WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.060 We are making what I think is a safe assumption that you know that your children are dismissed 00:00:09.060 --> 00:00:29.980 ! I do love listening to you sing, but I really like saying, turn in your Bibles. 00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:38.840 So I want you to turn to John chapter 13. We're going to look at verse 36 through 38 this morning. 00:00:39.899 --> 00:00:49.379 Before we do that, I want to say greetings to Rich and Christy and their family. All of you are here. 00:00:49.379 --> 00:00:53.679 Would you stand up, please? I just have to see you at full length. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:06.200 I was praying for Rich. 00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:12.659 Rich, I sent him a text. 00:01:14.240 --> 00:01:16.859 And he said, oh, I'll be in church on Sunday. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:17.700 I thought, wow. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:21.019 I wish everybody I prayed for were here today. 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:28.659 Well, Rich, would you pray for me as I preach this morning? 00:01:28.659 --> 00:01:32.659 And I drink. 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:32.659 00:01:32.659 --> 00:02:02.640 Thank you. 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:32.639 Thank you. 00:02:32.659 --> 00:03:02.639 Thank you. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:04.659 Thank you. 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:34.659 Thank you. 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:36.659 Thank you. 00:03:36.659 --> 00:03:38.659 Thank you. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:40.659 Thank you. 00:03:40.659 --> 00:03:42.659 Thank you. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:44.659 Thank you. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:46.659 Thank you. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:50.520 and I put those out for you is so that they'll kind of serve as a compass point, 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:57.519 something to kind of focus you and lock your mind in on some essential truth 00:03:57.519 --> 00:04:00.139 for your benefit and for His glory. 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:04.919 For one, I want to remind you of this fact that all things in Scripture are valuable. 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:10.120 We have a tendency, there's some passages that we really lock in and we appreciate, 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:13.240 and we, oh man, that's great. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:19.699 But the Scriptures make it clear that all Scripture is given by inspiration 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:24.160 and is profitable that the man of God may be completely furnished, 00:04:24.579 --> 00:04:27.160 completely equipped for every good work. 00:04:27.280 --> 00:04:31.759 And so when we hit some of those passages that we're naturally inclined to kind of, 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:34.500 yeah, yeah, I got that one, step on, don't do it. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:40.519 Ask the Spirit of God to enable you in your study 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:45.299 and your appreciation for the Word that He has given to us 00:04:45.299 --> 00:04:50.279 to dig in and understand what is this passage here for 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:53.120 and how does it apply, what does it do 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:57.620 in equipping my heart for godliness and leading me in the path of righteousness. 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:01.479 There's another thing that I think is important for us to remember, 00:05:01.659 --> 00:05:04.159 and that is that when we're in the Scriptures, 00:05:04.159 --> 00:05:08.099 it's always important to remember that really the center point, 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:11.160 the focal point of Scripture is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:19.320 I like the fact that John's Gospel tells us over in John 20, verse 31, 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:23.160 what the theme and the purpose of the book of John is. 00:05:23.220 --> 00:05:23.640 What is it? 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:24.900 Does anybody remember offhand? 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:30.360 These things are written so that you can feel really good about yourself. 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:32.920 Am I right? 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:39.080 Now, just check in to see if you've been listening to Dr. Phil this morning. 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:45.640 These things are written that you might know that Jesus is the Christ 00:05:45.640 --> 00:05:47.939 and believing you might have eternal life. 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:49.639 Now, I may have lost a word or so, 00:05:49.740 --> 00:05:54.600 but the point is the heart of Scripture is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:55.240 Isn't that right? 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.980 And we're going to see that again this morning as we step into this passage. 00:05:59.980 --> 00:06:04.240 Ultimately, all Scripture is there to lift up the supremacy 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:05.600 and the glory of the Lord Jesus, 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:07.920 and that's why we're here this morning, 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:11.720 that we find our supreme satisfaction and our delight 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:15.020 in the person and the work of Christ. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:20.580 And so this morning as we are looking at this text, 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:25.300 we are kind of reminded that we're dealing with a rather sordid moment, 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:28.340 a very sad moment in the life of Peter. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:33.520 How many of you would like everybody to remember perfect things about you, 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:35.139 your most glorious moments? 00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:41.960 And yet the Scriptures record the incessant failures of men 00:06:41.960 --> 00:06:44.780 that God used for His glory. 00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:49.019 And here we are, we're looking at Peter's life, 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:54.659 and we're picking up on one of the just abject failures of this individual 00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:56.399 that leaves us kind of wondering, 00:06:56.599 --> 00:06:59.680 oh, how could Peter do that? 00:07:00.419 --> 00:07:03.199 And a fair question is, so why is it here? 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:05.299 And we'll get into that a little bit more. 00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:09.359 But I do want you to understand that this failure of Peter 00:07:09.359 --> 00:07:11.899 appears in all four Gospels. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:13.899 That's interesting. 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:18.639 I don't mean to suggest that there's kind of a value structure 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:21.279 that anything that appears in only one Gospel 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:25.120 is not as valuable as something that appears in all four Gospels. 00:07:25.659 --> 00:07:27.319 And the point I would make is that 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:31.879 most of what we find in chapter 13 all the way to 17, 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:34.719 the upper room discourse and some of the things 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:38.299 that happened in the last five hours of Christ's life 00:07:38.299 --> 00:07:41.039 prior to the cross happens only in the book of John. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:45.300 And that doesn't mean to suppose that that must be less valuable 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:47.860 than what we find in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:52.439 But it is noteworthy that here we have this particular incident 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.660 in the life of Peter the Apostle recorded in all four Gospels. 00:07:56.780 --> 00:08:00.140 And for the most part, we're not going to jump back and forth 00:08:00.140 --> 00:08:02.600 between the other Gospels, but we do want to recognize 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:04.820 that we're going to pick up some detail there 00:08:04.820 --> 00:08:09.720 that will help us understand just the depth of the failure of Peter. 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:13.660 Here we are within hours of the cross, 00:08:14.380 --> 00:08:19.560 and we find Jesus ministering in a very, very pointed 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:22.940 and deliberate way to those that He was going to die for. 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:25.880 We saw earlier in our study in the book of John 00:08:25.880 --> 00:08:29.360 His affection and His tenderness to Judas, 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:31.760 and we think, wow, how could He do that 00:08:31.760 --> 00:08:34.139 to a person who He knew was going to betray Him? 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:40.659 Now you find Him doing something similar in the life of Peter 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:43.120 who was going to deny Him in just a few minutes. 00:08:44.419 --> 00:08:47.720 So as we step into the text, we begin there in verse 36, 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:49.360 Simon Peter said to Him, 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.240 Lord, where are you going? 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:55.439 I want you to look first of all at a picture of pride. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:58.639 That's what this is, pride. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.779 How many of you have ever been involved in a conversation 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:04.439 and you're trying to make a meaningful point to someone 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:05.559 that you really care about, 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.500 and the minute you take a breath, 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:10.259 they step in with something that is not related at all? 00:09:10.319 --> 00:09:10.899 Have you ever been there? 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:17.059 They have been waiting to let you know how important they are. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.100 And none of you have ever done that, 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.399 but you've experienced it, right? 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:24.340 And here's Peter. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:29.320 Jesus has been pouring His heart out. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:34.019 He has broken the bread and He's shared the cup, 00:09:34.300 --> 00:09:34.759 and He says, 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:38.580 this cup is the cup of New Testament in my blood. 00:09:38.920 --> 00:09:41.100 This bread is broken for you. 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:43.220 He's talking about the cross. 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:48.800 He speaks about the fact that He is going to be betrayed. 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:51.459 And all through this, 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:54.319 you can kind of get the sense in this passage 00:09:54.319 --> 00:09:55.959 that here is Peter. 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.799 Just as soon as Jesus finishes talking, 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:01.699 Peter starts off in a completely different direction. 00:10:02.079 --> 00:10:04.559 It's kind of like Jesus is saying, 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:06.659 yeah, I'm going to die for you. 00:10:06.719 --> 00:10:08.740 I do want you to really work at loving each other 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:11.039 because this business of loving each other, 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.879 it's not like you've got your hands all around this. