01:49.420 --> 00:01:55.680 and it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. And so that's why we 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:03.219 read it now, starting at verse 66. And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:08.680 of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:18.900 you also were with the Nazarene Jesus. Verse 68, but he denied it, saying, I neither know nor understand 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:26.580 what you mean. And he went out into the gateway, and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:35.560 and began again to say to the bystanders, this man is one of them. But again he denied it. And after a 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:42.479 little while, the bystanders again said to Peter, certainly you are one of them, for you are a 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:51.599 Galilean. Verse 71, but he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I don't know this man of whom 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:59.300 you speak. And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:09.040 him, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. And he broke down and wept. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:16.640 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. Our Father in heaven, 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:25.260 we praise you and thank you for telling us not only what's encouraging, but also stories that are sad, 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:31.560 stories of failure and mistakes, so that we can know that we're not alone in our failure and our 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:37.219 mistakes. We thank you for the grace that you offered Peter, and we thank you that that grace 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:43.799 is available to us as well. We ask that you would be at work by your spirit now, searching our minds 00:03:43.799 --> 00:03:50.239 and our hearts, and most of all, showing us the grace that we have in Jesus Christ. It's in his name 00:03:50.240 --> 00:04:00.300 that we ask all of these things. Amen. I certainly don't need to tell you all that it's a major news 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:08.160 event in the U.S. or around the world whenever there's a plane crash. Not a similar news event, 00:04:08.200 --> 00:04:12.939 of course, when there's a car crash. This happens much more frequently. Plane crashes seem these days 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:19.840 to be a rare event. And there's a reason for that. What is it that there's always a search for after a 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:25.939 plane has crashed? What is it that they always want? Yeah, they always want the black box. You guys 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:31.439 pass the test. And the black box, right, is this audio recorder that's in the cockpit where they can 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:38.719 hear exactly what the pilots were saying as the airplane failed. So they can figure out what it is, 00:04:38.799 --> 00:04:45.019 what is it that went wrong? What happened in this situation? Black boxes, by the way, cost tens of 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:50.740 thousands of dollars for just one. The reason being it needs to survive all sorts of circumstances. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:56.959 So if your plane goes down in the sea and it's thousands of feet underneath the surface, that 00:04:56.959 --> 00:05:03.219 black box still needs to be able to function. So thousands of dollars just for one plane are invested 00:05:03.219 --> 00:05:08.659 in this instrument so that they can solve the mystery of what happened and try to prevent it 00:05:08.660 --> 00:05:14.700 from occurring again in the future. I told you earlier, we're going to ask this question, 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:19.600 why is it that Peter betrayed Christ? Of course, we're familiar, if we're Christians, if you've read 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:25.420 the Gospels before, if you've grown up in the church, you know the fact of Peter's betrayal, 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:33.700 his denial, excuse me. What's the reason for it, though? Why is it that he finds himself in this place 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:41.979 of failure? You might wonder the same thing about yourself in your life. How did I end up there? 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:50.560 Or if you're going through it right now, how did I end up here? If you've lived for much time and you 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:56.800 look at your life, it's inevitable that we're going to see moments of failure, lapses of judgment. 00:05:57.099 --> 00:06:02.399 One man has said, and I've mentioned it before, everybody has a rap sheet. 00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:08.659 Now, yours may not be as bad as Peter's, but we don't want to underestimate the seriousness 00:06:08.659 --> 00:06:16.500 of what happens here. Now, why is it that the black box is so important after a plane crash? Well, 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:22.959 I believe the main reason is this, that there's a goal to learn what happened so that we can prevent 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:29.300 it in the future. And that's part of why Peter's story is so important for us. We've been watching 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:34.220 this story unfold for a while throughout the chapter. If you were here with us a few weeks 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:40.139 ago, you may remember that when we were looking at verses 26 through 31, I basically skipped over it. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:45.600 And I said, this is setting us up for what's going to come later. Well, what's going to come later is 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:52.139 now. And that gives us an insight into what's been happening. We are not going to gloss over Peter's 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:57.939 actions now. We're going to turn to them and look directly at them so we can understand the black box of 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:03.420 Peter. We have the recording, in other words. We've not been left to wonder about how Peter ended up in 00:07:03.420 --> 00:07:13.100 this place. No, we've been watching him go here step by step towards his own crash. Okay, so verses 26 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:19.180 through 31, I glossed over this when we were in that passage. Remember, Jesus there predicts that his 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:26.920 disciples will abandon him. And what does Peter say, verse 29, even though they all fall away, 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:34.100 I will not. Now that could be bad enough, but Peter then doubles down. Jesus says, basically, 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:39.900 that's not going to happen. Verse 30, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:49.160 And what does Peter say? If I must die with you, I will not deny you. 00:07:49.160 --> 00:08:00.540 Peter here has more than just overconfidence. Peter's problem is that he has misplaced confidence. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:12.800 Peter has tremendous confidence in himself. And we're just getting started. So Peter tells Jesus, 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:18.160 no, you're wrong. You might be God in the Christ, but when you say, I'm going to deny you, I'm not. 