Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of His arrest, as Jesus had predicted. After Jesus' arrest, Peter followed Him at a distance and denied Him when questioned. Peter wept bitterly in remorse after realizing what he had done. However, God's grace is freely given to all who repent, as Peter did. Though Peter failed greatly, his ministry was not over, as God can restore even the greatest of failures through repentance.

1. Peter denied Jesus
three times on the
night of His arrest.
Do you suppose his
opportunity for
service is over?
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2. Matthew 26 30 And when
they had sung an hymn,
they went out into the
mount of Olives.
31-32 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be
offended because of Me this night: for it is written,
I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock
shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen
again, I will go before you into Galilee.
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3. 33 Peteranswered and said unto Him, Though all
men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I
never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I
say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow,
thou shalt deny Me thrice. 35 Peter said unto Him,
Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny
Thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
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4. The soldiers came to arrest
Jesus in the Garden.
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5. Mark 14 53 And they led Jesus away to the high
priest: and with him were assembled all the chief
priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter
followed him afar off, even into the palace of the
high priest: and he sat with the servants, and
warmed himself at the fire.
When we follow Jesus "afar off", we are setting
ourselves up for failure.
When we warm ourselves at the fires of the world,
We will soon be denying our Lord.
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6. Matthew 26 69 Now Peter sat without in the palace:
and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also
wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before
them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71
And when he was gone out into the porch, another
maid saw him, and said unto them that were there,
This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And
again he denied with an oath, I do not know the
man.
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7. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood
by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of
them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. 74 Then began
he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the
man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter
remembered the Word of Jesus, which said unto
him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me
thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
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8. Peter did more than weep
that night;
He repented and drew nigh
unto God.
Peter had failed miserably;
Was his ministry over?
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9. Many of God's men have failed;
Does that mean their ministry
is over?
When I fail, will it mean that
my ministry is over?
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10. 1 John 1 8 If we say that we have no sin, we de-
ceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. 9 If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unright-
eousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we
make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
The grace of God and His mercy is freely given
to all men and women who will repent.
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11. Peter was totally willing to die,
fighting to defend His Lord.
But Jesus took that away.
Matthew 26 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up
again thy sword into his place: for all they that take
the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest
thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He
shall presently give me more than twelve legions of
angels? 54 But how then shall the Scriptures be
fulfilled, that thus it must be?
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12. To die fighting is a thing a man can do.
To submit unto death is much more difficult.
Peter failed a great failure,
denying that he even knew the Lord.
But he was restored whole when he wept
bitter tears of sorrow and repentance.
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