Sermon Central
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A Deeper Relationship Series
Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 9, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: In this great exchange we gain some insight into the depth of the relationship Jesus has with Peter and we see the depth of relationship Peter THINKS he has with Jesus. Jesus knows Peter’s potential.
INTRODUCTION
• DVD CLIP 29:50-31:05
• SLIDE #1
• How do you know if you have a strong relationship? Many times we can gauge the strength of a relationship by how we deal with adversity.
• In our text this morning we will get the opportunity to watch an amazing conversation unfold as Jesus and Peter have a dialog with each other.
• Remember we are still in the upper room, Judas has left the room and Jesus is getting ready to institute the Lord’s Supper.
• The disciples are having what would be their final meal together before the Lord’s Supper is instituted.
• Peter initiates a conversation with Jesus. The chronology is not easy because all 4 gospels speak of Jesus predicting Peter’s denial.
• When you look at all 4 recorded instances, it looks like Jesus had this discussion with Peter on three occasions during this final night together.
• Before the Lord’s Supper was instituted Jesus has the first conversation recorded in our passage in John.
• The second time as recorded in Luke 22, Jesus has the conversation again after the Lord’s Supper. The third time recorded in Matthew 26 and Mark 14 happens after they left the Upper Room to head to the Mount of Olives.
• This is not unusual as after the resurrection Jesus in John 21 asks Peter three times if he loves Jesus.
• What is fascinating about this seemingly simple conversation is what it reveals about the relationship Jesus had with Peter and the way Peter perceived his relationship with Jesus.
• What does it take to make a relationship strong? What does it take to take a relationship to a deeper level?
• Most would say it takes hard work, dedication, commitment, and a willingness to be vulnerable.
• For a relationship to go deeper, it does take these items and more to be done, but it has to be done by both parties.
• Turn in your bibles to John 13:36-38
• SLIDE #2
• John 13:36–38 (ESV) 36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
• As we look at the relationship between Jesus and Peter we first need to see that…
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. Jesus knew Peter’s proclivities.
• I had to go to the thesaurus for that word.
• Proclivity is an inclination or predisposition toward something; especially: a strong inherent inclination toward something objectionable.
• Jesus knew Peter’s weaknesses. Jesus knew all the NEGATIVE things about Peter.
• He knew his impulsiveness; he knew his instability; he knew how he had a habit of speaking with his heart before he had thought with his head.
• He knew well the strength of his loyalty and the weakness of his resolution. Jesus knew Peter as he was.
• When you look at this instance where Peter is engaging Jesus in conversation, I think it illustrates one of Peter’s weaknesses.
• Back in verse 31 Jesus starts to tell the disciples about His impending departure and in verse 33 He tells them they would not be able to go with Him.
• I would imagine from the moment that Jesus said Peter turned out the rest of what Jesus said in order to ask/tell Jesus that he wanted to go with Him.
• I bet Peter was focused on his question since verse 33.
• As Jesus is telling the disciples they could not accompany Him on this journey, He knew that it would be Peter who would dive in head first.
• Just moments before this at the washing of the feet, it was Peter who at first refuses to let Jesus wash his feet.
• SLIDE #4
• John 13:8 (ESV) Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
• THEN Peter says not only my feet, but my hands and my head also!
• Peter did a lot of speaking before he thought.
• Many times he would act before he thought.
• We saw this in the walking on water scene. He starts out well as long as he is looking at Jesus but the moment he takes his eyes off Jesus he starts sinking fast.
• On the positive said, Peter because he did not look before he leaped sometimes was not fearful of doing things. Did you see any of the other disciples get out of the boat?