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:24.439 Well, he continues. Remember, the Garden of Gethsemane happens right after this, verses 32 through 42. 00:08:25.020 --> 00:08:31.620 What happens with Peter? He is one of the three that's brought along with Jesus, while the rest of 00:08:31.620 --> 00:08:42.539 the disciples are left behind, he is told to watch and pray. What does Peter do? He sleeps, not once, not twice, 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:52.639 three times. What were Jesus's words? Verse 38, watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:09:12.460 Peter doubles down. He is not just overconfident. He is not just full of his own ability to withstand 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:22.620 temptation. He then, on top of that, fails to watch and pray. It should not surprise us 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:31.919 then what happens next. Peter believes he can succeed on his own, and so the inevitable occurs. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:44.560 He denies Jesus not once, verses 67, 68. He denies him not twice, verses 69 through 70. He denies him 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:55.019 three times, verses 70 through 71. And then, when he realizes what he's done, we're left with this image, 00:09:55.099 --> 00:09:59.439 verse 72. He broke down and wept. 00:10:05.119 --> 00:10:10.639 Christian, the point is this. You are weaker than you realize. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:18.419 You are more dependent than you'd like to admit. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:25.819 I've told you over and over, as we're in the gospel of Mark, that need is the price of admission. And as 00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:31.740 I've said that, I've primarily meant need in terms of recognizing our need for God's grace, our need for 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:36.879 forgiveness. Not just our initial need for God's forgiveness, but our ongoing need for God's 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:44.860 forgiveness. We see here another aspect to our need, our ongoing need for God's strength, help, provision, 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:54.299 and deliverance. We need God every minute, every hour. Calvin says this, page 8 of your worship guide, 00:10:54.659 --> 00:11:00.700 when we look at the figure of Peter, we learn that God must give us strength every minute of the day. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:28.220 Christian, God must give you strength every minute of the day. 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:36.519 We see the same thing you'll find on page 6 of your worship guide. 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:42.580 If there is one thing we can be certain God wants to teach us, surely it is to convince us once again 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:49.360 that we are frail, life is fragile, and we depend upon God for everything. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:12:05.620 Christian, you are weaker than you realize, more dependent than you're willing to admit. 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:09.639 Why did Peter deny Christ? 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:22.360 He relied on himself. He failed to rely on God. He was confident in his ability, underestimated his need 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:31.840 for God's strength. He was warned and encouraged to watch and pray, and instead he slept. 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:37.440 We need God's help every minute of every day. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:41.040 Jesus tells us the same thing in John chapter 15. He says, 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:46.620 I am divine. You are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:51.639 For apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:57.240 Peter gives us a warning himself, by the way. 00:12:57.379 --> 00:13:02.559 The character of this story later writes a couple letters, and his first letter, he says this, 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:04.539 Be sober-minded, be watchful. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:11.679 Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 00:13:12.699 --> 00:13:15.779 Resist him, firm in your faith. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:21.000 Peter writes that as someone who learned not the easy way, but the hard way. 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:25.819 Peter learned that the devil is indeed a roaring lion. 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:35.959 Christian, your enemy, the devil, really is looking for someone to devour. 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:46.440 He was able to get Peter for a time, thankfully because of God's grace, not forever. 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:50.240 The enemy is dangerous. 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.960 The threat is real. 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:59.440 Woe to those who trust in themselves. 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:06.140 Woe to those who believe they've graduated from temptation. 00:14:06.420 --> 00:14:09.240 They don't need to confess their sins. 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:14.840 They don't need accountability or the advice or counsel of others. 00:14:16.260 --> 00:14:19.140 Woe to those who are spiritually self-sufficient. 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:23.740 Who aim to fight battles without prayer. 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:28.740 Who believe they can do it all in their own strength. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:32.920 Who think they've moved on from the basics. 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:38.140 Why is it that we fail so often? 00:14:40.160 --> 00:14:41.840 There are many reasons. 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.920 One of them is this. 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:49.320 We rely on ourselves rather than trusting in God. 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:57.960 We rely on our own wisdom, our man-made rules, our worldly principles. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:07.540 And when we can admit that, it's worth joining Peter and weeping. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:15.419 Peter teaches us about our utter dependence on God. 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:19.199 Peter warns us about trusting ourselves. 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:24.079 Peter shows us the strategies and tactics of the devil. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:30.819 We must rely on God rather than ourselves. 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:36.840 We must look to God in prayer more than our own plans. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:45.200 We must ask God to protect us every hour, every day. 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:52.640 We must never forget what Jesus told Peter. 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:54.300 Verse 38. 00:15:55.020 --> 00:15:58.440 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:04.000 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:11.940 Thankfully, though, Peter doesn't just leave us with a warning in this passage. 00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:17.100 The story of Peter's life and the story of his relationship with Jesus 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:22.039 shows us there is not just a warning, but there's also great grace. