Lessons froma FallMt 26:69-75

LessonsFrom a Fall

• What a blessing it is to serve a God who What a blessing it is to serve a God who forgives sin!forgives sin!

LessonsFrom a Fall

• What a blessing it is to serve a God who What a blessing it is to serve a God who forgives sin!forgives sin!• ““Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of

yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22, ESV).(Acts 8:22, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• What a blessing it is to serve a God who What a blessing it is to serve a God who forgives sin!forgives sin!• ““Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of

yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22, ESV).(Acts 8:22, ESV).

• ““My little children, I am writing these things My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn 2:1, ESV).Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn 2:1, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• While God stands ready to forgive, we While God stands ready to forgive, we need to strive not to fall.need to strive not to fall.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• While God stands ready to forgive, we While God stands ready to forgive, we need to strive not to fall.need to strive not to fall.• ““Are we to sin because we are not under law Are we to sin because we are not under law

but under grace? By no means!” (Rm 6:15, but under grace? By no means!” (Rm 6:15, ESV).ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• While God stands ready to forgive, we While God stands ready to forgive, we need to strive not to fall.need to strive not to fall.• ““Are we to sin because we are not under law Are we to sin because we are not under law

but under grace? By no means!” (Rm 6:15, but under grace? By no means!” (Rm 6:15, ESV).ESV).

• ““Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame” (1 Cor 15:34, ESV).shame” (1 Cor 15:34, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Tonight, we wish to study Peter’s fall to Tonight, we wish to study Peter’s fall to see what lessons we can learn.see what lessons we can learn.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• ““Now Peter was sitting outside in the Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before them all, Galilean.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you mean.’ And saying, ‘I do not know what you mean.’ And when he went out to the entrance, another when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ And again he denied it with an Nazareth.’ And again he denied it with an oath: ‘I do not know the man.’ After a little oath: ‘I do not know the man.’ After a little whilewhile

LessonsFrom a Fall

• ““the bystanders came up and said to the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you too are one of them, Peter, ‘Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know the man.’ And swear, ‘I do not know the man.’ And immediately the rooster crowed. And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly” (Mt 26:69-75, ESV).wept bitterly” (Mt 26:69-75, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM PETER?PETER?

LessonsFrom a Fall

WE LEARN THE DANGER OF WE LEARN THE DANGER OF OVER-CONFIDENCE!OVER-CONFIDENCE!

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Peter told Jesus that even if all the other Peter told Jesus that even if all the other apostles stumbled, he never would!apostles stumbled, he never would!

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Peter told Jesus that even if all the other Peter told Jesus that even if all the other apostles stumbled, he never would!apostles stumbled, he never would!• ““Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away because Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away because

of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter answered him, ‘Though they all fall away because Peter answered him, ‘Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I of you, I will never fall away.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even if I will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!’ And all the must die with you, I will not deny you!’ And all the disciples said the same” (Mt 26:31-35, ESV).disciples said the same” (Mt 26:31-35, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Peter told Jesus that even if all the other Peter told Jesus that even if all the other apostles stumbled, he never would!apostles stumbled, he never would!• Mt 26:31-35.Mt 26:31-35.• Peter really believed that he was safe from sin.Peter really believed that he was safe from sin.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Peter told Jesus that even if all the other Peter told Jesus that even if all the other apostles stumbled, he never would!apostles stumbled, he never would!• Mt 26:31-35.Mt 26:31-35.• Peter really believed that he was safe from sin.Peter really believed that he was safe from sin.• Certainly, that’s one reason that he fell so Certainly, that’s one reason that he fell so

easily.easily.

LessonsFrom a Fall

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT BEING OVER-ABOUT BEING OVER-CONFIDENT!CONFIDENT!

LessonsFrom a Fall

• ““Pride goes before destructions, and a Pride goes before destructions, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18, haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18, ESV).ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• ““Pride goes before destructions, and a Pride goes before destructions, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18, haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18, ESV).ESV).

• ““Let anyone who thinks that he stands Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12, ESV).take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• ““Pride goes before destructions, and a Pride goes before destructions, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18, haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18, ESV).ESV).

• ““Let anyone who thinks that he stands Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12, ESV).take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12, ESV).

• If we believe we will never commit a If we believe we will never commit a certain sin, we will run into serious certain sin, we will run into serious trouble.trouble.

