1

Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of His arrest.

Do you suppose his opportunity for

service is over?

2

Matthew 26 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

31-32 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

3

33 Peter answered and said unto Him, Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. 35 Peter said unto Him, Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

They meant it.

4

The soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden.

What did Jesus do?

5

Mark 14 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

When we follow Jesus "afar off", we are setting ourselves up for failure.

When we warm ourselves at the fires of the world,We will soon be denying our Lord.

6

Matthew 26 69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71

And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

7

73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the Word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

8

Peter did more than weep that night;

He repented and drew nigh unto God.

Peter had failed miserably;

Was his ministry over?

9

Many of God's men have failed;

Does that mean their ministry is over?

When I fail, will it mean that my ministry is over?

10

1 John 1 8 If we say that we have no sin, we de-ceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unright-eousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

The grace of God and His mercy is freely given to all men and women who will repent.

11

Peter was totally willing to die, fighting to defend His Lord.

But Jesus took that away.

Matthew 26 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

12

To die fighting is a thing a man can do.

To submit unto death is much more difficult.

Peter failed a great failure,denying that he even knew the Lord.

But he was restored whole when he wept bitter tears of sorrow and repentance.