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:27.820 Now, to understand that grace, I, for one more minute, want to tell you how bad this is. 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:34.100 Because to understand the grace of God, we have to understand the seriousness of sin. 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:37.440 It is not a small thing that happens here with Peter. 00:16:37.540 --> 00:16:39.440 It is, in fact, a very big deal. 00:16:39.520 --> 00:16:42.480 It is a scandalous thing that Peter does here. 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:45.580 How do we know that it's scandalous for him to deny Christ? 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:48.540 Well, we have Christ's own words early on in the gospel. 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:50.379 Mark 8, verse 38. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.159 He says this, 00:16:51.580 --> 00:17:04.980 Now, you might read that and think, 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:07.279 Okay, Jesus will be ashamed of this person. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:10.259 That sounds bad, but maybe it's not that bad. 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.500 Well, Jesus clarifies for us. 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:14.619 Matthew chapter 10, he says this, 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:20.739 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:29.439 But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 00:17:30.699 --> 00:17:33.299 That's how serious Peter's denial is here. 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:38.019 Jesus says, without qualification, you deny me, I will deny you. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:45.799 And yet, there is still grace for Peter. 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:50.220 What do we do here with Peter's great failure? 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:57.299 Well, there's two major contrasts, character contrasts, we're meant to see with Peter in this chapter. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:18:00.480 One of them is Peter as opposed to Judas. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:03.400 The other is Peter compared to Jesus. 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:06.079 Okay, and first we're going to talk about Peter compared to Judas. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:09.159 Judas, remember, did not just deny Christ. 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.319 He betrayed him. 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:15.339 There's one other major difference, though, between Judas and Peter. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:21.439 Peter weeps. 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:25.639 Judas does not. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:30.359 And we learn from Peter's story, ultimately, these are tears of repentance. 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:37.619 I've told you before that tears are often a sign of spiritual life. 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:42.339 Judas gives in to despair. 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:45.879 Peter embraces repentance. 00:18:46.699 --> 00:18:48.119 We know the rest of the story. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:52.819 Peter goes on to be restored to Jesus. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:55.500 Jesus restores him personally in the Gospel of John. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:19:00.339 And there we see Jesus invite him, feed him breakfast, 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:06.279 and send him out to be one of the leaders of the church. 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:09.220 Peter's story continues. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:15.859 He's the one who tells us in 1 and 2 Peter, which we looked at as a church several years ago, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:18.680 about the importance of not denying Christ. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:21.859 About the importance of enduring suffering. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:27.179 He's the one who warns us that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:30.679 God redeems Peter's story. 00:19:31.979 --> 00:19:32.539 Why? 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:36.019 Because Peter was willing to weep. 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:39.599 Judas was not. 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:44.219 Judas instead gave in to despair. 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:47.159 Peter, by the way, goes on to become one of the pillars of the church. 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:50.719 Church history tells us that he was crucified upside down. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:57.339 Because he believed he wasn't worthy of having the same crucifixion as his Lord. 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:04.460 So I hope that you're challenged by this passage. 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:09.720 And I hope that God uses it to search our hearts together. 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:12.400 And I also hope that you're encouraged. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:18.940 I also hope that God uses the story of Peter to give you great hope. 00:20:19.280 --> 00:20:22.300 Even when sin is present. 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:24.500 Even when there's great failure. 00:20:25.800 --> 00:20:28.420 There is always a future. 00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:32.640 For those who repent. 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:37.740 Even if it's a great violation. 00:20:39.020 --> 00:20:43.400 We never lose our future and our hope. 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:47.300 When we come back to God with tears of repentance. 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:54.919 I tell you that because John chapter 8 reminds us that the devil is a liar. 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.299 John says this. 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:58.419 When he lies, he speaks out of his own character. 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:02.059 For he is a liar and the father of lies. 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.119 And one of the lies is this. 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:08.339 Satan wants to convince you that it's all over. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:08.419 Peter. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.359 You have failed. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.839 Maybe you failed as dramatically as Peter. 00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:17.579 And what he wants to whisper to you and what he will whisper to you. 00:21:17.939 --> 00:21:19.879 Is that there is no future for you. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:25.619 He will tell you that it is time to give up. 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:31.459 Peter reminds us that that is a lie from the pit of hell. 00:21:32.699 --> 00:21:37.519 That is false even when there's great transgression. 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:41.559 Now I'm not saying that the consequences won't be serious. 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.259 Right? 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:44.419 Especially if there's a great violation. 