Warning signs are of the utmost importance!
Warnings are not objects of amusement; -- they are meant to prevent
accidents -- or mishaps.
If
you see a sign that says -- “Dip in Road” -- be cautious.
And
if it reads -- “Do Not Enter When Flooded” -- & you do so anyway -- you do
so at your own peril & expense if you get stopped in the waters.
I
have a cartoon -- with only two frames; -- the first showing a man driving a
car, approaching a dip in the road -- & a sign which reads: --“Water
in Dip.” -- The second picture shows
the car at the bottom of the dip, -- the man setting in his car -- with water
up to his waste.
The
caption on the sign now reads: “Dip in Water!”
All
warning signs are important -- whither they are stop signs -- railroad crossings
-- highway construction signs -- speed limits -- or whatever.
When
a road becomes unsafe for travel -- special signs are erected to inform people
that they are approaching areas of danger.
Intelligent travelers observe those signs of warning!
If
buildings are unsafe -- people are evacuated & advised to stay out.
When
fire -- or hurricanes -- or floods --threatens to destroy a housing development
-- residents are requested to leave.
The
same facts relate to our human bodies.
Certain pains are considered to be warnings of worse things to follow --
& sufferers are advised to consult a doctor in hope of preventing serious
illness.
Sometimes we are given warnings of impending danger in our personal
daily lives; -- parents or friends try to warn us of the consequences of
certain actions. -- We sometimes refer to them as “red flags”!
When
we ignore those red flags -- & disregard
the warnings of our friends -- we often suffer the bitter consequences!
Jesus
Christ gave a warning to His
disciple Simon Peter -- that is worth our looking at together this morning. --
It’s recorded in Luke, chapter 22.
Simon
Peter was the most exciting of the 12 apostles.
It
was impossible to predict what Peter would do
or say next.
He could step out of a fishing boat to walk on
the sea.
He
could be confused wondering if the Lord paid taxes --
or be inspired as he exclaimed: -- “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the loving
God.”
Peter made many mistakes -- but that possibly
accounts for his popularity. -- Peter relates to everyone -- for in spite
of his errors -- he remained at the forefront of the Lord’s work.
The
scene is the Upper Room; -- the occasion is the Last Supper; -- the timing is
the evening before our Lord’s crucifixion.
Later
that night -- Jesus would be arrested & tried.
The
next day Jesus would be crucified.
Jesus
warns His disciples of the events that are about to unfold.
And
then Jesus singles out Peter -- & gives him a special warning.
Simon
Peter was very foolish when he ignored a special warning issued by the Savior!
If modern terms can be used -- Peter ran a red light -- & gets himself into trouble! -- (Read Scripture: -- Luke
The
Bible gives you & me many warnings -- all of which should be heeded -- for God knows what is best for each one
of us!
When
we ignore those warnings -- & take matters into our own hands -- we stand
in danger of falling & failing.
But help is always available; --
& hope is alive --
& failure is not final!
Let’s
look at the lessons to be gleamed from this passage of Scripture.
1.
First I would have you notice -- The Terrible Testing! --
Jesus said: “Satan desires to have you,
to shift you as wheat.”
I wish
I could tell you this morning that if you become a Christian --
every thing will come up roses in your life; -- you will have no heartaches; --
no trials; -- no problems!
But
you & I both know that is not true; -- if anything, the Christian faces
more trials & battles than do non-Christians.
For
when you become a follower of JC -- Satan sets out to defeat you!
When
we make the decision to follow Christ in total obedience -- an alarm goes off
in hell -- & we become a target of Satan.
Satan
-- that old dirty bird, the devil -- wants you!
He
wants to defeat you -- & he wants to destroy everything you love!
Your
dreams -- relationships -- happiness -- your children -- your future -- the
devil wants to diminish & deplete.
The
Bible says that Satan’s purpose is to steal & kill & destroy! (John. 10:10)
And
he does not care what it takes to destroy you; -- he will use what ever method
he can.
You
say you do not believe in the devil?
Jesus
did! -- Jesus encountered the devil repeatedly during his earthly ministry. -- There is no question in the Bible as to
the reality of Satan!
And
if Satan had his way -- every sinner would be deterred from grace -- &
every child of God would be brought to ruin.
Satan
does not care one ounce for you! -- he only desires to get back at God --
because the devil was cast out of heaven.
