090412 Resurrection Sunday sermon "But Peter"

Introduction

A. Segway / Background from Good Friday Message· The record of Jesus' death and resurrection is full of individuals with their passions, purposes, and imperfections.
· John: the disciple whom Jesus loved
· Judas: the treacherous betrayer
· Caiaphas: the jealous chief priest bent on crushing the competition
· Pilot: pleasing the crowd to avoid trouble
· Joseph and Nicodemus: Sanhedrin men that secretly followed Jesus
· the women: showing devotion even after death
· Thomas: tormented by his doubts
· None is more colorful and captivating that the Apostle Peter. His deep love for the Savior and rash zeal to follow him are both endearing and inspiring.
· John chapter thirteen records Jesus' washing of the disciples feet. When verse six says, "Then He came to Peter…" we know to expect something different.
· Peter is often maligned for his ambitious words, his blunders, and failures. Often we see him misunderstanding God's plan and lacking the filling of the Spirit that would later empower him. But at the heart of his blunders is a man who loved Christ passionately and aspired to do great things for him.
· To often we judge people too much on how many mistakes they make and not enough on their heart and their acts of faith for the Lord.

b. Overview

· First, this morning I would like to review three of the mentions of Peter BEFORE Christ's sacrifice for our sins.
· Then, second, we will look at references to Peter AFTER Christ's resurrection.

1. Before Christ's death, Peter was disinguished by passion for Christ.a) Christ washing feet (145) John 13.1-20 & John 13 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter.
And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” 8 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.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

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Peter's heart was that he would esteem Christ as his Lord and would be the servant. There was nothing half way with Peter. He was not content to follow Christ some. He wanted everything Christ had to offer him.
We should be students of the Word to know God's design and purposes. But do we have that same passion, that desire to have all of Christ?
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10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”
· (146) During the Paschal meal Christ predicts his betrayal.
· Christ pointed points out Judas as the betrayer and he left.
· (147) Jesus predicts their disertion and they all protest their loyalty.
· (148) Christ institutes the Lord's Supper during the celebration of the Passover Seder.
· (149) Jesus gives the upper room discourse recorded in John.
· and continue to share (150) as they move toward Gethsemane.
· (151) John 17 records Christ's intercessory prayer.
· (152) Jesus agonizingly prays in the Garden of Gethsemane.
· & Turn with me to Matthew 26.50-56 which records Peter's misguided, but bold, defense of his Lord.

B) Peter defends Christ (153) Matt 26.50-56

50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus [Peter] 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?”
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In Mark 14.31 Peter boldly announced, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” Peter does indeed take his stand for Christ. He is brave against overwhelming odds, however, his zeal is misinformed and did not further God's plan.
We should be students of the Word to know God's design and purposes. But do we share the same boldness and courage to stand for Christ as Peter did?
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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.
(154) Jesus is examined by Annas, father of the high priest.
(155) Jesus is tried and condemned by Caiphas, the high priest

C) Peter wept bitterly (156) Luke 22.59-62
& John 18
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
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After Peter flees in the garden, we find him back following Christ. It is reasonable to assume that the other nine disciples were on the run or in hiding. John had connections and had Peter let in.
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It is easy for us to forget what a sticky situation Peter was in here. Three times people pointed him out and questioned whether he was with Jesus. It is easy to criticize Peter, but he had distinguished himself by having the opportunity to deny Christ.
Luke 22
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.————————————————————————————————-
Peter had determined to stand up for Jesus and was devestated and crushed when he failed so miserably. "wept bitterly" The Greek word for bitterly* here carries the idea of "being pierce through." It is a word you would use for someone mourning for the dead. *πικρῶς pikrōs St#G4090
To often we have a "Well, whatever" attitude about sin. Do we share the same heartbreak over our sin and failure to honor the Lord that Peter had?
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GOSPEL PRESENTATION
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

· The next day, as Jesus was dieing, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing his head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19.30)
· Not only was the price for Peter's sin and his shortcomings paid in full, but ours also.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

· Faith is not a neat experience we add to our religious history.
· It is changing teams. It is moving from darkness to light.


