Mark 14:66-72

Introduction: Charles Spurgeon said about the repentance of Peter: “True repentance is always the gift of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in the soul. Man, left to himself, continues to sin. If he turns from his iniquity, it is because God turns him. By nature, his mind is set on mischief and if that mind is changed, as it is in genuine repentance, it must be because the Lord Himself has changed it. That repentance which a man works in himself, without the Spirit of God, will turn out to be a repentance, that needs to be repented of.”

I. LET US CONSIDER FIRST OF ALL, WHAT CAUSED PETER TO WEEP BITTERLY v.72.

A. He remembered that he had denied his Lord.

1. What he thought to be impossible he would do- had nevertheless been done three

times- vs.68-71.

B. Peter looked to the end of the hall of judgment.

1. The Lord Jesus Christ looked at him - he remembered - all the goodness and care - and

love the Lord had for Him - when he thought of it - he wept- Cf. I Pet.2:24.

C. He remembered the position in which the Lord had placed him- he was not only a disciple

but one of the Lord’s Apostle.

1. Your position is a position of divine trust- as you’re entrusted with a divine trust-

it is a sacred trust- I Tim.1:11-12.

2. Whatever responsibility God has entrusted you- remember- it’s sacred.

D. Peter remembered that his Lord had shown him a very special closeness.

1. When the Lord went up into the mountain where he was transfigured- He took only

Peter, James, and John.

2. The Lord was always watching him, protecting him, praying and guiding him.

E. Peter wept bitterly - for he realized that he denied the Lord in the very hour when the Lord

needed him most.

1. Peter left the Lord when He need a friend, a companion- he not only forsook Him, but

denied him, too.

2. We deny the Lord - when His work needs us and we refuse to do it.

3. We deny the Lord when we neglect the ministries of His church- visitation, soul-winning,

our giving, attending church services regularly.

II. I HOPE THAT THIS MESSAGE SERVES AS A WAKE UP CALL - TO THOSE WHO AT ONE WAY OR

ANOTHER HAVE NEGLECTED THEIR SUPREME DUTY OF SERVING THE LORD.

A. There are those who like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24.

1. V.12- it all started with a selfish purpose.

2. V.13- he decided to have life by himself.

a.) He lost concern for the father’s home.

3. God has given us a church to care for- to invest our time, our talents, our treasures.

B. Rev.2:4- like the church in Ephesus- “they have left their first love.”

1. They still have love, but the deep, fervent, burning love that filled them with a passion to serve Him has

left their hearts.

III. THE WEEPING OF PETER SHOWS HE WAS TRULY REPENTANT… IT ALSO SHOWS THAT HIS HEART WAS GENUINELY

CONVERTED.

A There is a big difference between the heart of Peter and Judas’ heart.

1. It was the difference between Repentance and Remorse.

IV. HEBREWS 2:9- “BUT WE SEE JESUS”

A. Heb.12:2-“Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith…”

B. We see Jesus - praying for our faith - that our faith will not fail- Luke 22:31-32

C. We see Jesus as a loving Saviour - willing to save you.