Temple Baptist Church - 11-9-2025
John 1:35-42
Introduction:
A. This morning, I want to look at the advancement of the faith of the Apostle Peter. Peter often struggled in the early days of his ministry for Christ, but eventually, he became a giant in the faith. Peter is mentioned 162 times in the New Testament.
1. Here, in John chapter one, we find our Lord calling His disciples. Two disciples followed Jesus, with only one being named, Andrew. Andrew then told his brother Simon that he had seen the Messiah.
2. Jesus then calls Simon Cephas, a stone. Simon Peter had no idea how this moment would change his life forever!
3. In the 3 ½ years following, the Lord Jesus would turn this poor fisherman into a giant of the faith and a pillar of the early church.
B. We, as God’s children, grow up in Christ also. Lives that are up and down at times, but gradually upward. I picked Peter instead of Paul (163 times) for just this reason. Not everyone can be an Apostle Paul, but we all can become a “Peter!” Both ups and downs marked Peter’s ministry.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (Admonition means exhortation. To exhort us on!)
C. Having said that, let’s take a short look at the life of Peter.
1. Spiritual growth involves a beginning. Peter had faith in Christ as his personal Saviour. Peter’s faith received Him as Saviour in the beginning. We will never end right if we do not start right!
John 1:41-42 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (42) And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
2. Spiritual growth involves observation. Peter marveled at His miracles during His ministry. Before the Lord used Peter, He manifested His power to him. The Lord wants us to know that He not only created all there is, but He can do anything, anywhere, and at any time!
Luke 5:4-8 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (5) And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (6) And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (7) And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (8) When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
3. Spiritual growth involves faithfulness. Peter faithfully followed Christ, beholding Him in all His glory. Faithfulness is the key to living a life for Christ.
Mark 9:2-3 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. (3) And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4. Spiritual growth involves determination. Peter’s spiritual life was up and down during his early years with Christ. There will be times of glory and failure in our lives, as these are essential to our spiritual growth. These were years of spiritual growth for Peter.
Up. Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Down. Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Up. John 6:67-69 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (69) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God
Down. Mark 4:37-40 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40) And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
5. Spiritual growth involves failure. Peter denied Christ thrice on the night He was taken. There have been times when we all denied Christ by being silent instead of bold.
Matthew 26:33-35 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. (34) Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (35) Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
6. Spiritual growth involves trust. Peter cowered in fear after His resurrection. There will be times when we fear the unknown instead of trusting what God said. In the end, we find out that God had everything in control.
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
7. Spiritual growth involves resilience. Peter went back to his old life because of his shame. I have seen times when people were “put on the shelf” for a while. Do not stay there! Get up, shake the dust off, and begin to move in the path that you were on.
John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
8. Spiritual growth involves recognition. Peter was restored before the Lord could use him. I John 1:9 is a verse that we need to have on “speed dial!”
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
9. Spiritual growth involves testimony. Peter boldly preached after Pentecost. The time came when Peter was no longer a novice but ready for the work that the Lord had called him to do.
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
10. Spiritual growth involves finishing. Peter followed Christ for the rest of his life and died as a giant in the faith at the end. As Paul finished his course, Peter finished his, and we must finish ours.
John 21:18-19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (19) This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Conclusion: Life is just that, life! Give your best to the MASTER and the MASTER will give the best to you!
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