The Penn's Grove record., 1923-07-13

JUNIOR TOPIC-The Leade Of the
Twelve.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Peter's Failures and Successes.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Peters Weaknesses n Strength.
|. His Name. (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
crock" 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 duke $40. From being Il
fisherman he was called to catch men.
III. Peters Character.
/. Sincere. What Peter was at
heart could be read on his face. lie
was free from diplicity. 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
lieve in him. He seems to have beer
ignorant of the word diplomacy"
.. Prompt. He had the ability to
decide and act quickly, as he occa-
sion demanded. This made him a 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 il
was through ~cowardice that he denied
the Lord, but it,was his courage that
brought him to follow the Lord int
the palace of the high priest.
4. Intense. He felt keenly anc
acted with vigor. Whether right OF
wrong, what lie did he did with al
his might. When he preached it was
with passion. No finer example OF
burning eloquence can be found thar
his Pen~tecostal sermon.
~. Peters Confession of Chris
Matt. 16:13-1S. 21-23).
The disciples had been with tbs
Lord for several years. They hat
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-Teachel
knew the necessity of having the dis
ciples get the right conception of Him
self.
/. What it Was ". 16). 1t involved
His Messiahship-"The Christ" ant
deity-"Son of the living God" Thi'
Ia the burning question today. Thost
who have the right conception o.
Christ's person and mission have NJ
trouble in the realms Of science, philos
ophy or ethics.
2. Christ's Commentator ". 17)
He pronounced him blessed. Truly HI
was blessed, for he both possessed anC
confessed the Christ. The evidence
that Peter was blessed was that HI
was in spiritual touch with the Fathel
in Heaven.
3. Peters Blessing ". 1S). Chris
declared that he should be the founda
ton stone in His church. Christ Is tn
chief cornerstone on which the churcl
is built. Christ's person and Messiah
ship was confessed by Peter, and OF
this rock is laid the foundation o
apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20)
All believers are living stones of thi!
house q Peter 2:5).
v. Peters Restoration John q 10
~.
Peter g%rievously sinned in denying
the Lord, but he made a confession
shedding bitter tears of penitence owe
his sin and folly. The Lord tenderl.
dealt with His erring disciple and re
stored him. In this restoration HC
brought to Peters mind the Essential
qualification for his ministry. Love i
the pre-eminent gift for Christ's serv
ice. To impress this upon him, h
three times asked the question, Loves
thou me?' Three classes of people
were to be served: () Those be
ginning the Christian life-"Feed m.
lambs" ~ The mature Christians
shepherd my sheep" The shepherd
needs to protect and feed the sheep
Love Is the one essential equipment
for this service. go The aged Chris
tians--"Feed my sheep" Love i!
needed in dealing with the fathers an(
mothers III Israel.