Footsteps
through John’s Gospel
Text:
John 1:42. Theme:
Peter the Disciple. Part one.
“And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked
at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas”
(which is translated, A Stone).”
These
are some of the messages that I shared in the 1990’s.
Knowing
the hand of God upon your life, does not make your life perfect. But God does
desire that you will be humble and willing, to do His work in your life. What
makes a man or a woman, a man or woman of God?
I
believe:
1. First
to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. Secondly
to have a daily time with the Lord, in prayer, in studying the Word of God.
3. Thirdly
having a burning desire, and a burden to work for God.
Where
are you in those three areas?
Peter
went to Jesus, and he hear the call of God on his life. He failed many times, yet
the hand of the Lord blessed Peter.
1. The
call of Peter, John 1:35-42.
35 Again, the next day, John stood
with two of his disciples.
36 And looking at Jesus as He
walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him
speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing
them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi”
(which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and see.”
They came and saw where He was staying and remained with Him that day (now it
was about the tenth hour).
40 One of the two who heard John speak,
and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41 He first found his own brother Simon,
and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now
when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall
be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).”
The sharing of the Gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ
came to save mankind from sin, begins first in our closest family. Andrew’s aim
was to guide his brother Simon to believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.
When he took Simon to Jesus, Jesus called Simon into a witnessing ministry.
Simon
(Peter) readiness to believe and his capability to serve, that Jesus gives him
a new name expressing the great possibilities for steady leadership. Jesus
called Simon, “Peter,” the rock, someone called him “Mr rock” what a great name
for a preacher to have.
2. The promise of Peter, Matthew
26:30-35.
30 And when they had sung a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of
you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I
will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 But after I have been raised, I
will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even
if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I
say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three
times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I
have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so, said all the disciples.”
In
verse 33 Peter says, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I
will never be made to stumble.”
Peter
with great self-assurance asserts that he will never be found lacking faith and
courage, he will be the exception to the rule, all others will fail, but not
Peter. Peter knew not yet of his weaknesses.
Peter
the leader in vain boasted, he was the first to confess and sadly was also the
first to deny Christ. Take care in what you say or boast of, we may soon be
tested either by God or by devil. Peter also set himself above the other
disciples. “If all others will fail you, I will not.” We can all fall and
fail Jesus from the newest believer even to pastors. So, do not boast of
yourself.
End
of part one, part two will follow.
