River of Life Church

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Mercy Matters

Mercy in our Failures

April 10, 2022 • Pastor Denny Curran

1.) What did Peter do wrong? a.) Overestimate our strength b.) We fear the disapproval of others c.) We speak without thinking 2.) What did Peter do right? Three things - use the steps to recover from any type of failure or loss. A.) Peter grieved. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4 (NIV) B.) Peter went to a Small Group. “That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!” -John 20:19-20 (NLT) C.) Cast yourself in God’s Mercy “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” - 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) WHAT DOES JESUS DO WITH OUR FAILURES? 4 Things Jesus Does with our Failures: 1.) He isn’t shocked. “You know all about us, inside and out. You are mindful that we’re made from dust.” - Psalm 103:14 (TPT) 2.) He prays for us. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” - Luke 22:31-32 (NIV) “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” - Hebrews 7:25 (NIV) 3.) He believes in us. “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” - Proverbs 24:16 (NIV) 4.) He shows us His mercy when we're down. “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead” - John 21:1-14 (NIV) “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 5.) He uses our failures to build the church. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” - Luke 22:31-32 (NIV) “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” - John 21:15-17 (NIV)

Failures

April 3, 2022 • Pastor Denny Curran

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)