Sunday, September 12, 2018 am
WHY PETER FELL
Matthew 26:69-75
There are many examples in scripture of backsliding and spiritual
failures, and there are many warnings signs and actions that lead to it.
In our lesson this morning we want to notice one of these – the
fall of Peter and its causes.
a.
Recorded in all 4
gospels. We will notice
Matthew’s account and then make some applications.
Matthew 26:69-75. But
we begin a little earlier, after completing the institution of the
Lord’s Supper, they go out to the Mount of Olives. Note Matthew
26:30-35. Jesus warns that
all would be made to stumble.
Luke 22:31-34 finds Jesus speaking directly to Simon Peter noting
that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat.
Jesus promises restoration.
In our text, Peter answered, “Even if all are made to stumble because of
You, I will never be made to stumble.”
Jesus noted that he would deny Him 3 times before the rooster
crowed. Mark notes, “Before the
rooster crows twice, you will deny Me 3 times” (Mark 14:30).
b.
The denial takes place
after Jesus is betrayed and arrested in the garden.
He is left alone and led away to begin a highly illegal Jewish
trial. While in the
courtyard of the High Priest, Peter stands outside until another
disciple, known to the High Priest, vouches for him and Peter is brought
in. The next thing we read
is the denials begin.
c.
The first denial
(26:69-70)– you were with Jesus
of Galilee. Peter said, “I
do not know what you are saying.”
Mark 14:68 records that he went out on a porch and a rooster crowed.
d.
The second denial
(26:71-72) – rather quickly after.
We read that he went out to the gateway and another girl said,
“This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
Peter said, “I do not know the man.”
e.
The third denial
(26:73-74) – about an hour later (Uke 22:59), others stood up and said
to him, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
Luke noted, “He is a Galilean”
Peter began to curse and swear saying, “I do not know the Man.”
f.
Luke 22:61 says, “And
the Lord turned and looked at Peter.”
We then read that Peter remembered the prophecy of the Lord and
went out and wept bitterly. Clearly,
Peter was devastated at what he had done.
a.
It goes without saying
that Peter would have been devastated realizing what he had done.
We know that Satan had a part in this, and as such, it was going to
happen. Exactly how this
happened we don’t know, other than the results.
BUT, was Peter without sin?
I am convinced he was accountable and needed to be restored.
What could Peter have done to prevent this from happening?
Consider some of the things Peter did that made him vulnerable.
We can certainly learn from these.
b.
Pride
- Matthew 26:31-35 –
i.
Peter had been warned
and was overconfident. I
will never do that.
In this he was relying on himself, more than on the Lord.
Romans 12:3 warns us not to think too highly of ourselves.
ii.
Pride is a dangerous and
sinful thing - Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
1 Peter 5:5 – God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
(Also, James 4:6)
c.
He did not take the warnings of the Lord seriously (enough)
i.
Related to Peter’s pride, was his failure to take the warnings of Jesus
seriously.
He though, “It won’t happen to me”.
ii.
One of the big reasons we fall is because we fail to heed warnings.
He was warned that Satan had asked to sift him.
Peter confidently denied that it would happen.
Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool
is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
Proverbs 13:10,
By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
We need to heed warnings
- When we fail to heed warnings we begin to let down our guard and that
is when we are most susceptible.
1 Corinthians 10:12 – let him who thinks he stands, take heed.
1 Peter 5:8-9 calls for us to be sober concerning the devil. We must
always be on the alert
iii.
We must never underestimate the power of Satan.
2 Corinthians 2:11 – do not be ignorant of his devices.
Ephesians 6:11 – stand against the wiles of the devil.
iv.
Warnings are out there. Will we take
them seriously?
d.
He followed Jesus at a
distance
– Mark 14:54.
i.
When we are not close to
the Lord we are susceptible to temptations.
ii.
This also shows some
cowardice or timidity.
Earlier, Peter was ready to defend Him to the death – drawing his sword
to fight in the garden. Now,
he is at a distance.
iii.
We must NEVER be ashamed of our Lord – Luke 9:26 notes whoever is ashamed of Him, he will
be ashamed of them when He comes.
James 4:7-8 – we resist the devil and draw near to God and He will draw
near to us.
iv.
When we follow Jesus at
a distance, we are susceptible to Satan taking advantage of us.
e.
He warmed himself at the
fire of the enemy
– John 18:18, Luke 22:55
i.
Peter found his way into
the complex where those plotting against Jesus were.
He made his way to the fire and sat among them.
We find that they identified him there, but he denied.
ii.
We need to be careful as
we associate with the ungodly.
We are to not become unequally yoked with unbelievers – 2
Corinthians 6:14ff. The
point is do not put yourself in a situation where they have advantage.
We have to deal with the world, but we don’t have to go to where
the world is hostile against us.
iii.
Evil company corrupts
good habits – 1 Corinthians 15:33
f.
The denial
– Peter did not stand up for his Lord.
i.
This was the end result.
Considering Peter’s willingness to defend his Lord earlier, we
can see that the various circumstances we have addressed possibly wore
him down so that he did not stand up for the Lord when he was
confronted.
ii.
We have already seen
Peter doing things that were less than courageous (following at a
distance, etc.). Now it has
compounded itself, and more so with each denial.
iii.
We must resolve that we
will never deny our Lord – Matthew 10:32-33.
But know that this takes work, courage and faith.
We need to prepare ourselves so that it will not happen.
How are we doing with this?
g.
He didn’t learn from his
mistakes
– Peter denied Him 3 times.
i.
We all mess up from time
to time, but do we learn from our mistakes?
ii.
THREE times, within a
short period of time! That
is one thing I appreciate about Mark’s account.
He mentions the rooster crowing twice.
Did Peter hear the first time and think, “Ok, I made a mistake.
Not again”?
iii.
In this we are reminded
of what true repentance is.
It involves genuine, godly sorrow and taking measures to clear
ourselves. It is not simply
saying “I’m sorry” or “forgive me Lord”.
2 Corinthians 7:10-11 describes this repentance.
Peter denied the Lord 3 times.
We have seen in this lesson some of the possible causes that led
to his downfall. But let us
not forget that, even with this serious error, it was not over.
John 21 records what some describe as the restoration of Peter.
We know Peter would go on firmly defend the Lord and lead many
others to Him. He would
boldly stand up and suffer for Him.
A study of 1 & 2 Peter reveals that Peter addresses or alludes to
many of the subjects we have addressed.
He also gave one of the strongest warnings about returning to the
world and what we face. Let
us learn from Peter and humbly resolve that we will never forsake our
Lord. What about you?
If you were Peter, would you deny the Lord?
Think carefully before you answer that!