Fallen but Forgiven

Notes: Fallen, but Forgiven

Matthew 26

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, September 20, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Have you ever fallen unexpectedly, the type where you don't catch yourself? Have you ever done that spiritually?

Today we are looking at how Simon Peter has fallen and recovered through Jesus. Jesus named him Peter, meaning "the Rock".

The past cannot be changed, but our response to it can be.

Matthew 26:31-35 NKJV

[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.

Luke 22:31-32 NKJV

[31] And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

The devil has his minions but he is not omnipresent. However, he did come after Peter specifically.

Whenever the devil comes knocking, you should let Jesus answer the door.

When God allows you to go through a fiery trial, He has a purpose.

God will not keep you in there longer than you need to be.

Romans 8:34 NKJV

[34] Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Why did Satan target Peter? Because Peter was a threat.

The devil will try to stop you from making a difference. That means that if you are doing good, you maybe thrown into a trial.

1. Peters first step down was self-confidence.

Matthew 26:33 NKJV

[33] Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."

Never boast of your commitment to Christ, you can boast about how much Jesus loves you.

You are the disciple Jesus loves.

Peter not only boasted of his confidence, but he also contradicted what Jesus said.

Confidence always seems to happen right before you fall.

Pride goes before a fall.

2. Peter's second step down was a result of prayerlessness.

Matthew 26:41 NKJV

[41] Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Pride and prayerlessness go hand in hand.

Prayer is not just for petition, but for protection and preparation.

When you wake up in the middle of the night with worry, you pray about it and ask the Lord to worry about it.

Not praying could be a sin.

John 4:17 NKJV

[17] The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,'

3. Peter fell because he trusted in human efforts instead of Gods power.

Matthew 26:51-56 NKJV

[51] And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. [52] But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. [53] Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? [54] How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" [55] In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. [56] But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Our two secret weapons as a church: prayer and preaching.

Register and vote, be an influence for good.

We need to pray for America like never before!

The last miracle that Jesus did before the cross was covering a disciples blunder.

4. Peters fourth step down was following at a distance.

Matthew 26:58 NKJV

[58] But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

Just like a lion attacks the herd animal that follows at a distance, Satan will also attack the stragglers.

Matthew 26:69-75 NKJV

[69] Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee." [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." [71] And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth." [72] But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!" [73] And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." [74] Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

Following at a distance Peter was cold, so he found fire in the enemy's camp. Peter was now in the wrong place with the wrong people, it was just a matter of time before Peter did the wrong thing.

He swore, not like using profanity, but an oath.

Matthew 26:74 NKJV

[74] Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

Anybody can fall into sin, however, just like Peter, we can all be restored shortly after when we come to Jesus.