1. I will never fall away – I’m doing religious things

They had just finished the Passover meal, they were singing hymns called ‘Hallel’ hymns – songs about Gods faithfulness (likely psalm 113-118 or psalm 136)

Praise

Sacrifice

Passover

Psalm 118:5-8
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

And Peter was singing these hymns with Jesus – in the context of eating the Passover meal, singing hymns – Peter feels like he could never fall
away from Jesus.

Q – Have you ever felt that way when you’re doing all the right things?

When you’re consistent in church community, in worship regularly, reading your bible, praying, even serving Him – do you feel like your faith is strong or even unshakable in those moments?

For me – In those moments – I do feel strong, and close to the Lord – it’s in the trials to come that my devotion is actually tested.

2. I would never fall away – I’m better than them

Peter was probably still thinking about the ‘one’ that would betray Jesus – that Jesus declared at the Passover meal – wondering who it could be.

But never his own – he was certain it couldn’t be Him.

We are all capable of falling away.

“all of us are one bad decision away from doing the wrong thing – to be
disobedient to the Lord, to give in to the desires of the flesh – no one has
immunity.”

Truth – If we live in denial of the reality of our weaknesses and flaws, we can never put them to death.

When we are panicked, afraid, desperate we are all at risk of acting differently when faced with those feelings than we logically believe we will while we are in the pre-storm season of calm, sound mindedness and peace.

These two different statements of Jesus have two very different outcomes:
1. ‘One of you will betray me this very night’ (Judas)
2. ‘You will all fall away’ (all of the disciples)

One is about sinners – it is general – it applies to all

One is evil – rejoices in sin – has no repentance

Many of you know loved ones that have fallen away – have you categorized them alongside Judas, when there’s every possibility they are more like Peter?

Luke 22:31-32
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, [a] that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”‘when you have turned’ – it’s a description of what is going to happen in the future – to turn around, to go back, to returnActs 3:19
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.Strengthen your brothers – Jesus gives Peter a purpose – ‘when you have
turned again, strengthen your brothers’

Your first step is to return. Your second step is to be restored.

John 21:15-17
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Three times Peter denied Jesus. Three times he proclaims his love for Jesus.

Jesus is restoring Peter.

No matter what you have done, how you have fallen away – there is an opportunity for you to be restored.

Peter has told Jesus that he is willing to die for him – and in John 21 Jesus tells him he is right – that he will die for Him – and even tells him how – that it will be on a cross.

John 21:18-19 18
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter did not fall away in a way that was permanent – he returned, and lived out the purpose he was given to proclaim Christ.

– He preached with great power, and 3,000 people were saved in one day (Acts 2:14–41).

– He prayed for a crippled man who was healed Acts 3:1–10).

– He spoke boldly while on trial in front of the Sanhedrin, the same court that had so terrified him before (Acts 4:1–22).

– He prayed for a dead woman, and she came back to life (Acts 9:36–42).

The difference is the holy spirit indwelling him.

We don’t have to be timid and afraid when we are doing God’s work – we are not doing it in our strength, but in the same strength that Peter had – the strength and power of the Holy spirit.

We all have this same purpose to spread the message of Jesus – and we can ALL do it – we are empowered – we are not to fear man, but to be bold.

Because all of us can fall away, and yet all of us can return to Him, be restored and be used to further His Kingdom.