His
way of getting back at God is to bring you down & to destroy you!
He
wants to see you depressed, oppressed, pressed down -- & any other type of
“pressed” that you can imagine.
There
is a tone of urgency in Jesus’ voice -- “Simon, Simon, behold -- listen to me
-- take heed Peter; -- Satan has desired you.”
Jesus
twice uttered the apostle’s name -- indicating intensity!
Our
Lord knew -- as no one else could ever know -- just how crafty, cruel, &
powerful this evil devil -- in fact is!
Note
the word “sift” -- “he wants to sift you as wheat.”
“To
sift” means to separate; -- to separate one Christian from another -- & all
Christians (each & every one of us) from Christ Himself!
As
Jesus suggests in this illustration -- life’s perils have a way of sifting us
-- like wheat. -- Satan’s plan is to
sift the followers of Jesus as wheat.
This
satanic campaign is constantly being waged on the battle-ground of our souls.
Often
the battle seems beyond us -- & we are sorely tempted to give up -- &
surrender to the adversary.
But
my dear friend -- take courage -- Jesus knows what you are facing; -- His eye
is upon you -- & God desires to strengthen you & lead you to your
heavenly home with victory & joy!
Sooner or later -- every Christian passes through a sifting process; --
a process of temptation & trial -- of failure & fall.
The
path which leads us to the beautiful gate is steep & rugged.
No
foot treads the path far without faltering; -- no pilgrim enters the golden
streets with his sandals unworn; -- no head feels the blessed pressure of the
crown of life -- which has not borne the markings of the thorn.
The
times of testing are never pleasurable; -- oh, the terrible testing!
How
we detest them -- how we hate them --
but they need not defeat us!
For -- heartache & heartbreak drive us to our knees -- & to the depths of total dependence on
God!
Jesus
has warned us; -- but He also has equipped us with the grace to endure with
victory!
He
says to us this morning -- “I have told you all this so that you may have peace
in me. -- Here on earth you will have
many trials & sorrows. But take heart (be of good cheer) -- because I have
overcome the world” (John
Maybe
you are being sifted right now! -- You feel as though your life has been turned
upside down -- & shaken apart!
You
might be asking -- “Why me? -- Why now?”
Trials can take many forms: -- sickness -- death of a loved one -- loss
of reputation -- financial disaster --
loss of
employment -- broken
relationships
Oh,
the terrible testing -- it is never
easy! -- But without a time of testing
-- there can be no testimony as to God’s grace in our lives!
Life
is hard -- but God is good!
Life
is unpredictable -- but God is sovereign!
Life
is unfair -- but God is just!
Life
is short -- but God is eternal!
2. The second thing I want
you to see in this lesson is -- The
Thrilling Testimony! -- Jesus said:
“I have prayed for you; -- I have pleaded in prayer for you -- that your
faith should not fail.”
There
are no more beautiful words in all of Scripture then those very words from the
lips of our Lord, Jesus: -- “I have
prayed for you.”
They
reveal the gentle side of Jesus; --
His tender loving care for His
own
Think
of it! -- Jesus said: -- “I have pleaded in prayer for you -- that your faith
should not completely fail. -- I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not
give in -- or give out.”
The
question has been asked: -- What would have happened to Simon Peter had not the
Lord prayed for him?
The
answer is swiftly forthcoming! -- The same thing that would happen to us -- if Christ did not pray for us!
The
writer to the Hebrews said: -- “Wherefore (Christ) is able, once & forever,
to save completely everyone who comes to God through Him. -- He lives forever to plead with God (to
make intercession) on their behalf” (
What a
glorious & wondrous thought! -- How it thrills, & blesses &
comforts us -- to know that Jesus is pleading with God on our behalf!
In
your darkest hour -- recall that Jesus Himself is praying for you -- mentioning
you by name -- in His dialogue with the Heavenly Father!
I was
blessed to have a Godly mother! -- A mother who knew how to pray! -- As she did
so often! -- I thank God for her every day of my life.
I can
recall those times when I was a small lad -- coming home from school -- or
coming inside the house from playing outdoors -- & I hearing my mother in
her upstairs bedroom -- praying!
Now
my dear mother was an old-fashion prayer warrior! -- She knew how to pray! --
She didn’t just say her prayers; -- she prayed!
