Good morning.
Welcome to Calvary Chapel.
We're going to be in Luke chapter 22, if you'd like to turn there with me.
Luke chapter 22, going through the Gospel of Luke.
So we do here at Calvary Chapel, we go book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse,
get the whole counsel of the Word of God as much as the Bible talks about any particular subject.
That's as much as we talk about it and teach about it.
So Luke chapter 22, I want to encourage you guys to come after service today, go out to the gym, hang out fellowship.
There's always food.
We get to hang out this week as an extra bonus because there's things to purchase out there,
different baked goods, different things and stuff that's out there.
And I want to encourage you guys to come out tonight for the church meeting.
So we're going to talk about a lot of different things, hopefully update everyone on some different things.
I've got some videos of some of the missionaries we support, some greetings from people.
So come on out for that.
Keep the transition of our new president in your prayers and that whole thing.
We're thankful for what God's doing.
He's the one that raises up kings and sets down to kings.
We trust him.
He's the one we look to as the final authority.
And that's who we put our trust in.
So keep that in prayer.
But Luke chapter 22, we're going to read verse 21, starting there in verse 21.
It says, But behold, the hand of my betrayer is with me on the table.
And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.
And then they began to question among themselves which of them it was that would do this thing.
So, Lord, we give you this morning.
We give you this time.
And it's our hearts desire, Lord, that you would speak to us, Lord, that our ears would be open,
that our hearts would be open, God, to hear what you have to say to us, Lord, that we would be able to process
and receive everything you want to tell us personally, Lord.
We're not here just to gain knowledge.
We do need that.
But we also, Lord, we need to hear from heaven.
So many of us have had different days, weeks, months of hardships or questions.
And Lord, you want to answer some of those things.
So I pray this morning, God, you would settle our hearts and we just want to hear your voice today, Jesus, in your name.
Amen.
Last week, we looked at the Last Supper and Jesus really changed the elements from Passover.
It went from the lamb, which Jesus is the Lamb of God, but now he was able to take the cup and the bread and he related it.
Listen, this is my blood.
This is my body.
It's been my blood is being poured out for you.
It's being poured over you.
It covers you.
It cleanses you.
It makes you whiter than snow.
This is my body.
And then he and he said, as often as you do it, do it in remembrance for me.
I want you always to remember why we're forgetful people.
We forget how much God loves us, what he's done for us, how much he cares for us.
That's why we do these things.
That's why there's a memorial, a reminder, because God wants us to remember.
But again, Luke, his gospel isn't necessarily chronological.
Jesus is betrayer.
Judas leaves before communion, but Luke brings it up here after in sequence.
And Jesus says, the hand of my betrayer is on the table.
And the Son of Man goes as it's been determined.
But woe to that man by whom he's been betrayed.
It has been determined.
Jesus knew who his betrayer was.
But also, Judas is accountable for his actions.
As he betrays, the Lord walks away.
What's amazing is that they all question.
If you read the gospels, they all say, is it I?
Is it I?
Even Judas says that.
And Jesus says it's as you said, if you read the other gospel accounts.
But I think the one thing, because have you ever felt bad about who you are in Christ?
Have you ever felt like, oh my gosh, does anyone else struggle with this?
Or has anyone thought this?
Have you ever had a lapse, not in faith, not that you don't believe in the Lord,
but sometimes you feel like you don't measure up?
Like, well, how come I'm not like this guy?
And that guy's got it all together.
Man, their family, whatever.
And as you read this, I think part of it is, number one, it's comforting to know that
you're not the only one that thinks that way.
You're not the only one that thinks, oh my gosh, what is wrong with me?
Has anyone ever had that thought or that feeling?
Or man, you come, whether it's church or you talk to somebody that's a Christian,
and man, the way they know the Bible or the way they they witness or the way and you
feel like, oh, man, you're you're like, feel second rate, maybe.
I don't know. And these guys felt like not only were they at second rate, they're
like. Jesus brings up a betrayer and they're all like.
