We are always going to fail in something. We are imperfect! We will all experience failure in life. The night Jesus was arrested, two of his best friends failed him.
This week we're breaking down how Peter failed Jesus. We're asking these questions -
1.) What causes personal failures in your life?
2.) What did Peter do right?
3.) How does Jesus respond to our failure?
1.) We think we are stronger than we are.
“Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account 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 into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.”
- Matthew 26:31 - 35 (NIV)
2.) We fear the disapproval of others.
“But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. (58) Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.” (69-70)” - Matthew 26:58, 69-70 (NIV)
3.) We speak without thinking.
“Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man! Immediately a rooster crowed.” - Matthew 26:71-74 (NIV)
“And so the tongue is a small part of the body yet it carries great power! Just think of how a small flame can set a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire! It can be compared to the sum total of wickedness and is the most dangerous part of our human body. It corrupts the entire body and is a hellish flame! It releases a fire that can burn throughout the course of human existence.” - James 3:5-6 (TPT)
