Series: Discovering the Life Changing Gospel
Coming Back From an Epic Fail
John 18:15–17 (HCSB) 15Meanwhile, Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. 16But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. 17Then the slave girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” “I am not!” he said.
John 18:25–27 (HCSB) 25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of His disciples too, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” 26One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” 27Peter then denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed.
- IT’S DIFFICULT TO SUCCEED WHEN THOSE AROUND YOU ARE PREDICTING FAILURE.
John 13:36–38 (HCSB)
36 “Lord,” Simon Peter said to Him, “where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.” 37 “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!”
38 Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for Me? I assure you: A rooster will not crow until you have denied Me three times.
- Jesus knows our heart and is not dependent on our words.
- There was a confidence that developed into arrogance.
Proverbs 16:18 (HCSB)
18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
- WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DIFFICULT, WE DISCOVER STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. (18:15-17; 25-27
- We never know when we will be tried.
- Failure can come when we least expect it.
- We don’t know what we are made of until severe testing arrives.
- IN SPITE OF MONUMENTAL FAILURE, WE CAN SUCCEED.
- The question is not whether or not we will fail, it’s what will we do after failure.
- Failure does not have to be permanent.
- Restoration is always on the heart of God. (21:15-19)
We all fail at some time or another. God desires to restore us to the place where He can use us again. The question is what will we do to come back and be in right relationship after our failure?