Is it me? Could it be me?
Right. They weren't like they didn't do because Judas didn't have horns or a pointed
towel, right? They served with Judas and they weren't like, I knew everybody's like
it is him. No, nobody said that.
Right. I think that's why I mentioned this before.
I think that's why John was so upset, calls him a betrayer, a traitor, a liar, a thief.
In his gospel, I think John is the youngest and Judas was probably the guy you'd least
expect, maybe.
He was somebody that John probably looked up to in a discipleship way.
And that guy, he knows how to handle finances.
He knows how to do this. He's so put together or whatever it might be.
And I think that's what upset John so much like, how could it be him?
And sometimes you don't know who that is.
But I think the identification that sometimes there's there's the traitor within we can
identify men, there's we're stuck in this flesh.
We're not going to be perfect until we go home to be with the Lord.
And there is a traitor.
There is a betrayer.
There's part of us that's not going to measure up at any time ever.
And the disciples all see that in themselves.
I think it should be comforting to us.
Judas didn't feel bad until it was way too late and he never repented.
He just went and hung himself.
Never went to Christ. He just killed himself.
But the betrayer.
All the disciples, they felt bad.
And I've talked to people.
Maybe you have to or maybe you felt this way.
Some people ask me, I don't even know if I'm saved.
I wonder. I recently just talked to got a phone call from someone and they're like,
hey, pray for me.
I go, yeah, OK, definitely. We can pray right now.
No, I mean, pray. I don't even know if I'm saved.
And I made this many mistakes.
I'm I've done this. I feel bad.
I have an addictive personality with everything.
I had Red Bulls smoking cigarettes, you know, whatever.
And I just can't stop.
I just I prayed for him, but I tried to encourage him.
Listen, here's the reality.
You care about that stuff.
People who betray the Lord.
They don't care. I'll do whatever I want.
There's no conviction.
There's no sense of, man, should I be doing this?
This is, you know, so that was promising when I talked to him.
And you guys would never know who this person is.
That's why I'm saying it.
But don't look around like I know who it is.
It's Leah. No.
You guys would never know.
So but it's funny that people think that way.
And it's and it's and it's real.
Like, man, is it me?
Maybe felt that way. Like, oh, golly.
I think sometimes those feelings are normal because we know,
even though the Bible says our heart is desperately wicked,
it's deceitful, who can know it?
Sometimes we get a little glimpse of it and we realize, man, there's what is messed up.
Is my heart more messed up than that person?
Is my is who I am more messed up than this other person?
Am I even saved?
It's good that you care.
Good that you wonder.
They question among themselves.
But there is an accountability for those who do walk away.
Listen, Judas knew the truth and he made a firm stance.
I'm betraying the Lord took that step, made that stance to walk away.
And there is an accountability there.
And this is interesting, funny.
We're going to read these verses.
Verse 24, in particular, it says this.
On the heels of all that, it says, now there was also a dispute among them
as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
And he said to them, the kings of the Gentiles.
So he answers that question.
He said to them, the kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them,
and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.
But not so among you.
On the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger
and he who governs as he who serves.
For who is greater, he who sits at the table or he who serves?
Is it not him who sits at the table?
Yet I am among you as one who serves.
But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.
And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my father bestows one upon me.
That you might eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Amazing. Jesus is talking about his death, his burial, crucifixion,
his blood is going to be poured out, his body is going to be broken.
For you, there's going to be a betrayer.
Someone's going to betray me sitting at this very table.
And they're thinking, that's great.
Who's better here? Who's the greatest?
And I can understand and maybe justifying it a little bit.
Jesus says, I'm going away. I'm leaving.
Who's going to take over?
Who's going to step into that authority role, that leadership role?
Who is going to? All right.
Who's going to be there now in that position?
Jesus is leaving.
Right. And but this isn't the first time they've done this or said this.
Right. We've read it before.
Who's going to be the greatest?
It's a question they have.
