I Deserve It: Counted Out, But HE Gave Me Another Chance

I DESERVE IT – 4

COUNTED OUT – ANOTHER CHANCE

54 Then seizing him (Jesus), they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. Luke 22;54  

“33But he (Peter) replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’  34Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’” Luke 22:33-34, NASB;

“Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny You.” Mark 14:31, NASB 

“54 Then seizing him (Jesus), they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.  Luke 22:54-62, NIV

I. REMEMBER that EVERYONE Experiences Failure

II. REALIZE that Failure is NOT FATAL

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He (God) removed our transgression from us.”  Psalm 103:12, NASB

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NIV

III. RELEASE the Failures of YESTERDAY

13 “. . . But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

20 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21, NIV

IV. RECOGNIZE that God Allows Failure to TEACH US TRUTH

2 “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 2:2-4, NIV

3 “Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! 4 He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4, GNB

V. RELAX in GOD’S LOVE and FORGIVENSS

15 . . .  Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”  John 21:15-17, NIV

• Reacquaint Yourself with God’s Word
• Reconnect with Others
• Resolve to Serve Others through Ministry

A Colossal Failure:

“Be careful that no one fails to receive God’s grace,” Hebrews 12:15, NCV