TRANSFORMED THROUGH FAITH: Peter was a leader of leaders and often functioned as the spokesperson of the twelve original apostles. His name appears first in the list of apostles for a reason (Matthew 10:2, “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother”; Mark 3:16, “And Simon he surnamed Peter;”; Luke 6:14, “Simon, (whom he named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew”; Acts 1:13, “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James”). Peter was outspoken, impetuous, and passionate in his desire to follow Christ and lead others in His way. He stepped out in faith, walked on water, and learned never to take his eyes off Jesus. Perhaps one of the reasons Peter was so out-of-the-box was because he had a great desire to grow spiritually, to know Jesus, and to understand His spiritual truths. He was quick to act, even if the action resulted in discipline. However, once Peter experienced the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, he became mature. He was transformed and became even more passionate about the truth of the Gospel. IT’S RELEVANT: The story of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison appears in Acts 12. The church was praying for him, and when Peter knocked on the door, they didn’t let him in. They didn’t believe it was him, but believed instead that it was his angel. Peter kept knocking, and when they finally opened the door, the Bible says “they were astonished” – demonstrating that sometimes when God answers our prayers, we’re so surprised we can’t see the answer standing right in front of us. PETER’S LEADERSHIP LESSON #1: PREPARE FOR OPPOSITION! Acts 4:1-4, “While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening. But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!” (MSG). The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had hoped His death would silence the Jesus movement. However, they were deeply concerned when the disciples continued to preach in Jesus’ name. A crowd gathered after Peter and John healed a crippled man. They seized the opportunity to spread the gospel and give credit to Jesus and were consequently jailed. Sometimes people think after they choose to live for God that life gets easier. That is far from the truth. As a matter of fact, Peter was probably not surprised by his imprisonment because he had heard Jesus’ warnings: “But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.” (Luke 21:12-15 MSG). Like Peter, we must be prepared for opposition as we live our lives for Christ. The Bible Declares: “Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come—the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out!” (Revelation 12:10 AMP); “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 AMP). PETER’S LEADERSHIP LESSON #2: BE MISTAKEN FOR CHRIST! Acts 4:13-14, “They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed!—what could they say against that?” (MSG). When religious leaders questioned Peter and John, they quickly realized two things: They were both common men who claimed no special education or talents, and their spiritual testimony bore a striking resemblance to Jesus’. The crowd that gathered to hear Peter and John speak also recognized the teaching and preaching of Jesus in them. They had healed a man and were speaking the truth just as Jesus had done. These men didn’t look like Jesus Christ physically, but they bore a resemblance to Him in their hearts. Those who listened saw Christ in their actions and words. With that said, have you ever been mistaken for Christ? After all, we are called to imitate Him, to bear His image in our lives and become a reflection of Him to others. The Bible Declares: “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34-35 MSG). “Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.” (John 13:12-17 MSG). PETER’S LEADERSHIP LESSON #3: KINDLE YOUR PASSION! Luke 22:31-34, “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Peter said, “Master, I’m ready for anything with you. I’d go to jail for you. I’d die for you!” Jesus said, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me.” (MSG). Peter’s passion was loud and boisterous and sometimes not quite in line with the message Jesus was trying to communicate. As he served the Lord, he periodically wavered from one extreme to the other. Although Jesus repeatedly tried to prepare Peter and the other disciples for what was about to happen, they could not seem to comprehend it. And Jesus’ words to Peter, that he would deny Him three times, must have cut Peter to the core. But Jesus was right. The fire-filled optimist denied he knew Jesus – three times. Yet his passion fueled his ministry to bring many to Christ after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Peter’s outspokenness and transparency of heart drove him to serve God all of his days with a “hair on fire” kind of faith. Peter’s life reminds us that we need passion that is constantly kindled by a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible Declares: “That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.” (2 Timothy 1:5-7 MSG). “Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.” (Colossians 3:22-25 MSG). PETER’S