Sermon 8-2-15

7 Steps to Peter's Fall

We are continuing our look at Walking with God by Faith

We have shared some key words along the way

·       Long Term walk – Obedience

·       After a fall -  Forgiveness

I want to first walk you through the 7 steps of Peter’s Fall

Then I will share with you the key word antidote to avoiding a Fall in your walk with God.

Peter was a strong willed person.

• He was rambunctious
• Boisterous
• Opinionated
• Sure of himself
• I’ll never deny you – even if the others do

•  Impulsive
•  Cut off the guys ear

He was human – He made a lot of mistakes

But it wasn’t one step that led him to denying Christ.

There were missteps along the way

Let’s look at them and learn from them

 I.  Conceit

Matthew 26:31-33

·       Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

·       1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT) If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

II.  Ease -  Asleep – Not watching – Complacent

Matthew 26:39-40

·       1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) ⁸  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

III.  impulsive

John 18:9-10

IV.  Drifting Away

Matthew 26:58

V.  bad Company

John 18:18

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT) ³³  Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

VI.  Open Denial

John 18:25

VII.  Blasphemy

Mark 14:71-72 (NLT) ⁷¹  Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”
⁷²  And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

How do I stay humble?

I.   His Cross

• We deserved the Cross, not the benefits of the Cross
•  He didn’t deserve the Cross but willing took my place
•  Everyone has to come to the cross
• Whether Nicodemous – Best humanity had to offer
• Or the Samaritan at the well married multiple times living with a man who wasn’t her husband
• Whether you come from the Sanctuary or the Street we all have to come to the Christ of the Cross for forgiveness
•  I’m not better than anyone else 

II.   His Mercy

Psalm 103:9-12 (NIV) ⁹  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰  he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹²  as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 

 III.   His Grace

• I didn’t save myself
• I couldn’t save myself
• I don’t deserve the blessings God has given me

Sinner Saved By Grace

If you could see what I once was

If you could go with me

Back to where I started from

 Then I know you would see

A miracle of love that took me

In it's sweet embrace

And made me what I am today

Just an old sinner... saved by grace

I'm just a sinner saved by grace

When I stood condemned to death

He took my place

Now I live and breathe in freedom

With each breath of life I take

Loved and forgiven, backed with a living

I'm just a sinner saved by grace

How could I boast on anything

I've ever seen or done?

How could I dare to claim as mine

The victories God has won?

Where would I be

Had God not brought me

Gently to this place?

I'm here to say I'm nothing

But a sinner saved by grace

I'm just a sinner saved by grace

When I stood condemned to death

He took my place

Now I grow and breathe in freedom

With each breath of life I take

I'm loved and forgiven backed with a living

I'm just a sinner saved by grace

Now I grow and breathe in freedom

With each breath of life I take

I'm loved and forgiven backed with a living

I'm just a sinner saved by grace

Saved by grace

  Gloria Gaither Mitch Humphries William J. Gaither  William J. Gaither, Inc.