And I think, you know, there's times comparison or leadership or whatever.
You know, who's the greatest?
Who's the leader?
I've done things.
I remember moving a stove at my house, a big wood burning stove when I lived in town.
And we were joking because we were trying to figure out, all right, how are we going to move this?
And I got two by fours under this thing that weighs up ton.
And everybody I had at my house, they were like the head of their company or the head of their business or the head of this or the head of that.
We're all looking around like who's going to take charge here?
Who's the boss of this operation to move this stove?
It was just kind of funny.
And but we can think that way.
Like who's the boss?
And Jesus says, listen, that's not the way it should be among you.
You want to be the boss?
You want to be the greatest?
Here's how you do it in my kingdom.
You be a servant.
You take the lowest seat, the lowest place.
And at this point, Jesus and we're going to read it.
Jesus.
Washes the disciples feet.
He takes the lowest place of a servant.
Amazing.
He says, he says, listen, the kings or the presidents in our day or whoever it might be those in leadership roles, they want to be called benefactors.
Those who want to be thought of as as having done something great for their country.
They want people to recognize what and they want to be called that doesn't necessarily mean that's who they are.
Right.
During election season, that's what everyone that's what every commercial is is.
Look at what I've done for the country.
Look at what I'm going to do for the country.
Who do you believe?
Right.
Because everyone thinks they're a benefactor like they're going to change the world for you.
They're behind you.
And but at the end of the day, once they get into power, you know, and I'm not saying our current the one coming up, most people want to be served.
Right.
They're not serving us.
They want you to serve them.
Right.
Then there's a there's an elevation, a hierarchy.
And that's what it was that way in Jesus's day.
Jesus is saying the kings of the Gentiles, they exercise lordship over them.
And those who do that, they want to be called benefactors.
They want people to think so well of them.
He says, listen.
But not so among you.
Jesus constantly preached his kingdom, his kingdom that's coming.
In fact, when he was arrested, he said, listen, my kingdom is not of this world.
If it was, my servants would fight, but it's not.
You read Matthew chapter five, the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus talks about his kingdom and the difference between this one we're living in and the one that's coming.
And you read it and listen, the Bible says that we're sojourners, we're pilgrims, we're passing through this life,
we're to be salt and light in this world, we're to be representations, representatives of Jesus Christ.
Why? Because the Bible says we're ambassadors, but this isn't our home.
It's not our kingdom.
The money that we have not going to last the gold and silver we save up.
There's going to be a time when those are those are the things that are going to pave the streets of heaven.
They're going to be like asphalt in in in God's kingdom.
Right. Because there's no value there.
Not valuable.
But Jesus is teaching them a huge lesson.
And it's good that they thought that who's going to be the greatest and Jesus settles the issue.
Because we're called to walk as he walked.
If you turn to John chapter 13 with me for a second.
I know I read this not that long ago.
At this point, this is what Jesus does as they're arguing about who's the greatest.
It says this.
In verse four of John chapter 13.
Says he rose from supper.
And laid aside his garments and he took a towel and girded himself.
And after that, and the disciples are probably thinking, what is he about to do?
Oh, what's that towel for?
Puts a towel around his waist.
It says he poured water into a basin.
And he began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
And I know I've shared this before.
My grandmother, if you've ever maybe some people here have been part of a foot washing.
But my grandmother did that at a church and she was prepared for it.
She washed her one foot.
Painted her toenails and she was prepared.
The disciples aren't prepared.
They're like walking through the streets who get, you know, prepare for the meal, do this.
Disciples are here and then Jesus gets down and begins to wash their feet.
They're like, oh my gosh, like what if somebody came up to you right now and pulled your shoe off?
Grab some water and a towel like we're going to wash it right now.
Like what?
Start with him.
I'll be right back.
Well, my grandmother did that and she had one foot all ready to go.
Well, guess what?
They did both feet.
So she's got one foot already.
She's got the bunions all scraped and sanded and all the, you know, toes polished.
