Called by Grace: The Transformative Journeys of Peter and Paul

Summary

Today, we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, two pillars of the Church whose lives and missions reveal the depth of God’s call to each of us. Peter, the rock upon which Christ built His Church, was not chosen for his perfection but for his willingness to follow, even amid fear and failure. The story of Peter fleeing Rome during Nero’s persecution, only to encounter Jesus on the road and be called back to face martyrdom, reminds us that God’s call persists even in our moments of weakness. Peter’s journey was never one of unbroken strength; rather, it was marked by stumbling, denial, and yet, continual return to the Lord’s side.

Paul, too, was called not because of his flawless record, but in spite of his zeal for the wrong cause. Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus radically redirected his life. Both Peter and Paul met Jesus on the road—one running away, the other running toward what he thought was right—and both were turned around by grace. Their stories show that God’s call is not reserved for the already qualified, but for those willing to be transformed and sent, no matter their past.

The Church, in her wisdom, celebrates Peter and Paul together, not because they were alike, but because their missions—Peter to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles—together encompass the whole world. Their lives teach us that the call to holiness and mission is not a straight, ever-upward path. It is often marked by setbacks, doubts, and failures, but always undergirded by the persistent love and call of Christ. We are reminded that our own weaknesses do not disqualify us from God’s mission. Instead, we are continually invited to receive His grace, to turn back when we stray, and to go forth in love, just as Peter and Paul did.

Key Takeaways

- God’s call persists through our weaknesses and failures. Peter’s life was not a story of unbroken faithfulness, but of repeated stumbling and returning. Even when he fled in fear, Christ met him on the road and called him back, showing that our shortcomings do not disqualify us from being used by God. [01:55]

- The journey of faith is rarely a perfect upward trajectory. Like Peter, we may expect holiness to be a steady climb, but in reality, it often involves setbacks, doubts, and moments of fear. What matters is the overall direction of our hearts and our willingness to return to Christ when we fall. [05:17]

- God calls us not because we are already qualified, but because He desires to transform us. Paul’s zeal was initially misdirected, yet Christ met him in his blindness and redirected his passion for the Gospel. Our past mistakes or misguided efforts do not prevent God from calling us to new life and mission. [03:59]

- The mission of the Church is universal, encompassing all people. Peter was sent to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles, and together their missions represent the Church’s call to the whole world. We are invited to participate in this mission, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for every context and every person. [06:00]

- Encountering Christ often means being turned around from our own plans. Both Peter and Paul met Jesus on the road and were called to change direction—Peter from fleeing, Paul from persecuting. Our willingness to be interrupted and redirected by Christ is essential to living out our calling. [04:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
[00:45] - The Story of Peter’s Flight from Rome
[01:40] - Peter’s Encounter with Jesus on the Road
[02:30] - Peter’s Return and Martyrdom
[03:10] - Lessons from Peter’s Weakness
[03:59] - Paul’s Zeal and Conversion
[04:30] - Paul’s Encounter with Christ
[05:00] - The Call Despite Shortcomings
[05:17] - The Nonlinear Path of Holiness
[05:50] - The Universal Mission of Peter and Paul
[06:10] - Our Call to Mission
[06:22] - Closing and Amen

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Call of Saints Peter and Paul

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### Bible Reading

1. Matthew 16:13-19
Peter’s confession of Christ and Jesus’ declaration: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”

2. John 21:15-19
Jesus restores Peter after his denial and calls him to “feed my sheep.”

3. Acts 9:1-19
The conversion of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 16:13-19, what does Jesus say about Peter’s role in the Church?
2. According to Acts 9:1-19, what was Paul doing before he met Jesus on the road, and how did Jesus confront him?
3. In John 21:15-19, how does Jesus respond to Peter after his denial? What does he ask Peter to do?
4. The sermon mentions that both Peter and Paul met Jesus “on the road.” What were the circumstances for each? [03:59]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says Peter was not chosen for his perfection, but for his willingness to follow, even after failure. What does this suggest about the kind of people God calls? [01:40]
2. Paul’s zeal was originally misdirected, but Jesus still called him. What does this say about how God can use our past, even our mistakes, for His purposes? [03:59]
3. The sermon describes the journey of faith as “not a straight, ever-upward path.” How might this understanding help someone who feels discouraged by their own setbacks? [05:17]
4. Peter was sent to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. What does this teach about the Church’s mission and the diversity of callings within it? [05:50]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon tells the story of Peter running away in fear, only to be called back by Jesus. Have you ever tried to avoid something you felt God was asking you to do? What happened, and how did you respond? [01:40]
2. Peter’s journey was full of stumbling and returning to Jesus. Is there an area in your life where you feel like you keep stumbling? What would it look like to “return” to Jesus in that area this week? [01:40]
3. Paul’s life was radically redirected by Jesus. Is there a passion or part of your past that you think God might want to use for His purposes, even if it didn’t start out as something good? [03:59]
4. The sermon says God’s call persists through our weaknesses and failures. What is one weakness or failure that makes you feel unqualified? How might God want to use you anyway? [01:40]
5. The journey of faith is described as “not a perfect upward trajectory.” When you experience setbacks or doubts, what helps you keep moving forward in faith? [05:17]
6. Peter and Paul’s missions together represent the Church’s call to the whole world. Who in your life or community might God be inviting you to reach out to, even if it feels outside your comfort zone? [05:50]
7. Both Peter and Paul had to be willing to be interrupted and redirected by Jesus. Is there an area of your life where you sense God might be asking you to change direction? What would it look like to say “yes” to that? [04:30]

