November 6, 2005
Sermon Outline
“God’s Grace and the Failures of His People”
John 18:15-18; 25-27

I. A brief introduction to Simon Peter
1. His name change – Mark 3:16
2. His call – Matthew 4:18-20; Matthew 19:23-29
3. He recognized Jesus as the Christ – Matthew 16:16-23
4. He saw Jesus transfigured – Matthew 17:1-5
5. He walked on water – Matthew 14:28-33
6. He caught a fish with a coin in it’s mouth – Matthew 17:24-26
7. He was a leader in the early church – Acts 2:14; 37-38; Acts 15:6-12

II. An analysis of Peter’s great fall, His denying of Christ – What were its causes?
1. Peter was over confident – Matthew 26:33-35; 1 Corinthians 10:12
2. Peter slept when he should have been praying – Matthew 26:40-41
3. Peter followed from a far – Luke 22:54
4. Peter was sifted by Satan – Luke 22:31

III. What part did Christ or God the Father have in Peter’s fall?
1. You cannot charge God with any wrong in Peter’s fall – James 1:13-14
2. Yet, Christ predicted it and it was part of God’s sovereign will for Peter – Mark 14:29-30
3. What was sin for Peter ultimately worked together for good – Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20; Job 23:10
A. Peter was made to know himself better as a sinner – Romans 3:10-11; Luke 5:8-9
B. Peter was made to feel his great need for Christ – John 15:5
C. Peter realized though he had sinned greatly, Christ still loved him – 1 Peter 4:8

IV. How should we apply this to our own lives?
1. Realize Peter is a lot like us – Psalm 25:9; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
2. Realize God forgives and uses even great sinners – John 20:15-19; Psalm 32:1-2; Psalm 25:11
3. Realize as God forgives us He expects us to be forgiving toward others – Matthew 18:21-35; Matthew 6:12 & 14; 1 Peter 4:8
4. Realize the same things that caused Peter’s fall cause ours also – see point II.

“It was much worse that he joined himself with those that were his Master's enemies: He stood with them, and warmed himself; this was a poor excuse for joining with them. A little thing will draw those into bad company that will be drawn to it by the love of a good fire. If Peter's zeal for his Master had not frozen, but had continued in the heat it seemed to be of but a few hours before, he had not had occasion to warm himself now. Peter was much to be blamed, 1. Because he associated with these wicked men, and kept company with them. Doubtless they were diverting themselves with this night's expedition, scoffing at Christ, at what he had said, at what he had done, and triumphing in their victory over him; and what sort of entertainment would this give to Peter? If he said as they said, or by silence gave consent, he involved himself in sin; if not, he exposed himself to danger. If Peter had not so much courage as to appear publicly for his Master, yet he might have had so much devotion as to retire into a corner, and weep in secret for his Master's sufferings, and his own sin in forsaking him; if he could not have done good, he might have kept out of the way of doing hurt. It is better to abscond than appear to no purpose, or bad purpose. 2. Because he desired to be thought one of them, that he might not be suspected to be a disciple of Christ. Is this Peter? What a contradiction is this to the prayer of every good man, Gather not my soul with sinners! Saul among the prophets is not so absurd as David among the Philistines. Those that deprecate the lot of the scornful hereafter should dread the seat of the scornful now. It is ill warming ourselves with those with whom we are in danger of burning ourselves, Psalm 141:4”

Puritan Matthew Henry