Peter, Sent to Strengthen

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Sermon Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Spiritual Vitality

1 Peter 1:1-2; Luke 22:31-34, 39-46, 54-62 (ESV)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Luke 22
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Sermon Outline
Peter (1 Peter 1:1) writes with a message to help us stay spiritually alive as we go through the hardships of life.  We will consider three things we can expect:

1. An alienating adversary

  • Luke 22:31 “Simon… Satan… might sift you”

  • Luke 22:33, 62 “Peter said… ‘Lord, I am ready’”; “he went out and wept bitterly”

2. An interceding advocate

  • Luke 22:32 “but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail”

  • Luke 22:40, 46 “pray that you may not fall into temptation”; “why are you sleeping?”

  • Luke 22:43 “there appeared… an angel… strengthening him”

3. A faith strengthening community

  • Luke 22:32 “when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers”

Prayer of Confession
Our gracious and merciful Father, we turn to you this morning with honest acknowledgment of our need of grace. We have been sleeping instead of praying. We have trusted our abilities more than we have trusted Jesus. We have believed the voice of accusation and given in to shame and isolation. Our actions and attitudes have reflected weak faith. We confess our guilt. We ask for pardon. Thank you, Jesus, for going alone to the cross to save us from sin and death. We turn to you, Father, appealing for mercy in his name. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

  1. What kinds of pressures or difficulties push you to seek out help and to connect with people?  What kinds lead you to isolation?

  2. What are some of your vulnerabilities to temptation?  What entices you?  What wears down your ability to resist?

  3. What role does faith play in regular/frequent decisions?  Are there only some kinds of choices where a commitment to Christ is relevant?  How should trust in Jesus impact even “non-moral” decisions?

  4. How does the offer of forgiveness and the love of God in Christ make it possible to step out of shame and isolation?  What do you need to know and believe when you feel ashamed?

  5. When you suffer alone and feel like no one can really understand or help, how can prayer be a means of getting strength in those moments?  What do we see of Jesus in this passage that helps you be strengthened by his presence?

  6. What could it look like for members of a church community to be open about weakness in a way that produces strength in others?  What is needed?  What should be avoided?

  7. How can you have more faith in Christ, and less faith in faith?  What will help you focus your faith where it belongs?

  8. How can you strengthen others in their faith?  What are some things you can do?  Is there anyone you need to help and encourage?