Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Personal example of underestimating the time taken to fix a bike puncture
- There are three people we should never underestimate
Never underestimate yourself
- Simon's name was changed to Peter
- The church was going to be built on Peter
- Jesus addresses Peter by his old name Simon, twice
- Peter is still Simon
- Peter is still a man susceptible to temptation
- We all need to be reminded of what we were and what we are now
- We must be reminded of the old man
- Jesus warns Peter about what is shortly to happen
- Peter's response is almost to brush it off
- Peter states he is willing to go to prison and death for Jesus
- Peter does not seem to have a problem with courage
- As Christian's we all have weaknesses
- Don't forget about the areas that we don't perceive as a weakness
- Example of the man who wasn't affected by his former temptations for 30 years
- "If you think you are standing firm, take heed lest you fall"
- Peter is underestimating himself, even though Jesus is telling him what is about to happen
Never underestimate your enemy
- Simon's enemy is Satan
- He is a real being - Satan asks to sift Peter
- Jesus does not say:
- You don't need to worry about Satan because you are a Christian
- That Satan is harmless
- Instead Jesus warns Peter that Satan wants to sift him
- Sifting is a destructive process that separates the wheat from the chaff
- God sometimes allows this to happen to Christians
- Satan sifts Job
- God sets boundaries on Satan's power
- He loses his family, his livestock, his health and his wife encourages Job to curse God
- Peter changes his mind about Satan later in life
- 1 Peter 5:8 - "The devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour"
- Are we aware of our enemy?
- Do we joke about our enemy? - Jesus never did
- We often talk about the influence of the world but we don't often talk about Satan
- We must not underestimate our enemy
Never underestimate what Jesus is doing for you
- Jesus has prayed (to the Father) for Peter that his faith should not fail
- Our prayers might not be answered immeadiately or the answer may be no, but Jesus prayers to the Father are always answered 'yes'
- Our salvation depends on the perfection of the Trinity
- Satan may be powerful but God restricts him
- Jesus prays for Peter even though He knows he will deny Him
- Jesus prays for us even though He knows the outcome
Summary
- Don't respond as Peter did
- Don't rely on yourself
- Rely on Jesus
- Keep going through all life throws at you - because Jesus is praying for us
- Jesus' prayers to the Father never fail