Are You Denying Jesus? Matthew 26:69-75 Message by Michael J. Barnard October 11, 2015 Teaching Aim: To examine Peter as he denied Jesus three times and to recognize how we might be denying Jesus today without even realizing it. To explore the mindset that led to Peter s failure and to see how the denials affected Peter both emotionally and in ministry. To understand Jesus loved Peter even in spite of his failures and after repentance restored him to leadership in ministry. To realize it is Christ s desire that we demonstrate our love for Him by faithfully ministering to others in His Name! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: Under pressure Peter denies Jesus three times (Matt. 26:69-75) 1. What state of mind do you think Peter was in as he sat outside of the courtyard that night (vv. 65-68) Why do you think Peter was sitting on the outside of the courtyard (vs. 69)? (See John 18:15-16) Which of the twelve disciples do most scholars believe had access to the inside of the courtyard? (See Commentaries) How did he get this access? 2. What mistake did Peter make according to Luke 22:54-55? Why is it not a good idea to get cozy with the enemy at their fire? What are some ways we might do this in our lives today? 3. Who confronted Peter while he was waiting by the fire in the courtyard (vs. 69)? What accusation did this servant girl make against Peter? How did Peter respond to her charge (vs. 70)? Do you ever feel uncomfortable when people question you about your faith? Why or why not? How do you respond when people open the door to talking about religion? 4. Who recognized Peter as he retreated and went out to the gateway and subsequently identified him as a disciple of Jesus (vs. 71)? What did she do once she recognized Peter (vs. 71b)? How did Peter deny his relationship with Jesus this time (vs. 72)? Have you ever held your hand up and said, I swear to God! just joking? By so doing you have God in to witness your lie. What should we do the moment we realize we have sinned against God or someone else? (See 1 John 1:9) 1
5. In verse 73 Matthew refers to the events happening as a little later. How much time does Luke indicate had passed in his gospel? (See Luke 22:59) What evidence do the people use in verse 73 to accuse Peter of being a disciple of Jesus? How can we tell by their talking that people are from different parts of the United States today? Note: In Israel the Galileans were looked upon during the time of Christ as being uneducated and ignorant people. Are Christians still looked at that way today? 6. How did Peter respond the third time he was accused of being a disciple of Jesus (vs. 74)? Does this mean Peter (the tough fisherman that he was) was using curse words, or was he calling down curses from heaven on himself if he wasn t telling the truth? Why do you think there was so much animosity towards Peter from the servants of the high priest? (See John 18:26-27) 7. Have you ever said something foolish under pressure that you wish you could take back? Do you think Peter thought through what he was saying before he spoke? What had Jesus previously warned Peter and the disciples of? (See Matt. 5:34-37) Do people forget how faithful God s Word is today when under pressure? (See Psa. 8:8b; Isa. 40:22a; Deut. 32:12-13; Job 29:5-6) 8. What immediately happened when Peter denied Jesus for a third time (vv. 74 & 75) According to Luke 22:60-62, what did the beaten and bloodied Jesus do at that exact moment? How do you think Peter felt when he made eye contact with Jesus? Have you ever let the Lord down by your thoughts or actions? What happens when we confess our sins and get right with God? (See Psa. 103:11-12) Part II: Peter and six other disciples return to fishing (John 21:1-14) 1. After the denial of Jesus and His crucifixion, the disciples must have felt like they had let the Lord down and were unfit to serve in ministry. According to John 21:1-14, what did Peter and six other disciples decide to do? Was this a one- night outing, or were they returning to their old lifestyle before Christ and a career in fishing? 2
2. How many fish did the disciples catch after following their flesh and returning to fishing (vs. 3)? What happens when we follow our flesh today? Who was standing on the shore when the disciples returned (vs. 4)? Did they recognize Him? What did the resurrected Jesus tell His disciples to do (vv. 5-6a)? How would you have reacted if you were a professional fisherman who had fished all night catching no fish and someone on the shore that you didn t know told you to go back to fishing? 3. What did the disciples do (vs. 6-7)? Who was the first to recognize it was Jesus (vs. 7)? (See Commentaries) What seemingly crazy act did Peter do in his attempt to reach Jesus first (vs. 7b)? What did the disciples find when they reached the shore (vv. 8-9)? 4. What does Jesus instruct them to do in verse 10? What if any significance is there in the disciples eating fish together with the resurrected Lord (vv. 11-14)? What can we learn about the resurrected body from this illustration? Part III: Jesus publically restores and reinstates Peter into ministry (John 21:15-19) 1. What group of men were listening in the background as Jesus began to question Peter in verse 15? By what name does Jesus refer to Peter (vs. 15)? Why? What question did Jesus ask Simon in verse 15? Who or what do you think Jesus was speaking of when He referred to these in verse 15: 1) the disciples love for Him; or 2) the catch of fish and a career of fishing? Why? 2. In English we tend to use one word for love, but in the Greek there are three distinct words: 1) agapao ; 2) phileo ; and 3) eros. What is the meaning of each Greek word? (Hint: Google it!) Which words for love did Jesus and Peter use in verse 15? (See Commentaries) What subsequent command did Jesus give to Peter? 3
3. Which words for love did Jesus and Peter use in verse 16? What did Jesus command Peter to do this time? 4. Jesus used a different Greek word for love in verse 17, in effect lowering the standard, why? (See Commentaries) What point was Jesus making to Peter? How about you, how real is your love for Jesus? How does Peter respond to this painful questioning from Jesus? What does Jesus command Peter to do this time around? 5. How many times did Peter publically deny Jesus in Matthew 26:69-75? How many opportunities did Jesus give for Peter to publically affirm his love for Him in John 21:15-17? Why do you think Jesus did this? 6. How was the call of Peter and the disciples to public ministry (See Luke 5:1-11) similar to their restoration and reinstatement to public ministry (See John 21:1-14)? 7. What does Jesus prophesy about Peter s future in John 21:18-19? Jesus commanded Peter to follow Him in verse 19, did he? (See Acts 2:14; 3:11-12; 4:8-10; 5:1-4) Who was the most notable leader of the early church? 8. Have you let the Lord down in the past? Do you feel unworthy to serve Him? The underlying message from Jesus was this: If you love Me, then go and live like it! Are you living like you are a follower of Jesus Christ? 9. Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? If not, why not confess your sins and do so in prayer right now? 4
MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! It is possible each of us could be tempted to forsake Jesus under the right circumstances. Peter let fear and panic take control of his thinking; sometimes we are guilty of the same. For Peter the moment of greatest shame came when the rooster crowed and immediately the bloodied and beaten Jesus turned and looked at Him with disappointment. After failing to stand for Jesus, Peter apparently felt he was no longer qualified for ministry. Jesus had other plans for Peter and the disciples as He restored and reinstated them into service. 3x Peter denied Jesus publically, 3x Jesus gave Peter opportunity to reaffirm his love for Him publically. The underlying message Jesus taught to Peter was: If you love Me, then go and live like it! 5