The Apostle Peter

Temple Baptist Church - 9-21-2016

1 Peter 1:1

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we begin a series on the Book of 1 Peter, I want to take a short look at an amazing man named Peter. 

 

1.  Peter is one of the most noted of the apostles and, along with James and John, comprised what is often referred to as the “inner three.”  He is one of the greatest men of the New Testament but is most remembered for his denial of the Lord and his restoration in John, chapter 21.  and is given a bad name by some for his denial of the Lord.

 

2.  Peter was a man that we can relate to! He got ahead of God; he got behind God; he rebuked God; and he was greatly used of God.

 

3.  Called by Hollywood “The Big Fisherman,” we know nothing of his size but we do know that he was one more great man for the Lord.

 

B.  I am glad that God can still use flawed men and women!  As one preacher said often, “God can take a crooked stick and draw a straight line.”  I will not take an in depth look at Peter’s life as that would take more time than I want to a lot but his life was interesting to say the least.

 

1.  Peter was just a common fisherman.  Matthew 4:18  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

 

2.  Peter was an uneducated man.  Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

C.  Let’s take a short look at the life and ministry of this poor, uneducated fisherman.

 

1.  Peter was led to the Lord by his brother Andrew - John 1:35-42  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;  (36)  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!  (37)  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  (38)  Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?  (39)  He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.  (40)  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.  (41)  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.  (These Old Testament believers awaited to promise of the coming of Israel’s Messiah and, when they found Him, they led others to Him.  I understand that these men were saved by faith in the coming of Messiah and now accepted Him when John pointed Him out to them.  Here we find the precedent of soul winning as we lead others to our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ.)

 

2.  Peter was named by the Lord – John 1:42 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.  (Peter comes from the word “Petros” or a rock.  In Matthew 16:18, our Lord said, “Thou are Peter [a rock] … upon this rock [Petra-a massive rock, which was the statement “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”])

 

3.  Peter was baptized by the Lord - John 4:1-2  When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,  (2)  (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) (These Old Testament believers were Scripturally baptized when they accepted Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah.  They were not baptized into a local church but upon the profession of their faith.)

 

4.  Peter publicly confessed the Lord - Matthew 16:13-16  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  (14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  (15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  (16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

5.  Peter called by the Lord – Matthew 4:18-20  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

 

6.  Peter committed to the Lord - Matthew 4:20  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

 

7.  Peter left all for the Lord - Matthew 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  (Here we find the Biblical priority of the believer as Christ become not only first but becomes his all.)

 

8.  Peter’s confidence in the Lord - Matthew 14:28  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

 

9.  Peter’s failure of the Lord - Luke 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

 

Luke 22:34  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

 

John 18:25  And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

 

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.  (As all of us, Peter failed.  It is heart rending when we fail and feel the eyes of the Lord looking upon us with compassion.)

 

10.  Peter’s restoration to the Lord - 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.

 

11.  Peter’s preaching of the Lord - 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:

 

12.  Peter’s martyrdom for the Lord - 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.