3 May 2015 - Pastor Joseph Prince Sermon Notes Online - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - God Still Loves Us In the Midst of Our Failures (Sermon by Pastor Lawrence Lim)

3 May 2015 - Pastor Joseph Prince Sermon Notes Online - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - God Still Loves Us In the Midst of Our Failures (Sermon by Pastor Lawrence Lim)

It's not a sin to quarrel, but it's a sin to not work on make yours a glorious marriage.

The Lord Jesus keeps a couple together. Look to the Lord and He will make your marriage strong.

The flesh has selfish tendencies which leads to situations and issues. It will take the grace of God to keep your marriage strong.

1 Peter 2:9-12 - It is by His grace that we are chosen by Him. We are kings and priests in Christ. We are holy in God's eyes. This world is not our home - we are passing through. Every sin destroys and has negative consequences, so we are to abstain from them. By living an honorable life, people will glorify God. Let our lives be defined by good works so that people will recognise and glorify God.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." (I Peter 2:9-12 NKJV)

Matthew 17:1-5 - No one asked Peter for his opinion but he spoke anyways. God interrupted Peter - Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) were only men. Jesus (the embodiment of grace) is God. They cannot be placed on the same level. We are asked to hear grace!

"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”" (Matthew 17:1-5 NKJV)

Matthew 26:31-35 - At that time, Peter was someone who boasted in his own strength and ability.

"Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples." (Matthew 26:31-35 NKJV)

Never judge someone else who sinned and say that you will never do it. Instead say, "By God's grace, I will never do it".

Luke 22:54-62 - Peter fell flat on his face - he lied and denied Christ three times. This is the moment where Peter realised that he is not as good as he thinks he is. He realised that he is fallible. In this moment of Peter's greatest failure in his life, Jesus looked at Peter and conveyed with His eyes: "I still love you, Peter". In the time of our greatest failure, Jesus wants to convey to us His greatest love. God sees us in our worst and He still loves us. When sin abounds, grace super-abounds.

"Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:54-62 NKJV)

The once-proud Peter who boasted in his love for the Lord falls flat on his face in shame as he denies Jesus three times, just as Jesus foretold. Yet amidst His own trials, Jesus loved Peter and made sure to convey His love to Peter.

Mark 16:1-7 - No stone can hold the resurrected Lord in. Peter's name was singled out, despite his thrice-denial of Jesus. God knew that Peter's heart was broken and he was guilt-stricken. In our greatest failure, God still reaches out to us. God has already prepared our restoration, even in the midst of our failure. Jesus is our Savior that saves us to the uttermost.

"Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”" (Mark 16:1-7 NKJV)

John 21:9-17 - God restored Peter's ministry to him. Jesus wants to serve us because He loves us. Peter here is humble. He dared not declare that he loved Jesus unconditionally (agape), but only said that he cared for Him (phileo). We can't go back in time to correct our mistakes, but we can receive God's grace right now.

"Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep."" (John 21:9-17 NKJV)

Our Lord Jesus lovingly restored the now-humble Peter to his ministry. God knew that Peter was heartbroken and guilt-stricken. God prepared his restoration even in the midst of his failure!

Acts 3:14 - Because Peter has received grace from Jesus, he is able to declare this with a clear conscience, without feeling guilty about his past denial of Christ.

"But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you," (Acts 3:14 NKJV)

Hebrews 9:14 - The blood of Christ purges us of the guilt from past mistakes.

"how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14 NKJV)

Psalm 51:1,12-13 - Let us not condemn people who have failed. God can use them again.

"Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.... Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You." (Psalms 51:1, 12-13 NKJV)

Isaiah 42:1-3 - Things that are looked upon as trash by the world, God sees as precious in His eyes. We are precious in God's eyes.

"“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth." (Isaiah 42:1-3 NKJV)

Peter transformed from a coward into a martyr, by God's grace. We don't have to try. God will transform us.

After Jesus restored Peter to his ministry, by His grace, Peter preached to a multitude on the Day of Pentecost and three thousand souls were added to the kingdom of God! If you have failed, God can still use you for His great purposes.

I hope that you have been blessed by reading this post on "3 May 2015 - Pastor Joseph Prince Sermon Notes Online - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - God Still Loves Us In the Midst of Our Failures (Sermon by Pastor Lawrence Lim)".

Want to receive Jesus into your life, be saved from your sins and inherit unmerited favor and eternal life as a child of God? Go this link and simply pray the salvation prayer aloud!

Welcome to God's big, happy family! :)

Be blessed and walk in divine favor,

Milton Goh
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3 May 2015 - Pastor Joseph Prince Sermon Notes Online - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - God Still Loves Us In the Midst of Our Failures (Sermon by Pastor Lawrence Lim)