But they did both feet.
She's like humiliated because it made it more obvious that she was really not ready.
And why wouldn't she do both feet?
I don't know.
She didn't paint both sets of toenails.
Like it really looked obvious.
But Jesus takes and what he did.
It's the lowest servant in the home.
It would be the lowest place.
It would be though.
Like if you start a job, you start on the ground floor.
Here you go.
Here's your job, right?
You're going to sweep floors, clean toilets and shovel snow or whatever.
Yeah, I don't know and change garbages.
It's not bad, but you start on the ground floor and you work your way up.
Now I'm going to be head of maintenance or whatever that might be.
And Jesus takes the lowest form of a servant and he's going to teach them a lesson about being great in his kingdom.
Because his kingdoms is not of this world.
And this is what he's teaching the disciples to do is what he's teaching us.
If you're a disciple of Christ, this lesson is for you.
It's for me.
And it doesn't mean you just do it in your home.
It's serving the Lord.
How do you do that?
And I think you need to examine as we read this.
How are you?
What towel have you put around yourself?
Whose feet are you washing?
This was an example for the disciples a lesson for them to learn about being great.
It's an inverted pyramid.
Really the kingdom of God, the greatest is the lowest, right?
We always think of we're climbing the ladder.
We're getting to the top of the pyramid.
Well in Christian life, it's an inverted pyramid to be the best be the lowest be the servant of all.
Begins to wash their feet and wipe them with a towel which he was girded.
Imagine stinky smelly.
Some guys didn't clip their toenails probably just all the craziness that you can imagine.
And how humiliating that was to be to have somebody serve you that way, especially Jesus.
But Jesus didn't think I'm doing this.
Give me your feet washing them amazing.
And Peter's blocks it for a second.
He came to Peter and Peter said him Lord, are you washing my feet?
What Lord I barely wash my feet.
Are you going to want no, you didn't say that.
Peter probably knew that that that was like, oh my gosh, that's what you're going to do.
And Jesus said what I'm doing, you don't understand now, but you will after this.
And Peter said you'll never wash my feet.
No way blocks him.
He's still blocking him.
And Jesus said if I don't wash you, you have no part with me.
And Simon Peter said, Lord, not my feet only, but my hair.
I want to identify you wash my hands, my head.
Give me a bath.
And Jesus says he was bathed needs only to wash his feet.
But he's completely clean and you're clean, but not all of you.
For he knew who would betray him.
Therefore, he said, you're not all clean.
Not everyone here is taking a bath.
He knew Judas had it.
You're a Christian, you're bathed, you're cleansed in the blood of Christ, but you walk through
this world and what gets dirty, what part of you touches this world?
It's your your feet.
That's the idea.
Jesus is saying you need to wash up by the end of the day.
You're picking up all this stuff from the street.
You need to sit down and get in the word.
You need to sit before me and get washed up and cleaned up your mind, your heart.
If you don't, it's trouble.
You're going to carry that to bed.
You're going to have it in the morning.
You're going to keep going.
You got to wash up Peter.
And that's what I'm doing.
I'm cleaning you up.
You're clear.
You're saved.
You're a Christian.
You're already washed.
That's not the end.
That's not the bottom.
That's not it's not over.
And then he said this verse 12.
So when he washed their feet, he taken his garments and he sat down again and said to
them, do you know what I've done to you?
You call me teacher and Lord and you say well for so I am.
They looked up to Jesus.
He was their teacher, master, Lord.
I'll obey you.
I want to learn from you.
And Jesus says this is here's a huge lesson.
I want to teach you.
That we need to grasp.
We need to grasp it.
If I've been your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you want to wash one another's
feet.
I've given you an example that you should do as I have done to you.
Most assuredly, I say to you a servant isn't greater than his master.
Nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
And if you know these things, blessed are you.
If you do, it's not just a matter of knowing them, repeating them, quoting a verse.
He says, listen, you're blessed if you do them.
