"I AM FLAWLESS BECAUSE OF THE CROSS"
I’m going to talk about a character in the Bible that had so many do overs, make
overs, and mulligans! His name is Peter. Peter knew who the God of another chance
was. Today, do you know the God of another chance?
Here are four things that we can learn from Peter’s life and apply it to our lives all
because of the POWER OF THE CROSS!!!!:
1. Jesus overcomes fear - whether stepping out of a boat and onto a
tossing sea or stepping across the threshold of a Gentile home for the first time,
Peter found courage in following Christ!
Scripture - 1 John 4:18 THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
BUT PERFECT LOVE DRIVES OUT FEAR!
Remember, God is love and whatever we may be facing and fearing today, know
that a perfect God removes all fear! Since Jesus overcame all fear, we overcome all fear
as well!!!
2. Jesus forgives unfaithfulness - After Peter had boasted of his faith
and belief in Christ, he later on denied the Lord three times. Peter burned all
bridges with the Lord, and for us, we burn bridges everyday with our walk with
God, because it's a constant faith walk.
However, no matter how many
times we burn our bridges with the Lord, He is in the business of rebuilding
it back. Even though Peter burned his bridges, Jesus lovingly rebuilt them and
restored Peter. Peter was a former failure, we were former failures! but with Jesus
failure is not the end! IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL GOD SAYS IT'S OVER!!!
Scripture - 2 Timothy 2:13 IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE
WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE CANNOT DISOWN
HIMSELF"
3. Jesus patiently teaches - Just like Peter needed correction over and
over again, the Lord did it with patience, firmness, and love. The Master Teacher
looks for students willing to learn.
JESUS CONSTANTLY WANTS US TO GROW!!! and the way He will do this is if
we are willing. He'll do it with patience, firmness, and love. He will use people,
situations, past experiences to grow you deeper in your walk with Christ.
Scripture - Psalm 32:8 - I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND
TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO.
4. Jesus sees us as He intends us to be - The very first time Peter
and Jesus met, Jesus called Simon...Peter, which meant "Rock." The rough and
reckless fisherman was, in Jesus' eyes, a firm and faithful rock.
WHAT IS YOUR NAME ? WHO WERE YOU BEFORE?
WHO ARE YOU NOW? IN CHRIST??? say your name and
have posture of your new transformation. You are
FLAWLESS in His eyes!!!!!
Scripture - Philippians 1:6 - HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD
WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION.
5. Jesus uses unlikely
him to be a fisher of men.
heroes - Peter was a fisherman, but Jesus called
Scripture - Luke 5:10 Jesus replied to Simon "Don't be afraid!
From now on you'll be fishing for people!"
Because Peter was willing to leave all he had to follow Jesus, God used him in
great ways. As Peter preached, people were amazed at his boldness because he was
"unschooled" and "ordinary." But then they took note that Peter "had been with Jesus."
Scripture - Acts 4:13 - "The members of the council were
amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they
could see that they were ordinary men with no special training
in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had
been with Jesus!
Other unlikely heroes used by Jesus:
1. Abraham was too old
2. Sarah laughed at God's promises
3. Moses stuttered and questioned God's judgment in picking him. He killed a man.
4. David's armor didn't fit and was too young. He also killed a man and had an affair
5. Hosea's wife was a prostitute
6. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning
7. Jacob was a liar
8. Lazarus was dead
9. John was self - righteous
10. The Apostle Paul spent his life murdering Christians
11. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal
12. Samson didn't wear a suit and had long hair
13. Noah got drunk
What's your story? No matter what your story and history is...you are FLAWLESS
because of the Cross!!!!