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:13.659 You need some help. 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:14.439 You need some reminder. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:17.620 And as soon as Peter has an opportunity, 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:19.879 yeah, well, I understand what you're saying is important, 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:21.240 but let me tell you something else. 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:22.039 I've been listening. 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:23.000 Where are you going? 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.360 What's up? 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:26.259 Where are you going? 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:30.799 And when you find this little statement made by Peter, 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:36.179 it is kind of a very sober reminder to all of us 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:39.279 that we would be well served 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:42.860 if we would be better listeners to what Jesus has to say 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.840 rather than thinking about our own agenda all the time. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:48.100 Here's Peter not picking up the details. 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:52.420 Well, I want you to look at another of the gospel accounts, 00:10:52.540 --> 00:10:53.920 and so keep your finger in John. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.259 We're going to come back to it in a minute, 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:58.240 but turn, if you will, over to Matthew 26. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.980 As we look at the passage in Matthew as well, 00:11:05.040 --> 00:11:06.360 we're going to pick up some details 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:08.740 that help us understand the circumstances 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.940 and the setting a little better. 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:12.600 Matthew 26, verse 31. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.160 Verse 30 says, 00:11:18.280 --> 00:11:19.140 And when they'd sung a hymn, 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:21.000 they went out to the Mount of Olives. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.180 Then Jesus said to them, 00:11:22.520 --> 00:11:24.940 You will all fall away because of me this night, 00:11:25.020 --> 00:11:25.620 for it is written, 00:11:26.040 --> 00:11:27.280 I will strike the shepherd, 00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:29.480 and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 00:11:29.800 --> 00:11:30.980 But after I am raised up, 00:11:31.020 --> 00:11:32.420 I will go before you to Galilee. 00:11:32.540 --> 00:11:34.700 Peter answered him, 00:11:34.880 --> 00:11:36.700 Though they all fall away because... 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:38.140 I will never fall. 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.259 Can you hear it? 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.600 There's a guy that's pretty full of himself, isn't he? 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.980 You know, yeah. 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:50.100 The rest of these guys, 00:11:50.199 --> 00:11:51.220 I don't know why you picked them, 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:54.539 but yeah, I expect them to fall away. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.759 They're a low life, you know. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:58.639 They're not very well spiritually founded, 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:00.659 and they're not where I am. 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.620 They may fall, but not me. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.319 I'm with this one. 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:04.899 I'm okay. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:04.980 Okay. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.519 So here you have Peter. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:11.860 How many of you have ever wondered 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:16.720 just what a loose cannon Peter really was? 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:17.659 Have you ever kind of... 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:19.399 Why did you pick him? 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:22.819 I debated back and forth about telling the story, 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.299 but I will. 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:28.199 It's always dangerous when pastors debate stories 00:12:28.199 --> 00:12:29.159 and then go ahead anyway. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.240 Am I right, Pastor Sherris? 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:32.340 Like afterwards, you have an opportunity to say, 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:33.780 I shouldn't have done it, but here we go. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:37.660 When I think about the Bible picture of Peter, 00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:41.080 it kind of gives me a great deal of hope 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:43.240 that if God can use someone like Peter, 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:44.139 he probably... 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:46.480 I've got some hope and encouragement, right? 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.300 I got to tell you, 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.620 when I was growing up, 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:52.580 my parents went out of their way 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:54.540 to see to it that the Kenoyer children 00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:56.639 had every conceivable opportunity 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.840 of being enculturated. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:02.220 I learned how to eat chicken 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:05.039 with a fork and knife instead of my fingers. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.919 It was a long process 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:09.659 and really not one that I keep handy anymore, 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.799 but I learned how to eat chicken 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:12.939 with a fork and a knife, 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:14.620 and there are all kinds of things that went well. 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.460 My parents, as we were traveling 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.740 back and forth from India, 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.840 missionaries in India, 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:20.879 they made it a point to take us 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:23.259 to every dog and pony show. 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:26.820 There were places we went, 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:27.600 dog and pony show. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.720 You're wondering what that's all about. 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:30.100 Were they really into dogs and ponies? 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:30.620 No, no, no. 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.800 We went to all kinds of significant, 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:33.840 historic museums. 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:35.519 We saw them all. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.960 All different kinds of cathedrals 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.840 through Europe. 00:13:40.680 --> 00:13:43.240 One place that I remember distinctly 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.420 was St. Peter's Basilica. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.259 Does anybody know where 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.680 St. Peter's Basilica is? 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:51.540 It is in Rome. 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:56.340 It is the center point. 00:13:58.019 --> 00:14:00.280 I remember St. Peter's Basilica 00:14:00.280 --> 00:14:01.780 for two particular reasons. 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:05.700 One is that there was a central place 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:10.639 below grade where Peter was supposedly buried. 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:14.379 And my brother Mark 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:18.080 decided that he would stick his head, 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.660 he couldn't see over top. 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.180 He was short. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.220 So he stuck his head down through. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:24.420 How many of you know how balusters are carved? 00:14:24.540 --> 00:14:26.020 You know, they're kind of carved like this. 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:28.560 And so he stuck his head down through low 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:31.220 and he looked to try to get a better picture 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.440 of where Peter was buried. 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:34.480 And then when he decided it was time 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.520 to remove his head, 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:37.020 he lifted it up, 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:37.960 got it stuck. 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.980 Now Mark, 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.000 Mark, 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.259 at that point, 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:43.360 was a little poorly developed 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:45.300 in terms of logic. 00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:45.920 And he thought, 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:47.379 if he pulled harder, 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.379 it would work better. 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:49.560 And it just, 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.500 do you know what it caused? 00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:52.620 It got stuck worse. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.019 And then the thought 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.360 of being permanently 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.720 snared 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:59.000 in St. Peter's Basilica, 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.860 staring down at Peter's grave, 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:02.139 he thought that it was appropriate 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:04.360 to kind of up the ante 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:06.759 and really cry loudly. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.340 So that's one thing I remember. 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:11.139 I remember my brother bellowing 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:13.920 and my father in anguished panic, 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:14.840 reaching over, 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:15.680 pushing his head down, 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.220 pushing him out. 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:20.000 We are in the holy of holies 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:22.620 of some kind of faith. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:24.259 The other thing 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.460 that just blew me away, 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.600 walking through, 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:27.840 you know, 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.080 after we got that one calmed down, 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:29.860 we're walking through 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:31.299 St. Peter's Basilica 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:31.980 and looking at 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:33.240 all this artwork. