Christian Church 24.7 Ministry Community Group
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Anyone here perfect? Has anyone here, ever sinned after being a Christian?
We find out that even after we become a Christian, we still sin sometimes. This can be willful sin (commission) or, it can be a sin and we aren't maybe aware of it at the time (Omission). When the Holy Spirit makes aware of our sin, I am sure you have asked yourself, why do I sin, why do Christians still sin?
In our text today, we find the statement of Peter, and bless his heart, his intentions were well based but sometimes his actions fell far short of the statement or the intent of his heart or his words.
Peter was one of the chosen 12. He was a fisherman by trade, as was his brother Andrew, and two other Apostles named James and John. They were ordinary men, doing ordinary jobs but, were chosen for and extraordinary ministry that would last their lifetimes.
Let's look at a few things, that caused Peter to sin and what is amazing about this story is , that just because He was one of the "Chosen 12," it did not exempt him from committing sin. Please remember that as we go along.
This event, was a serious sin because it is listed in all 4 of the Gospels. Matt. Chpt 26, Mark Chpt 14, Luke Chpt.22 and also John Chpt 18.
Often times these scriptures are referred to as "Peter's denial". This story is familiar to many Christians and non-Christians alike.
1.PRIDE can cause a Christian to sin.
When Jesus was talking to His disciples about what was happening and what was going to happen in the near future, many of them didn't grasp what Jesus was trying to get them to understand. Peter, jumped up and spoke quickly, as he was know to do, and said these words. "though all men shall be offended because of thee, I WILL NEVER BE OFFENDED.!!!!!!!!
Question: What is the center letter in the word "SIN"? The letter "I".
Be careful when you start using the word "I" when referring to what you will do, what you can do or, what you have done. "I" is a small word but, coupled with the work of the tongue, it can be a very powerful word.
Pride can cause one to feel superior to to others. They feel they are superior in knowledge, in their ability, in their dedication and the results that they achieve. I have seen this happen in churches and cause much diissention and hurt within a fellowship.
PRIDE can cause one to think they are above temptation or exempt from Satan's devices. Boy, have we seen that in the downfall and the corruption in many high profile TV Preachers over the past few years. The Scriptures tell us that PRIDE goes before a fall and also that "Let he that thinketh he standth, take heed lest he also fall. Temptation deceives, causes disobedience, causes denial and leads to disgrace and, often times, destruction. PRIDE causes one to trust in their own abilities, their own wisdom and know how. Notice Peter said, "I will never be offended". I don't know about you but, I don't always rely on "I" (me) when trials and troubles come my way. I need help from someone a lot stronger than me. Sometimes, I think, we Pastors and Ministers, can withstand temptation on or own and some of our Church members feel that their Pastor is untouchable or invincible to Satan's temptations. Believe me, that is Satan's smoke screen to you. Sometimes I think temptation is harder on us because of the Office and position that we hold.
FEAR of Others: (sometimes referred to as Peer Pressure in today's world)
Peter thought he would be strong but, found himself controlled by fear due to the surroundings and the current situation that was unfolding before him. He denied knowing Jesus but, everyone knew he knew Jesus. Isn't it amazing what we will do sometimes when we are confronted with a particular situation or event? We look at Peter and we ask ourselves, "How could he do that"? Let's turn this around today for practical purposes for a moment.
1. What about drinking alcohol. When we are around drinking friends?
2. What about smoking, when we are around those who are smoking?
3. What about our vocabulary when we are around friends that use slang words and curse?
I realize that these 3 things can mostly be associated with young people but, it can also affect others as well.
Being a former drug user and alcoholic, the first drug and the first drink I took were voluntarily taken. No-one forced anything down me and, most alcoholics today, will tell you that no-one poured alcohol down them , they done it themselves by the choices they made.
Did you ever stop to think how hurtful these words were. "I know Him not"!!!!!!!!! FEAR caused Peter to deny Jesus 3 different times and it said they he got made and cussed and swore. Not a very pretty picture of a Christian is it?
3. NEGLECT of Staying Close to Christ brought about Spiritual Weakness.
Listen folks, any time we neglect to stay close to Jesus and fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ, we are going to become weak in our spiritual walk with Christ. It was not only Peter, if you look at this whole story, it was all the disciples! Look at the following.
a. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray prior to His arrest, his disciples fell asleep and did not pray as He had asked them to. Mark. 19 tells us that he found Peter asleep, then He came back 2 other times and found them all asleep. Many Christians today are spiritually asleep. They are spiritually weak because they do not spend time in Prayer, they do not spend time in God's word, and they do not spend time fellowshipping with other believers.
Spiritual power allows us to remain courageous. it helps us stay strong against adversities and temptations that come our way. The scriptures say that Peter went out and wept bitterly after the cock crowed. Personally, I don't think Peter was ever the same. I think this was always in his conscience. As David said in his prayer of repentance on Psalm 51. he said "my sin is ever before me". You see folks, The Bible says in i John 1 vs 9 , "that is we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" but, how easy is it to forgive ourselves?
Peter was forgiven and became a great leader and a great Soul winner in his life.
Isn't it wonderful that though we as Christians sin, we have a wonderful Saviour that will forgive us and cleanse us. Praise the Lord for His wonderful Amazing Grace and Love for us.
My God use this message to strengthen all of us in our daily walk with Christ.
Oldbiker
We find out that even after we become a Christian, we still sin sometimes. This can be willful sin (commission) or, it can be a sin and we aren't maybe aware of it at the time (Omission). When the Holy Spirit makes aware of our sin, I am sure you have asked yourself, why do I sin, why do Christians still sin?
