Fit For Service (Part 6a- Peter)

This is week nine of our study: Fit for Service.  Today we will begin looking at the life of Peter to see what made him usable by God.   

First, Peter was a leader. 

Being a natural-born leader, Peter became the de facto spokesman for the Twelve .i 

Matthew 15:15, Then Peter said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” (MEV) 

Matthew 19:27, Then Peter answered Him, “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then shall we have?” (MEV) 

Mark 11:20-21, In the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter, calling to remembrance, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” (MEV) 

John 6:68-69, Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (MEV) 

As Christians we are called to be leaders in every area of society.  We are kings and priests unto God (Rev. 1:6) and must take our places of leadership walking in the authority God has given us (Luke 10:19).  We are each called to use our unique giftings in our area of influence to lead others to Christ.  Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. (KJV) 

Second, Peter was faithful, even to death. 

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68 NIV 

Although Peter’s death is not recorded in Scripture, Jesus hinted at it (John 21:18). According to reliable church tradition, Peter was executed for his faith in Rome in the mid-60s AD under Emperor Nero. He requested to be crucified upside-down because he did not feel worthy to die like Jesus.ii 

John 21:18-19, Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you desired. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” He said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When He had said this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” (MEV) 

As Peter lives out the rest of his life, his actions continue to show his honest faith and loyalty to Jesus. He takes up the charge given to him by Jesus and leads the other disciples in preaching the Gospel during Pentecost and building the early church afterward.iii 

Acts 4:1-3, As they [Peter and John] spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly troubled because they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. (MEV) [Brackets added for clarification by me.] 

Acts 5:14-15, Believers were increasingly added to the Lord, crowds of both men and women, so that they even brought the sick out into the streets and placed them on beds and mats, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might touch some of them. (MEV) 

Peter knew he was going to die as a martyr; however, this did not stop him from faithfully preaching the word, healing the sick, and taking a stand against sin in his world.   He preached the gospel for about 35 years after Jesus’ prophecy about his death. 

Thirdly, Peter was committed to Christ.  

Luke 5:8-10, When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. 

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” (NIV) 

Peter, James, and John pulled their boats up on the beach and forsook all and followed Jesus on one of the best business days of their lives. And how much hung on their decision! We would probably never have heard of them if they had chosen to stay by their ships.iv 

On one occasion when Jesus was about to wash the disciple’s feet, Peter declares that Jesus will not wash his feet.  However, when Jesus points out that if he doesn’t wash his feet Peter will have no part with Jesus, Peter, being totally committed asks for his hands and head to be washed as well.   

John 13:6-9, Then He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 

Jesus answered him, “You do not understand what I am doing now. But later you will understand.” 

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” 

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” (MEV) 

Fourth, Peter walked in bold obedience to the Lord.  

Out of jealously the high priest and all those who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), had Peter and the other apostles arrested.  Following a night in prison and a miraculous escape (an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and let them out), Peter and the others went directly to the temple to preach.   When the high priests sent to bring them from the prison for questioning the officers did not find them in prison but in the temple preaching about Jesus. 

Acts 5:27-29, When they had brought them, they stood them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? Yet now you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring on us this Man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”  (MEV) 

Here Peter takes a bold stand.  He tells the religious leaders that no, they won’t obey their orders to stop preaching, they must obey God!   

In Acts 10 we read the account of not only Peter’s obedience, but of his total submission to the will of God.  For the sake of space here I will hit the highlights from the chapter. 

Acts 10 (MEV) 

Vs. 1-2, In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, the centurion of a band of soldiers called the Italian Detachment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave many alms to the people and continually prayed to God. 

[God speaks to Cornelius.] 

Vs. 5, Now send men to Joppa, and bring back Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 

[Cornelius obeys, sending men to find Peter.] 

Vs. 9-15, The next day as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. He became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they prepared a meal, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened, and a vessel like a great sheet, tied at the four corners, descending to him, and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth and wild beasts and reptiles and birds of the air. Then a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”  

Peter said, “Not at all, Lord. For I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 

The voice spoke to him a second time: “What God has cleansed, do not call common.” 

[This vision was repeated 3 times.] 

Vs. 17-20, Now while Peter wondered what this vision which he had seen might mean, the men who were sent by Cornelius had inquired for Simon’s house and stood at the gate, and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there. 

While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Three men are looking for you. So rise and go down, and go with them, doubting nothing. For I have sent them.” 

Vs. 23b-24, The next day Peter went with them, and some brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And the next day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 

Vs. 34-35, Then Peter began to speak, saying, “Truthfully, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 

We need to understand the significance of Peter’s obedience here.  This was new territory for the apostles. Jesus had, on occasion, ministered to people outside of the Jewish faith, however, until now however, the focus had been on the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24).  

With this vision, Peter gets a paradigm shift.  

From the Jewish perspective, Gentiles were often seen as pagans who did not know the true God. During Jesus’ time, many Jews took such pride in their cultural and religious heritage that they considered Gentiles “unclean,” calling them “dogs” and “the uncircumcision.” Gentiles and the half-Gentile Samaritans were viewed as enemies to be shunned (see John 4:9; 18:28; and Acts 10:28).v 

Neither the cultural or religious differences between Jews and Gentiles, nor the prejudices of his people stopped Peter from stepping out in obedience to God. 

In conclusion, we know that Peter was a leader, he was faithful, even to death, he was committed to Christ, and he walked in bold obedience to the Lord.  May we also take our places of leadership, demonstrating faithful commitment to our Lord, and walk in bold obedience as He leads!! 

Works Cited:

i https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Peter.html 

ii https://www.kathyhoward.org/7-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-apostle-peter/ 

iii https://www.bethesdaseniorliving.com/blog/the-12-disciples-jesuss-relationship-with-peter#:~:text=Loyal%20for%20Life&text=As%20Peter%20lives%20out%20the,building%20the%20early%20church%20afterward. 

iv Believer's Bible Commentary Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald. 

v https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-Gentile.html