Life of Faith Part 2: The Faith of Peter
Associate Pastor Cole Parleir
Focus: A life of faith in Jesus Christ is one that leaves everything, follows Jesus anywhere, and feeds others for the rest of their lives.
Faith That Leaves Everything
Faith That Goes Anywhere
Faith That Feeds God’s Word
Faith That Leaves Everything
Luke 5:1 - 11
1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
A living faith in Jesus Christ will cause us to leave everything.
Peter’s brother, Andrew, was a disciple of John the Baptist who had told Andrew of Jesus being the Lamb of God. Andrew in turn told Simon Peter.
John 1:35 - 37
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
God is always making himself known to humanity, preparing us to receive salvation when the Gospel is preached and Jesus calls us to follow him. Your part matters!
Peter had to leave behind his weariness from the previous night’s work, his cynicism after a fruitless night, and his pride as a veteran fisherman to act in faith on Jesus’ Word.
Jesus’ command to fish again led to Simon’s reward for letting Jesus use his boat: which consisted of business blessing, demonstration of the presence of God AND the first step of understanding who Jesus is as Lord of heaven and earth.
True repentance occurs as we experience God’s holiness which in contrast uncovers our sinfulness. This led Peter to understand the just judgement and lawful rejection by God of him as a sinful man.
Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it. So he commands Peter to not be afraid, but to follow him and catch others as he had been caught.
A life of faith is one that is willing to leave everything and follow Jesus.
Faith That Goes Anywhere
Matthew 14:22–33
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
A life of faith in Jesus Christ will lead us into accomplishing the impossible and deepening our worship of him.
Jesus had just spent the evening in prayer. He was about 3 miles from the boat…so his walk on water was much further than Peter’s! This was between 3am and 6am.
The word ‘ghost’ may have meant the disciples thought an evil spirit was trying to deceive them.
Here we see Jesus confirming and assuring them with the familiar “I am” statement of Yahweh’s voice at the burning bush.
Peter was not content with just hearing Jesus’ voice so he asked Jesus to call him out on the water so he could also be with him.
Peter is learning that with God, all things are possible, if it is God’s will. So he asked Jesus to call him if it was his will.
Jesus walking on water in a storm, his “I am” response, his enabling of Peter to walk on water, and his saving of Peter drew the disciples to confess Jesus as the Son of God in worship.
Faith That Feeds God’s Word
John 21:15–19
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
A life of faith in Jesus produces an ever increasing sacrificial love for Jesus and that which Jesus loves.
Satan had asked to sift Peter, but Jesus had prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail in the long run. In the short run, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times in a span of a few hours.
Jesus’ prayers are always answered! We see Jesus willing to replay the very beginning of his relationship with Peter, essentially taking Peter back to the milk of the Word covering the foundations of relationship with him again.
In the process of sanctification (maturity) in Christ we must grow in the teachings of righteousness and obedience. However, when we fail, Jesus will never leave us or forsake us if we abide in him.
As we mature in faith we become more aware of our sin and failures as a result of being close to Christ. Be assured, Jesus knew the project you were when he called you and he still called you in love.
Jesus called Peter and calls us to freely give the Word that we have freely received.
To do so, we must carry the cross God assigns to us knowing he will give us grace to do so. It is the believer’s great joy to fellowship with Christ in this way.
Reflect and Discuss
Has the call from Jesus Christ compelled you to confess your sins, leave everything and follow Him?
If not, what is holding you back?
Has your faith matured to ask Jesus for the humanly impossible if he says it’s possible: salvation of others, miraculous healing (all forms), miraculous provision, etc?
Has your faith matured to love Jesus by feeding others His word?
Pray and Act
Lord, I want to be with you. Give me faith to leave anything holding me back, to ask for your will always and to feed others your eternal Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Peter’s faith in Christ gave him a new name, a new identity as Peter (rock)
Matthew 16:18
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Second City Church - Associate Pastor Cole Parleir