Faith and Discipleship: Lessons from Peter's Journey

 

Summary

On this special Mother's Day, we gather to explore the profound journey of faith through the life of Peter, a disciple who mirrors our own struggles and triumphs in following Jesus. Peter's story is a testament to authentic discipleship, marked by both failures and successes, and it offers hope for all of us as flawed followers of Christ. We delve into Peter's experiences, from his initial calling to his bold venture of walking on water, and ultimately to his confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Faith, as we understand it, is a believing response to Jesus, not a reliance on ourselves, the church, or other Christians. It is a personal confession of who Jesus is in relation to God and to us. Jesus is the Son of the living God, embodying the fullness of God, and He is the Christ, the anointed one who fulfills God's purposes of revealing, reconciling, and ruling. To confess faith in Jesus means to embrace Him as our teacher, savior, and master, acknowledging His authority over our lives.

This faith is not something we achieve on our own; it is a gift from God. While we may have been influenced by mothers, grandmothers, or friends, it is ultimately God who opens our eyes and breathes life into our souls. Jesus promises that He will build His church on the rock of His identity, and even the gates of hell will not prevail against it. This assurance gives us confidence in the face of a world filled with uncertainty and evil.

Finally, we are reminded of the blessing that comes with confessing faith in Jesus. Faith is formed in the company of Jesus, and it brings blessing, however faltering or weak it may be. We are encouraged to share our faith with others, especially on this Mother's Day, as a testament to the transformative power of believing in Jesus. Confessing faith in Jesus is not only a personal declaration but also a source of eternal blessing and salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- Authentic discipleship, as seen in Peter's life, involves both failures and successes. It is a journey of hope, showing us that Jesus can work with flawed disciples like us. Our faith is not about perfection but about a genuine relationship with Christ. [01:25]

- Faith is a believing response to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Son of the living God and the Christ. It is not about confidence in ourselves or others but about embracing Jesus as our teacher, savior, and master. [06:13]

- Faith is a gift from God, not something we achieve on our own. While others may influence us, it is God who opens our eyes and breathes life into our souls. This divine gift calls us to exercise faith and trust in Jesus. [17:19]

- Jesus promises to build His church on the rock of His identity, and even the gates of hell will not prevail against it. This assurance gives us confidence in the face of a world filled with uncertainty and evil. [29:00]

- Confessing faith in Jesus brings blessing, however faltering or weak it may be. We are encouraged to share our faith with others, as a testament to the transformative power of believing in Jesus. [32:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction and Mother's Day Greeting
- [00:30] - Faith in Jesus Christ
- [00:46] - Peter: A Mass of Contradictions
- [01:25] - Authentic Discipleship
- [02:36] - Peter Walking on Water
- [03:43] - Jesus' Question to the Disciples
- [05:06] - Peter's Confession of Faith
- [06:13] - The Faith We Confess
- [09:42] - Jesus as the Christ
- [13:03] - Embracing Jesus as Teacher, Savior, and Master
- [17:04] - Faith as a Gift from God
- [21:35] - The Promise We Believe
- [25:59] - Jesus as the Rock
- [29:00] - The Blessing We Enjoy
- [32:14] - Sharing Our Faith
- [38:42] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:13-20
- Romans 10:9-10
- Ephesians 2:8-9

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Observation Questions:

1. What question does Jesus ask His disciples in Matthew 16:13, and how does Peter respond? [05:06]

2. According to the sermon, what are the three roles that Jesus fulfills as the Christ? [12:24]

3. How does the sermon describe the nature of faith as a gift from God? [17:19]

4. What promise does Jesus make about His church in Matthew 16:18, and how is this significant? [21:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Peter's confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" shape our understanding of who Jesus is? [05:37]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith is both a personal confession and a divine gift? [17:19]

3. How does the promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail" against the church provide assurance to believers in today's world? [29:00]

4. What does it mean to embrace Jesus as our teacher, savior, and master, according to the sermon? [13:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like Peter, experiencing both faith and doubt. How did you navigate that situation, and what did you learn from it? [01:25]

2. The sermon emphasizes that faith is a gift from God. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for this gift in your daily life? [17:19]