LEADERSHIP LESSON #4: DEMONSTRATE TRUE LOVE! Acts 3:1-5, “One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look here.” He looked up, expecting to get something from them.” (MSG). Have you ever looked past someone? Perhaps it was the harried cashier at the check-out line or the homeless person outside the grocery store. Our brain visually acknowledges that there are people around us, but how often do we really SEE them? Peter and John had probably passed the man at the gate several times before on their way to the temple, but this time they saw him differently – as someone who needed to know Christ. Peter and John gave him their attention. They looked into his eyes and allowed him to see the love of Christ in them. It wasn’t pity – but a powerful compassion that changed his life. Peter demonstrated true love and healed the man. True love requires time to slow down and recognize the needs of those around us. Peter allowed the Christ in him to touch the life of someone else. Ask God to work through you with the power of His true love. The Bible Declares: “If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.” (1 John 4:20-21 MSG). PETER’S LEADERSHIP LESSON #5: BELIEVE, THEN REST! Acts 12:5-9, “All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously. Then the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill. That night, even though shackled to two soldiers, one on either side, Peter slept like a baby. And there were guards at the door keeping their eyes on the place. Herod was taking no chances! Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: “Hurry!” The handcuffs fell off his wrists. The angel said, “Get dressed. Put on your shoes.” Peter did it. Then, “Grab your coat and let’s get out of here.” Peter followed him, but didn’t believe it was really an angel—he thought he was dreaming.” (MSG) In Peter’s day, King Herod ruled what is now modern-day Palestine and persecuted the Christians there. He killed James, one of the twelve disciples, and put Peter in prison. However, the church was praying for Peter. When God made a way to supernaturally release Peter from his chains, he was sleeping soundly. He trusted God in the midst of persecution to take care of him. He believed God was working things out – and with that reassurance in mind, he rested...soundly. When you trust God to work out the challenges you’re facing, and you’ve done all you can do by your own will, you can rest in faith. Peter was certain that his God who had rescued him before could rescue him again. Faith allows you to stand firm in your beliefs and rest in the knowledge that God is able to provide for you in every circumstance. The Bible Declares: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG). “At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, For you, God, have put my life back together.” (Psalm 4:8 MSG). PETER’S LEADERSHIP LESSON #6: KEEP JESUS IN SIGHT! Matthew 14:24-31, “Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” (MSG). Jesus was walking on water, and since Jesus said “Come”, Peter obviously believed he could do the same. Therefore, he took a leap of faith and stepped out of the boat. It must have been amazing to do something so gravity-defying. But the instant he turned his focus from his Savor to his Surroundings, he began to Sink. Our ability to do the miraculous is not in our own power – but in the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. And we’ll continue to do miraculous things, if we learn to maintain our focus on the Master! However, Peter’s sinking was not permanent, when he began to sink, he looked back to Jesus, who raised him up, and they returned to the boat together. You have the same power to rise above your difficulties in life and walk above them when you keep Jesus in sight! The Bible Declares: “God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me—promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics—but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!” (Psalm 119:33-40 MSG). “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!... But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.” (Proverbs 3:5-12 MSG). DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS: 1. Peter dared to be different. How comfortable are you to step outside of your comfort zone and do something out of the ordinary for God? 2. Is the passion of your faith evident in your life to others? 3. What do you do to keep your passion for God on fire? 4. Peter was mistaken for Christ – do you live your life in such a way that others see Christ in you – in all you do? 5. What characteristics of Christ do you attempt to display daily? 6. What do you do to prepare for opposition? 7. How do you demonstrate God’s love daily? 8. How do you handle stress and difficult situations? Do you worry, fret or trust God? 9. What are some negative things that happened to you when you took your eyes of Jesus? What were some positive things that happened to you when you kept your eyes on Jesus? 10. What have you learned and will apply to your life from Peter’s Leadership Lessons?
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:05:04 +0000
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