BUILDING THE KINGDOM–UNLIKELY PEOPLE

 

 

Do you ever feel that you are not an important person in the Kingdom of God?

Do you ever feel that you have done so many “bad” things in your life that God can’t love you?

Do you ever feel that you are so messed up that God can’t possibly use your life for furthering His Kingdom on earth?

Do you ever feel that God cannot possibly use you for a purpose in the Kingdom of God?

Do you ever feel like you have failed God and are not worthy?

 

Well, I have some encouragement for you……I’ll say it again….

 

 

One Biblical person to support that fact that comes to mind is Simon Peter.

 

Let’s explore his life a little more closely to see how Jesus gave us a great example of a person, just like you and me, that He used to build the Kingdom of God right here on this earth.

 

What do we know about Peter?

Note:  I will reference a whole passage of Scripture for you to read if you so desire and just mention one part in the section below.  Take a few minutes to read and reflect on the whole passage if you can.

1-That Jesus had big plans for Peter from the beginning foreshadowed by the name Jesus gave him

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated in Greek, is Peter). –John 1:42 (NIV)  Whole passage: <Read John 1:35-42>

**It is interesting to note that in Aramaic Cephas translates to “Rock” something that we will see Jesus is molding Simon Peter to become.

 

2-Peter was a simple fisherman yet Jesus had bigger plans for him

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.   “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”   At once they left their nets and followed him.  –Matthew 4:18-20  (NIV)

 

3-Peter first felt unworthy and sinful in Jesus’ Presence

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”  For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,  and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.  –Luke 5:8-10  (NIV)  Whole passage:  <Luke 5:1-10>

 

4-Peter, at first, did not want Jesus to wash his feet at the Last Supper because of his humility and pride

 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”  –John 13:6-9  (NIV)  <Whole passage:  John 13:1-17>

 

5-Peter denied knowing Christ three times   

About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 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.”  And he went outside and wept bitterly.     Luke 22:59-62   (NIV)  <Whole passage:  Luke 22:54-62>

 

6-Peter walked on water but began to sink when he started to doubt

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”     — Matthew 14:28-33  (NIV)  <Whole passage:  Matthew 14:22-33>

 

7-Peter declares Jesus is the Messiah
  -Jesus called Peter to be the Rock of the church

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”   –Matthew 16:16-19  (NIV)  <Whole passage:  Matthew 16:13-20>

 

8-Jesus forgives Peter and gives Peter his Kingdom purpose 

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

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

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

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

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

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

 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.”   –John 21:15-17  (NIV)

 

 

 

–Falling into temptation got the best of him

–His body was tired so it was harder for him to keep spiritually alive

–He had a hard time praying

Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping, “Simon,” He said to Peter, “are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit willing, but the body is weak.”  –Mark 14:37-38  (NIV)

–He was hanging with the “wrong” crowd

–He let fear of what others thought of him for following Jesus overtake him

–He was afraid that they might put him to death like Jesus

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.  –Mark 14:53-54  (NIV)

–Fulfill Jesus’ prophecy

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.”  And he went outside and wept bitterly.  –Luke 22:61-62  (NIV)

 

 

 

I wonder if it was because…..

…Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter, probably looking directly into his eyes

…He knew how very much Jesus truly loved him

…He knew that Jesus was indeed the Messiah in his heart of hearts

…He spent three years seeing the miracles and healings Jesus provided for others

…He knew the true depth of Jesus’ love for every person he encountered

…He saw firsthand how Jesus forgave everyone who confessed their sins

…He wanted to spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven.

 

 

 

Do you see some of yourself in Peter?

Do you sometimes “deny” Christ for some of the same reasons Peter did?

Are you quick to repent when you fall into sin and temptation?

Do you know the depth of Jesus’ great love for you?

 

 

 

Peter was a simple fisherman but Jesus used him to be a fisher of men!

In the early days, Peter was anything but a rock, but by God’s grace it is what Peter would become, Cephas!

Jesus knew His plans for Simon Peter to become a ROCK when He first encountered him!

Peter found courage in Christ with stepping out of the boat!

Peter denied knowing Christ yet repented and ultimately loved Christ above all else!

Peter was commissioned to carry on the church;

…to feed the lambs, (possibly the laity of the church)

…to take care of Jesus’ sheep, (possibly the church leaders)

…to feed Jesus’ sheep.

Peter was the one that shared the gospel, the Good News, at the first Pentecost!

 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  –Acts 2:38  (NIV)  <Whole passage:  Acts 2:14-41>

Peter was the leader of the church in Jerusalem, the first center of the church!

Peter ended up writing two epistles that are a part of the Bible— 1 Peter & 2 Peter —which were written as instructional letters for the early church!

Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down as he did not feel worthy to die on the cross the same way that Jesus did.

“I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.”  –John 21:18-19  (NIV)

 

 

 

…molds our lives to be the person Jesus intends for us if we are willing~

…uses our imperfection, our failures, our shortcomings and makes something beautiful out of us~

…yes, as imperfect as we are, Jesus can use each one of us if we love Him with our whole heart and let Him use us~

 

YES,

 

  I am thankful for that~

YOU, my dear reader, are an important part of that Kingdom on earth!

 

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.  –Matthew 6:33  (NIV)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.  –Romans 14:17-18  (NIV)