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:36.299 There was a bronze statue 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.259 of Peter 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:42.620 that had the toe 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:46.259 kind of worn off. 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.180 Does anybody know 00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:48.639 why St. Peter's toe 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.419 is worn off 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:51.019 in St. Peter's Basilica? 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.500 Tell me, Mandy, why? 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:55.159 So many people 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:55.960 have kissed 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:56.820 and rubbed 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:59.500 St. Peter's bronze toe 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:01.560 that it's kind of dulled off 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.639 and it's lost 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.399 some of its, 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:05.259 you know, 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.399 distinct features. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.120 I thought, 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.480 yeah, you've got to be kidding me. 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.279 This guy was, 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.740 the one we're looking at 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.139 is different 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:14.620 than the ones 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.720 in St. Peter's Basilica. 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:16.100 Do you follow 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:16.879 what I want you to do? 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.120 I've got to tell you, 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:18.899 here is Peter, 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:21.580 pretty full of himself, 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:23.600 pretty arrogant. 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.200 And so, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.160 I want you to think 00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:26.700 with me about 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.500 several things 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.240 that we learn about 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.139 Peter in this passage. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.680 For one, 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:31.259 he was dismissive 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:31.960 of the lesson 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.980 Jesus taught 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.400 on loving the brethren. 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.759 He was dismissive 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.379 of the lesson 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.500 Jesus had taught 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.820 about loving the brethren. 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:41.580 Here he was, 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:43.020 Jesus had just finished 00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:43.580 his lesson 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.620 about loving one another 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.740 and instead of saying, 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.299 you know what, 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.360 I really appreciate 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:49.919 this lesson 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.820 and I need that 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:52.220 because I am one 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:52.980 who continues 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:53.980 to struggle 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.340 in my love 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:57.120 for everybody else 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.039 other than myself. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.000 Here's Peter, 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.560 didn't pay any attention 00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:02.100 and he says, 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:02.940 yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.220 Well, 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.519 I understand. 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.460 Off he goes. 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.759 And I want you 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.279 to understand 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.960 that when we stop 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.119 and think about this, 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:14.099 if we were to rank issues 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.739 of importance 00:17:15.739 --> 00:17:16.779 in body life 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.919 and effective ministry 00:17:17.919 --> 00:17:18.899 and mission work 00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:20.779 and survivability 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.679 and godliness, 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.119 what we would have to say 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.319 is that loving one another 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.559 is really high 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.419 on the food chain. 00:17:26.679 --> 00:17:27.559 It is essential 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:29.699 to our spiritual well-being. 00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:33.439 And here's Peter, 00:17:34.439 --> 00:17:35.679 not listening, 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:38.259 full of himself, 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:41.019 not pondering honestly 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:42.700 and with humility 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:44.440 what Jesus had to say 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.920 and he was quite ready 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.460 to go back 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.420 to another point 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:49.299 that Jesus had made earlier. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.039 So I've got to ask you 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.539 this question. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.000 How often do you find yourself 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.000 sidetracked 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.079 from important 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.279 spiritual lessons 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.859 that God is in the process 00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:58.819 of teaching you 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.379 and kind of getting buried 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:01.200 on things that are 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.099 of secondary 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:04.139 and almost irrelevant importance 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:05.000 like 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:08.519 personal preferences, 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:11.779 Christian liberty 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:13.920 or politics? 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.660 I have to tell you 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:17.539 there is a part of me 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.920 that is profoundly thankful 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:20.660 that we are past November 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:22.139 almost, 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.039 but we're past elections. 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:26.460 I hate to tell you, 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:30.279 whatever happens in Washington 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.599 is not as important 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.839 as some people 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.839 make it out to be. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:36.279 The kingdom of God 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:37.699 and the work of Christ 00:18:37.699 --> 00:18:38.679 is ongoing 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:40.299 no matter who is there. 00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:42.619 And so here 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:44.299 I look at Peter 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.039 and I'm reminded 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.879 that it's pretty easy 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.720 to get sidetracked. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.459 And also, 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:52.339 have you ever thought 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.159 that you would 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:54.119 step off 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:55.119 on a different path 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:55.759 than your Lord 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.399 and loving in structure 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.639 and not been willing 00:18:58.639 --> 00:18:59.599 to learn the lessons 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.619 that he had in front of you? 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.740 And so when he says to you, 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.819 you need to work 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.880 at loving other people. 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.539 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.980 But I am all about 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:08.299 you need to lock down 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.339 on things that don't count. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.680 Abiding 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:14.160 in lasting, 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:16.319 faithful love 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.319 for the brethren 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:18.539 and is essential. 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.579 And so here we see 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.680 Peter, the apostle, 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.819 instead of learning 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.299 the lesson 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.400 that Jesus was focused 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.200 on teaching him 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.640 in the last moments 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.440 prior to the cross, 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.700 Peter's off on his own. 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.519 Second, 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:33.039 I find it stunning 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.900 that here we find 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.859 Peter disbelieving 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.879 the prophetic word 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:37.000 of God through Christ. