"I do not know the man!" These are the words of a man who was ashamed of the best thing that had ever come into his life.
The story of Peter's denial of Christ is one of the most dramatic events of recorded history.
It will be analyzed and proclaimed as long as the world stands.
The aspects of this sad story covering his subsequent repentance and salvation are the ones most frequently studied and preached.
Some has defined Christianity as, "The religion of all poor devils." And, certainly Peter was a "Poor devil" unworthy of the death of the savior.
However the lesson we wish to draw from this story is contained in the statement, "I do not know the man""
Describe the pathetic scene.
Jesus was God's brightest and best gift to a rash sinful Peter, and yet Peter was ashamed of God's best.
DISCUSSION:
This attitude can be found in secular life:
A. Did you know that Sir Arthur Canon Doyle was ashamed of Sherlock Holmes?
In The Speckled Band, he killed off Sherlock Holmes only to be forced by public demand to resurrect him.
Doyle complained, "he takes my mind off better things."
He actually believed that his second-rate historical novel The White Company was far better than any of the Holmes stories.
B. Beatrix Potter, as a young girl, wrote, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Her little story of Flopsy Mopsy and Cotton Tail was destined to become a children's classic.
She considered the book an embarrassment.
In Middle age, she married an aristocratic landowner in Northern England.
She went in for respectability. She became a fat stuffy old lady who refused to allow the mention of Peter Rabbit in her presence.
She became an expert Rabbit hunter.
Millions of little children have looked at that story with Beatrixe Potter's name on it in joyful adoration and yet she was ashamed of the story.
C. Tolstoy hated War and Peace.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I think of how richly we have been blessed by our God. And yet I can't help but wonder are we thankful for the blessings he has poured out on us or are we ashamed of our best.
As we speak of blessings from God, many (no doubt) are thinking of the material ways that God has blessed us.
It is true that God has blessed us in many ways from a material perspective, but the greatest blessings of all are those he has given us in the spiritual realm.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, {18} while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2)
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17)
Are We Thankful For The Church?
Its value is reflected in its cost
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of god which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28).
It's value is reflected in its mission (spread the gospel and be the chosen vessel through which God is glorified) (Eph 3:10-21).
Whether we are ashamed of it is can be seen by the way we treat it
The book of acts says of Saul
Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison." (Acts 8:3)
But when Jesus confronted Saul he said
Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:2).
When Saul persecuted the church, he persecuted Jesus. This was true because the church is the body of Christ (Eph 1:21-22).
It logcally follows that when we are ashamed of the church, we are ashamed of Jesus.
Thank God for the church.
Are We Thankful For The Bible?
The Bible is the one book designed to meet all our needs.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
There is a Spaghetti Sauce commercial where the woman is shocked to discover her daughter is about to pour a jar of commercial spaghetti sauce into a pan. But it doesn't have herbs, complains the daughter" "ITS IN THERE, responds her mother." "It doesn't have real Italian sausages cries the daughter." "IT' IN THERE responds the mother." The mother is assuring the daughter that everything necessary for a real sauce is in the jar.
2 timothy 3:16-17 says that everything you need for this life and the one to come IS IN THERE (in the Bible).
I need to learn about salvation. IT'S IN THERE.
I need teaching. IT'S IN THERE.
I need to know what I'm doing wrong. IT'S IN THERE.
I need correction. IT'S IN THERE.
I need to know how to live right. IT'S IN THERE.
I need to grow up and be mature. IT'S IN THERE.
I need to know how to be properly trained for good works. IT'S IN THERE.
Psalms 119.
The only source of faith (Rom. 10:17).
Anything you learned any where else is religious prejudice (Jude 3).
FILE: Bible, Sir Walter Scott
FILE: Bible, There it Stands
Such a great blessing and yet, are we ashamed to be seen with it in public or to share its message?????????
Fellow Christians. (II Cor. 7:16; Phil. 1:21).
People who have nothing good to say about their brethren have no love (I Cor 13:4ff.).
FILE: Church Improvement, Ten Ways
Christ.
His first great sacrifice (Phil. 2:5-11).
File: One solitary life.
Virgin birth (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:21).
He had power of Satan (Matt. 10:32-33).
His teaching (Matt. 7:28-29)
The signs that he did (Jno. 3:1-2).
The gift of life that he gave (Jno. 10:10).
APPLICATION:
The Story of the ten lepers.
God has blessed us so richly in all these ways remember them this Thursday as you gather round the table.
David E. Parks
Waterford Church of Christ
4991 Williams Lake Rd
Waterford, MI 48329
248-674-1553
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