A Second Chance in Life: Getting Back Up

You are listening to a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. Visit our website and learn more about harvest partners@harvest.org word of God. I never knew Jesus drawing the apostle Peter took a giant step that integrity and proclamation of the gospel. Greg Maurice's God grants second transient believers can fall believers gives the believers to give you.

This was given to us. This mess would return to all golfers know very well.

Mulligan is that swing over good will. Thankfully, the Lord allows mulligans in the spiritual life. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sin today on a new beginning after Greg Laurie helped us follow the biblical account of a certain spiritual failure to what it was that led to the sin that sin was forgiven when it was or is known the Bible of a man who was overtaken by sin.

A man who probably never realized that one thing would lead to another through five steps he fell away from the Lord in this matter was a full-fledged apostle of Jesus Christ and his name is known to all of us. I want to tell the story of Simon Peter and his fall and his restoration. Hence the title, a second chance in life. Look with me if you will, and Mark chapter 14 starting in verse 27, by the way, everything from the new living translation. On the way.

Jesus told them all of you will desert be for the Scriptures say God will strike the shepherd of the sheep will be scattered, but I prime rate from the dead.

I'll go ahead before you went to Galilee and I'll meet you there. Peter said even if everyone else desert you. I never will.

Jesus replied well I tell you the truth Peter this very light before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me though Peter declared emphatically, even if I have to die with you.

I will never deny you and all the others about the same. Now there are five steps that lead Peter down to his denial of Christ here. Step number one if you're taking notes is first step down was so confidence, self confidence, go back to Mark 14 verse 29 Peter said to Jesus, even if everyone else desert you.

I never will.

And this is after the Lord revealed that Judas would betray computers effectively save even if Judas betrays you all all never let you down. I and is almost posting at the expense of others. Even the bees, others fall short. All I remember you give me the new name rock Rocky will never let you down. Bible says pride goes before a fall. Peter second step down was for earnestness. I'm not even sure if that's a word but it's a real thing, prayer, recklessness, how many of us would be honest to admit that we need to pray more. I know that I do and Peter was sleeping when he should have been praying, going back to Mark 14 verse 37 during the garden of Gethsemane.

Now Jesus says to the disciples, Peter, James and John watch with me, watch and pray, and we read these words. This is from the new King James version. He came and found them sleeping and said to Peter, Simon, why are you sleeping could you not watch one hour watch and pray let you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. Again, he went away and pray, and spoke the same words and when he returned he found them asleep again for their eyes were heavy and they did not know what to say to him, here's Jesus contemplating the horrors of the cross in the garden of Gethsemane and according to Dr. Luedtke's sweating, as it were great drops of blood literally sweating blood as he thinks about what is ahead. All he asked for was a little companionship from Peter James and John and they fell asleep. You know it's interesting in the Bible.

Sleep is spoken of this sort of a negative thing it's visited Christians now is the time to wake up for our salvation is near and when we first believed. And we all know what it's like to fall asleep at an inappropriate time, maybe you fallen asleep in church, by the way, pastors know when you fall asleep and I think it comes as a revelation, the people know that not only can you see me when I'm speaking that I can see you when someone nods they make, they put their hands up to their face. Like the praying. I know you're sleeping okay especially when you start snoring, but do we always deny it warmer sleeping for some reason some of the few photos I don't know you did these guys fell asleep but you see, Jesus was getting them ready for boys. You need to pray because he knew a storm was brewing. He knew that hard times were ahead and they needed to be pray literally the devil's son is on his way with some armed guards to arrest Jesus and it's a reminder to was that prayer looseness can be as much of a sin is breaking the commandment see there's not just sins of commission.

That's when you do what you should not do, but their sins of omission when you don't to what you should do. The Bible says to him that knows to do good and does not do it to him of this sin. So the Lord impresses upon your heart. The need to pray and you don't pray that to be a sin.

Jesus is saying to Peter Ames and John guys you need to pray yeah whatever were gonna get some disease right now.

I was a mistake. His third step down was Peter trusted human effort instead of God's power.

He trusted human efforts. Instead of God's power.

Verse 46 of Mark 14 they laid their hands on him and took them in one of them who stood by to his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

Now Luke fills in some details. Here we find out who one of them was it was Peter and he soundly rebuked by Jesus after he does this in Christ says the Peter, put your sword in its place.

For those that live by the sword will perish by the sword.