In our text today, we find the statement of Peter, and bless his heart, his intentions were well based but sometimes his actions fell far short of the statement or the intent of his heart or his words.
Peter was one of the chosen 12. He was a fisherman by trade, as was his brother Andrew, and two other Apostles named James and John. They were ordinary men, doing ordinary jobs but, were chosen for and extraordinary ministry that would last their lifetimes.
Let's look at a few things, that caused Peter to sin and what is amazing about this story is , that just because He was one of the "Chosen 12," it did not exempt him from committing sin. Please remember that as we go along.
This event, was a serious sin because it is listed in all 4 of the Gospels. Matt. Chpt 26, Mark Chpt 14, Luke Chpt.22 and also John Chpt 18.
Often times these scriptures are referred to as "Peter's denial". This story is familiar to many Christians and non-Christians alike.
1.PRIDE can cause a Christian to sin.
When Jesus was talking to His disciples about what was happening and what was going to happen in the near future, many of them didn't grasp what Jesus was trying to get them to understand. Peter, jumped up and spoke quickly, as he was know to do, and said these words. "though all men shall be offended because of thee, I WILL NEVER BE OFFENDED.!!!!!!!!
Question: What is the center letter in the word "SIN"? The letter "I".
Be careful when you start using the word "I" when referring to what you will do, what you can do or, what you have done. "I" is a small word but, coupled with the work of the tongue, it can be a very powerful word.
Pride can cause one to feel superior to to others. They feel they are superior in knowledge, in their ability, in their dedication and the results that they achieve. I have seen this happen in churches and cause much diissention and hurt within a fellowship.
PRIDE can cause one to think they are above temptation or exempt from Satan's devices. Boy, have we seen that in the downfall and the corruption in many high profile TV Preachers over the past few years. The Scriptures tell us that PRIDE goes before a fall and also that "Let he that thinketh he standth, take heed lest he also fall. Temptation deceives, causes disobedience, causes denial and leads to disgrace and, often times, destruction. PRIDE causes one to trust in their own abilities, their own wisdom and know how. Notice Peter said, "I will never be offended". I don't know about you but, I don't always rely on "I" (me) when trials and troubles come my way. I need help from someone a lot stronger than me. Sometimes, I think, we Pastors and Ministers, can withstand temptation on or own and some of our Church members feel that their Pastor is untouchable or invincible to Satan's temptations. Believe me, that is Satan's smoke screen to you. Sometimes I think temptation is harder on us because of the Office and position that we hold.
FEAR of Others: (sometimes referred to as Peer Pressure in today's world)
Peter thought he would be strong but, found himself controlled by fear due to the surroundings and the current situation that was unfolding before him. He denied knowing Jesus but, everyone knew he knew Jesus. Isn't it amazing what we will do sometimes when we are confronted with a particular situation or event? We look at Peter and we ask ourselves, "How could he do that"? Let's turn this around today for practical purposes for a moment.
1. What about drinking alcohol. When we are around drinking friends?
2. What about smoking, when we are around those who are smoking?
3. What about our vocabulary when we are around friends that use slang words and curse?
I realize that these 3 things can mostly be associated with young people but, it can also affect others as well.
Being a former drug user and alcoholic, the first drug and the first drink I took were voluntarily taken. No-one forced anything down me and, most alcoholics today, will tell you that no-one poured alcohol down them , they done it themselves by the choices they made.
Did you ever stop to think how hurtful these words were. "I know Him not"!!!!!!!!! FEAR caused Peter to deny Jesus 3 different times and it said they he got made and cussed and swore. Not a very pretty picture of a Christian is it?
3. NEGLECT of Staying Close to Christ brought about Spiritual Weakness.
Listen folks, any time we neglect to stay close to Jesus and fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ, we are going to become weak in our spiritual walk with Christ. It was not only Peter, if you look at this whole story, it was all the disciples! Look at the following.
a. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray prior to His arrest, his disciples fell asleep and did not pray as He had asked them to. Mark. 19 tells us that he found Peter asleep, then He came back 2 other times and found them all asleep. Many Christians today are spiritually asleep. They are spiritually weak because they do not spend time in Prayer, they do not spend time in God's word, and they do not spend time fellowshipping with other believers.
Spiritual power allows us to remain courageous. it helps us stay strong against adversities and temptations that come our way. The scriptures say that Peter went out and wept bitterly after the cock crowed. Personally, I don't think Peter was ever the same. I think this was always in his conscience. As David said in his prayer of repentance on Psalm 51. he said "my sin is ever before me". You see folks, The Bible says in i John 1 vs 9 , "that is we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" but, how easy is it to forgive ourselves?
Peter was forgiven and became a great leader and a great Soul winner in his life.
Isn't it wonderful that though we as Christians sin, we have a wonderful Saviour that will forgive us and cleanse us. Praise the Lord for His wonderful Amazing Grace and Love for us.
My God use this message to strengthen all of us in our daily walk with Christ.
Oldbiker
deleted_user
I felt really encouraged by all which you have written and can say Amen!
starbright1949
I shall never forget this sermon. Especially the I in sin, this works good with my memory, Thank you Pee Wee you have given me strenght thru our Lord once again, I am so thankful your a christian and my friend and a pastor.. Thank you Lord for giving him to DS and to me Amen~~Debbie
concettah
This happens to be exactly where I am at and been at for some time now. Jesus Loves me and He will bring me into victory for my strength is in Him. Dear Lord HELP me to walk in your strength Amen!
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