Pastor’s Bible Class
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Lessons From Peter’s Life
Dr. Elmer L. Towns
Lesson 1: Conversion
January 13, 2008
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Viewed from many perspectives: conversion, saved, born again, prayed to receive Christ, repent, become a Christian, __________.
2. Three stories of Peter meeting Jesus:
John 1:41-42 Mark 1:16-18 Luke 5:1-11
At Baptism After temptation After first tour
At Jordan River Shore of Galilee On Lake Galilee
Andrew brings him Jesus walks by Launch out
Conversion Call to ministry Commitment
3. Some respond immediately and completely. Matthew, Philippian jailer. Others respond over time: Nicodemus, Rich Young Ruler.
a. Untaught to think through Jesus’ claim.
b. Unable to get strength.
c. Unsure to think through personal issues.
B. PETER’S CONVERSION
1. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone)” (John 1:41-42).
2. Some are influenced by family. “Andrew . . . first findeth his own brother” (v. 41-42).
3. Peter needed vision and hope. “We have found . . . the Christ” (v. 41).
4. Peter needed coaxing. “He gently nudged him to Jesus (v. 42, ELT).
5. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves.
6. Jesus changes us inwardly and outwardly. “You are Simon . . . you shall be a rock” (v. 42).
7. Jesus gives us new expectations to stretch us. “You shall be” (v. 42).
C. PETER’S CALL TO SERVICE
1. “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” (Mark 1:16-18).
2. Even though Peter is saved, he is described by his old name “Simon” (v. 16).
When called Peter = committed
When called Simon = backslidden
3. Peter worked hard at his occupation before he worked hard in ministry. “Casting a net” (v. 16).
4. Jesus appeals to people on the basis of their background. “They were fishermen” (v. 16).
5. Jesus must go to Peter; ministry was not the fisherman’s intention.
If you are yielded, you think ministry
If you are not yielded, you are not thinking of ministry
6. The pre-requisite, “Come after Me.”
7. The promise, “I will make you”
God works in us
Before He works through us
8. The task, “fishers of men.”
9. The results, “Immediately they left their nets and followed him” (v. 16).
D. PETERS COMMITMENT
1. “So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing [their] nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. When Simon Peter saw [it,] he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5: 1-6, 8, 11).
2. Third time Jesus goes to Peter.
Jesus is doing His occupation – preaching
Peter is still doing his - fishing
3. Jesus comes at the end of His work. “Were washing” (v. 2).
4. Sometimes we are asked to do minor task before asked to do a major task. Why? To test our obedience. “Put out a little.”
5. Some must observe ministry before they do ministry. “Jesus sat . . . taught the people” (v. 3).
6. Sometimes Jesus uses our possessions before He uses us. “Taught the people out of the ship” (v. 3).
7. Jesus wants obedience in physical before obedience in spiritual. “Let down your nets” (v. 4).
8. Some offer excuses. “We have worked all night” (v. 5).
9. Some offer Christ partial obedience. “I will let down the net” (v. 5).
10. If we completely obey, we won’t suffer consequence. “Their nets broke” (v. 6).
11. Jesus uses positive and negative results to capture us. “When Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees.”
12. Changed language reflects changed inner life.
Before, Jesus was Master = a human foreman
After Jesus was O Lord = Ruler
13. How long will it take Jesus to completely capture you?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
To receive this lesson, log on to www.elmertowns.com. You will find it under Sunday School lessons. To email Dr. Towns, eltowns@liberty.edu. For more information on the class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