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.920 Do you hear me? 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.259 Peter heard exactly 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.220 what Jesus said 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.379 about denying him 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:45.019 and yet he was so full 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.940 of his own wisdom 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.480 and pride 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.879 that instead of 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.639 trembling 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.639 at the prospect 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.599 of his own 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.700 spiritual failure, 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.000 he turned around 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.660 and he rebuked Christ 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.779 and corrected him. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.980 Would you do that? 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.740 Can you imagine 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.700 yourself doing that? 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.379 Jesus announces, 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.960 you're going to deny me. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.980 You're going to walk 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.700 away from me. 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.859 You're going to turn 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.900 your back on me. 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.759 And Peter says, 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:17.279 not me. 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.920 Now the rest of them, 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.900 they may do it. 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.519 I mean, you know, 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.339 they're not with it, 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.639 but I'm going to come through. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:26.259 And I've got to tell you 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:29.060 that Peter's open denial 00:20:29.060 --> 00:20:30.520 of the authority 00:20:30.520 --> 00:20:31.400 and the supremacy 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.580 of the word of Christ 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:35.800 was a direct rejection 00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:38.500 of Christ's infallibility 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:40.220 and the word. 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:42.960 And so I wonder 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.800 whether there are times 00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:44.420 in your life 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.700 where you know the word. 00:20:45.780 --> 00:20:47.759 How many of you 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.820 have ever sinned 00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:50.040 knowing exactly 00:20:50.040 --> 00:20:50.820 what the Bible 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.539 has to say 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.500 about the consequences 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:52.879 of sin 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:54.039 and doing it anyway? 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.700 Come on, 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.500 everybody raise your hand. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.379 All of us. 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.700 We're saying, 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.220 you know what? 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.659 I don't care 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.480 what you say, Jesus. 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.220 This is the way 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.919 I think anyway. 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:04.079 Don't disbelieve 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:04.839 the prophetic word 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.379 of Christ. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.059 There's another thing 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.519 that I want you 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.139 to recognize, 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.879 and here is Peter 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:11.760 in very quick, 00:21:12.560 --> 00:21:14.400 closed attitude, 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:16.340 diminishing the danger 00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:17.180 of sin. 00:21:18.320 --> 00:21:19.820 Look at the passage there 00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:22.360 in Matthew chapter 26 again, 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:25.820 and Peter says, 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:27.100 though they all fall away 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:27.840 because of you, 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.660 I will never fall away. 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:32.220 Hey, Jesus warned him. 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:35.720 Peter had his last word, 00:21:36.520 --> 00:21:37.560 and instead of thinking 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.779 very quickly about, 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.359 you know what? 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.700 Here is the Son of God, 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.980 the Word of God, 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.519 the incarnate Word of God 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.220 who's telling me 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:45.559 I'm going to fall into sin, 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.720 and instead of being 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.079 frightened at the prospect 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:50.019 of his own carnality 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.839 and wickedness, 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.659 here is Peter 00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.399 having an argument 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.099 with Christ. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:57.179 Peter's quick self-defense 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:58.159 and self-confidence 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:58.940 in his flesh 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:00.480 tell us so much 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:03.559 about Peter's lack of fear 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.879 for his own sinfulness. 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.460 Everybody listen. 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:10.100 One of the things 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:10.920 that should come 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.740 with you getting older 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.319 in the faith, 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.360 are you listening? 00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:17.640 Is you have an increased fear 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:19.500 of the natural tendency 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.299 of your heart 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.140 to drift left of center. 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:28.360 Peter, as a good Jewish boy, 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:28.900 should have had 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:30.220 Proverbs chapter 16, 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:30.980 verse 18, 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.019 memorized, 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.840 and at the point 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:34.640 of recitation 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.579 with one hand tied 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.299 behind his back. 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.059 Does anybody know 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:40.759 Proverbs 16, 18? 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.599 Here we go. 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:43.799 Pride goeth 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:46.199 before destruction 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:48.399 and a haughty spirit 00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:50.220 before a fall. 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.659 How many of you, 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.859 when you find yourself 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.960 getting a little bristly 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.679 and a little bit 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.439 full of yourself, 00:22:55.679 --> 00:22:56.579 have the Spirit of God 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:58.199 whisper that obvious verse 00:22:58.199 --> 00:22:58.980 in your ear? 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:05.160 Here are a couple 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.860 little tests 00:23:05.860 --> 00:23:07.160 to tell whether or not 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:08.319 you're convinced 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.240 of sin's danger. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.480 They're important, 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:10.980 so I want you 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.579 to write them down. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.019 Here are a couple 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.740 little tests 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.599 to help you 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.339 figure out 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.200 whether or not 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.680 you have a 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.680 serious 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.799 appreciation 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.860 for sin. 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.140 Number one, 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.299 a healthy prayer life 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.259 that reflects 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.420 a love for Christ 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.600 and a fear 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:28.460 for sin. 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:30.039 How do I know 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.380 that I'm where 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.080 I need to be 00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:33.400 spiritually in relationship 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.620 to the struggle 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.600 I have with sin? 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.100 Number one, 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:37.660 a healthy prayer life 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.480 that reflects 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.400 a love for Christ 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.940 and a fear for sin. 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.980 In Matthew 26, 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.360 verse 41, 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.340 Jesus said this 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:45.259 to his disciples, 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:45.800 pray, 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.180 can anybody finish 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.600 the rest, 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.440 that you enter 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.360 not into temptation. 