Arkansas State press., 1946-04-26
DECISIVE MOMENTS
IN PETERS LIFE

LESSON THXT-John La: Mark 8:
27-29; Luke 22:54-57. 81. 81; John 81
1917.
MEMORY SELECrIoN-We ought to
obey God rather than men,-Acts $40
Men are Of primary interest to
God. Our Lord Jesus has always
been concerned about men, eager
that they should be filled with all
the fullness OF His love and the
beauty OF His grace. He 1t Is who
stands by in the hour of weakness
! and failure to give renewed strength
to His repentant child.
The life of Peter runs the gamut
Of human feelings from the height
Of JOY and assurance to the depth
of despair. He learned many Of his
lessons the hard way-by stubborn
/ struggle in the school OF experience
but he came out into glorious
and triumphant faith in Christ.
l. A New Name and a Great Con-
fessiOn John l:42; Mark 8.27-2O.
When a man comes to Jesus in
true faith and devotion he becomes
changed man. The Bible speaks Of
1t as new birth, radical change
from darkness to light, a going from
death to life.
A name is important In Its bear
Ing on the individuals life. How
often parents hinder or embarrass
child with an unworthy name,
or a foolish imitation OF the name
Of some giddy Individual in the pub
lie eye, but lacking real character.
Simon. which means hearing"
was completed by the name Peter
meaning rock" token Of this
change Of direction Of life. The
Lord gave II to him. and He knew
all about the man. his past. present
and future, the longings Of his heart
which were to be fulfilled In serv.
Ice for Him.
The great confession Of Christ
MARK 81. which became the foun-
dalton Of the church (see Matt 16:
49,. was the expression of the heart
Of this spiritually changed man.
He knew what the Lord had done
for him. and knew that It was the
work Of God. not the influence Of
some philosophy of man. nor the re-
suit Of following a great teacher or
an example.
Thou art the Christi" Such Il
the conviction and confession of the
man or woman with the reborn life!
II. An Awful Failure and . Deep
Repentance Luke %: 54-57. 81. 82)
Peter had Wanted himself in de
claring his everla sting loyalty to the
Lord. His old dissatisfaction and
boastfulness had overcome him He
had even come to the place where
he felt capable Of telling the Lord
that He was mistaken.
He made the grave mistake Of fol
lowing the Lord "afar off" ". 5p
He did not intend to deny the Lord.
but he had allowed himself to get
into a position where II was hard to
stand UP for Him.
The lesson for us is evident II
we want our faith to be steady and
true In the hour OF the enemys at.
tack we must not get far from the
Lord, nor may we find our fellow
ship with this Christ-denying world
Peters strong denial Of our
Lord. his use Of language unbecom.
ing 10 believer. his quick false
hoods--all these mark the thing he
did for what he knew II to be when
he heard the cock crow-a terrible
sin against the Christ.
The look Of Jesus doubtless car
ried conviction, but one somehow
feels that II was even more a look
oi tenderness and OF assurance OF
the Lord promised prayers for
him
The thing which brought the tears
VI repentance was the remem-
bfanCe OF the Lords own words ".
6lD /, is the recollection Of the
Word Of God which brings a man to
his senses spiritually
Peters repentance was real. So
! we find that Peter was restored and
reinstated in his place of service for
| the Lord
Ill. A Complete Restoration and
an Obedient Service tJohn 81 l5.lO
Jesus met Peter on the hrst Eas.
ter morning, SO he was assured OF
forgiveness But Peter and the others
had returned TO their old life as
fishermen. They seem to have lost
their vision. or had become dis
couraged
But the Lord had not forgotten
them. He appeared and told then
where TO catch FISH. and then w
have the lovely scene around the
fire as they breakfasted together.
There 1t was that the Lord me
Peter. and as he had denied Chris
thrice he is asked to thrice declar,
his devotion to Him.
The man who thus declared his
readiness to serve Christ to the enc
had many an opportunity TO prove
the sincerity Of that profession He
met persecution and Imprisonment
but TO every effort OF man to close
his mouth or to change his witness
be had The simple reply Of absolute