True North Church

3 Things Peter Did Wrong / What causes our personal failures?

1. Overestimate our Strength

Matthew 26:31-35 (CSB)
“Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” “Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing.”

1 Corinthians 10:12 (CSB)
“So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.”

2. We Fear the Disapproval of Others

People pleasing + Pressure of People = Giving into the thoughts of others

Matthew 26:58, 69-70 (CSB)
“Peter was following him at a distance right to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and was sitting with the servants to see the outcome. Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl approached him and said, “You were with Jesus the Galilean too.” But he denied it in front of everyone: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

3. Speak Without Thinking

Matthew 26:71-74 (CSB)
“When he had gone out to the gateway, another woman saw him and told those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!” And again, he denied it with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there approached and said to Peter, “You really are one of them, since even your accent gives you away.” Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed,”

3 Things Peter Did Right —What Should I Do When I Fail

1. Grieve

Matthew 26:75 (CSB)
“And Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

Psalms 51:17 (CSB)
“The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.”

2. Let My Pocket of People Support Me

Mark 16:10 (CSB)
“She went and reported to those who had been with him, as they were mourning and weeping.”

John 20:19-20 (CSB)
“When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”

John 20:26 (CSB)
“A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

3. Cast Myself on God’s Mercy

1 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,”

1 Peter 5:7 (CSB)
“Cast all your cares on him because he cares about you.”

What Does Jesus Do With Our Failures

Luke 22:31-32 (CSB)
“Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

1. He isn’t shocked
2. He prays for us
3. He believes in us
4. He shows us mercy when we are down
5. Uses our failures to build His church