The Winslow mail., 1923-07-13

JUNIOR TOPIC-The Leader Of the
Twelve.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Peter's Failures and Successes.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Peters Weaknesses and Strength.
l. His Narne. (John ! :42).
The name which he bore when in
troduced to Christ was Simon, which
means hearing" But Jesus gave him
a new name-"Peter," which means
"rock." This showed what he was to
become.
II. His Call. (John Al, 42).
His brother Andrew brought him to
Christ. This brought him into fellow
ship with the Lord. From ordinary
discipleship he was called to special
ministry Ouke 5:10). From being a
fisherman he was called to catch men.
Ill. Peters Character.
1. Sincere. What Peter was at
heart could be read on his face. He
was free from duplicity. People could
understand him. Because of this
characteristic they could tell when he
was lying. Yet even when people
knew he was in error they could be-
Heve in him. He seems to have been
ignorant of the word diplomacy"
2. Prompt He had the ability to
decide and act quickly, as the occa-
sion demanded. This made him real
leader. His action at the empty tomb
was an example of his prOmptitude.
John outran Peter, but Peter was the
first to enter the tomb. When Corne.
Illus sent for him at Joppa he respond
ed without delay.
3. Courageous. While Peter played
the coward sometimes, he was for the
most part a brave man. No doubt it
was through cOWardice that he denied
the Lord, but it was his courage that
brought him to follow the Lord into
the palace Of the high priest.
4. Intense. He felt keenly and
acted with vigor. Whether right or
wrong, what he did he did with all
his might. When he preached it was
with passion. No finer example of
burning eloquence can be found than
his Pentecostal sermon.
". Peters Confession of Christ
(Matt. 16:13-1S, 21-23).
The disciples had been with the
Lord for several years. They had
heard His mighty words and seen His
mighty works. Various opinions were
extant about Him. 1t was now neces-
sary for them to have a definite con-
ception Of Him. The Master-Teacher
knew the necessity Of having the dis
ciples get the right conception of Him.
self.
1. What it Was ". 16). 1t involved
His Messiahship-"The Christ" and
deity-"SOn of the living Cod" This
is the burning question today. Those
who have the right conception Of
Christs person and mission have no
trouble in the realms of science, philos-
ophy or ethics.
2. Christ's COmmendation ". 17).
He pronounced him blessed. Truly he
was blessed, for he both possessed and
confessed the Christ. The evidence
that Peter was blessed was that he
was in spiritual touch with the Father
in Heaven.
3. Peters Blessing ". 1S). Christ
declared that he should be the founda-
ton stone in His church. Christ is the
chief cornerstone on which the church
is built. Christ's person and Messiah
ship was confessed by Peter, and on
this rock is laid the foundation of
apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:2O).
All believers are living stones of this
house Q Peter 2 :5).
v. Peters Restoration John q 10
1O.
Peter grievOusly sinned in denying
the Lord, but he made a confession,
shedding bitter tears Of penitence over
his sin and folly. The Lord tenderly
dealt with His erring disciple and re-
stored him. In this restoration He
brought to Peters mind the essential
for his ministry. Love is
the pre-eminent gift for Christ's serv-
ice To impress this upon him, he
three times asked the question, Lowest
thou me?" Three classes of people
were to be served: Q) Those be-
the Christian life-"Feed my
lambs" (2) The mature Christians
shepherd my sheep" The shepherd
needs to protect and feed the sheep.
Love is the one essential equipment
for this service. (3) The aged Chris
my sheep" Love is
needed in dealing with the fathers and
mothers in Israel.