00:21:45.199 --> 00:21:49.199 What I am saying is that no matter what you have done. 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:52.959 There is hope wherever there's repentance. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:58.439 There is hope wherever there are tears. 00:21:58.659 --> 00:22:00.240 Yes, there may be real loss. 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:03.019 Yes, there may be things that you can't undo. 00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:08.079 The greatest hope, your greatest hope is not gone. 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:10.819 Remember Peter. 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:15.019 Again, in one of his letters talks about our inheritance in heaven. 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.799 And what does he say? 00:22:16.199 --> 00:22:18.579 It's imperishable, undefiled. 00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.919 It's kept in heaven for you. 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:23.699 I bet that was a comforting thing for Peter to think about. 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:27.559 Knowing how many things he messed up here on earth. 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:38.159 Knowing that those couldn't threaten what he had in heaven with Christ. 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:43.880 So Christian, don't let Satan lie to you. 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.519 The truth is this. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:49.620 Where there is repentance, there is great hope. 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:57.099 Whatever mistakes you've made as a friend or a brother or a sister, 00:22:58.039 --> 00:23:00.859 there's hope where there's repentance. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:06.119 Whatever mistakes you've made as an employee or as a soldier, 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:09.359 there is hope where there's repentance. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:13.619 Whatever mistakes you've made as a parent, 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:17.959 even if your children are grown, 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:23.339 there is hope where there is repentance. 00:23:24.699 --> 00:23:28.719 Whatever mistake you have made as a spouse, 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:33.159 even if the divorce is final, 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:37.319 there is hope where there's repentance. 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:41.539 But there must be repentance. 00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:45.480 We need tears, not despair. 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:49.619 We need Peter, not Judas. 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.859 I told you earlier, 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:59.419 there's two main contrasts that we're meant to pick up on here with Peter. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:01.480 One of them is between Peter and Judas. 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:05.419 Peter shows us the way of life, Judas the way of death. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:09.440 The other contrast is between Peter and Jesus. 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:15.320 Remember I told you when we were in the last passage to not overlook verse 54. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:18.320 Verse 54 told us this, 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:34.379 Peter's story is sandwiched between Jesus' religious trial and his civil trial in the narrative. 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:37.139 All of that is to tell us this one thing. 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:43.140 This episode with Peter happens while Jesus is before the Sanhedrin. 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:47.360 These two things are occurring at the same time. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:53.200 That is meant to underscore and highlight for us this, 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:59.200 Peter is faithless while Jesus is faithful. 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:09.519 Peter denies Christ and refuses to walk into suffering at the very same moment that Jesus is choosing suffering. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:16.580 Jesus is telling the truth while Peter is lying. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:20.859 Peter has hope. 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:25.679 We have hope for that very same reason. 00:25:27.919 --> 00:25:31.799 Jesus remains faithful in the face of opposition and persecution 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:37.619 so that he can welcome back his people who repent. 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:48.599 Peter has hope in the courtyard of the high priest because Jesus is standing faithful in the upper room of the high priest. 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:51.379 Jesus is failing. 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.239 Excuse me. 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:55.259 Jesus is succeeding while Peter is failing. 00:25:58.459 --> 00:26:02.019 Jesus didn't lie last week before the Sanhedrin. 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:07.680 Jesus is not going to lie next week before the civil court. 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:11.139 Jesus doesn't deny his people. 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:15.359 And instead, he goes straight to the cross. 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:19.240 Brothers and sisters, that is our Lord Jesus. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:23.980 He is faithful when we are faithless. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:28.839 He tells the truth even when we lie. 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:41.459 We stay close to God so that we can stay far away from sin because we know we need him every minute. 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:51.639 And when we fail, we return to God because we know he offers us hope and forgiveness. 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:55.220 And so that's why we're able to sing, 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:57.680 grace, grace, God's grace. 00:26:58.580 --> 00:27:01.120 Grace that is greater than all our sin. 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.820 Let's pray. 00:27:04.020 --> 00:27:08.340 Our Father in heaven, we praise you and thank you for Jesus. 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:12.040 We thank you that he tells the truth when we lie. 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:15.400 We thank you that he's faithful when we're faithless. 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:20.420 We thank you that he runs towards suffering even when we run away from it. 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:22.960 We ask that you would make us like Peter, 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:26.920 that in our failure, we would return in tears to you, 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:33.019 and that you would continue to use us as your instruments in this world for your glory. 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:35.980 We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:36.759 Amen. 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:36.900 Amen. 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:36.960 Amen. 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:36.980 Amen.