3. Consider the roles of Jesus as teacher, savior, and master. Which role do you find most challenging to embrace, and why? [13:03]

4. How can you actively share your faith with others, especially those who may not yet know Jesus? What steps can you take this week to do so? [32:14]

5. The sermon encourages confessing faith in Jesus as a source of blessing. How can you make this confession a regular part of your life, and who can you share it with today? [35:10]

6. Reflect on the influence of your family or friends in your faith journey. How can you be a similar influence to someone else? [19:14]

7. In light of the promise that Jesus will build His church, how can you contribute to the life and growth of your local church community? [29:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Authentic Discipleship: Embracing Imperfection
Authentic discipleship is a journey marked by both failures and successes, as exemplified by Peter's life. Peter's story is a testament to the hope that Jesus can work with flawed disciples like us. Our faith journey is not about achieving perfection but about cultivating a genuine relationship with Christ. Peter's experiences, from his initial calling to his bold venture of walking on water, and ultimately to his confession of faith, illustrate the ups and downs of following Jesus. This journey of hope shows us that Jesus is patient and willing to work with us, despite our imperfections. [01:25]

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV): "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel like you are failing in your discipleship journey? How can you invite Jesus into these areas to help you grow and strengthen your relationship with Him?


Day 2: Faith as a Believing Response
Faith is a believing response to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Son of the living God and the Christ. It is not about confidence in ourselves or others but about embracing Jesus as our teacher, savior, and master. This faith requires us to recognize Jesus' authority over our lives and to trust in His divine nature and purpose. By confessing faith in Jesus, we align ourselves with His teachings and submit to His guidance, allowing Him to lead us on our spiritual journey. [06:13]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to embrace Jesus as your teacher, savior, and master in your daily life? How can you actively demonstrate this belief in your actions and decisions today?


Day 3: Faith as a Divine Gift
Faith is a gift from God, not something we achieve on our own. While others may influence us, it is God who opens our eyes and breathes life into our souls. This divine gift calls us to exercise faith and trust in Jesus, recognizing that our spiritual awakening is a result of God's grace. Understanding faith as a gift helps us to remain humble and grateful, acknowledging that our relationship with Jesus is initiated and sustained by God's love and mercy. [17:19]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Reflect on the influences in your life that have shaped your faith. How can you express gratitude to God for the gift of faith and the people He has used to guide you on your spiritual journey?


Day 4: The Assurance of Jesus' Promise
Jesus promises to build His church on the rock of His identity, and even the gates of hell will not prevail against it. This assurance gives us confidence in the face of a world filled with uncertainty and evil. By trusting in Jesus' promise, we can find peace and strength, knowing that His church will endure and that His purposes will be fulfilled. This promise encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when we encounter challenges and opposition. [29:00]

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: In what ways do you find yourself doubting the strength and resilience of the church in today's world? How can you hold onto Jesus' promise and contribute to the building of His church in your community?


Day 5: The Blessing of Confessing Faith
Confessing faith in Jesus brings blessing, however faltering or weak it may be. We are encouraged to share our faith with others, as a testament to the transformative power of believing in Jesus. This act of confession is not only a personal declaration but also a source of eternal blessing and salvation. By sharing our faith, we participate in the mission of spreading the gospel and inviting others to experience the life-changing power of Jesus. [32:14]

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV): "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the transformative power of faith in Jesus? How can you share your faith with them in a way that is genuine and inviting?

Quotes

"Authentic discipleship has its failures as well as its successes, and the story of Peter therefore is full of hope because it shows us what Jesus is able to do with flawed disciples like us. We looked at Peter's calling, the marvelous story of the miraculous catch of fish. Peter saw something of the glory of Jesus, and as soon as he did, he realized what a sinful person he really was, and he said, 'Lord, depart from me, I am a sinful man.' The good news is that Jesus did not depart from Peter, and he didn't depart from Peter because he'd come not to call the righteous but sinners like us to repentance." [00:94:08]

