The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-01-24
~"I IMPROVED
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
CUNDAyg
CcHOOL Lesson
CBy REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.,
Member of Faculty Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago)
g, Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for January u
PETERS DENIAL


LESSON TEXT-Mark 14:27-81. 81,
66-72.
GOLDEN TExT-wherefor let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed
lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 1912.
PRIMARY TOPIC-When Peter Did
Wrong and Was Sorry.
JUNIOR TOPIC-When Peter Failed.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Be Prepared to Meet Temptation.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-How Jesus Is Denied Today
A better statement of the subject
would be Peters Downfall" From
the height of fellowship with God
which Peter enjoyed when he con-
fessed that Jesus was the Messiah, in
Matthew 16, to the depth of emphasiz-
ing a lie by means of foul oaths is a
long way, but the steps were quickly
taken, for the time was short The
presentation of this lesson should be
done in such way as to be solemn
warning to Christians today. In or
der that we may be saved from such
a fall, let US study carefully the steps
in Peters backsiding.
|. Overwhelming Self-confidence wv.
29-3D.
Jesus had issued a solemn warning,
even a prophecy, Of the backsliding Of
all the disciples. Peters unwilling
ness to face the cross alienated him
from Jesus, and when apprised of the
fact that the disciples would all for
hot
was mistaken, saying, Although all
shall be offended, yet will not l."
Our condition is most perilous when
we are most sure of our safety.
II. Sleeping at the Post Of Duty
wv. 32-3O.
Peter and two others were priv
ileged to be near to Jesus In the hour
of his anguish. The favored three
were commanded to watch, but in one
short hour the very one who was so
confident of his self-sufficiency had
fallen asleep instead of watching.
The only way to escape from backslid-
ing is to watch. The one who over
rates himself undertakes the power of
the devil.
III. Neglect of Prayer wv. 3S).
The legitimate inference from the
Lords words, watch and pray" Is
that he had commanded them to pray
as well as to watch. The reason there
is so little prayer on the part Of
Christians is due to the fact that
there Is a lack of the sense of need
of Gods help.
". Service In the Energy Of the
Flesh ". Az.
When they came to arrest Jesus,
Peter took sword and cut off an ear
of the servant of the high priest John
1910. He was Jealous for the Lord.
but it was zeal without knowledge.
Even in his outward zeal for his Lord
he made bungling job. II he had
been in downright earnest he would
have cut off the mans head instead
Of his ear. This is characteristic of
much Of the service rendered today by
christians.
v. Following Jesus Afar of ". 54).
Christ's rebuke for taking the sword
and the awkward position In which
Peters act had placed him caused him
to follow Jesus afar off. This rebuke
widened the breach between Peter
and his Lord. Following Jesus afar
off got him into further trouble.
VI. Seeking Comfort Among the
Lords Enemies ". 67).
This fire was built by those who
had come unsympathetically to wit
ness the crucifixion and even to mock
In this tragic hour. For Christs dis
ciples to warm themselves at the ene-
mics fire, to get comfort from the
things prepared for the satisfaction Of
his enemies is sinful. Peter not only
tried to get comfort by using that
which the enemy had prepared for
themselves, but he engaged in CONVEX
sation with the enemy and they that
stood by declared that his speech be-
trayed him. Multitudes of protesting
Christians have grown cold while sit
ting around the enemies fire. 1t
would be infinitely better to freeze to
death in Gethsemane than to keep
warm around the enemies fire.
VII. Open Denial wv. 6S-72).
Step by step Peter went downward
until the words of a servant girl pro-
voked open and blasphemous denial
Peters trouble began when he shrank
from the cross. 1t was that shrinking
which separates him from contact
with his Lord. Only the one who has
been in touch with the Lord can back
slide. Many Of the so-called backslid-
ers have never been born again; they
have simply returned to their own
way.