The Gospel According To John July 8, 2012 Sermon Lesson 87 John 18:15-18, 25-27
God's Grace in the Humbling of Sinful Christian Leaders Because God loves His people, He humbles His sinful leaders. Catastrophic sin…. Starts innocuously (15) Peter was zealous for Jesus (10) Peter was boldly following Jesus (15) Peter found a way to be near Jesus (16) Is divinely orchestrated (15-18, 25) He provided contacts to get Peter into the courtyard (15-16) He provided “weak” but effective opposition (17) He provided the coldness and fire that tested Peter (18, 25) Grows precipitously (15-17, 25-26) First denial: to a female slave (15-17) Second denial: to the courtyard group (25) Third denial: to Malchus' relative (26) Culminates in crisis (27) Peter denied Jesus (27a) Peter was humbled (27b) Is deeply rooted Little faith (Matt 14:28-31) Excessive self-confidence (Matt 16:21-23; Jn 18:10-11; 13:6-9) Intentional ignorance of Christ's warnings (Lk 22:31; Jn 13:38) Is forgiven by God's grace, if God so chooses! Lk 22:32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. Applications: Recognize the formation of catastrophic sin in your own life now! Humbly confess the roots of that sin, before it is too late! Trust God for His mercy to forgive and restore! Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God!
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