Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Looking at a new series – Simon Peter
- "Well we are looking at the life of Simon Peter"
- The power of a personal testimony
- If you question their story – you are questioning them as a person
- I love to read personal testimonies
- Example of ?Cara Hill and Stewart Burgess
- We are looking at the life of Simon Peter
- What stands out about his life?
- Maybe the time he denied Jesus, being a spokesman/the outspoken one
- Do you know much about the beginning of his life?
- We are looking at the beginnings of a disciple
- We will see him warts and all – examples
- We will see his love (for Jesus) – examples
- lets looks at the beginnings of his life
- Overview:
- Encountering the grace of Jesus (John 1:35-42)
- Encountering the holiness of Jesus (Luke 5:1-11)
Encountering the grace of Jesus (John 1:35-42)
- John the Baptist had been preaching – he has two disciples
- One is Andrew (v40)
- The other is thought to be John (the Gospel writer)
- "Behold the Lamb of God"
- The message was so profound that they started to follow Jesus
- They asked where Jesus lived
- They likely received teaching
- Andrew was certain that he had found the Messiah (v41)
- Andrew tells Simon Peter
- Was this the first time that Simon had heard (had he heard from John the Baptist?)
- Andrew takes Simon to Jesus (v42)
- His name is changed – this is the beginning of grace
- We all come to faith in different ways
- Andrew gave personal testimony to Peter
- The preaching of John the Baptist affected Andrew, but it was personal testimony that affected Simon
- Andrew came to faith by preaching, Simon Peter by personal testimony
- Both were brought to Jesus
- Both of these were in the inter-Testamental period
- But we see the beginnings of faith and spiritual life
- Simon’s name was changed from meaning a fluttering/wandering dove to Peter meaning a steadfast rock
- There were some true Israelites – Nathaniel, Simeon, Anna
- Also Andrew – because he embraced the ministry of John the Baptist
- He was probably baptised by John the Baptist
- Andrew received the message to turn away from sin
- Reading John 1:29-34 – the message of John the Baptist
- What were the influences on Simon? – his brother
- Andrew must have been a gracious man
- Peter is headstrong, outspoken, putting his foot in it
- If you are like this in public – what are you like at home?
- Acts 1:21-22
- Jesus looked at Simon (v42)
- Why does it say this?
- Jesus sees in a way we do not see – into the deep recesses of the heart
- Jesus sees Peter is a rock – such a gracious response
- We see the central message (not the full detail)
- Jesus will change Peter’s life – through grace and mercy
- Application:
- Have you had an encounter with Jesus Christ?
- Have you trusted your life to Him?
- Have you become child of God?
- Simon Peter reminds us of Jacob (renamed to Israel)
- Unstable changed to stable
Encountering the holiness of Jesus (Luke 5:1-11)
- The immediate focus of this passage is on Simon Peter – above this the focus is on Christ
- Simon Peter’s boat
- Jesus speaks to Simon Peter
- Simon Peter replies
- Simon Peter is overwhelmed (v8)
- He is not overjoyed at the miracle but feels so unworthy and unclean
- He confesses his sinfulness
- Jesus tells Simon Peter not to be afraid (v10)
- We see the beginnings of a disciple
- What is happening in your heart?
- Initial and then deeper conviction of sin?
- Immediate conviction of sin?
- Do you understand the grace and the holiness of God – Personal example
- God never despises a humble and lowly heart
- God does not want the self-righteous or religious person (Pharisee) but the humble (the Tax Collector)
- If you come with a broke heart confessing sin, Jesus will not turn you away
- Jesus will receive you
- God is often doing more than we can see – in people’s live
- Examples of Mal, Amy, Catherine
- Example
Closing Remarks
- Quote from Spurgeon
- Let us give our personal testimonies
- Let us help lead others to Christ – Like Nathaniel
- Let us encourage people
- Let us see what God will do