LessonsFrom a Fall

WE LEARN THAT SIN IS WE LEARN THAT SIN IS PROGRESSIVE.PROGRESSIVE.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Peter got deeper & deeper into sin.Peter got deeper & deeper into sin.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Peter got deeper & deeper into sin. He Peter got deeper & deeper into sin. He was over-confident, he followed from a was over-confident, he followed from a distance, he sat by the fire of his enemies, distance, he sat by the fire of his enemies, he denied the Lord, he cursed, & swore!he denied the Lord, he cursed, & swore!

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Sin often leads to more sin.Sin often leads to more sin.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Sin often leads to more sin.Sin often leads to more sin.• ““Then desire when it has conceived gives birth Then desire when it has conceived gives birth

to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (Js 1:15, ESV).forth death” (Js 1:15, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Sin often leads to more sin.Sin often leads to more sin.• ““Then desire when it has conceived gives birth Then desire when it has conceived gives birth

to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (Js 1:15, ESV).forth death” (Js 1:15, ESV).

• ““Evil people and impostors will go on from bad Evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tm to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tm 3:13, ESV).3:13, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Sin often leads to more sin.Sin often leads to more sin.• ““Then desire when it has conceived gives birth Then desire when it has conceived gives birth

to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (Js 1:15, ESV).forth death” (Js 1:15, ESV).

• ““Evil people and impostors will go on from bad Evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tm to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tm 3:13, ESV).3:13, ESV).

• Once we begin on a path of sin, it’s Once we begin on a path of sin, it’s difficult not to keep from going deeper & difficult not to keep from going deeper & deeper into sin.deeper into sin.

LessonsFrom a Fall

WE LEARN THAT BAD WE LEARN THAT BAD COMPANY LEADS TO SIN.COMPANY LEADS TO SIN.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter gone on to the trial, he might Had Peter gone on to the trial, he might never have betrayed Jesus.never have betrayed Jesus.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter gone on to the trial, he might Had Peter gone on to the trial, he might never have betrayed Jesus.never have betrayed Jesus.

• He surrounded himself with bad company He surrounded himself with bad company & he ended up sinning.& he ended up sinning.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• We need to be careful about the company We need to be careful about the company we keep.we keep.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• We need to be careful about the company We need to be careful about the company we keep.we keep.• ““You shall not intermarry with them, giving You shall not intermarry with them, giving

your daughters to their sons or taking their your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly” (Deut 7:3-4, ESV).you quickly” (Deut 7:3-4, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• We need to be careful about the company We need to be careful about the company we keep.we keep.• ““You shall not intermarry with them, giving You shall not intermarry with them, giving

your daughters to their sons or taking their your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly” (Deut 7:3-4, ESV).you quickly” (Deut 7:3-4, ESV).

• ““Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’ (1 Cor 15:33, ESV).morals’ (1 Cor 15:33, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

WE LEARN THAT LETTING WE LEARN THAT LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHERE WE PEOPLE KNOW WHERE WE STAND LESSENS STAND LESSENS TEMPTATION.TEMPTATION.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter told the others who were there Had Peter told the others who were there where he stood, he may not have run into where he stood, he may not have run into temptation.temptation.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter told the others who were there Had Peter told the others who were there where he stood, he may not have run into where he stood, he may not have run into temptation.temptation.• But, he was not willing to stand on conviction.But, he was not willing to stand on conviction.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter told the others who were there Had Peter told the others who were there where he stood, he may not have run into where he stood, he may not have run into temptation.temptation.• But, he was not willing to stand on conviction.But, he was not willing to stand on conviction.• Another time, Peter got into trouble because Another time, Peter got into trouble because

he wouldn’t stand on conviction.he wouldn’t stand on conviction.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• ““But when Cephas came to Antioch, I But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy” (Gal 2:11-13, ESV).their hypocrisy” (Gal 2:11-13, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• We need to stand firm on our convictions.We need to stand firm on our convictions.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• We need to stand firm on our convictions.We need to stand firm on our convictions.• ““Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast,

immovable, always abounding in the work of immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58, ESV).is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• We need to stand firm on our convictions.We need to stand firm on our convictions.• ““Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast,

immovable, always abounding in the work of immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58, ESV).is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58, ESV).