"Faith is a believing response to Jesus. In other words, it's not confidence in ourselves, it's not confidence in the church or in other Christians. I mean, there may be someone here today and you might say, maybe this has been your experience, you say, 'Well, I've been disappointed by some things that I've seen in the behavior of people who call themselves Christians,' or there might be someone here who says, 'You know, I've been hurt by the church.' I want to be really clear about this: I'm not asking you to confess faith in other Christians, not asking you to confess faith in the church, but I'm going to invite you today to a believing response in Jesus." [00:390:72]

"Christians confess this faith that Jesus is the Son of God, and what that means is that the fullness of God dwells in him, the glory of God shines from him, he is the image of God, and he is the exact representation of his being. That's all the language that the Bible uses to describe Jesus, and this is why Jesus could say to the disciple Thomas, 'Whoever has seen me has seen the Father,' and on another occasion Jesus said, 'I and the Father are one.' So to honor Jesus is to honor the Father, to trust Jesus is to trust the Father, to love Jesus is to love the Father, and to worship Jesus is to worship the Father." [00:509:68]

"Now, in the first part of the Bible, the Old Testament, what you find is that there were three kinds of people who were anointed for particular service to God. The prophets spoke the word of God, and so they were anointed for God's work of revealing. The priests offered the sacrifices, and so they were anointed for God's work of reconciling. And the kings, of course, defended and led God's people, and therefore they were anointed for the work of ruling. Prophets, priests, and kings—they were all the anointed ones. They were the ones who carried out on earth what God was doing in heaven: revealing, reconciling, ruling." [00:653:12]

"Confessing faith in Jesus does not mean that you have sorted everything out in your life. Some people get this idea that if I'm going to confess faith in Jesus, I need to sort out everything in my life first before I do that. No, that's not how it works. You confess faith in Jesus so that he will begin a work in you in which he will sort out everything in your life. So it doesn't mean that you have to get your whole life sorted out; it doesn't mean that you have no doubts; it doesn't mean that you have all your questions answered." [00:816:639]

"Faith also is a wonderful gift of God. Notice what Jesus says, verse 17, and Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.' I want you to look at these remarkable words of Jesus: 'Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you.' So here you are, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and what Jesus is saying is, you didn't work this out for yourself, you didn't get this from someone else." [00:1029:919]

"Jesus Christ will build his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. What a phrase that is—the gates of hell. I mean, that surely is a description of evil as dark as it ever gets. And you know, when we see evil unleashed in our world, we may wonder sometimes what kind of world our children, our grandchildren, and maybe even our great-grandchildren are going to inherit. And none of us knows the future, but of this every believer can be sure: that however dark this world becomes, Jesus will always have his church. He will build it, he will guard it, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." [00:1748:72]

"Faith in Jesus, however faltering, however weak, however stumbling your faith in the Lord Jesus may be, faith in Jesus will always bring blessing. It will always bring blessing. I was speaking just this week with a member of our congregation who told me the story of her journey to faith. She told me, 'My grandmother had a very strong impact on me. She was a woman who prayed on her knees, and she gave me,' she said, 'my first real Bible when I was in fifth grade.' Amazing the impression that these things make, and they never go away." [00:1924:88]

"I want to encourage you to confess faith in Jesus to someone today. I mean, you may have been a Christian for many years, but I want to encourage you to tell someone today that you believe in Jesus. And this is Mother's Day, so if you are able to do this—I realize we all don't have that opportunity—but if you're able to do this, why not tell your mother, 'I believe in Jesus.' If your mother loves Jesus, I promise you the best gift you could give her is to tell her that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if she's known this for years already, it will be a joy to her heart—a son, a daughter who believes in Jesus." [00:2101:76]

"It may be that you have never before in all of your life said words like these. You have never said, 'I believe in Jesus.' You've never thought of yourself as a believer in Jesus, but somehow you are aware even now that God is somehow working in your life in a way that you can't fully understand, and it's almost as if he's opening your eyes and he's softening your heart. And like Peter, you're coming to a place where you could say, 'I believe in Jesus.'" [00:2194:079]

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. You cannot get more blessed than that—to know that you are saved in time and for eternity. That blessing is given to those who confess that Jesus is Lord, believe that God raised him from the dead. Do that, you will be saved. So here's my invitation to you: tell someone, 'I believe in Jesus.' In confessing faith in Jesus, you will be blessed." [00:2249:2]

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Transcript
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