Don't you realize a good pray to my father that he would provide me with 12 legions of angels. Now, in fairness, we can understand Peter's outranked Judas Iscariot.

He's hung out with this guy for three years plus thought of him as a friend. And here is Judas who betrayed Jesus and how to Judas betrayed Jesus. The Bible says with a kiss.

I mean, couldn't Judas just say looking at the gun pointing to that Jesus arrest him or the guy I'm shaking his hand.

Areas he betrays him with the kiss and in the original language.

It wasn't just a peck on the cheek. It was repeated kisses and entities appearing to be someone who loves Jesus when he would train him and Jesus says to Judas as he approaches friend, why have you come friend should've said fiend why have you come.

Jesus knew why he came, but I think Judas Vista but Christ was giving to Judas one last opportunity to repent of his sin and Judas did not take it. Remember, Satan filled Judas is part soap. Peter just ticked off. He's angry.

He's a fisherman, not a sword. When he called out the desert only takes a swing off comes the ear of a guy named Mao, cousin of the gospel tells us Bobby was leaving the charts and Jesus reaches town Pyxis men's ear and reattach his so the last miracle of Jesus before he died them across was the healing of a man who was coming to arrest and was also a miracle that was done to cover the blunder of a disciple.

What an amazing story that pastor Greg Laurie allowed the second half of this message just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here. You know my uncle Fred Jordan at one of the first Christian TV programs out there. It was called church in the home.

I remember watching it as a little boy when I was living with my grandparents we have church in the home for you every weekend is called harvest@anydividedharvest.org we have worship in a message of God's word. So join us this weekend for harvest of home harvest.what were studying Peter's failure in Mark chapter 14 today pastor Greg is helping us focus on why it happened.

Let's continue to more steps that led to Peter Spall.

Step number four.

He was warming himself that the enemy's fire. He was warming himself of the enemy's fire go back to Mark 14 verse 66 we read as Peter was below in the courtyard. One of the servant girls of the high priest came in she saw Peter warming himself. She looked at him and said, you also were with Jesus of Nazareth, he denied it, saying I don't know or understand what you're saying and he went out on the porch and a rooster crow member would Jesus said, you will deny me three times before the rooster crowed twice and is always warming himself to the fire. Have you ever tried to go undercover as a Christian, sort of. Hide your faith go unnoticed in the larger crowd following at a distance. Peter became cold and was attracted to the warmth of the fire didn't think that anyone would recognize him there. Now he is following Jesus does. So we have to give him some credit is a runaway but is not doing anything either. In fact, were given a detail here in Matthew 26 verse 58 we read that Peter went and sat with the servants to see the end to that's what he thought it was the end. There's no more hope everything's going up the tracks Jesus and Peter's estimation was supposed to establish his kingdom and drive out the Romans and now he's been betrayed by one of us. And now he's going to die and across but I guess I'll just stay here and see the end but it was not to be the end it was going to be a beginning a new beginning. It's not a bad thing that he was warming himself by a fire buddies with these people around the fire. The Bible says in Psalm one Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, or stands in the way of sinners or sits in the seat of the scornful to that's what was happening.

He was mixing in with this crowd and he's called out right there. He said to suggest I'm a follower of Jesus, but he denies it. Denial number one that was for step down another denial. Luke's gospel tells us some time elapsed before the first and second denial so Peter could've left that place but he stay inexplicably here plenty of time to think about it and we might criticize him for probably the second last time you were tempted.

Did you flee the did did you remove yourself from the place where your being pulled down when that scene in the movie came on the screen. Did you walk out of the theater or if you turn the TV off when your buddy mocked or cursed God, did you speak up for your faith that temptation from the girl that came your way, did you fling that Joseph did see it very easy for us to critique but we do the same and we get compromise and that's a Peter was doing right now he was trapped in a miserable web of compromise.

Suddenly someone recognizes Peter Mark 14 verse 69. A servant girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by. This is one of them, but he denied it again a little later those who stood by Peter said to him again. You're one of them for your a Galilean, and your speech shows it, and he began to curse and swear, saying, I do not know the man of whom you speak a second time the rooster crowed.

Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus and said, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times when he thought about it. He wept here at Callaway and they said that we don't understand what that means necessarily, but it was sort of an insult because of those that lived in Jerusalem, a sophisticated city at the time thought of the people that lived in the region of Galilee as a bed be that a lower level would be sort of like saying that you're a country bumpkin or your unsophisticated or you don't know what you're talking about your educated like we are in Jerusalem and the and then Peter denies again and the rooster crows. The interesting thing is, it says he took in all Peter should've just come clean and admitted he was a follower of Jesus Christ but verse 71 says he began to curse and swear, saying, I do not know this man of whom you speak, and then the rooster crows number. The Bible says he cursed and swore.

It doesn't mean that Peter swore like a sailor, though he was a sailor but it's a different term it means to take an oath and the swear to God, so it will give best be described as the worst illustration of taking the Lord's name in vain, Peter effectively said, I swear to God that I take an oath right now.

I never knew Jesus Christ now Luke fills in an important detail.

Luke 22 verse 59 while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed listen the best in the Lord turned and looked at Peter and then Peter remember the word of the Lord what he had said to him, and he went out and wept bitter. The Lord looked at Peter thought the very moment of his third denial in the rooster crows who appears on the scene.

Jesus there leading them from one place to another and he make eye contact with Peter.

Imagine that if you can. What kind of expression was on the Lord's face to be rolled his eyes at what a loser you think you look good Peter was scorning anger. No, actually I think you look good Peter with deep love did this all come as a surprise to Jesus. No, he knew Peter would do this.

He told Peter he would do this. Did Jesus know Peter would fail absolutely.

Once Peter still a believer at this moment. Yes, he was believers can fall believers can stumble, but believers can get up again. Peter needed to remember that Jesus said when you have returned, you will strengthen your brothers. In other words, this setback is temporary. See for Peter. This setback was going to turn into a set up a God was Gilly use this failure as a way for Peter to encourage other people. Yes, this mess would be turn into a message. This is a great example to us that anybody can fall into sin.

But Peter was really repentant. The Bible says he wept bitterly.

The Bible says godly sorrow produces repentance to everyone's goodness in when you sin and feel bad about that. That's a good thing because it means your conscience is working but if you can send it sin again and even since a more even doing the committing the same sin repeatedly feel no remorse, no guilt, something isn't working right in your heart and in your soul the conviction of the spirit that will produce guilt is a reminder that you need to get right with God. Peter wept bitterly. Are you sorry for your sin. Now let me ask a follow-up question. Are you sorry enough. Stop. This is a hopeful story because Peter went out of wept bitterly. But three days later, Jesus rose again from the dead and what was the message it was. Go tell the disciples head Peter. He is risen.

Why was it a go tell the disciples in John go tell the disciples and then your Matthew it's go tell the disciples and Peter. Why was Peter singled out because he needed a special word from the Lord. My talking to someone right now that needs a special reminder from God that you are loved by him will let me say that to you God loves you. God longs for a relationship with you and when you run from him or fall spiritually. He longs for you to return to him again.

God says in Jeremiah 322 return you faithless people and I will cure you of backslide houses all possible to the death of Jesus. Where was Jesus headed.

He was headed to the cross to die for the sins of Simon Peter to die for the sins of the apostles to die for the sins of all the people of that day to die for the sins of people of every generation he was going to the cross to die for your sins and mine. I love the way that the apostle Paul personalize that when he said of Christ, he loved me and gave himself for me. It's personal.

Jesus died on the cross for you wife because he knew there was no other way for you to be made right with God giving good works will get you to heaven.

Do you think living a better life is can it get you closer to God. It will know you see every one of us fall short of God's glory. Every one of us breaks his commandments and that separates us from him.

But Christ died for our sin and paid for our sin. So what you need to do to come into this relationship with God. What you need to do to be forgiven of your sin. What you need to do to know that you go to heaven when you die, or what you need to do to come back to the Lord is admit you're a sinner turn from that sin and put your faith in Jesus.

Would you do that right now.

Yes, there can be a second chance in life for you Jesus Christ who died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later is alive here and he's knocking at the door of your life anything if you hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in so wanted to open that door, so to speak, why don't you invite Jesus into your life. Listen if you would like your sin forgiven if you would like to know that your go to heaven when you die if you would like that second chance in life. I've been talking about. You can pray a prayer with me right now. I'll pray a simple prayer will ask you to just stop what you're doing wherever you are.

You could bow your head close your eyes if you like pray with your eyes open.

If you want, but I would ask you to print this out loud.