• ““Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved” (Phil 4:1, ESV).Lord, my beloved” (Phil 4:1, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• We need to stand firm on our convictions.We need to stand firm on our convictions.• ““Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast,

immovable, always abounding in the work of immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58, ESV).is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58, ESV).

• ““Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved” (Phil 4:1, ESV).Lord, my beloved” (Phil 4:1, ESV).

• Are we standing firm on our convictions.Are we standing firm on our convictions.

LessonsFrom a Fall

WE LEARN THAT THE WE LEARN THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONSEQUENCES OF PRAYERLESSNESS ARE PRAYERLESSNESS ARE HORRIBLE.HORRIBLE.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• After Jesus prayed in the Garden, “he came to the disciples After Jesus prayed in the Garden, “he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘So, could and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again, for the second time, he went but the flesh is weak.’ Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ And again he came and found drink it, your will be done.’ And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the said to them, ‘Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand’” (Mt 26:40-46, ESV).at hand’” (Mt 26:40-46, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he likely would not have fallen into likely would not have fallen into temptation.temptation.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he likely would not have fallen into likely would not have fallen into temptation.temptation.

• When we stay away from prayer, we see When we stay away from prayer, we see disastrous consequences.disastrous consequences.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he likely would not have fallen into likely would not have fallen into temptation.temptation.

• When we stay away from prayer, we see When we stay away from prayer, we see disastrous consequences.disastrous consequences.• ““Have those who work evil no knowledge, who Have those who work evil no knowledge, who

eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?” (Ps 53:4, ESV).call upon God?” (Ps 53:4, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he likely Had Peter stayed awake & prayed, he likely would not have fallen into temptation.would not have fallen into temptation.

• When we stay away from prayer, we see When we stay away from prayer, we see disastrous consequences.disastrous consequences.• ““Have those who work evil no knowledge, who Have those who work evil no knowledge, who

eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?” (Ps 53:4, ESV).call upon God?” (Ps 53:4, ESV).

• ““You desire and do not have, so you murder. You You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask” (Js 4:2, ESV).ask” (Js 4:2, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

PRAYERLESSNESS IS SO PRAYERLESSNESS IS SO VERY DANGEROUS!VERY DANGEROUS!

LessonsFrom a Fall

WE LEARN THAT THE WE LEARN THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF FEAR CONSEQUENCES OF FEAR ARE DISASTROUS.ARE DISASTROUS.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely would have confessed Christ.would have confessed Christ.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely would have confessed Christ.would have confessed Christ.• Christianity & fear do not go together.Christianity & fear do not go together.

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely would have confessed Christ.would have confessed Christ.• Christianity & fear do not go together.Christianity & fear do not go together.

• ““The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Prov 29:25, ESV).the Lord is safe” (Prov 29:25, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely would have confessed Christ.would have confessed Christ.• Christianity & fear do not go together.Christianity & fear do not go together.

• ““The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Prov 29:25, ESV).the Lord is safe” (Prov 29:25, ESV).

• ““But even if you should suffer for righteousness' But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled” (1 Pt 3:14, ESV).be troubled” (1 Pt 3:14, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

• Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely Had Peter not been so fearful, he surely would have confessed Christ.would have confessed Christ.• Christianity & fear do not go together.Christianity & fear do not go together.

• ““The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Prov 29:25, ESV).the Lord is safe” (Prov 29:25, ESV).

• ““But even if you should suffer for righteousness' But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled” (1 Pt 3:14, ESV).be troubled” (1 Pt 3:14, ESV).

• ““But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Rv 21:8, ESV).is the second death” (Rv 21:8, ESV).

LessonsFrom a Fall

FEAR WILL KEEP US FROM FEAR WILL KEEP US FROM DOING WHAT WE KNOW IS DOING WHAT WE KNOW IS RIGHT.RIGHT.

LessonsFrom a Fall

EVEN THOUGH PETER EVEN THOUGH PETER DENIED THE LORD, HE WAS DENIED THE LORD, HE WAS ABLE TO DO GREAT THINGS.ABLE TO DO GREAT THINGS.

LessonsFrom a Fall

IF YOU HAVE FALLEN AWAY, IF YOU HAVE FALLEN AWAY, YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS.YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS.

LessonsFrom a Fall

IF YOU HAVE FALLEN AWAY, IF YOU HAVE FALLEN AWAY, YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS.YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS.

Do you need to return to God?Do you need to return to God?