So what you have to do, it's activating your faith.
Walking in what Jesus called you and I to do and and it's being a servant.
I've left you an example.
What an example he left the disciples to serve.
The apostles that would turn the world upside down.
The Book of Acts says.
To be servants, that's what God's called us to do.
Be a servant, not just all right, I'm going to serve my wife today.
Where's the dishes, right?
And you should serve in your home.
I remember Chuck Smith saying, you know, he's serving at the church, serving at the church
and whatever he's doing things in his home.
And finally, Kay Smith, his wife, yells at him.
She says, you know what?
You can't leave all your stuff around here just because you're the pastor doesn't mean
you come here and expect me to be a maid or a housekeeper.
And she was, but you're just throwing your stuff around.
You're leaving your dirty dish.
How about picking up after yourself too, right?
And sometimes we can feel that way out worked all day.
Serve my wife.
She should.
That's her job serving me.
Right.
And Chuck was like, and she was right.
You know, I shouldn't be doing that.
Should be serving one another.
To take the lowest seat.
How do I serve?
What?
Don't expect, you know, it's it's.
It can be very hard to be have this flash in our minds because for some reason we think
everyone is created to serve us.
And we think everyone is thinking about us and they should be.
And if you're not, you should be.
If you're not thinking about me, you should be.
What?
You know, put my stuff away.
Do this, do that.
And Jesus said, I'm leaving you an example.
You should be a servant.
Should be a servant.
And I think assessment for us, how do we serve?
What are we doing?
How are we serving the Lord?
Not just your spouse or your kids should be a given.
Should be serving and how are you serving the Lord at church?
Are you engaged in fellowship at church?
Are you serving?
It's part of it.
Part of serving.
Jesus said, I left you this example that what's below you to serve?
What's the what's the thing that's like?
I would never I can't do that.
Sunday school, maybe I'll teach a men's Bible study Sunday school.
No way.
I'm above that.
Cleaning ministry, parking lot.
I don't think so.
Maybe Sunday morning if they need me.
I don't know what people are thinking.
How do we serve?
How do you serve the Lord?
Are we are we just takers?
You turn back to look with me.
I'll just read this scripture to you real quick.
In Philippians chapter two, Paul says this to the church.
He says, let this mind let this be your mindset, which was in Christ Jesus, who being in the
form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.
But this is what he did.
He made of himself no reputation and he took on the form of a bond servant.
Just a slave and coming in the likeness of men being found in the appearance of a man.
He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.
Even the death of the cross.
And God highly exalted him and gave him a name which is above every name.
It was a reward of service.
And that's what Jesus tells his disciples.
There's a reward of service.
Those who have continued with me in my trials back in Luke.
I bestow upon you a kingdom just as my father bestowed one upon me.
It's not going to be easy to be a servant.
There's suffering involved.
There's agonizing involved.
There's sacrifice involved.
But this isn't it.
It's not the end.
Jesus said the same way.
My father has promised me a kingdom.
I'm going to promise you're going to be part of my kingdom.
There's going to be rewards based on your sacrifice, your service.
What are we waiting to hear?
Well done, good and faithful servant.
That's what that's what God is going to say.
Not well done, good and faithful Bible teacher or.
It's well done, good and faithful servant.
What are we expecting in this life?
Jesus sat and it laid down an example.
How are we serving?
What are we doing?
That you might eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones,
judging the 12 tribes of Israel.
Says this in verse 31.
Lord turns to Peter and he says, Simon, Simon, indeed, Satan has asked for you
that he may sift you as wheat, but I've prayed for you that your faith should not
fail.
And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren.
Peter responds.
He says to him, Lord, I'm ready to go both to prison and to death.
What do you mean when I return?
I'm ready to go to prison.
I'm ready to die for you.
And this is what Jesus says.
I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three
times that you know me.
Peter had no idea that that was in him.
He had no clue what Peter didn't understand.
