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“PETER: A MAN OF IMPULSE” Mark 8:27-33 Mark 14:66-72 1 Peter 5:6-9
People are all different. Sometimes the differences are very pronounced and sometimes they are infinitesimal. In our current series of sermons on the Disciples of Jesus we have observed disciples who possessed personal characteristics which needed to be changed so they could serve the Lord effectively. So far we have learned about a man who was a nonconformist, a man who was a terrorist, a man who was a fighter, a man who was a bigot and a man who questioned everything.
Some of our Lord’s disciples (like Matthew, John and Thomas) we already knew of from previous Bible studies. Some of his disciples (like Simon and Nathanael) we knew much less about, as we entered this series. In our investigation of these individuals we’ve recognized that the Lord took them where they were and transformed each of them into a different person. Matthew, the nonconformist, became a team player. Simon, the terrorist, became a missionary. John, the fighter, became a man of love. Nathanael, the bigot, became a teachable man. Thomas, the questioner, became a man of commitment and faith.
Today we unveil the portrait of arguably the most well known of Jesus’ disciples: Simon Peter. This famous follower of the Lord has more verses of scripture telling his story than any of the other Apostles. Peter was a very impulsive man. In the Gospels we see him often reacting to events and circumstances before thinking things through. And we find such a characteristic usually got him in a pile of trouble. We could talk of the several times when he heard the Lord say something and jumped to conclusions that weren’t correct. We could mention the time when he jumped out of the boat impulsively attempting to walk on water. We could bring up his instant cutting off the ear of a man in the Garden of Gethsemane. We could even recount the occasion when he was told the tomb of the Lord was empty and how he jumped up and immediately ran to see what happened. In our sermon this morning we will probe two additional impulsive actions on Peter’s part and then his maturity of self-control later on in life. Suffice it to say, this man changed after Jesus fashioned his life.
(Mark 8:27-33)
1.) PETER IMPULSIVELY GIVES A RIGHT ANSWER & THEN IMPULSIVELY BECOMES AN OBSTACLE TO THE LORD!
Notice in our verses that Jesus leads his disciples to the area around Caesarea Philippi. This was in Galilee: Northern Israel. Several towns were in close proximity to mineral springs of soothing water found in an area of limestone cliffs. With the water drawing people to bathe for medicinal purposes, the Romans had built over two dozen shrines and altars to the gods. People could soak in the water while also worshipping pagan idols and shrines so they could be healed. Crowds traveled to this remote location for such purposes. As the Lord approaches this Mecca of tourism and idolatry Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” (V. 27) The Twelve come up with the most popular answers they have gleaned from the crowds who listened to their Lord’s teaching in verse 28. Then Jesus asks them for their own analysis of his identity. Without batting an eyelash Peter comes up with the most profound answer: “You are the Christ” in verse 29. Matthew’s version (Matthew 16:16) tells us Peter’s full confession was: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Not surprisingly, Peter jumps right into the fray and is the disciple to give the answer. Notice that his impulsive response is absolutely correct at this pagan, crowded and popular site. Good for Peter! He had listened to his Lord’s teaching and applied it to his life. Jesus, in the other gospels, gave Peter an “A” for this examination. But this account does not end with that correct response.
Mark, the young man who was always in the background during the public ministry of Jesus AND who wrote the second book of the Gospel, continues to relate that Jesus quickly moved into laying out the upcoming, heavenly plans for his death, so he could become the Savior of the world. Notice in verse 32 that “Jesus spoke very plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him”. Peter acts impulsively. This time he doesn’t even listen to Jesus in order to understand the purpose behind such information. Peter dives in with his opinion. And this opinion was in the form of a rebuke of the Lord. Verse 33 tells us Jesus “…rebuked Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Now this disciple’s impulsiveness becomes an obstacle. This time Peter got an “F”. We see this characteristic in Peter throughout the Gospels.
(Mark 14:66-72)
2.) PETER IMPULSIVELY PROFESSES UNSWERVING LOYALTY TO HIS LORD AND THEN REGRESSES TO IMPULSIVE DENIAL!
We didn’t have time this morning to read the conversation Jesus had in the upper room concerning his disciples’ falling away. It is recorded earlier in Mark 14: 27-31. In these verses Peter impulsively reacts to the accusation of Jesus which was aimed at his disciples. Peter says “Even if all others fall away, I will not.” (verse 29) Then the disciple goes further to affirm “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (verse 31) Within a few hours of making such brash impulsive statements, Peter is standing in the courtyard of the High Priest of Israel. There he denies his Lord as predicted: not once, not twice but three times. This impulsive man, once again, gets caught with no discipline in his life. And as his Lord is led from the meeting room to “The Pit” he remembers Jesus’ pronouncement. This section of scripture ends with the comment that Peter “Broke down and wept bitterly!”
I ask you this question then: “So much for impulsiveness, huh?” No wonder so many Christians delight in reading about Peter. A great many believers in the Lord have very little SELF-DISCIPLINE. Self-control brings with it preparation, listening, thinking and developing a plan in life’s situations. Today, in America, people deliberately choose not to take time to prepare for something in order to get trained, educated or save money. Even Christians will not take the time to listen to others with experience and insight before just plunging into an activity. It used to be that men being trained for the pastorate took a minimum of 7 years to get prepared. Now many pastors obtain no formal training at all. They cut corners because they don’t have the discipline to take time to get prepared. People are repulsed by the suggestion that they take serious time to plan out and chart steps needed to accomplish something. They would prefer to “just wing it” or “fly by the seat of their pants”. Discipline brings with it order and structure. GOD DOES NOT ENDORSE “WINGING IT”! The Bible challenges God’s people to “Study”, “Prepare”, “Plan” and even “Get ready”. God is not an author of confusion. He does not honor his children when they cut corners and forget preparation. This discussion brings us to the change we see in Peter as he grows older and matures.
(1 Peter 5:6-9)
3.) PETER URGES HIS FOLLOWERS TO NOT BE IMPULSIVE BUT TO BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND ALERT!
Peter has now grown in terms of obedience to his Lord. If you add the verses in 1:13-14 we are to “prepare our minds for action and be self-controlled”! No more impulsiveness in this man’s life. This well known disciple has learned an important expectation of God’s. Discipline is a priority in the Christian life. God’s people are to bring their entire lives under the authority and control of God. Christians are to relinquish control of their own lives while bringing humility and order into their lives. Our purpose in studying these followers of the Lord is to see what common traits we share with them. Then seeing where the Lord worked at changing them, we can be motivated to change as well.
Peter has matured by the time he writes his first Epistle. Now he is given to preparation. Now he thinks before speaking. Now he teaches folk to be as he has become, rather than how he once was. Committed to ministry and accurately passing on the expectations of God in his instruction of others, Peter exhorts God’s people to learn the same lesson.
Self-control is urged from cover to cover in God’s Holy Word. Paul tells us it is a slice of the fruit of the Spirit. God, the Holy Spirit will work with any Christian until they become disciplined. Regardless of where believers begin their spiritual journey, God’s people are to be disciplined: · in how they use their time · in how they live their lives · in how they use their money · in how they use their spiritual gifts for ministry · in how they relate to people biblically · in how they spend time with God · in how they prioritize their plans
The culture in which we live is completely opposed to structure, discipline and order. Even Christians believe it is completely acceptable to “Do their own thing”! Therefore they reject any authority as an infringement on their independence and freedom. God help us if such thinking is not thrown away and replaced with a commitment to submit to God and plan life around Him! LET HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR, HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD!
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