Proverbs 24:16 “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.”
Yesterday we talked about the courage it takes to get back up when we fall. Using Peter’s life as an example, I noted three reasons why he failed:
1. He believed he was above failure (“It couldn’t happen to me!”). Matthew 26 :33-35 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”
Paul warns us of self-reliance and pride when he says in Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.”
I Peter 5:8 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). We are destined to fail if we do not take these words seriously.
2. Peter’s second failure was that he didn’t stay prayed up.
Jesus had warned Peter about how Satan was out to get him. He then predicted Peter’s denial. Just after that conversation, Jesus took Peter and the other disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where He told them to start praying. Look at Mark 14:37-38 “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “Are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Peter didn’t pray. He slept. There was self-reliant Peter again thinking he was “good to go.” He didn’t need to pray.
3. Peter’s third failure was distancing himself from Jesus. Following Jesus’ arrest, the very same night Peter was ready to be imprisoned or die for Jesus’ sake, we read these words in Luke 22:54 “Then seizing him (Jesus), they led him away, and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.”
The further you are from Jesus, the more exposed you are when temptation comes and the weaker you are. You will never be victorious if you try to follow Jesus at a distance.
Peter’s re-connection to Christ and mission are beautifully depicted in John 21. In verses 15-17, Jesus asked Peter questions. The topic was their relationship and the mission Jesus had for Peter. Getting Christ-centered and mission-centered were the keys that helped Peter GET BACK UP!
Join me this week in being Christ-centered and mission-centered. No matter what you have done or where you have been, you can GET BACK UP!
Don’t forget that we are showing the movie, “Courageous” this Friday at 7:00! Bring a friend to this awesome movie!
May God richly bless you!
Pastor Melissa
