Fit For Service (Part 6b- Peter)

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

Fifth, Peter had a repentant heart.  

John 21:15-17, So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” 

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.” 

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” 

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.” 

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” 

Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.” 

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. (MEV) 

The Lord first took care of their physical needs. Then when they were warm and had eaten, He turned to Peter and dealt with spiritual matters. Peter had publicly denied the Lord three times. Since then, he had repented and had been restored to fellowship with the Lord. In these verses, Peter’s restoration is publicly acknowledged by the Lord.i 

When we confess God is always faithful to forgive! He not only forgives, hallelujah, but He forgets! On Calvary, Jesus redeemed our past, present, and future sins.  This does not give us a license to sin, however.  We were redeemed not just to get into heaven, but to live each day here on earth as image bearers of the King of Kings.  As image bearers we are called to walk in holiness and righteousness.  We are called to win the lost, disciple them, see them baptized, and teach them to obey and honor God. 

Matthew 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV) 

When we sin, if we agree with the enemy when he says, “God cannot forgive you again” or “You’ve gone too far now" and fail to repent the enemy builds a wall of separation between us and God.  He continually reminds us of our sin and as we buy into his lies the wall gets bigger and bigger.  However, if we like Peter, confess and repent for our sin, God forgives us and restores us to right relationship with him. This prevents the enemy from building walls (strongholds- more on this in a future study) in our lives.   

Sixth, Peter was confident.  

Acts 1:14-26, These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

In those days Peter stood up among the disciples (the number of people together was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Brothers, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit previously spoke by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became the guide to those who seized Jesus. For he was numbered with us and took part in this ministry.” 

(Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity. And falling headlong, he burst asunder in the middle and all his organs spilled out. 19 It became known to all the residents of Jerusalem. So this field is called in their dialect Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let no one live in it,’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’ 

Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us while the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the very day that He was taken up from us, one of these men must become with us a witness of His resurrection.” 

So they proposed two, Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which of these two You have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, to go to his own place.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. So he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (MEV) 

In this account we see Peter rising to take his place as leader and instructing the other disciples about how to fill the position among the disciples that Judas had vacated.  He spoke with confidence because he had been with Jesus.  

When we spend time with Jesus, he gives us confidence to step into the rolls He has called us to fill in His kingdom.  We all have different callings, giftings, talents, and abilities, however, we can all walk in those with confidence in Christ. Peter was the most broken of all the disciples after having denied Jesus three times, however, after his repentance and restoration, he walked in confidence!  Our sins are not final, if we allow them to, they can become steppingstones to greater confidence in our walk with Christ, because we know that His grace is sufficient, His forgiveness complete, and His presence constant. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (MEV)  

1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from [all] unrighteousness. (ESV) [Emphasis mine.] 

Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and of a good courage. Fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, it is He who goes with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you.” (MEV) 

Joshua 1:5, No man will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not abandon you. I will not leave you. (MEV) 

Seventh, Peter was compassionate.   

Acts 3:1-10, Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. A man lame from birth was being carried, whom people placed daily at the gate of the temple called Beautiful to ask alms from those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. Peter, gazing at him with John, said, “Look at us.” So he paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. 

Then Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. Jumping up, he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God. They knew that it was he who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him. (MEV) 

How many people had passed this man during his lifetime? His only means of support was what little he received from begging. Because he was blind, this man, whose name we are not given, was not allowed to enter the temple. His unclean status left him outside the temple gate begging for help. Peter and John could have dropped a few coins in his cup, however, Peter full of compassion and Holy Spirit knew that what the man really needed was healing and salvation.   

With the confidence that comes from time with Jesus and by the power of Holy Spirit Peter spoke to the man and commanded him to look at them.  Once he had the man’s full attention he broke the bad news, “I have not silver or gold.” However, Peter did not stop there, he then commanded the man in Jesus' name to rise and walk. Praise be to God! God doesn’t do things halfway.  In that moment of compassion, Peter changed that man’s life forever.  He not only healed his legs, but he also gave him dignity and self-worth.  Now instead of depending on the charity of others he could work to provide for his own needs.  He also gave him access to the house of worship and introduced him to the Giver of Life, Jesus!!! 

We too are called to walk in compassion toward the lost and broken in our world. We are called to bring healing to the sick, comfort to the broken and grieving, freedom to the captives, and salvation to the lost. 

Finally, Peter was courageous. 

Matthew 14:22-33, Then Jesus commanded His disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. When He sent the crowds away, He went up into a mountain by Himself to pray. And when evening came, He was there alone. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was turbulent. 

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a spirit.” And they cried out in fear. 

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer. It is I. Do not be afraid.” 

Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, bid me come to You on the water.” 

He said, “Come.” 

And when Peter got out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (MEV) 

Through the years, I have heard numerous sermons on this passage.  Most of them, if not all of them talked about Peter taking his eyes off Jesus and sinking. I want us to look at this scripture from a different perspective.   

When Peter saw the figure walking on the water and heard Jesus' voice, he immediately made a bold request and followed it up with a courageous move.  Let’s think about this for a moment. All the disciples saw the figure.  They were all afraid and said a spirit (ghost) was out on the water. Only Peter made the courageous move to step out of the boat, onto the water, to go to meet Jesus.   

I am here to tell you that God will at some time call all of us out of the boat.  God has called us all to give up our comfortable life and to walk in obedience to His call.  Peter could have stayed in the boat and waited for Jesus to come him, however, if he had he would have missed out on a great miracle.  Even though he began to sink when he lost eye contact with Jesus, Peter did what no other human has ever done!  He walked on water!!  

I am not saying we need to go out and live recklessly, but I am saying that when God speaks to our heart we must obey instantly.  If Peter had given much thought to what he was doing, he probably would have drawn his leg back into the boat before his foot even touched the surface.  He, like many of us, would have missed his opportunity to do a great thing with Jesus by allowing the lies of the enemy to steal his courage.   

I believe faith and courage are brothers.  Faith is a full and affectionate confidence in the certainty of those things which God has declared, and because he has declared them.ii 

Courage is acting on the faith you have in God.  (Larabee definition) 

Faith says, my God shall supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19). Courage is paying your tithes before you pay your bills.   

Faith says, if God is for me, who can stand against me.  Courage is speaking to someone that the Lord puts in your path without hesitation.    

May we couple our faith with courage and step out of the boat! 

In conclusion, we have learned the Peter was a leader, he was faithful, even to death, he was committed to Christ, he walked in bold obedience to the Lord, he had a repentant heart, he was confident, he was compassionate, and he was courageous.   

Lord, today we ask you to teach us how to walk like Peter.  We have each stumbled and sinned, however, we thank you for your forgiveness and restoration.  We ask you to guide our steps as we walk in humility and faith with you throughout each day! In Jesus’ Name we pray!  AMEN!!!! 

 

Works Cited:

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

ii https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/faith