Message Notes
Men and Women

Today: Clean Sweep
February 8, 2004

 

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

 

Jesus gave Peter the name THE ROCK

 

1) Peter’s first junked up area was the area of COMMITMENT

Matthew 26:31-35 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

”‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’  32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

 

2) Peter’s second junked up area was the area of COURAGE
Matthew 26:69-73 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed.

 

Luke 22:60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.  61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”  62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

 

Jesus does two radical things when He is in our lives:

1) HE RESCUES US

John 21:15-17 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

 

2) HE REFURBISHES US

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

 

GOD IS A GOD OF COMMITMENT, so Peter became a man of commitment.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

GOD IS A GOD OF COURAGE, so Peter became a man of courage

Exodus 15:3a The LORD is a warrior…

 

Jesus Christ, I admit to you that I am junked up. I turn from my junk. I turn from my sin. I realize my sin has offended you. I ask for the forgiveness that you freely give. I turn to you, Christ, and ask you to take control of me. I give you everything I am and everything I will be. Take charge of my life. Amen.