Spiritual Growth - Manifested in the Life of Peter

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!

The Saviour’s Love for The Fallen - Part 2 - Yea, Lord; Thou Knowest That I love Thee

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-5-2025

John 21:1-17

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Here in these verses, we find the amazing love of a wonderful Saviour for one of His children.  The value of ONE!  Everyone here tonight is of great value to the Lord as He loves us all equally with a never ending, never changing love!

 

B.  Last week, we saw the personal shame of Peter that kept him at a distance from the Lord.  I said a personal distance because the Lord never leaves nor forsakes His children.  If there is a distance between us and our Saviour, it is us that have distanced ourselves.

 

C.  Tonight, I want to look at the restoration of Peter.  I am so glad tonight that the Lord did not just leave him there!  “Come unto me” is the cry of the heart of God!  There is a song that says, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.”  Another says, “Come and dine the Master calleth, come and dine.”  Peter made a simple thing complicated!  Confess, get right, and follow on is the short version of restoration. 

 

D.  The Love of the Lord is an all knowing Love.  The Lord prophesied Peter’s future failure because He knew of the weakness in Peter that needed to be corrected before he could be greatly used of God.

 

Mark 14:29-31  But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.  (30)  And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.  (31)  But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

 

Self-confidence was a problem that Peter had.  We are not to put our confidence in man, yet Peter rebuked the Lord in front of all the disciples.

 

E.  The Lord knew that Peter would deny Him before the very act.  I am so glad tonight that the Lord knew I would continue to fail Him throughout life, but He loves me anyway!

 

F.  Now we will break down Peter’s failure and restoration into sections.

 

1.  Peter’s Fear.  I believe that Peter was honest when he declared that he would die for the Lord but wanted to do it his way.  He was rebuked by the Lord for drawing the sword as it was not the weapon or way of spiritual warfare.

 

a.  We saw His Denial – John 18 we find Peter’s three-fold denial.  Peter was not afraid to die but was afraid to suffer the reproach of Christ the night of Christ’s betrayal and trial.

 

b.  We saw His Warming – Peter followed a far off and warmed himself at the fires of the wicked.

 

c.  We saw His Absence – From Peter’s third denial, he is not seen again until after the resurrection.

 

d.  We saw His Shame – Peter was there with the other disciples in the first two appearances of Christ in the closed up room where they hid for fear of the Jews.

 

e.  We saw His Distance – Peter was there when Thomas confessed that Jesus was “My Lord and my God!”

 

f.  We saw His Backsliding – “I go a fishing!”  Peter could have gotten right with the Lord when the Lord looked at him; he could have gotten right with the Lord at the foot of the cross; he could have gotten right with the Lord when he came with John to an empty tomb; he could have gotten right with the Lord but chose to go back to his old business of fishing.  Peter’s shame distanced him from the Lord that he loved!

 

g.  We saw His Empty Net – “Children, have ye any meat?”  The backslidden child of God will never prosper in this world.

 

2.  The Lord’s Prophecy.

 

a.  He prophesied Peter’s Fall.  He told Peter that he would fall but Peter’s self-confidence spoke otherwise.

 

b.  He prophesied Peter’s Restoration – “When thou are converted, strengthen the brethren.

 

3.  The Lord’s Promise.  The Lord was coming for Peter and Peter knew it!

 

Mark 16:7  But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

 

4.  The Lord’s Blessing.  John 21:4-6.  They obeyed His command to cast their net on the other side of the boat and they caught so many fishes that the nets began to break.

 

John 21:11  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

 

5. Restoration’s Beginning.  John 21:7. 

 

John 21:7  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

 

a.  It was Peter who asked John who it was that walked on the shores of the sea.  I believe that this question was asked with fear and trembling.

 

b.  When Peter saw the Lord, he swam to the shore to meet Him!  His shame no longer kept him at bay.

 

6.  The Lord’s Fellowship.  John 21:12-14.  “Come and dine”  This time, the disciples and Peter warmed themselves at the right fire!

 

7.  The Confrontation. 

 

a.  God deals with us individually and it was Peter’s time to face his Lord Jesus.

 

b.  Three times Peter denied the Lord and three times the Lord asked him virtually the same question but with variations.  I believe that the reasons for Jesus’ asking three were:  1)  Three denials and 2) the Lord did not get the questions that He desired.

 

c.  It is also noteworthy at this point to see that the Lord did not call him Peter.  He called him Simon, son of Jonas, his old name as he was no longer the Peter the rock now.

 

8.  The Questions asked.  John 21:15-17.

 

a.  The first question asked laid the groundwork for repentance and restoration.

 

John 21:15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 

1)  In the first question asked, the Lord did not get the answer that He knew was vital to repentance and restoration.  “lovest thou me more than these?”  The question was not do you love me but do you love me more than this abundance of fish that could be sold at great price? 

 

2)  Peter, do you love me more than life?  Do you love me more than the wealth of this world?

 

3)  “Feed my lambs” was what the Lord wanted Peter to do, not fish but become a fisher of men.

 

Mark 1:17-18  And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.  (18)  And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

 

b.  The second question did not mention “more than me” as that foundation of service had been established.

 

John 21:16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

Luke 14:26-27  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  (27)  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

 

1)  The mission had not been changed but had escalated.  “Feed my sheep.”  The mission of feeding lambs and sheep is progressive in nature.

