The Holly chieftain., 1923-07-12

GOLDEN NTExT-.Lord, Thou knowsst
all things: Thou knowest that love
Thee."--John 2l:l7.
| REFERENCE MATERIAL = John
i:ss-42; John ls;1o-11: 2o:l-1o; zai-zs;
| PRIMARY ToPIc-Peter. the Helper
JUNIOR roPIc-Ths Leader Of the
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
| IC-Peter's Failures and Successes.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
| Peters Weaknesses and Strength.
| !. His Name. (John :42).
The name which he bore when In
| troduced to Christ was Simon, which
means 'hearing." But Jesus gave him
q new name-"Peter," which means
"rock." This showed what he was to
become.
u. 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 (Luke 5:10). From being a
fisherman he was called to catch men.
: III. 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-
lieye 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-
lius sent for him at Joppa he respond
ed without delay.
8. Courageous. While Peter played
the coward sometimes, he was for the
most part brave man. No doubt 1t
| 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 1t was
with passion. No finer example of
burning eloquence can be found than
his Pentecostal sermon.
w. Peters Confession Of Christ
(Matt. 18:13-1s. 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.
l. What it Was ". 16). It involved
His Messiahship-''The Christ" and
deity-"Son Of the living God" This
is the burning question today. Those
who have the right conception of
Christ's 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.
8. Peters Blessing ". 1s). Christ
declared that he should be the founda-
tion stone in His church. Christ il 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. 2:20).
All believers are living stones Of this
house Il Peter 2:5).
v. Peters Restoration (John 21 :15-
17).
Peter grievously sInned In denying
the Lord, but he made q 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
qualification for his ministry. Love 10
the pre-eminent GIFT for Christs serv-
Ice. To impress this upon him, he
three times asked the question. Lowest
thou mel" Three classes Of people
were to be served: u) Those be-
ginning 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. (s) The aged Chris
tians-"Feed my Sheep" Love Is
needed In dealing with the fathers and
mothers In Israel.
injuries.