I
would creep quietly up the stairway -- & stand just outside the closed door
of her bedroom -- where she was pleading with God!
She
would pray for my father; -- she would pray for my older brother; -- she would
pray for my sister -- & I knew I was next!
Mother would call my name out
in prayer; -- it would send chills up & down my spine. -- She would pray
that God would save me -- & keep me by His grace -- & lead my life
according to His will.
Oh how my mother could pray! -- What a
prayer warrior!
Many
of you knew my dear mother! -- And you know she remained a prayer warrior to
her dying day.
When
you had needs or concerns -- you knew you could call upon her to pray for
you. -- And she always did.
You
felt that your particular needs where brought to the attention of God Almighty
-- when my mother was praying for you!
But
my friends -- get a picture of Jesus Christ -- Who really knew the art of
prayer -- setting at the right hand of God the Father -- praying for you!
While
Satan desires to destroy you -- our Lord is praying for you!
Jesus
is looking down on this gathering today -- & he looks every one of us in
the eyes; -- He calls us by our name -- & He says: “I have prayed for you!
-- that your faith may not fail.”
What
a wonderful statement! -- How can we be
downhearted with these words ringing in our ears?
Note
the words even more closely: -- “Behold, Satan; ..... but I”
Jesus Christ is more than a match for the enemy of our souls!
There need never be any doubt at that
point!
Jesus
sees each one of us in our own fierce battle against the world, the flesh &
the devil. -- In our battle against sin!
He
feels the undertow of the world that drags so strongly upon us.
Jesus
too has been tried & tempted -- “in all points, like as we are, yet without
sin” (Heb.
He
has been victorious over temptations & trials -- & therefore He is
abundantly able -- as God’s own Son -- to deliver us!
Please note that Jesus did not pray that Peter would be spared from
Satan’s sifting -- that he would not face the battle; -- but rather that Peter’s faith would not fail! -- This is the crux of the whole situation!
We are
not completely shielded from failure
at all points.
But
Jesus prays for our faith not to fail! --
What a thrilling testimony!
3.
The third & most exciting lesson in this
passage is The Tremendous
Triumph!
-- Jesus said: “(Peter), when you have been ‘converted’ (KJV)
-- when you been restored -- when you have repented & turned to
me again -- then strengthen & build up the faith of your brethren.”
“When
you, (Peter), have come through the time of testing -- turn to your companions
-- & give them a fresh start.” (E.
Peterson’s -- Message).
Oh
the power & the value of Prayer!
The
Lord not only saw the approaching tragedy -- He looked beyond to see the new
Peter -- glistening in the power of a new life.
Christ was certain that His prayer for Peter would be answered.
He
preferred that Peter should undergo the trail -- for afterward Peter would
emerge a better & stronger man!
Upon
hearing the warning from Jesus -- Peter was overconfident!
Peter
expressed his confidence by saying: -- “Lord, I am ready to go with You -- both
to prison & to death -- if need be.”
But Peter’s resolve melted under pressure!
Jesus
knew that Peter was about to trip over his own self-confidence & zeal -- by
denying Him.
Within 24 hours of his boasting -- Peter became a spiritual failure --
cursing & denying Christ three times in public view -- just as Jesus had
predicted!
Let’s
not be too harsh on Peter! -- At least he did
not totally desert Jesus.
Only
Peter & John remained anywhere near Jesus after His arrest.
And
Peter was the first disciple to reach the empty tomb when he was told that
Jesus had risen!
He
was with the other disciples when Jesus later appeared to them.
He
was on the beach with the risen Christ when Jesus said: -- “Peter, feed my sheep.”
He
was there worshiping Jesus when our Lord ascended into the clouds
He was
in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost -- when the Holy Spirit came with
cleansing -- & with power.
And
Peter became a mighty preacher & missionary & leader in the early
church. -- He also wrote two of the
letters found in the New Testament!
The
Savior looked beyond Peter at his worst -- to see him at his best.
Instead of criticizing the disgraced disciple -- Jesus prayed for him --
& that intercession turned a tragedy
into a triumph!
The Lord wanted Peter to remember the loss
of a battle did not mean the end of a war!
Jesus
knew Peter would rise again to face the challenge of the future -- & you can do the same!
Setbacks will come; -- but even failures can be transformed into
stepping stones by which we can regain our footing.
