May 8, 2005
Morning Sermon Outline
What Should We Learn from Peter?
How can we handle a deceitful heart or a difficult situation?
John 13:36-38
Peter was born again at this time, a true Christian. Yet, he still had a deceitful heart. We all do. In this world we who are Christians will struggle with the flesh
How should we deal with our deceitful hearts? Especially, when we are in difficult in the midst of difficult situations?
I. We need to realize our hearts are indeed deceitful:
1. Scripture tells us this Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19
2. Yet, we tend to believe our hearts are good, Peter sure did:
(1) He thought his heart was a valiant fighter, he thought himself ready to lay down his life John 13:38
(2) He thought his heart to be totally unique Matthew 26:33a
(3) He thought his heart impossible to snare Matthew 26:33b
(4) Even after Christs prediction of his denial he proclaims his most emphatic faithfulness Matthew 26:34-35
(5) Mark tells us that he spoke these things vehemently Mark 14:31
(6) The rest of the disciples agreed with Peter against their Lord, they all thought they would be faithful Matthew 26:35
3. This tendency to think our hearts so good is something we all have to beware of 1 Corinthians 10:12
II. We need to pray:
1. Jesus Himself urged His disciples to pray:
(1) By His own example Matthew 26:36-39
(2) By His own prodding and reasoning Matthew 26:40-41
2. The sluggishness of our hearts Matthew 26:43
(1) Slows our prayers
(2) Is reason for more fervent prayer
3. Dangerous or dreadful situations should also fire our prayers
(1) Some do Jonah 1:4-5; 3:5-10
(2) Some that are more spiritual are not recognized as dreadful
III. We need to stay close to Christ
1. Peter kept Christ in sight but he wasnt really with Christ Luke 22:54
2. Some might say he should have, could have been closer to Christ, yet God did His work in Peters heart Luke 22:60-62
3. We should stay as close to Christ as possible in all situations John 15:5
4. Yet, we falter in following Him Luke 22:62
IV. We need to realize our tendencies will cause us to fall, but God will forgive and lift us up
1. Not that we would be indifferent or careless about falling Philippians 2:12-13
2. Yet, God would have us be realistic about our own natures 1 John 1:7-8
3. That we would learn from our falls not to trust ourselves Proverbs 3:5-6
4. God knows are frame, even our hearts Jeremiah 17:10; Psalm 103:11-14 He forgives 1 John 1:9
Application for Today
1. We need to realize the truth about our own hearts, they are like gardens, if left uncultivated they will bring about more weeds than fruit or flowers Matthew 15:19; Matthew 13:1-23; Psalm 119:11; Philippians 4:8
2. We need to realize that without prayer we are without God in our world, even a believer will fall if he has not been regularly walking and talking with God 2 Samuel 11; Exodus 17:8-16; 1 Corinthians 10:12
3. We need to realize even if we fall dramatically, as long as we are not dead, there is hope for repentance and forgiveness in Christ 1 John 1:9