And Jesus puts an exclamation point on it when he says, Simon, Simon, like, do you
have a name like maybe it's your middle name or your full name when somebody's
like trying to get your attention?
Harley David, I don't know what you would be if your wife or your husband or your
mom or dad is calling you.
Do they use your middle name too?
I don't know.
He's like the way he would Jesus did with Mary, Mary, Mary.
He goes to Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem.
He's getting it's the attention.
Simon, Simon.
And Peter has no idea that he is the focus and the center of a satanic plot
against his life.
Satan has desired to sift you as we what?
I had no idea that that was a thought in the devil's mind.
Right.
And I don't know if maybe you guys are unaware of that today because that's the
reality that there's a spiritual battle going on and you're part of a spiritual
attack, a plot against your life, your faith, your family.
Maybe you don't know that.
Today, this morning, and Jesus is waking him up.
Sometimes we fail to remember that or identify it.
Job certainly didn't know it.
Right.
Job did not know that the devil was like, actually, the Lord's like, hey, if you
consider my servant, Job, Lord, why?
Why not my servant, Greg?
Why Job?
Have you considered?
And then and then the conversation ensues.
Well, he doesn't serve you for no reason.
You've blessed him.
You've done and the battle.
Job doesn't know initially what the heck is happening.
Right.
And I think sometimes we fail to remember or recognize or even know that some of
the things that are going on in our life, it's spiritually.
It's an attack.
It's a trial, a temptation.
It's the devil does not like you.
He comes to steal, kill and destroy to divide and conquer were to be or not to
be ignorant of his devices, his tactics, his schemes, his plans against you.
Paul says we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, and sometimes I think we we
put a name or a job or a position to a person that we feel attacked by or and
sometimes the source of that, the root of that is spiritual.
That's why Paul says here, take this armor.
You're going to need it.
You're going to need this stuff.
Because the battle you're in, the battle I'm in is eternal.
And it's spiritual.
Peter didn't know.
And you might think, not me, maybe Peter, Peter, but he he's the first pope.
Of course, he's getting attacked.
No, that's a joke.
He's not the first pope.
Sometimes we don't recognize the impact that your life is having even on one
person, the witness you are on the job.
The people you witness to the devil does not like that.
So here's the focus.
Let's go after him.
See if he'll still be a witness if if this happens to him financially or
health wise, they're going to hold their ground.
No.
We crumble sometimes.
Thankfully, Jesus knew that he was going to be a witness.
Thankfully, Jesus knew. Peter was going to crumble.
Jesus knew Peter was going to crumble under the pressure.
Right. He wasn't this wasn't a great victory for Peter, like I'm going to stand
for you. Peter thought he was going to.
I'm ready to go to prison.
Nah, actually, I'm ready to die for you.
Right. Like.
No, you're not, Peter.
Actually, this young girl will look at it next week, this little servant girl is
going to question you and you're going to deny three times that you even know him.
You're going to swear you're going to take an oath.
Maybe even swear, I don't know.
I don't know the man.
Satan has asked for you that he might sift you as wheat.
That's a tough process. The tough process.
Fifteen. It's wheat was rolled over the grain.
They roll over it to crack that shell.
And then they would take it to a high point mountain.
They throw it up in the air and the chaff.
Would blow away and then the wheat, the valuable stuff that stays,
they would keep doing that.
And it was quite a process.
You're cracking it. You're throwing it, cracking it, throwing it.
And that's what Jesus said. Satan wants to do that to your life.
He wants to stomp you a little, throw you up in the air, stomp you a little more,
throw you up in the air.
He has to ask.
That's good news for you and I.
Yes, Satan is not all powerful.
He can't do whatever he wants.
He has to ask.
That's good news.
He has to ask permission.
And it's also good news.
Jesus said, I've prayed for you.
You read it in Hebrews and Revelation that Jesus ever lives to make intercession.
He knows how to pray, what to pray.
The father hears his prayers.
He's praying for you.
That's great.