Jesus
said to Peter -- “When you are resorted,
strengthen thy brethren.”
How
-- how could Peter do that? -- How could he correct, advise or edify his
brethren -- when he himself had been a failure?
They
would be aware of his hypocritical behavior -- & would pay no attention to
anything Peter said. -- His ministry had terminated!
But
the Lord knew otherwise! -- The future was destined to be glorious.
Jesus
seemed to be saying: -- “Peter, do not permit shame to silence your voice. I want you to strengthen your brethren -- for
they, like you, will need all the encouragement obtainable. -- Permitting Satan
to hush your testimony will compound the problem. -- I have prayed for you that
your faith fail not. -- I am depending upon you to complete what you have
begun. -- Peter, do not disappoint
Me.”
Gary
Inrig -- in his book Hearts of Iron, Feet
of Clay -- tells the story of a very capable evangelist that God had used
in a significant way in the
But
through discouragement -- the preacher lost his interest in spiritual things --
& drifted into a life of sin -- for a number of months.
Some
of his sin was done in secret -- but ultimately -- it became public knowledge
-- & even made the headlines.
At
first -- all he could think of was that he had been ruined for life -- but,
finally -- he realized what a fool he had been -- & he came back to God like the prodigal son from the pigpen.
When
he did that -- he found exactly the same thing the prodigal did.
The
Lord welcomed him with open arms -- & began to strengthen him -- &
bless him.
Finally -- after a period of waiting -- & of restoration -- he felt
pressed back into a public ministry.
He
was afraid that his sin would be found out -- & brought up all over again
-- but after he felt sure it was hidden & tucked away in the past -- he
went back to preaching -- rejoicing in the forgiveness of God.
One
night -- when he was in
Just
before the service began -- he read the unsigned letter.
It
described a shameful series of events in which he had been engaged.
His
stomach churned as he read it. -- The
letter said: “If you have the gall to
preach tonight -- I’ll stand & expose you.”
He
took that letter -- & went to his knees in prayer before God.
A few
minutes later --he was in the pulpit.
He
began his message by reading the letter -- from start to finish.
Then
he said: “I want to make it clear that
this letter is perfectly true. -- I’m ashamed of what I’ve read -- & what
I’ve done. -- I come tonight, not as one who is perfect -- but as one who is forgiven.”
God
used that letter -- & the rest of his ministry -- as a magnet to draw
people to Jesus Christ.
That,
my friends -- is the tremendous triumph
Jesus Christ can bring into our lives -- if we will only do as Peter did -- by
repenting for our failure -- & allowing God’s grace to restore us to a
place of spiritual victory!
Conclusion:
-- Our commitment to Christ will
be tested!
We
may -- like Peter -- falter & need to be restored.
My
friends -- if you have had a spiritual reversal -- don’t ever give up!
Jesus
Christ can restore you; -- you can be
useful to Him again -- even after a hard & bitter fall.
The
Lord may allow you to fall down -- so that you will learn to look up!
God
desires to mold us into Christ-likeness -- just as He did with Peter.
God
uses trials -- & all sorts of circumstances to do that very thing!
We go
through all kinds of trials & difficulties; -- the sifting process.
People -- circumstances -- & events come into our lives -- as part
of the sifting process. -- Oh the terrible
testing!
Jesus
knows all too well the fierceness of Satan’s power; -- that the devil comes at
us with every weapon in hell -- to sift the Lord’s people.
But
be of good courage; -- hear the thrilling
testimony! -- Jesus is praying for YOU -- that your faith will not fail!
Even
the sifting process can be a means of removing the chaff of pride -- of
stubbornness -- of arrogance -- from your life.
Sifting can takes the trash out of our lives -- & converts it into
treasure.
And
you can experience tremendous triumph!
Romans
Years
later -- Peter would write the words -- “So, dear brothers & sisters, work
hard to prove that you really are among those God has called & chosen. --
Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. -- And God will open wide the
gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord &
Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter
One
day soon -- the sifting process will end!
Satan
will have done his worst -- but our Advocate -- the Lord Jesus Christ -- will
win this battle for you & for me!
When the toils of life are over -- & we
lay our armor down,
And we bid farewell -- to earth with all its
cares,
We shall meet & greet our loved ones, --
& our Christ we then shall crown
-- In the New Jerusalem!