This is a prayer where you are asking God to forgive you of your sin. A prayer, we are asking Jesus Christ to come into your life or prayer with your recommitting your life to the Lord. If you need to do this, do it right now with its prey.

Pray these words Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner but I know that you are the Savior who died in the cross for my sin. I turn from my sin. Now I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for hearing this prayer. Thank you for answering this prayer in Jesus name I pray, along with pastor Greg Laurie entered into relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you did would like to first of all, say congratulations you just made the best decision of your life but would also like to make available our new believers growth packet that will help answer some questions you might have and help you build a solid foundation for your relationship with the Lord, you can request it free of charge. When you write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us anytime at 1-800-821-3300 � 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click the words know God yesterday one of our station managers has really been enjoying hearing about your friendship with Billy Graham. His name is Rick McClary. In fact, he's probably listening right now hi Rick hey Rick, he's general manager of 91.5 and 102.7 the word in St. Cloud and Pequot lakes. Minnesota can you say that like a DJ, though, you're saying that those that can safely get DJ would say it 91.5 the word in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Much better. What he texted me yesterday and limit. Let me read to his text he wrote I've been enjoying hearing Greg talk about Billy Graham. I surrendered my life to the Lord while watching Billy on the TV broadcast. While living in Ventura, California.

I was 18. It was during the Jesus people revival that swept through the country. I thought you could pass this on to Greg and thank him for sharing his stories well you know Billy, that's an amazing thing because so in the 70s when the Jesus movement was happening. Some people thought that it was some kind of weird religious cult.

But you know who got it. It was Billy Graham. I was a brand-new Christian and I remember picking up a book in a Christian bookstore. I think the title was the Jesus generation and Billy fully embraced it and because he was at that moment the face of evangelicalism and probably the most respected Christian in the world that Willie was a great shot in the arm. If you will, for all of us because we really were coming to Christ in our lives are being changed and of course them. Billy went on to speak at the Expo event there in Texas working with Campus Crusade in and that was one of the biggest things that happened in the Jesus movement in the early phases, so yes there are so many stories of lives that have been impacted by Billy Graham going back so many years in his ministry still continues on to this day, but the reason I wrote this book Billy Graham, the man I knew was because I wanted to show what he was like personally and I'm happy to say that he was the same man privately that you saw publicly in David's been my privilege to meet a lot of famous people. What a famous preacher's I've shook the hands of four US presidents I've been in the Oval Office and prayed for the president two times I've met movie stars and rock stars and and no one ever impressed me more than Billy Graham and I think it was because he was just so humble and so down to earth but yet his fame in many ways a clip stall of Ed, but it never went to his head, or do his heart and any was always as he would describe himself a country preacher. It wasn't speak humility. That's always some something when you think of Billy Graham story and I must remind you of a Bible story usually read of Gideon hiding from the Midianites of threshing this week when an angel of the Lord calls him to lead a mighty army you look at David, keeping watch over his flock.

When the prophet comes the town and anoints him as the next king of Israel and you think of Billy, a farmboy with aspirations to become a professional baseball player, a just a normal red blooded American southern boy who God hand-picked to become the greatest evangelist in human history. And I think one of his secrets was he never lost sight of where he came from.

He still was rooted as that simple boy Billy Frank who used to milk his dad's cows very early in the morning and had this humility about him that he carried to his last dying breath while he was a man we all wish we knew personally and you get to know them and pastor Greg new book. It's an inspiring journey to walk through his story and Billy Graham, the man I knew exact and grand lots. Billy's daughter commented about the book. She said this in this page turner of a book I learned things about my father that I never knew is not something Greg Laurie has been a masterly job of setting my father's life in historical and cultural context. I pray that Billy Graham, the man I knew will draw readers to the gospel where they'll find the love of God that he preached so fervently and faithfully.

So can we send a copy your way. Pastor Greg is making it available to thank you for your donation of any size. Please know there are no churches or large organizations covering all the broadcast expenses was only through the investments of listeners with these insights can come your way. Each day, so thanks for being a partner with us with your donation today. Be sure to ask for Billy Graham, the man I knew you could write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300 call anytime. That's a 24 hour phone number 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest God for what next time Pastor Greg takes a revealing look at the significance of the Lord's death at Calvary is a look at what Jesus sacrifice means to believers today. Tune in next time and everybody thinks her list. Beginning this is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. So for more content can help you know God and equip you to make him known to others or to learn more about how you can become a harvest partner. Just go to harvest.org