I remember going to a Bible study of the coverage of finger lakes and Don McClure
was speaking, I'm like, oh, man, that's one of my favorite pastors.
I want to hear him.
And then at the end, he's praying to whoever wants to, you know, get prayed for.
We want to pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit on your life.
Like trying to get through the crowd.
I want Don to put his hand on you.
We want prayer.
And Don's like this.
He looks at me and another guy that that a friend of mine, we didn't come together,
but we sat together.
He looks and he looks at both of us and he puts his hand on me.
He looks at both of us and he puts his hand on Jeff Inchco, a friend of mine, and prays
for him.
I'm like, what the heck, Don?
You know, I was waiting for you to pray for me.
But here's the good news.
Jesus is praying for you.
Jesus is praying for you, but may not be praying what you think he might be praying.
He's not praying that Peter wouldn't be sifted.
He says, when you return, when you grow from this process, when you get through this
difficulty, you're going to be of greater value to me than you are right now.
You're going to strengthen your brethren.
Listen, and he's going to reinstate Peter.
We're going to read about that, talk about that, because Peter's going to deny and Jesus
is going to go get him while he's fishing.
Because Peter gets really discouraged after that.
After he realizes, no, I guess I'm not ready to go to prison for you.
I guess I'm not ready to die.
I barely even want people to know I'm following you, that I'm a Christian.
Peter becomes a great tool, a vessel in God's hands on the other side of this
difficulty, on the other side of failure, because that's the greatest thing on the
other side of failure is the lesson you learn through it and who you become on the
other side of it.
Something you need to learn, something you need to know.
Yeah, there's failure in you.
You're not perfect, but God, he's not done with your life for Peter.
He's not done with his life.
He still wanted to use him and still was going to use him.
What's also good to know is that Jesus already knew his failure.
Right.
He already knows his failure.
He knew that Peter would deny him exactly what he would do in so much detail.
He says, Peter, in fact, in the other gospel, I think it's Mark.
He said the rooster will quote crow twice.
And by the second time it crows, you'll have denied me three times.
So exacting, so detailed as Jesus know your life and my life and Peter's life.
And he didn't give up on him.
In fact, you remember in John chapter one is as as Peter comes to Jesus,
he sees him.
He says, Simon, son of Jonah.
He says, you shall be called Cephas.
We call the rock.
That's what it means.
He says, basically saying, I know who you are.
Know your dad.
I know your family.
I know who you are, Peter.
One day you're going to be a rock.
You're going to be a rock.
Peter, one day you're going to be a rock.
Your life is going to I know who you are and I know what I'm going to make you.
I know how I'm going to change you.
Change your life, Peter.
Right. You can't change yourself.
You can change some things, habits.
We have to rely on God's work, rest in it, trust in it, believe it, hold on to it.
I know who you are, Peter.
And he says this, debating on continuing here.
And then he said to him, when I sent you without moneybags, knapsacks, sandals, did you lack anything?
And they said nothing.
That's when he sent out the 12, sent out the 70.
He said, don't take anything with you.
Don't take money.
Don't take extra coat.
Don't listen.
You're a minimalist on this trip, on this missions trip.
And now he says he's changing what he's doing.
But now he who has a money bag, let him take it.
And likewise, a knapsack.
And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in me.
And he was numbered with the transgressors for the things concerning me to have an end.
And they said, Lord, look, here's two swords.
And he said to him, that's enough.
Here's two swords. That'd be Justin.
I got two of them.
So he reminds them.
When he asked them to step out in faith and trust.
And just listen, go, believe me, I'm with you.
You don't need your money. You don't need this.
I'm going to just trust me.
I'm going to provide.
I'm going to give you everything you need.
And now he's saying, listen, now I'm asking you.
And that happens in your life.
Maybe you remember times like that when you're just stepping out in faith, you're walking in faith.
You're not like doesn't matter if you got the money or not.
You're going out to buy this meal for this person or buy a Bible for that person or do something for this family.
I don't care.