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:52.060 Bump into a person 00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:53.120 that has a prayer life 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:54.239 that is kind of 00:23:54.239 --> 00:23:55.839 a microcosm 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.379 of what they're 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:57.219 really like 00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:57.879 in their thinking. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.799 It's like, 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.059 God bless me, 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.199 give me a good day, 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.879 I'd like to have 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.379 good weather, 00:24:02.739 --> 00:24:03.179 I'd like to, 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.559 you know, 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.019 it's like, 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.219 what? 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.899 That's just a train wreck 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:09.479 in the journey 00:24:09.479 --> 00:24:10.019 to where it's going 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.399 to happen. 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.579 Here's the second thing. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.459 If you have 00:24:14.459 --> 00:24:15.759 a conviction 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.939 regarding the danger 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:17.419 of sin, 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.319 there will be 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:19.099 a cautious 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:20.079 distancing 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.959 of yourself 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.420 from ungodly 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.079 influences. 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.180 Over in Psalm 1, 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.940 verse 1, 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.200 it says, 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.120 blessed is the man 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.480 who does not sit, 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:28.720 right? 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.620 Walk, 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.120 stand, 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.460 in the counsel 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:33.440 of the ungodly. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.860 And so you ask yourself, 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.620 how much influence 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:38.100 do I expose myself 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:40.079 to that which inclines me 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.160 towards ungodliness? 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.660 I've got to tell you something. 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.680 You don't have to just 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.079 be around ungodly people. 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.899 You can be affected 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:52.220 by what you listen to, 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:55.799 by what you engage in 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.839 and the entertainment 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.720 that you enjoy, 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:58.879 by the kind of people 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.599 that you're around. 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.279 You know what? 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.419 I hear an awful lot about, 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:01.859 oh, 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:02.819 I'm all doing this 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.319 for ministry. 00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:03.679 Really? 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:04.960 Who's poisoning who? 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.899 Psalm 1. 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.279 Psalm 1. 00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:13.399 Blessed is the man 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:14.199 that does not. 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.500 It's talking about influence. 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:15.899 Third, 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.319 if you're going to have 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:18.500 a sensitivity to sin, 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.159 is there a consistent 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:21.500 and affectionate time 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.279 in the Word of God? 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.559 But his delight, 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:25.559 now let me say it carefully. 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.579 I want you to think about this. 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:28.279 His delight is in the law 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.740 of the Lord 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.539 and in his law 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:31.339 he meditates both day and night. 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.500 Do you know what it means 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.419 to delight in something? 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.899 I'll give you a comparison. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.039 How many of you 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.220 were looking forward 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.460 to Thanksgiving dinner? 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:43.259 You delight in it. 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.419 It happens once a year. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:46.440 I read an interesting 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.259 little blog 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.720 that said that 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.560 you ought to spend 00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:50.259 one day a year 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.980 just grumbling 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:55.180 and 364 years 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.880 being thankful. 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.900 And it's like, 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.360 okay, 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.180 today's the day 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.100 I should be thankful. 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.700 Yeah. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:01.680 Yeah. 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:02.960 Yeah, 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.580 forget it. 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.140 Yeah. 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.660 How many of you 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.519 were looking forward 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.800 to Thanksgiving dinner 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:09.519 because it's like, 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.560 it's turkey. 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.080 Yeah. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.900 Brined in case 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.900 you want a good bird. 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:17.240 mashed potatoes, 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.960 golden Yukons 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.860 with the skins on. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.240 You know, 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.460 little details 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.140 you have to know, 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:23.660 right? 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:24.820 And it's like, 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:26.980 how many of you 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:28.160 in advance 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.560 of Thanksgiving dinner 00:26:29.560 --> 00:26:30.900 gorged yourself 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:33.640 on potato chips? 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.320 Did you do that? 00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.300 No, 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:35.640 it's like, 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:37.259 I'm coming to the table hungry. 00:26:38.780 --> 00:26:39.180 And, 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.620 you know, 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.259 I'm diabetic, 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.360 I'm going to dose myself 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.000 a little extra, 00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:42.800 but it's okay. 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:43.080 Okay. 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:46.420 Here we go. 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.320 One other thing 00:26:49.320 --> 00:26:49.880 I want you to see 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.380 about Peter, 00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:52.380 it strikes me. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.019 That passage 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:55.320 in Matthew chapter 26, 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.100 here he says, 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.340 though they all fall away 00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:58.019 because of you, 00:26:58.060 --> 00:26:59.200 I will never fall away. 00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:00.900 Here we find Peter 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:02.700 discrediting other believers. 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:05.539 That's significant. 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:07.940 Read the text 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.640 and ask yourself 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:10.019 how often you have thought 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.180 ill of others 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.920 and suspicioned 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.779 their weaknesses 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.819 and assumed 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.980 that you knew their hearts. 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.480 Yeah, 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:19.660 I know what they're thinking. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.480 Do you? 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:23.759 You're right up there 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.340 with Jesus. 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:26.679 Oh, 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:26.879 yeah. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.339 Here was Peter, 00:27:29.959 --> 00:27:30.980 full of himself, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.559 accusing 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.720 and demeaning 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.480 other people. 