The Spiritual Journey of Peter

Never Say Never Matthew 16:22-23; 25:31-35; John

13:5-9

SundayTeacher.comLesson Password: Journey

Illustrated Bible Life Password: Fishing

Feb 8, 2015 Prayer RequestsBenny Prichard Linda AndersonRuth & Keith GawithLua McNewHelen CarpenterTim – Brenda’s brotherGinny JellisonLucy McKinneyRichie & Mary MerrymanMilton Davis & Kathy DavisTrenton HattlerJack EnrightYoung families – Gods

guiding in upcoming changes.

Gods leading and direction in our Church Families

College StudentsKeith McNew-

Christ’s working in his life.

James Alexander -- Dialysis

Unspoken

Sandra Great Britain

David Mexico

Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia

Ruth India, Israel, Australia, New Zealand

Keith & Ruth Switzerland

Sarah Swaziland

Wayne Africa

http://globalmission.nazarene.org/

The message of hope, from one refugee to another Rev. John Yual Nguth, the Nazarene mission coordinator for South Sudan and Western Ethiopia, ministers in refugee camps in East Africa. In 2000, his family was accepted into a resettlement program in Australia, giving them a chance to start over. But John felt a pull on his heart. "God was telling me I cannot go, I must stay with my people and preach to them," he said. "And I said no, no that is not right. Our life in the refugee camp was terrible. If I go to Australia, it will be better. But (God) said, 'No, stay, serve my people.‘”

Praying for the US & CanadaRichie Merryman: NY, NM, CAAlexanders: CA, OK, GA, QCVanderpool: NM (SE ABQ)Jellisons: UT, TX, AKShultzs: CA, DC, MA, BCMoores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QCAbby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QCAliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEIL. Kilgore: VA, MIT. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DCNielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RIGriffins: VT, OH, (Northeast)C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo NationAdams: NM, CA, MAB. Brown: GA, OR, ONB. Vito: NY,ID

http://globalmission.nazarene.org

Near-record 4 Nazarene players chosen in MLB draftMajor League Baseball held its annual First-Year Player Draft this week and four players from Nazarene schools were chosen — the most since a record five were taken in 2009. Clayton Brandt (MidAmerica Nazarene University), Josh Altmann (Olivet Nazarene University), Hunter Newman (Trevecca Nazarene University), and Jake Reppert (Northwest Nazarene University) join the list of at least 66 others as MLB draftees from Nazarene schools since the draft started in 1965.

Matthew 16 (NIV)21 From that time on Jesus began to explain

to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.

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Good Intentions & the DevilWhy did Peter think that he needed to have a private talk with Jesus?

How is this a “frame of reference” problem?

Was Jesus using a “figure of speech” or did Satan really have a role in this conversation?

Matthew 26 (NIV)31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you

will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

What Peter Didn’t KnowIs this interaction between Peter and Jesus consistent with the interaction in Chapter 16.

What is the basis for Peter’s confidence in his own faithfulness?

What role did the other disciples play in this interaction?

Is there a lesson for us in this interaction?

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John 13 (NIV) 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and

began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”10

After These ThingsWhy did Peter object to Jesus washing his feet?

Was this a “false” humility?Why is Peter’s being washed a requirement for “having a part with Jesus?”

Do you think Peter got the message? Why? Why not?

Jesus set Peter an example – Did Peter follow it? 11

Next WeekUnit 1: Prayers & Sermons of God’s The Spiritual Journey of

PeterLesson 2: Never Say Never

Matthew 16: 21-23; 26:31-35John 13:5-9

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Wesley’s GuidanceI am a creature of a day, passing through life as

an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: Just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: For this very end he came from heaven. He [has] written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri [that is, a person, comparatively speaking, of one book].

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Wesley’s GuidanceHere then I am, far from the busy ways of [life]. I sit down alone: Only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book, for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: —“Lord, is it not [your] word, ‘If any . . . lack wisdom, let [them] ask of God?’ [You ‘give . . . liberally and ungrudgingly.’ You have said, ‘If any are willing to do your will, they shall know it.’] I am willing to do, let me know, [your] will

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Wesley’s Guidance” I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” I meditate [upon these] with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I [do and] teach (Wesley’s Works, Vol. 5). 15

Summarizing Wesley’s Guidance1. Go to a private place2. Read the scripture3. Pray for understanding of the

scripture4. Be willing to obey God according to

what you learn5. Compare passages of scripture that

deal with the same topic6. Meditate on the scripture’s teaching7. If you do not understand, consult with

other Christians and read the writing of Christians from the past.

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