I don't know how I'm going to pay the rent.
And you're like, oh, my gosh, I'm getting kicked out.
No.
But and then other times, God's like, be practical.
Use what I've already given you.
Give me a job.
Give me money.
I've given you this.
I've given you that.
Now I want you to use wisdom.
Be a good steward.
That's how I got you to.
And by the way, and then he says, buy a sword.
Why?
I thought we weren't supposed to defend ourselves.
Jesus said, bring a sword with you.
Get one.
If you don't have one, get one.
And you should defend yourselves at times.
Defend the.
People who are defenseless and people who need it.
Maybe it's your spouse, your kids.
If you saw something happening to them.
Aren't you going to defend them?
Right.
If somebody wanted to abduct, hurt.
Rape.
I want two swords, not just one.
Jesus says that.
And then they're, I got two.
He's like, all right, that's enough.
Not like two is plenty.
But all right, that's enough.
We could talk about this for a long time.
He's like, that's enough.
Okay.
I'm going to move on now.
I get it.
You got it.
And we'll read about that next week.
Peter uses one of the.
I don't know who's got the other sword.
Peter uses one.
We'll look at it next week.
He chops off Melchus's ear.
Right.
I don't know.
Is it too dark where he can't see or does Peter need glasses?
Or was it just a bad shot?
I don't know.
He lops off an ear and Jesus is like, all right, no, that's Peter.
I have to die.
This is going to happen.
And he heals.
That's the last miracle Jesus does is he heals Melchus.
Puts his ear back on.
Fixes something to the disciples break.
Right.
Last miracle before his crucifixion.
But he says, I want you to walk out in wisdom.
Be practical.
And sometimes God does that for you and I and we're done.
But sometimes for you and I, there's times where God says, I want you to walk out in
faith.
You don't need this, this and this to do what I'm asking you to do.
I'm asking you to step out in faith.
And other times it's like, be practical.
I've given you wisdom.
I've given you provision.
Do this.
You have to.
Use what I already gave you.
And that's between you and the Lord and me and the Lord to determine that sometimes.
That's called our walk.
But I do want to ask you, is there a time where you feel like God's called you to do
certain things, asked you to do certain things?
And you're like, no, I can't do.
I can't afford that.
Can't do that.
But you know, God's saying that this is what I want you to do is what you should be doing.
And you're like, no, that's not practical.
Well, not everything is called a walk of faith, a life of faith.
Sometimes we mix those two things up and we think everything has to be practical.
I got to write it down.
That's not my budget or that's not my time schedule.
Some things are and some things aren't.
And if God is challenging you or putting something on your heart or maybe early on in your walk with zeal and you were walking with the Lord, man, I just was walking in faith and anything God asked me to do, I was willing to do it.
Maybe it's not that way anymore for you.
You're not willing to do anything. I don't know.
But he's speaking to the disciples.
He's giving them direction.
It's okay to have a sword.
Also, there's an obvious translation in the New Testament or today.
Maybe just kidding.
I'm not going to go down that road.
We'll just pray.
Lord, we're thankful, God, for your word.
We're thankful that it directs our hearts and our minds.
Lord, it's a word that you tell us that it's alive.
It's powerful, active.
It speaks to us.
Lord, I pray that the things that you spoke to us this morning, Lord, would be impressed on our hearts.
They would change our hearts, Lord, that they would change our way of thinking that they would challenge us, that they would encourage us.
Lord, I look at Peter's life so encouraging.
You knew all his flaws and failures and shortcomings, God, and you stood with him and stuck with him the way you do each and every one of us here, God.
We want our lives to bring you honor and glory.
We want to be servants.
Help us to serve, Lord.
You left an example that we should walk in, John tells us.
We should walk as you've walked in your footsteps.
Help us to do that.
Let that mind be in us.
Heart of a servant, Lord, you want us to be that, called us to be that.
I pray by your Holy Spirit you'd empower us to be all that you've called us to be, Jesus, in your name.
Amen.