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.639 And so here we are 00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:37.119 in the shadow 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.839 of the cross 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:39.759 looking at Peter 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.379 and discovering 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.899 that he is far 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.419 too much 00:27:42.419 --> 00:27:43.319 like each of us 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.539 and here is a person 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.740 who desperately needs 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:47.039 the grace of Christ. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.519 So, 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.879 here's the part 00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:50.539 I really like. 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.939 That's where we get 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.600 to see Jesus. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.200 Isn't that right? 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.880 So, 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.620 I want us to think 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:56.500 about our gentle 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.660 and loving Savior. 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.460 Here he is 00:27:58.460 --> 00:28:00.019 going back to the passage 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:01.580 in John chapter 13. 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.600 Jesus warns 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.220 his disciples 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.320 of their frailty 00:28:06.320 --> 00:28:07.980 and one of the precious 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:09.299 truths of our God 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.840 and our Savior 00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:10.340 is that 00:28:10.340 --> 00:28:11.759 he is good. 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.960 And this passage 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.019 serves as an illustration 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.740 of his goodness 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.180 because we see it 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:19.000 in his willing 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:21.180 announcement to us 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.180 in advance 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.580 of what our frailties 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.660 and our weaknesses are 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:26.000 and warning us 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.480 of the danger to come. 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.500 How many of you know 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.480 that this is a characteristic 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.080 of God? 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:33.060 He always tells you ahead 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:34.100 what you need. 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.640 And he also warns you 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:37.779 of the consequences 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:39.279 of not following 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.180 his path. 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.380 How many of you 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:43.940 have learned 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:45.180 that people 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.100 who are a little hesitant 00:28:47.100 --> 00:28:48.880 to share full information 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.780 are really not trustworthy 00:28:50.780 --> 00:28:51.600 and don't have 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:52.620 your best interest 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.100 in heart? 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:54.420 Right? 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:57.060 The nature of Satan 00:28:57.060 --> 00:28:58.460 is he doesn't tell us 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.860 what the outcome is. 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.620 God in his kindness 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:03.220 puts it all out in front 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.220 and gives us 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.260 all the information 00:29:05.260 --> 00:29:05.780 we need 00:29:05.780 --> 00:29:06.500 in order to make 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.360 a wise decision. 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.240 Here is Jesus 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.360 saying to his disciples, 00:29:10.520 --> 00:29:10.680 listen, 00:29:10.760 --> 00:29:11.480 let me tell you something. 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.400 Here's what's going 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:12.920 to happen. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:16.120 And so I want you 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.639 to understand 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:18.119 that when we think 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.919 about Jesus, 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.059 we recognize 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:22.059 that his nature 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.699 and his character 00:29:22.699 --> 00:29:23.419 is to put it out 00:29:23.419 --> 00:29:23.919 there in front 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.779 so we know 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.439 what's coming. 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:28.159 Jesus guides 00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:29.599 and teaches his own. 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:31.599 And he warns them 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.059 of sin 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.879 and encourages them 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:33.779 to walk in truth. 00:29:34.239 --> 00:29:35.299 And this is evident 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.419 as we look 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:37.459 at the disciples here. 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.419 We see that 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:39.719 they had all 00:29:39.719 --> 00:29:40.439 the information 00:29:40.439 --> 00:29:41.179 they needed 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.159 in order to make 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:42.799 a good decision 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.719 and yet what happened? 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.339 They didn't. 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:47.259 It's quite evident 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.079 that the disciples 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.220 over and over again 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.159 did not listen 00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:51.199 to Christ's counsel 00:29:51.199 --> 00:29:52.419 and they suffered 00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:53.639 because of the hardness 00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:55.299 and the disobedience 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.159 of their heart. 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.059 So let me ask you 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.559 this question 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.339 in practical terms. 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.079 Are you really listening 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.519 to hear the voice 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.039 of God 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.879 in your ear? 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:04.819 Now, 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.939 when I say that, 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.939 let me back up 00:30:06.939 --> 00:30:07.659 just a little bit 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.619 because there are people 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:08.879 that are going 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.299 to come to me 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.539 and say, 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.959 I heard God tell me. 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.199 Everybody smile. 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:13.699 I heard God tell me. 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.639 I don't buy that. 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:18.500 What I do believe 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.500 is that the word of God 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.019 is the way 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.699 in which we hear 00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:21.480 the voice of God. 00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:22.419 Can I say that 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.019 real, 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.519 slowly? 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.959 We hear the voice 00:30:27.959 --> 00:30:28.659 of God 00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:30.119 through the word 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.759 of God. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.240 Now, 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.159 if what you mean 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:32.779 when you say, 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.299 I hear God told me 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:36.099 is that you had 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.919 the spirit of God 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:37.500 remind you 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.059 of a passage 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.619 of scripture 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.199 and, 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:39.539 oh, 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:39.859 yeah, 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.279 yeah, 00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:42.139 I got that. 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.199 I got that. 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:45.240 But when a person 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.140 comes and tells me, 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:47.680 I heard God tell me 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.240 that I should go 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.680 to China, 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:48.920 I say, 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.279 really? 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:49.860 Where is that 00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.380 in the Bible? 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.120 I mean, 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:51.460 China, 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.000 you know. 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:53.319 Should you go 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.720 next door 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.160 to your neighbor? 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.700 Absolutely. 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.640 Should you be 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.779 an evangelist? 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.380 Should you share 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:58.860 the gospel? 