Transformed By The Master

A Summer 2009 Mini-Series

The Apostle Peter:The Big Picture of God’s Power In A

Humbled LifeA Character Study From Selected Texts

Pastor Joe Pursch

Chinese Grace Bible Church

May 31 2009

Introduction

Luke 6:12-16,

12It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  13And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:

Introduction

Luke 6:12-16,

 14Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew;

 15and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot;

 16Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

IntroductionLuke 6:12-16,

12It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  

13And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:

 14Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew;

 15and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot;

 16Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

1. Peter Was The Big Picture Of God’s ___________ Of A Person’s Hidden Potential!

(John 1:40-42)

Realization

John 1:40-42,

40One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

 41He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ).

 42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

A.Reassures Me That God Knew My _______ When He Called Me

B.Reassures Me When God Puts Me In A “________ Position”

C.Reassures Me That I’ll Have ________ Perspective

Future

Stretch

Correct

2. Peter Was The Big Picture Of God’s ___________ Of A Person From Deep Problems!

Liberation

A.Unrestrained – John 18:10

John 18:10,

10Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus.

A.Unrestrained – John 18:10

B.Unforgiving – Matthew 18:21-22

Matthew 18:21-22,

21Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"  

22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

A.Unrestrained – John 18:10

B.Unforgiving – Matthew 18:21-22

C.Unwilling – Matthew 16:21-23

Matthew 16:21-23,

21From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.  

22Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You."

Matthew 16:21-23,

23But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."

A.Unrestrained – John 18:10

B.Unforgiving – Matthew 18:21-22

C.Unwilling – Matthew 16:21-23

D.Undisciplined – Matthew 26:31-35, 69-70

Matthew 26:31-35, 69-70,

31Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.'

 32"But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."

 33But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away."

Matthew 26:31-35, 69-70,

 34Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."

 35Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too.

Matthew 26:31-35, 69-70,

69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean."  

70But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about."

3. Peter Was The Big Picture Of God’s ___________ Of A Person From A Ruined Life!

(Mark 16:7; John 21:17)

Restoration

Mark 16:7,

7"But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.'"

John 21:17,

17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You " Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.”

4. Peter Was The Big Picture Of God’s ______________ Of A Person From Weakness Into Power!

(Luke 22:31-32)

Transformation

Luke 22:31-32,

31"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;

 32but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Conclusion

Peter’s Relational Example:

Courage