Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of His disciples too, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” Peter then denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed. vs25-27

When God says we are sinners, let us believe Him.

First, we’re prone to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Therefore, we do not preach Christ. We have dead empty sermons of religious morality, but there is no gospel, because we think that we can make it. We don’t understand the Mediator and constant dependence on Christ. We think that we can muster the fruit of the Spirit, but it doesn’t work that way. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” We must see Christ and receive the reconciliation, if we’ll obey; it is not by human strength.

Secondly, strong believers are only obedient as we are kept. Let us not get above thinking that we need grace at the mountain top, or we’ll say something foolish like Peter… or fall like David, Samson, and Solomon. These three great men allowed women to take them down, when they were in the height of power and usefulness, because they trusted in themselves. King Asa and King Usiah both had the same miscalculation. We must always remember that we’re small, helped by God, and depend on Him with fear and trembling. We must guard our steps and the secret movements of our heart. We must repent sincerely.

Brothers, we’re able to stand, but only as we’re watchful. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” Past obedience and present joy are no indicators of tomorrow’s strength. Let us watch ourselves closely, because Satan seeks to destroy our usefulness and hinder our joy. He wants us miserable, if he can’t keep us lost.

Thirdly, there’s recovering grace! Look at Peter… such a sinner… but look at Christ enduring hardship in his place.

John 18:11, At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Sheathe your sword! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

John 18:14, “Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was advantageous that one man should die for the people.”

John 18:22, When He had said these things, one of the temple police standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

Jesus is being slapped, when He’s God over all. He is suffering for our sins. He’s bearing the wrath of God, and He is naked and wounded for us.

When we have fallen, Christ has not, and He’s still the same today! He has not DISQUALIFIED Peter. Bless His name. He’s made Peter more humble and will recover Him by grace. Luke 22:32 “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”