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.319 Should you be 00:30:59.319 --> 00:30:59.860 interested in the 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.440 well-being of others? 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:00.660 Yeah, 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:00.819 yeah, 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:00.980 yeah. 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.440 Well, 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:02.880 do you follow my point? 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.200 So I want you 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:06.140 to recognize here 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:08.100 that when you look 00:31:08.100 --> 00:31:09.259 at this case, 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.799 we see that Jesus 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.500 guides. 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.960 He gives instruction. 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.099 There's something else. 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.400 I want you to recognize 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:19.039 that Jesus also lovingly 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:20.319 corrected Peter's 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:22.819 self-inflated confidence. 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:24.220 Question. 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:27.240 How many of you here 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:31.700 are so abjectly 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:34.240 grieved by your own 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.559 frailties that you have 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:38.720 no self-confidence? 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.559 Don't raise your hands. 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.019 Here we go. 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.299 Before Peter fell, 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.099 I want you to see 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:48.000 that we receive 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.799 in the text 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:50.359 further instruction 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.240 and correction. 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.339 Back in that passage 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.720 in Matthew chapter 26, 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:56.220 and I turned away from it 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.920 so back we go. 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:58.660 Matthew chapter 26, 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.859 verse 33 and 34. 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.099 Listen to what it says there. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.700 Jesus said to him, 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.599 Truly I tell you 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.500 that this very night 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.640 before the rooster crows, 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.340 you will deny me 00:32:09.340 --> 00:32:10.060 three times. 00:32:12.320 --> 00:32:13.100 Peter said to him, 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.320 Even if I must die 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.680 with you, 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.900 I will not deny you. 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:16.840 And all the disciples 00:32:16.840 --> 00:32:17.880 said the same. 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.980 Now if you look back 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:21.240 at John chapter 13, 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:21.900 you're in Matthew, 00:32:22.020 --> 00:32:23.380 but go to John chapter 13, 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:25.020 verse 38. 00:32:25.320 --> 00:32:26.360 Listen to what it says there. 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.160 John 13, 38. 00:32:28.800 --> 00:32:29.600 Jesus answered, 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.480 Will you lay down 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.300 your life for me? 00:32:31.560 --> 00:32:32.420 Truly, truly. 00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:33.500 How many of you know 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.740 what truly, truly is? 00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:38.440 Truly, truly is like, 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.599 get this. 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.559 This is it. 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.619 I'm telling you the truth. 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.440 Don't miss the point. 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.980 So when Jesus says, 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:47.700 truly, truly, 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.720 what he is saying is, 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:50.200 pay attention, Peter. 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.559 And so I got to tell you 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.380 that there are some of you 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.019 here this morning 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.700 that are receiving 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:58.039 the warning signs of God 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.059 about an issue 00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:00.259 in your life and heart, 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.220 and Jesus, 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:03.099 knowing what's going on 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.759 in your thinking, 00:33:04.119 --> 00:33:04.640 is saying, 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:06.400 you need to be really careful. 00:33:09.379 --> 00:33:10.359 There's some of you here 00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:13.240 that are hearing his warning 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.500 about the dangers of bitterness, 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.440 the danger of immorality, 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:20.599 the danger of being full of yourself 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:21.279 and pride 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:23.559 and dealing with unforgiveness. 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.619 And I got to tell you 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.379 how it works out. 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:25.900 There's some of you 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.740 saying no to God. 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:29.859 And here are the little indicators. 00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:32.160 When God is dealing 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:33.339 with an issue of sin 00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.220 in my life 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:35.160 and an issue of sin 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.759 in your life, 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:37.440 the first thing he does 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:39.019 is he used your conscience 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.920 to prompt you, 00:33:40.180 --> 00:33:41.220 don't do it. 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.759 Don't do that. 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.500 And by the way, 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.099 when God says, 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:47.720 don't do that, 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:49.299 he always has a little 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.779 parenthetical statement 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.339 that is, 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:53.359 this is not going to glorify me 00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:54.960 and it is going to hurt you. 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.839 It's like when a parent says, 00:33:57.839 --> 00:34:00.319 do not put that knife 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.419 in the wall socket, 00:34:02.459 --> 00:34:03.000 the kid says, 00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:03.559 yeah. 00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:05.699 Okay. 00:34:06.459 --> 00:34:07.459 So God says, 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.639 don't do it. 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:10.299 The Spirit of God says, 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.059 don't do it. 00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:12.759 The friend says, 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.579 don't do it. 00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.340 The wife, 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:14.980 the dad, 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:15.900 don't do it. 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.679 And when you are unwilling 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.960 to listen to the gentle 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:21.079 prompting of God, 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:23.039 he will then bring 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.340 harder voices 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:26.179 and harder issues 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:27.000 to bear. 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.279 Why? 00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.900 Because he loves you enough, 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.599 he's not going to let you 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.300 get away with it. 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.739 One other thing 00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:35.940 that I want you to hold on to 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.739 here about Jesus 00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:38.380 and look at Luke chapter 22, 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.059 verse 31, 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.800 and this is one 00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:40.779 that just blows me away. 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:40.840 Okay. 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:40.900 Okay. 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.119 Okay. 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:41.119 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:43.179 Okay. 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.179 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.179 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.179 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.179 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.179 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.179 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.179 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:45.259 Okay. 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.259 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.259 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.259 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:47.259 Okay. 00:34:47.260 --> 00:35:03.760 Simon, 00:35:04.160 --> 00:35:04.560 Simon, 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.640 Satan demanded 00:35:07.640 --> 00:35:08.300 to have you 00:35:08.300 --> 00:35:09.440 that he might sift you 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.100 like wheat. 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.700 You remember 00:35:12.700 --> 00:35:13.140 when 00:35:13.140 --> 00:35:15.360 in the book of Job 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.380 we find that 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.440 Satan shows up 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:17.880 in heaven 00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:18.539 and God says, 00:35:18.640 --> 00:35:18.740 hey, 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.019 you been thinking 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.700 about how my 00:35:20.700 --> 00:35:22.079 sermon Job is doing? 