Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” Acts 9:10-12 NLT
Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.” Acts 9:13-14 MSG
But the Lord said, “Go…” Acts 9:15 NLT
But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.” Acts 9:15 NLT
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. John 15:16 NLT
So Ananias went and found Saul. Acts 9:17 NLT
He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17 NLT
Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Acts 9:18 NLT
And immediately he (Saul) began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” Acts 9:20-21 NLT
1. God’s Callings Takes Trust
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Acts 9:3-7 NLT
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 NLT
2. God’s Calling Takes Deeper Faith
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 NLT
3. God’s Calling Causes Growth
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. Hebrews 5:12 NLT
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. Luke 19:41-42 NLT
Failure - Peter
Who is Your One? – Week 3
“FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND SAVE THOSE WHO ARE LOST” LUKE 19:10 NLT
“JESUS CAME AND TOLD HIS DISCIPLES, ‘I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. THEREFORE, GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. TEACH THESE NEW DISCIPLES TO OBEY ALL THE COMMANDS I HAVE GIVEN YOU. AND BE SURE OF THIS: I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE.” MATTHEW 28:18-20 NLT
FAILURE DOESN’T DISCRIMINATE
TODAY’S GRACE TRIUMPHS OVER YESTERDAY’S FAILURES
“THEN JESUS SAID TO THEM, ALL OF YOU WILL BE MADE TO STUMBLE BECAUSE OF ME THIS NIGHT, FOR IT IS WRITTEN: I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP WILL BE SCATTERED.” MARK 14:27
“BUT AFTER I HAVE BEEN RAISED, I WILL GO BEFORE YOU TO GALILEE. PETER SAID TO HIM, ‘EVEN IF ALL ARE MADE TO STUMBLE, YET I WILL NOT BE.” MARK 14:28-29
“JESUS SAID TO HIM(PETER), ‘ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU THAT TODAY, EVEN THIS NIGHT,
“BUT HE SPOKE MORE VEHEMENTLY, ‘IF I HAVE TO DIE WITH YOU, I WILL NOT DENY YOU!’ AND THEY ALL SAID LIKEWISE.” MARK 14:31
“THEN SIMON PETER, WHO HAD A SWORD, DREW IT AND STRUCK THE HIGH PRIEST’S SERVANT, CUTTING OFF HIS RIGHT EAR…” JOHN
“AND SIMON PETER FOLLOWED JESUS, AND SO DID ANOTHER DISCIPLE. NOW THAT DISCIPLE WAS KNOWN TO THE HIGH PRIEST, AND WENT WITH JESUS INTO THE COURTYARD OF THE HIGH PRIEST. BUT PETER STOOD AT THE DOOR OUTSIDE. THEN THE OTHER DISCIPLE, WHO WAS KNOWN TO THE HIGH PRIEST, WENT OUT AND SPOKE TO HER WHO KEPT THE DOOR, AND BROUGHT PETER IN. THEN THE SERVANT GIRL WHO KEPT THE DOOR SAID TO PETER, ‘YOU ARE NOT ALSO ONE OF THIS MAN’S DISCIPLES, ARE YOU?” HE SAID, “I AM NOT.” ” JOHN 18:15
“NOW THE SERVANTS AND OFFICERS WHO HAD MADE A FIRE OF COALS STOOD THERE, FOR IT WAS COLD, AND THEY WARMED THEMSELVES. AND PETER STOOD WITH THEM AND WARMED HIMSELF…THEREFORE THEY SAID TO HIM, “YOU ARE NOT ALSO ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, ARE YOU?” HE DENIED IT AND SAID, “I AM NOT!” JOHN 18:18,25
“ONE OF THE SERVANTS OF THE HIGH PRIEST, A RELATIVE OF HIM WHOSE EAR PETER CUT OFF, SAID, ‘DID I NOT SEE YOU IN THE GARDEN WITH HIM?” JOHN 18:26
“PETER THEN DENIED AGAIN; AND IMMEDIATELY A ROOSTER CROWED.” JOHN 18:27
“THE LORD TURNED AND LOOKED AT PETER. THEN PETER REMEMBERED THE WORD OF THE LORD, HOW HE HAD SAID TO HIM, “BEFORE THE ROOSTER CROWS, YOU WILL DENY ME THREE TIMES.” SO PETER WENT OUT AND WEPT BITTERLY.” LUKE 22:61-62 NIV
“BUT WHEN THE MORNING HAD NOW COME, JESUS STOOD ON THE SHORE; YET THE DISCIPLES DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS JESUS. THEN JESUS SAID TO THEM, ‘CHILDREN, HAVE YOU ANY FOOD?” THEY ANSWERED HIM, “NO.” JOHN 21:4-5
“AND HE SAID TO THEM, “CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOAT, AND YOU WILL FIND SOME. SO THEY CAST, AND NOW THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DRAW IT IN BECAUSE OF THE MULTITUDE OF FISH.” JOHN 21:6
“THEN THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED SAID TO PETER, ‘IT’S THE LORD!” WHEN SIMON PETER HEARD THAT IT WAS THE LORD, HE PUT ON HIS TUNIC (FOR HE HAD STRIPPED FOR WORK), JUMPED INTO THE WATER, AND HEADED TO SHORE. THE OTHERS STAYED WITH THE BOAT AND PULLED THE LOADED NET TO THE SHORE, FOR THEY WERE ONLY ABOUT A HUNDRED YARDS FROM SHORE…” JOHN 21:7 NLT
“WHEN THEY GOT THERE, THEY FOUND BREAKFAST WAITING FOR THEM – FISH COOKING OVER A CHARCOAL FIRE…” JOHN 21:9 NLT
HE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE
HE WANTS YOU TO BE HEALED
HE WANTS A COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU
“THE SERVANTS AND OFFICERS WHO HAD MADE A FIRE OF COALS STOOD THERE…THEREFORE THEY SAID TO HIM, “YOU ARE NOT ALSO ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, ARE YOU?” HE DENIED IT AND SAID, “I AM NOT!” JOHN 18:18,25
YOUR PAST FAILURES DO NOT DEFINE YOUR FUTURE
“SIMON(PETER) SON OF JOHN, DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE?”
“YES LORD,” PETER REPLIED, “YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU.” THEN FEED MY LAMBS,” JESUS TOLD HIM. JESUS REPEATED THE QUESTION: “SIMON (PETER) SON OF JOHN, DO YOU LOVE ME?” “YES, LORD,” PETER SAID, “YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU. “THEN TAKE CARE OF MY SHEEP,” JESUS SAID. A THRID TIME HE ASKED HIM, “SIMON SON OF JOHN, DO YOU LOVE ME?” PETER WAS HURT THAT JESUS ASKED THE QUESTION A THRID TIME. HE SAID, “LORD YOU KNOW EVERYTHING. YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU.” JESUS SAID, “THEN FEED MY SHEEP.” JOHN 21:15-17 NLT
“SEARCH ME, GOD, AND KNOW MY ANXIOUS THOUGHTS; AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY HURTFUL WAY IN ME…” PSALMS 139:23-24 NASB
“FOR EVERYONE HAS SINNED; WE ALL FALL SHORT OF GOD’S GLORIOUS STANDARD. YET GOD, IN HIS GRACE, FREELY MAKES US RIGHT IN HIS SIGHT.” ROMANS 3:23-24
“I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN THIS: TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN ARE WALKING IN TRUTH.” 3 JOHN 1:4 CSB
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
'Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home… Titus 1:8 NLT
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. Luke 7:39-43 NLT
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Luke 7:47 NLT
a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”' Luke 10:38-42 NLT
1. SITTING DOWN AT JESUS’ TABLE MEANS HE KNOWS WHO YOU TRULY ARE
“Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Luke 19:5 NLT
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:8-10 NLT
2. SITTING DOWN AT JESUS’ TABLE MEANS HE WANTS YOU HEALED
Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. Matthew 9:10 NLT
But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” Matthew 9:11 NLT
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Matthew 9:12 NLT
LIFE CHANGE HAPPENS IN THE PRIVATE MOMENTS NOT PUBLIC AND THOSE MOMENTS ONLY HAPPEN THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP
Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Matthew 9:13 NLT
3. SITTING DOWN AT JESUS’ TABLE MEANS HE WANTS A COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 NLT
So let each individual first evaluate his own attitude and only then eat the bread and drink the cup. For continually eating and drinking with a wrong spirit will bring judgment upon yourself by not recognizing the body. This insensitivity is why many of you are weak, chronically ill, and some even dying. 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 TPT
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow...Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.' John 13:12-17 NLT
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 NLT
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
1. AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS ARE PURSUED
So he (Jesus) left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar… John 4:3-5
YOUR GOD SEES YOU
I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. Psalms 139:7-10 NLT
I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.' 1 Corinthians 10:33-11:1 NLT
2.AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS SEE THE POTENTIAL UNDERNEATH THE PAIN
near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” John 4:5-9
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? John 4:10-11 NLT
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”
“Go and get your husband,”Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,”the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” John 4:10-18 NLT
JESUS CARES MORE ABOUT YOUR HEART THAN HE DOES YOUR COMFORT
…When sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:15
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come… Luke 4:18-19
3. AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS WANT OTHERS TO EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM THEY HAVE RECEIVED
The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming””the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him. John 4:25-26;28-30
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, “Four months between planting and harvest.” But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! John 34-36 NLT