Sermon for Good Friday­4/21/00­"The Peter in All of Us" |
Text: Matthew 26: 69-75
Title: "I don't know Him!"
Introduction: Have you ever been shunned by someone you know

Theme: Read 2 Timothy 2: 11-13 and state: Even if we have or are in denial of Jesus as our Savior, today he faithful recalls us to forgiveness in his cross and to reestablish a living witness to him in our life and world

Why do we deny Jesus?

• Fear of what our association to him might cause for us
• Pride--we are living in denial of our sinful existence and need for him

The danger of our denial

It causes us to play in Satan's sandbox

1. ­ILLUS.: BE CAREFUL LITTLE WORM NOT TO PLAY IN THE PUDDLES
2. ­Peter went from a lie (don't know what talking about) to apostacy (I don't know the man) within a matter of minutes
3. ­For the sake of a momentary pleasure or the avoidance of a necessary and painful confrontation, we deny Jesus by word or action and risk our eternity
   
4. It causes us to run from the only One who can give us deliverance, protection, and hope that lasts (Peter went out and wept bitterly)
   

Being reclaimed from our moment of denial

1. It takes the Spirit to call me
1. ­No one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed," and no can say that "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 12:3
2. ­Realize the gift and miracle it took and takes to keep you in the faith
2. It takes repentance

1. ­Peter wept--sobbed, mourned--pierced through to heart
2. ­Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you." James 4: 9-10

1. It takes Jesus

1. ­Jesus reclaimed Peter by forgiving his sin of denial
2. ­Jesus reclaims us by forgiving our sin--being the Lamb put to death for me
3. ­ILL.: MY EXPERIENCE AT BEHOLD THE LAMB