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Devotional

Day 1: God Calls Us Despite Our Weaknesses

God’s call is not reserved for the flawless; He chooses and uses people like Peter, who stumbled and failed repeatedly, yet was still called to be the rock of the Church. Even in moments of fear and failure, God’s invitation remains, reminding us that our shortcomings do not disqualify us from His mission. The story of Peter fleeing Rome, only to encounter Jesus and turn back, powerfully illustrates that God’s grace persists through our struggles and doubts. No matter how many times we trip or falter, the Lord’s call endures, inviting us to return and continue following Him. [02:55]

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel unworthy or disqualified from God’s call, and how might you respond if you believed He still chooses you in those very places?


Day 2: God’s Call Can Interrupt and Redirect Our Lives

Like Paul on the road to Damascus, God sometimes interrupts our plans and redirects us, even when we are convinced we are on the right path. Paul’s zeal led him to persecute Christians, but a sudden encounter with Christ blinded him and changed his direction entirely. This shows that God’s call can come unexpectedly, challenging our assumptions and inviting us to a new mission. Are you open to God’s surprising interruptions, even if they upend your current trajectory? [03:59]

Acts 9:3-6 (ESV)
"Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'"

Reflection: When has God interrupted your plans or challenged your assumptions, and how did you respond to His redirection?


Day 3: Our Journey of Holiness Is Not a Straight Line

The path of following Jesus is rarely a perfect upward climb; it is often marked by setbacks, doubts, and struggles, just as Peter’s life was. Growth in holiness is a trend upwards, but it can look messy and uneven, filled with moments of stumbling and getting back up. This reality can be discouraging, but it is also a reminder that God’s grace is patient and persistent, working with us through every twist and turn. [05:17]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what area of your spiritual life have you experienced setbacks, and how can you trust God to continue His work in you despite them?


Day 4: God’s Mission Is for the Whole World

Peter was sent to the Jewish people and Paul to the Gentiles, showing that God’s love and mission extend to every person, everywhere. Their combined witness demonstrates that no one is outside the reach of God’s call, and that the Church is meant to embrace and serve all nations. We are invited to participate in this universal mission, sharing God’s love beyond our own boundaries and comfort zones. [06:22]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Who in your life or community might feel outside the reach of God’s love, and how can you extend Christ’s welcome to them today?


Day 5: We Are Continually Being Called

God’s call is not a one-time event but a continual invitation to follow, grow, and serve, no matter where we are on our journey. Both Peter and Paul experienced repeated calls to turn, return, and go deeper into their mission, reminding us that God’s voice is persistent and faithful. Each day brings a new opportunity to say yes to God’s invitation, trusting that He equips us for whatever lies ahead. [05:17]

Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"

Reflection: What is one way you sense God calling you today, and how can you respond with openness and courage?

Quotes

Because it highlights that Peter followed the Lord, you know, he was called very early. But throughout his following of the Lord, he was constantly stumbling and tripping over himself the entire time, even all the way to the end. Yet, despite his weaknesses, the Lord still called him. He still built the church upon him, said, you are the rock upon which I will build my church. And he was still called, despite all of that. Even in that moment of fear and weakness, even then he was still being called. [00:03:18] (00:00:40 seconds)  #CalledDespiteWeakness Edit Clip

And alternatively, we also see from St. Paul, who was also called a man despite his many shortcomings and weaknesses. He was a very zealous Pharisee, and when he saw the Christians come on the scene, he said, Obviously, these people aren't following the law, so they must die, right? So as he's going on his own persecution of the Christians, he also meets Jesus on the road, which I also find is interesting. [00:03:59] (00:00:27 seconds)  #TransformationOnTheRoad Edit Clip

But instead of, you know, this kind of solemn, like Peter, he sees Jesus carrying his cross. St. Paul just sort of gets blinded, which is interesting. And then he hears the voice, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? And he also has that moment of turning back on the road that he was going and being called a different direction. [00:04:26] (00:00:24 seconds)  #ContinualDivineCalling Edit Clip

And I think this is a good reminder for all of us, that despite whatever shortcomings or weaknesses we see in ourselves, whatever difficulties we have, we are all being called. And continually being called. [00:04:51] (00:00:16 seconds)  #GraceOverDisqualification Edit Clip

We can think that we're not good enough, or somehow we've disqualified ourself from being able to follow the Lord's call and go on mission, like St. Peter and Paul did. But if that were true, if the Lord actually disqualified us from mission, St. Peter would have been disqualified far before he had the chance to deny Jesus three times. [00:05:06] (00:00:20 seconds)  #FaithIsNotLinear Edit Clip

And sometimes it can be difficult and discouraging because we think that, you know, we're called by the Lord and then the life of holiness and grace is this perfect upward exponential growth. But it's a trend upwards, but it kind of, you know, looks like this a lot of times. And we see that throughout the entire life of St. Peter. [00:05:36] (00:00:19 seconds)  #UnifiedMissionAmen Edit Clip

And that's what is represented by putting St. Peter and Paul together. St. Peter had his mission to the Jewish people and St. Paul had his mission to the Gentiles. And together, you have the entire world that their mission extends to. [00:06:07] (00:00:16 seconds) Edit Clip