00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:22.380 Yeah. 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:22.700 Yeah. 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.760 Pretty good guy, 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.039 isn't he? 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.220 Yeah. 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:25.480 Yeah. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.880 But I'll tell you what, 00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:27.980 if you let me mess with him, 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:28.440 he's out. 00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:32.400 Here is Satan 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.800 asking if he 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:34.960 can trash 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:36.380 Peter's life. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:38.780 Huh? 00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:42.079 I want you to listen. 00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:43.740 There's not 00:35:43.740 --> 00:35:44.320 a one of you 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:44.980 here today 00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:45.900 that is a believer 00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:46.980 that does not 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:48.000 have the adversary 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:49.039 that wants to 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:50.960 absolutely ruin 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:52.539 your life. 00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:56.639 He is interested 00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:57.579 in destroying you. 00:35:59.720 --> 00:36:00.440 Those who are 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:01.260 the children of God 00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:02.420 don't lose their salvation 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:03.160 when they trash 00:36:03.160 --> 00:36:03.700 their lives, 00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:04.559 but I'll tell you what, 00:36:04.840 --> 00:36:06.160 they suffer 00:36:06.160 --> 00:36:08.400 and Satan 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.139 wants to ruin 00:36:09.139 --> 00:36:09.680 things. 00:36:09.680 --> 00:36:09.960 There's not 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:20.360 And so here is Jesus saying this to Peter. 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:28.280 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:30.780 and when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.740 Do you get that? 00:36:35.740 --> 00:36:39.639 Peter, you are pretty full of yourself. 00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:43.659 And you are going to suffer because of your stubborn pride. 00:36:46.039 --> 00:36:51.759 But it isn't over because I have prayed for you. 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:55.319 And when you come out the other side, 00:36:56.099 --> 00:37:00.659 I want you to put your energy into helping other people who will be struggling. 00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:06.119 And so I find great consolation. 00:37:06.259 --> 00:37:07.619 I find great encouragement. 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:12.279 In fact, that Jesus bathed the weak and sinful Peter with prayer. 00:37:15.299 --> 00:37:17.960 If you're a believer this morning, I've got to tell you something. 00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:18.880 He's praying for you. 00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:21.139 Do you need it? 00:37:23.299 --> 00:37:23.819 Yes. 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.380 Do you need it? 00:37:25.859 --> 00:37:26.339 Yes. 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:29.620 Hebrews 7, verse 25. 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:32.019 And just mark this down and look at it. 00:37:32.360 --> 00:37:32.720 It says, 00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:37.600 He ever liveth to make intercession for you. 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:39.720 What's Jesus doing today? 00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:43.360 He is at the throne praying for Tim Kenoyer. 00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:47.380 He's at the throne praying for you. 00:37:49.180 --> 00:37:59.240 And His present ministry is to hold us up and plead our case and care for our well-being. 00:37:59.239 --> 00:38:06.339 So let me close with a few practical words for you to hold on to this morning. 00:38:06.459 --> 00:38:06.899 For one, 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:11.960 The word is settled and sure. 00:38:12.720 --> 00:38:15.400 The word is settled and sure. 00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:23.000 As you look at this account of Peter, I've got to tell you, what is promised will come about. 00:38:23.160 --> 00:38:27.260 And there are some of you here this morning that you're not paying attention to that. 00:38:27.260 --> 00:38:30.380 The word is settled and sure. 00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:37.480 What Jesus has to say is absolutely certain and it may be relied upon. 00:38:40.060 --> 00:38:47.200 Number two, pride goes before destruction. 00:38:49.680 --> 00:38:55.840 Isn't it interesting to see this practical illustration of Proverbs 16, 18 in Peter's life, right? 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.080 Huh? 00:38:57.260 --> 00:38:59.100 How many of you need stories and pictures? 00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:01.160 We all do. 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:05.180 And so here is Peter, right? 00:39:07.820 --> 00:39:13.920 I guarantee you they didn't build that great big basilica because of his real life. 00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:18.820 Peter was subject to like passions as I am and you are. 00:39:19.600 --> 00:39:23.320 But we have this picture that reminds us pride goes before destruction. 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:31.400 And I've got to tell you that as I read this story of Peter, it would seem that he did learn. 00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.700 Why do I say that? 00:39:32.699 --> 00:39:39.679 Because over in 1 Peter 5, verse 6, here's what it says. 00:39:40.679 --> 00:39:41.379 This is Peter. 00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:44.500 He is close to dying. 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:52.340 And he has a little bit of advice for the believers that are going to be left behind when he packs it out. 00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.860 Do you know what he has to say? 00:39:55.420 --> 00:39:56.300 Listen to this. 00:39:56.300 --> 00:40:19.440 How many of you have found that you get irritated by things like traffic, by other people's lack of God-honoring punctuality, 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:31.059 by people's lack of consideration for your personal preferences? 00:40:31.260 --> 00:40:33.159 I mean, after all, it should be the way I want. 00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:34.460 Do you understand? 00:40:34.460 --> 00:40:39.780 Again, humble yourself beneath the mighty hand of God that in due time, what? 00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:41.840 He'll exalt you. 00:40:42.780 --> 00:40:53.420 As I read the story of Peter, I am so very thankful that I see an example of someone that over time eventually began to learn humility. 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:58.760 That is one of the benefits of lasting relationships. 00:40:58.760 --> 00:41:09.540 I was explaining to someone earlier today in the new membership class, I was explaining that one of the blessings of lasting relationships is you get to see the work of God over time. 00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:14.680 You know, pastors are there every two or three years and the next guy comes in after and after. 00:41:14.880 --> 00:41:17.440 You don't get to see what God does over time. 00:41:19.180 --> 00:41:20.640 You get to see Peter early. 00:41:20.860 --> 00:41:22.020 You get to see Peter late. 00:41:22.080 --> 00:41:26.720 And you say, wow, if God can do that in Peter's life, he can do it in mine. 00:41:26.719 --> 00:41:32.759 Finally, finally, Jesus will not let you go. 00:41:33.559 --> 00:41:34.579 I want you to write that down. 00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:35.879 Jesus will not let you go. 00:41:37.719 --> 00:41:41.339 Jesus will not let you go. 00:41:43.599 --> 00:41:45.159 Jesus will not let you go. 00:41:46.539 --> 00:41:53.719 If you are here this morning and you are the child of Christ, I got to tell you, the child of God, you don't have to ask the question, 00:41:53.719 --> 00:41:56.579 am I going to make it home or not? 00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:58.759 And the answer is yes. 00:42:00.679 --> 00:42:02.199 And he'll get you there. 00:42:02.779 --> 00:42:03.659 He'll get you there. 00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:09.000 He will do whatever is necessary to help you grow in grace. 00:42:09.959 --> 00:42:11.319 And here's the deal. 00:42:11.699 --> 00:42:20.719 You can make it easier on yourself or you can just go ahead and test the limits and find out how much he really loves. 00:42:20.719 --> 00:42:27.819 Now, can I tell you that from personal experience, it's not a good thing to mess with him when he wants to get you home. 00:42:28.959 --> 00:42:37.239 How many of you learned as little children that it's a whole lot better to let your daddy lead you where he's going rather than make him drag you? 00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:42.179 I was one that was drugged. 00:42:42.179 --> 00:42:49.019 But I got to tell you, Jesus will not let you go. 00:42:51.960 --> 00:42:54.960 So let me ask you this question this morning as I close. 00:43:02.339 --> 00:43:03.940 Is Jesus really your Savior? 00:43:06.519 --> 00:43:07.500 Is he your Savior? 00:43:09.399 --> 00:43:10.359 Is he your Savior? 00:43:10.360 --> 00:43:20.640 Do you have the relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that Peter had and is here for our sake and edification? 00:43:20.940 --> 00:43:21.579 Does that make sense? 00:43:21.760 --> 00:43:25.820 There's no reason to tell this story without seeing Jesus in the center of it. 00:43:27.980 --> 00:43:29.200 Do you know him? 00:43:32.780 --> 00:43:36.480 Truth of the matter is, there's some of you here this morning that have, you've heard all the stories. 00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:38.380 You can sing all the songs. 00:43:38.840 --> 00:43:45.000 But the fact of the matter is that you've never come to the place where you, in absolute, abject humility, have cried out and said, 00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:48.679 I am a mess and I need Jesus as my Savior. 00:43:48.679 --> 00:43:55.679 The story doesn't end well for those who refuse. 00:43:55.679 --> 00:44:04.859 The Savior who came into this world to die for our sins and rise again that we might have salvation, 00:44:05.299 --> 00:44:07.879 not through our own efforts, but by his finished work. 00:44:07.880 --> 00:44:23.940 And I want to appeal with you, plead with you, if you need Jesus, I've got to tell you, today's the day. 00:44:24.840 --> 00:44:32.380 Do not walk out of here in hardness of heart, refusing the sweetness of our Savior. 00:44:32.380 --> 00:44:34.800 Let's close in prayer. 00:44:38.099 --> 00:44:41.640 Our Father God, this morning as we lift up the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:44:42.780 --> 00:44:49.800 we lift him up in absolute confidence 00:44:49.800 --> 00:44:56.019 that Jesus is the Savior of the world, the Lord in glory. 00:44:56.019 --> 00:45:04.159 And the day is coming that he will return and all those who know him will enjoy heaven forever. 00:45:05.019 --> 00:45:09.800 And those who willingly refuse the sweetness of the gospel 00:45:09.800 --> 00:45:22.920 will spend all of eternity in bitter, hard, resentful, angry suffering. 00:45:22.920 --> 00:45:31.860 And it is our plea this morning that your spirit would break through the hardness 00:45:31.860 --> 00:45:35.599 and bring the gospel in its sweetness. 00:45:36.619 --> 00:45:39.099 We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.