sf936 - Can A Believer Loose His Salvation (Matthew 26 69-75)
Matthew 26:69-75
Introduction
Peter’s denial of the Lord is usually looked on as a great tragedy which it obviously was. But viewed in the light of Peter’s repentance and the Lord’s gracious forgiveness, the story also brings great encouragement.
In all the history of redemption, few saints have fallen to the depths of sin and unfaithfulness that Peter did in denying Jesus. Yet few saints have been so powerfully used by God as Peter was after he repented and was restored. The account of his denial is a sobering testimony to the weakness of the flesh, but it is also an encouraging testimony to the power of God’s grace. Even in the extremity of His children’s sin, the Lord is there to forgive and to restore.
Every Christian at times comes before the Lord overwhelmed and broken by the awareness of his sinfulness. A person who never has such an experience either is very cold spiritually or is not a Christian at all. Nothing is more shattering to a believer than suddenly realizing he has denied the Lord by what he has said or not said, done or not done. And yet nothing is more exhilarating to him than knowing God’s gracious forgiveness of the unfaithfulness after it is confessed.
Peter’s denial was not merely a spontaneous response to unexpected danger or embarrassment. He had already laid the groundwork for defection. Or, to use another metaphor, he had taken many steps toward denying Christ before he entered the courtyard of Caiaphas.
1A. A True Believer Can and Will Fail Spiritually (Matthew 26:69-75)
1B. The fact of spiritual failure
Examples of spiritual failure
Ø Abraham in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20)
Ø Moses sin at Kadesh (Numbers 20:1-13)
Ø David's sinful census (2 Samuel 24)
Ø John the Baptist's faltering faith (Matthew 11:1-6)
Ø John Mark's dissertation (Acts 15:36-41; 2 Timothy 4:11)
2B. The path to spiritual failure
Sin of unbelief (26:31-34)
Sin of spiritual arrogance (26:33, 35; 51-53)
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Sin of prayerlessness (26:41-43)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,
Luke 11:9-10 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Sin of carelessness (26:69-74)
3B. The answer for spiritual failure
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Isaiah 1:16, 18 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 18Come now, and let us reason together, Says the LORD, Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
Jeremiah 3:22 Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings. Indeed we do come to You, For You are the LORD our God.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2A. The Promise of Spiritual Renewal
1B. The Lord's commitment to His own
He prayed for Peter
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
He prays for us
John 17:20, 24
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
2B. The Lord's conviction of His own (Matthew 26:74-75)
Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
Conviction will result in repentance (26:75b)
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
3B. The Lord's restoration of His own
Jesus restores Peter
Ø He re-commissions him (John 21:15-19)
Ø Peter obeys Christ (Acts 2:14-39)
Jesus will restore His people
Ø He has promised to complete His work in us.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
Ø He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Application
Even committed believers can and do fall.
Watch out for the pitfalls that lead to backsliding
An unbelieving heart
Spiritual arrogance
Prayerlessness
Spiritual carelessness
Remember when you fall…
The Lord is committed to His children.
The Lord will always bring conviction.
The Lore will restore His repentance children.
Matthew 26:69-75
1A. A True Believer Can and Will _____________ Spiritually (Matthew 26:69-75)
1B. The ___________________ of spiritual failure
Examples of spiritual failure
Ø Abraham in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20)
Ø Moses sin at Kadesh (Numbers 20:1-13)
Ø David's sinful census (2 Samuel 24)
Ø John the Baptist's faltering faith (Matthew 11:1-6)
Ø John Mark's dissertation (Acts 15:36-41; 2 Timothy 4:11)
2B. The ___________________ to spiritual failure
Sin of _____________________ (26:31-34)
Sin of ____________ arrogance (26:33, 35; 51-53)
John 15:5
Sin of prayerlessness (26:41-43)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,
Luke 11:9-10
Sin of ___________________________ (26:69-74)
3B. The __________________ for spiritual failure
2 Chronicles 7:14
Isaiah 1:16, 18
Jeremiah 3:22
1 John 1:9
2A. The Promise of Spiritual Renewal
1B. The Lord's ___________________ to His own
He prayed for Peter
Luke 22:31-32
He ________________________ for us
John 17:20, 24
Hebrews 7:25
2B. The Lord's ______________________ of His own (Matthew 26:74-75)
Luke 22:61
Conviction will result in repentance (26:75b)
2 Corinthians 7:10
3B. The Lord's ______________________ of His own
Jesus restored Peter
Ø He re-commissions him (John 21:15-19)
Ø Peter obeys Christ (Acts 2:14-39)
Jesus will restore His people
Ø He has promised to complete His work in us.
Philippians 1:6
Ø He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:2