November 26th, 2000, Sunday Evening

"Four things Jesus taught Peter about Commitment"
The Life of the Disciple Peter
(Special guest speaker: Bro Chris Nelson)

OPENING: John 21:15-25, KJV


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The disciple Peter was "in training" during the time Jesus was on earth. Peter was, in contrast to the other disciples, was...

• an active learner
• always at the forefront of situations

FOUR THINGS JESUS TAUGHT PETER ABOUT COMMITMENT TO SERVICE OF THE LORD AND SAVIOUR:

• Jesus taught Peter not by writing on the blackboard but probing Peter with questions on how Peter regarded the Ministry of Christ.
  
  
• #1/4: A COMMITTED LIFE IS ONE OF A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY (nature of the commitment)
  
  
  • Peter was humbled by real-life events
    
    
    • Matthew 26:75: Peter was adamant about his beliefs but when he was wrong he showed emotion.
    
    
  • We talk much about pride today.
    
    
    • "I think I'll try this myself" (implying that person doesn't want/need GOD's help).
      
      
    • TESTIMONY: Brother Nelson took a 100 mile drive to El Paso to do Christmas shopping and only upon his return--after a long day--did he look at his receipt to find out he'd been charged for an item twice. He thought to himself, "Well, guess I'd better get ready to take a 100 mile ride to El Paso in the morning" and thought all these other ways to handle the matter. But he stopped himself and realized he forgot to pray and ask GOD about how to pursue this matter. So he prayed, and made a phone call to that store in El Paso and they were friendly enough to reimburse him over the phone.
      
      
    • 1 Corinthians 10:13: People plan every possible way to get out of a situation ... except GOD's plan ... which states here that GOD will not have you endure more than you can bear.
      
      
      • Whether financial, physical, spiritual ... by praying for GOD's help, GOD will solve your problem without much effort.
        
        
      • GOD affords the escape. Our pride in wanting to carry on alone without asking for help is what blindsides us.
      
      
    • 1 Peter 5:6: This is the attitude of a man (we should have, too) that says "I'll never forsake thee, GOD" (And GOD will reward that when He decides to).
  
  
• #2/4: A COMMITTED LIFE = SINGLENESS OF HEART (direction of commitment)
  
  
  • John 21:15: We know Peter was a fisherman. He did so enjoy fishing!
    
    
    • John 21:3: The proof is here. Peter went back to his first love. So this is why Jesus asked several times if Peter loved him (John 21:15-17). In other words, Jesus repeatedly asked Peter, "Do you love me more than your career? More than your temporal loves? More than fishing?"
    
    
  • A career--a job--is necessary but you must prioritize accordingly. As we see here, Peter followed Jesus and fishing was secondary but then in John 21:3, his #2 priority, fishing, soon became #1 again ... just as the temporal toys of our life, today.
  
  
• #3/4: A COMMITTED LIFE = SACRIFICE OF LIFE (possible end of your life)
  
  
  • John 21:18: Translated, what Jesus says here is that Peter is going to be crucified. And in the history books, it says Peter was crucified upside-down because he didn't want to be crucified with the nails in his hands and feet.
    
    
  • 2 Peter 1:14: Peter knew his specific death ("my tabernacle" is reference to Peter's own body) but continued the Ministry of Christ anyway ... just like missionaries from the U.S. to other countries are exposed to the elements in the environment--disease, wild animals, men hiding in ambush, etc...
    
    
  • GOD doesn't require for us to be missionaries in foreign lands--just the willingness to do so.
    
    
  • Why did Peter continue even though he knew it would mean death? Because Peter knew what Heaven held for him and how much more it was than what this temporal life holds; This should be our commitment to Christ, as well ... unto death.
  
  
• #4/4: SURRENDER OF OUR RIGHTS TO GOD (extent of our commitment)
  
  
  • John 21:19: At this point in scripture is when Peter left his obsessive love with fishing (hint, hint, to many of us with obsessive loves today like computers, golf ... things that are #1 in your life) and took up preaching upon Jesus' call.
    
    
  • TESTIMONY: Brother Nelson, while in his infancy of his Air Force career, wished to be stationed at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since it was such a populated living environment with lots to do. However, he got Holloman AFB, New Mexico, instead--a very isolated "Mom and Pop store" town. Brother Nelson was sad he didn't get what he thought was the ideal station but it turns out he met his wife at Holloman AFB--the isolated town.
    
    
  • So did Peter surrender all? In the book of ACTS, Christ has just resurrected and arisen into Heaven. The church was in its infancy. GOD used Peter in a mighty way to save 3,000 souls on the first day of that church (Acts 2:38-41). This fulfills Jesus' prophecy that Peter would start the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18).

CLOSER

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Peter understood commitment because of the four teachings from Jesus about commitment, above.

Ask yourself now:

• Where's your heart? Is it focused on GOD?
• Are you willing to sacrifice your life?
• Are you surrendering all to GOD?
  
  
• If any of these questions or four points about commitment spoke to your heart, now is the time to pray and ask GOD for direction.