 

2)  The Lord got the right words but not the desired result.  “I love you” are hollow words without the inward reality of true love.

 

c.  The third question brought about what the Lord was looking for in order to restore Peter.

 

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.

 

1)  Peter was grieved!  “And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”  The Bible uses the word “grieved” here.  To be sad; heaviness of sorrow. 

 

2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

2)  Peter knew that Jesus loved him, and that Jesus knew that Peter loved Him! 

 

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

9.  Follow Me!  Now Peter was ready to lay down his life 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.

The Saviour’s Love for The Fallen -Part 1

Temple Baptist Church - 1-29-2025

John 21:1-3

 

Introduction:

 

A.  I want to reintroduce to you tonight with a man named Simon Peter. 

 

1.  Peter was one of the greatest of the Apostles.  Peter is mentioned 162 times in the Bible! 

 

2.  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. When one of the disciples spoke, most of the time it was Peter who did so.

 

3.  Who was this man named Peter.

 

a.  Peter was just a common fisherman.  God chooses, for the most part, to use common people, not the socially elite.  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.

 

b.  Peter was an uneducated man.  God chooses, for the most part, the uneducated.  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.

 

B. Peter was a man that we can all relate to. 

 

1.  Peter walked with God, often got ahead of God, sometimes got behind God, he even rebuked God, was rebuked by God, but was greatly used of God. I want to use this story about Peters rise and fall and restoration and continuance. 

 

2.  God chooses to use FLAWED and FALLIBLE people!

 

C.  Simon Peter Was Great Because His Faith Was Great.  The only human who walked on water! 

 

Matthew 14:26-29  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  (27)  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  (28)  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  (29)  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

 

D.  Peter was also great Because of His Failures.  He never let them keep him down.  One mark of greatness is not to let failures destroy your service.

 

1.  Peter Rebuked The Lord - Matthew 16:21-23  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  (22)  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  (23)  But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

John 13:6-9  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. (Peter at least tried to make this one right.)

 

2.  Peter often spoke when he should have remained quiet - Mark 9:5-7  And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.  (6)  For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.  (7)  And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

 

3.  Peter Denied The Lord Thrice - Luke 22:54-61  Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.  (55)  And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.  (56)  But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.  (57)  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.  (58)  And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.  (59)  And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.  (60)  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.  (61)  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.   

 

4.  In out text, Peter Went Fishing Instead Of Preaching - 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.  (This was not a casual fishing trip for relaxation, it was a return to the old life of fishing for a living.)

 

5.  Peter Gave In to Peer Pressure - Galatians 2:11-13  But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (But he got it right when rebuked by Paul)

 

E.  Now, let’s set the backdrop to our text.  In John 21, several things have transpired in recent days.  The Lord was betrayed and crucified.  The third day, He gloriously and bodily arose from the grave.  The Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene and now twice has appeared on the Lord’s day to His disciples.  Old “Doubting Thomas” has made is confession “My Lord and my God!”  Peter was with the disciples on these two occasions and his faith should have been strengthened but it wasn’t.  Peter went back to his old life of fishing despite all of this!

 

F.  You see, you can be faithful to church and still be out of the Lord’s will.  I often tell people that going to church will not make you a Christian anymore than sleeping in a garage will make you an automobile.  You can come to church and still not be right with God.

 

Proverbs 5:12-14  And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;  (13)  And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!  (14)  I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

 

G.  Why did Simon Peter go fishing?  Of all his failures, there was one that Peter had not yet gotten right.  He denied the Lord thrice. 

 

1.  When the Lord looked at Peter after his denial, he went out and wept bitterly.  But he did not get right with God!  You see, weeping will not clear the conscience nor restore the sinful.

 

2.  Peter was missing when they crucified the Lord.  He should have been at the foot of the cross with John asking forgiveness from the One he had thrice denied.  But he was conspicuously absent. 

 

3.  Peter was there both times when the Lord came into their presence.  The disciples were ALL glad when they saw the Lord, which included Peter, but Peter had not yet got things right with his Lord!  I am sure that both Peter and the Lord knew that too!

 

John 20:20-21  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  (21)  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

 

4.  Peter decided to go fishing!  This does not speak of recreational fishing.  sPeter went back to his old life of being a fisherman!  When he went, as he was a leader among the disciples, others went with him.

 

H.  I believe that the reason Peter had not gotten right, though he had several opportunities, was because of the great shame that he carried. 

 

1.  Shame that separates us from the will of God is as old as time itself.

 

Genesis 3:6-8  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  (7)  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.  (8)  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

 

2.  Thus, Peter “hid” from the Lord by going back out to sea where he thought he could not be seen.

 

Conclusion:  There have been and will be times when you and I fail the Lord miserably and will look in the mirror and be ashamed.

 

1.  Have you ever been ashamed? 

 

a.  I have never been ashamed of my Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

b.  I have never been ashamed of being saved.

 

c.  I have never been ashamed of my brothers or sisters in Christ or my church.

 

d.  But I have been ashamed of my personal failures!

 

2.  Do not try to hide from God but immediately go to Him in repentance, experience His forgiveness, and move on!

 

3.  Never allow your failures to outweigh your love for your Saviour!!!