Craig Smith • Failure • April 10, 2022

We all stumble in many ways. (James 3:2a)

Even great saints take mighty falls…

Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know Him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 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!” (Luke 22:54b-60a)

💣 The precursor to spiritual failure: **

**your

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– “‘You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them… Peter declared, ‘Even if all fall away, I will not.’… Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’” (Mark 14:27, 29, 31)

• Even in the moment of

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, God is still

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you – “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 22:60b-62)

“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)

With Jesus,

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is never

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…

• He’s still

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to you – “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’” (John 21:15a)

• He’s still

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you – “Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’” (John 21:17b)

• He still has great

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for you – *“Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs… Take care of my sheep… Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:15b, 16b, 17b)*

Your hope is not in your ability to

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but in God’s commitment to His

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…

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6, ESV)