October 16, 2011
Morning Service

Over the past few books we have studied we have looked pretty closely at the life of the Apostle Paul.  From his first appearance in the book of Acts at the stoning of Steven, at his conversion in chapter 9 of Acts, his commission from Jesus, an Apostle to the Gentiles, to the speaking in all authority from the Lord.  Even to the writing of two thirds of the N.T.  A mighty man of God.  Paul eventually was beheaded in Rome for his faith in Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the very Son of God.

 

            This morning we will begin a study on the life of Peter, and his sermons, and letters in the Bible.

Last Sunday evening we began with a commentaries look at the life of Peter.  This morning we begin at his calling from the Lord.

 

            After Jesus was baptized, the Spirit led Him up into the mountain to be tempted by satan, and Jesus fasted 40 days.  After He came down from the mountain victorious over satan’s tempting, He heard that John the Baptist had been cast into prison.  Jesus at this time began preaching “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

 

            This is where this is recorded;  Mat 4:18-20 KJVR  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  (19)  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  (20)  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

 

This is in John’s gospel; Joh 1:40-42 KJVR  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  (41)  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  (42)  And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

• These men that Jesus chooses to follow Him are very sincere Jews, following closely the teachings of Moses.  But now John the Baptist comes on the scene, and they began following him.
• John, upon being questioned by the Pharisees, told them he was not the Messiah, but told them He was on the scene at this time.  Then John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God, the very Son of God, and John’s disciples began to follow Jesus.

 

Peter, as we found out last week had three names, Simon, Cephas, and Peter.

• Peter is very outspoken, very brazen, a strong fisherman by trade, a rugged individual.
• Peter is looking, as well as his brother Andrew, for the coming of the Messiah.  Just as you and I are looking for the second coming of the Messiah.  We have His promise of returning for the church.  We are told by Jesus throughout the gospels to be watching for His coming, for we know not the hour nor the day of His return, but we know the signs of the times, and they are certainly all around us. 

 

As Peter becomes a faithful follower of Jesus, and sees the many wonderful things that He does in His ministry, we have this account:

Mat 16:13-19 KJVR  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  (14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.  (15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  (16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  (17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  (18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 

            Here we see the ultimate in authority given to Peter, the keys to eternal life.  Jesus knows Peter is not, and will not be perfect, but what He does know is that His Father revealed to Peter who He was, and it is this statement that the church is built upon.  You are Jesus the Christ, the very Son of God.

 

 

 

            A little further into the gospel of Matthew we find this account:

This is after the Lord gives the guidelines for our communion service.

Mat 26:30-35 KJVR  And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  (31)  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.  (32)  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.  (33)  Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.  (34)  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  (35)  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

• Jesus is not wrong.  Peter denies Him three times.  This is the same Peter that Jesus gave the keys too.  But in all fairness to Peter, and Jesus knowing that the upper room experience will soon happen, and after this we will find a dedicated man of God.   Perfect?  Only through the blood of Jesus is anyone perfect.  Peter included.

 

We find this account of Peter’s actions at the resurrection of the Lord:

Luk 24:11-12 KJVR  And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.  (12)  Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

 

The account of the Lord appearing to two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection is most beautiful:

Luk 24:32-34 KJVR  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?  (33)  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,  (34)  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

• Peter’s name is not mentioned in this Emmaus account, but I believe it was Peter, and Cleopas, and it is Cleopas speaking, and giving honor to Peter as the reason for the Epiphany, Jesus appearance after His resurrection.

 

Then the account in the Book of Acts:

Act 1:1-5 KJVR  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  (2)  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:  (3)  To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  (4)  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  (5)  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

 

When Jesus was caught up to the heavens:

Act 1:9-15 KJVR  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  (10)  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  (11)  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.  (12)  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.  (13)  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.  (14)  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.  (15)  And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about a hundred and twenty,)

• And in those days Peter stood up;  Peter showing his leadership roll.  They will choose someone to take the place of Judas.  It will be Matthias.

 

BUT WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER.  THEY ONLY HAVE TEN DAYS TO WAIT.  JESUS WAS WITH THEM 40 DAYS GIVING INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND IN TEN DAYS IT WILL BE 50 DAYS, FROM THE KILLING OF THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH WAS THE ULTIMATE BLOOD SACRIFICE.  IT WILL BE THE FEAST OF PENTECOST.