2. After Christ's resurrection,
Peter was distinguished by his heart for Christ.
A) Peter responds quickly to news about Christ.
& Luke 24
1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” 8 And they remembered His words.

Mark 16.7 adds ...
7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

Special note was made to tell Peter. Some say it was because he had denied Christ. I wonder if it wasn't because the Lord wanted to make sure something would get done about the report.

9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb ...

Here we see again, that things roll right along until we come to that extraordinary and passionate Peter. "But Peter…"
& Jn 20.3-10
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple [John], and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and [John] outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And [John], stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet [John] did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following [John], and went into the tomb; and he saw (Wuest translates this "he intently gazes") the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
8 Then [John], who came to the tomb first, went in also; and [John] saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.


· Are we like the nine ? It is easy to sit back unmoved when we encounter spiritual truth that challenges our doubt?
· Or do we share Peter's zeal to see that the these things are true?

B) Peter is Eager to see Christ John 21.

(180) The appearance to the seven disciples beside the sea of Galilee.
(181)
& John 21
1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.”
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved [John] said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.

Notice Peter's eagerness to see the Lord Jesus. He was not the most observant, but he was the most zealous and eager to see Jesus. Somehow we sometimes loose that passion and love for the Lord.

8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

C) Peter reaffirms his heart for Christ
1.
15 So when they had eaten breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love1 Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love2 You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

1 love — agape love, the true, selfless, eduring love that God loves us with.
· more than these — these could refer to the fish and boats, or it may have the disciples in view.
· Peter was more bold than the rest in declaring how he would never deny Christ.
· Christ's question echos through the years to us this morning, "Do you love me more?"

2 love — phileo friend, affection
· It is likely that Peter's denial had softened his confidence.
· But is not "know if or whether," but "know that…"

lambs — This is a term that often used for people.
Make note of whose lambs they are. As you look around you this morning, see Christ's lambs. As you feed and tend them, you serve their Shepherd too.

2.
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love1 Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love2 You.”
He said to him, “Tend3 My sheep.”
1 love — agape love, the true, selfless, eduring love that God loves us with.
· Note that the Lord weakens the question by dropping the comparative "more than these."
·
2 love — phileo friend, affection
· Peter again responds with the weaker word.

3 tend — ποιμαίνω (G4165): More comprehensive that feeding.

Sheep instead of lambs

3.
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love1 Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know2 all things; You know c that I love4 You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep."

1 love — love — phileo friend, affection
· The Lord further weakens His question by using the weaker word for love this time.
·
2 know οἶδα (G1492): “implies the intellectual knowledge of a fact"
—Tenny in The Expositor's Bible commentary

3 know γινώσκω (G1097): "denotes knowledge gained through experience" —Tenny in The Expositor's Bible commentary

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The heart is deceitful above all things, but God knows.
Psalm 139
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
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4 love — phileo friend, affection

· He didn't say fight battles, but feed my sheep. It was a change of focus from who is greatest and who will die.
Applications:
1.
Jesus doesn't ask "are you sorry?" nor "will you promise never to do that again?"

"Jesus Christ asks each one of us,
· not for obedience primarily,
· not for repentance,
· not for vows,
· not for conduct,
· but for a heart;
and that being given, all the rest will follow."
——————Maclaren quoted in the David Guzik Commentary

2.
The prerequisite to feed Christ's sheep is a love for Christ. The sheep are often not very lovable. We should me moved by our love for Christ which is motivated and driven by His love for us.


18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
1. Before Christ's death, Peter was disinguished by passion for Christ.


We should seek to have Peter's passion for Christ,
and one that is tempered by
· an understanding of God's designs and purpose that comes from a study of the Word and
· an empowerment through the filling of the Holy Spirit.


2. After Christ's resurrection,
Peter was distinguished by his heart for Christ.

We should seek to have a heart for Christ,
· one that is eager know of Him,
· one that desires to be close to Him, and
· one that loves Christ.