Sermon Cloud

Luke 22:54-62

Few saints have fallen to the depths and denial that Peter did on the day Jesus was brought to the house of the high priest Caiaphas. But few saints have been been used so powerfully by God after being restored. In verses 54-62 of Luke, we see the sad but stirring account of when Peter momentarily fell away from the Lord and then later repented and was restored to useful service by the Lord. So, what causes a Christian to deny Christ?

In this message, Pastor Ramey outlines the five things we need to avoid so that we may not fall into denying Christ. These are demonstrated by the five steps that Peter took that got him to the point of denying Christ. Peter was:

1) prideful
2) unsubmissive
3) lacking in prayer
4) impulsive, and
5) in the company of unbelievers

Under these circumstances, its not a matter of if, but when we will fall into the temptation that leads to denial. And, 1 Corinthians 10:12 tells us that we all have the potential to fall away from the Lord.. But, we are ever thankful because Jesus intercedes to the Father on our behalf - even now. So, if we confess our sins and repent of them, Christ is faithful to forgive and restore us (1 John 1:9). Proverbs 28:13 also tells us that those who confess and repent will find compassion., This is exactly what Jesus provided Peter.

Jesus used this process to prepare and strengthen Peter so that he could encourage, strengthen, and lead others. The Lord uses the same process today to strengthen and encourage us so that we may also usefully serve Him.