Transforming Dependence on Jesus: Peter's Journey

The other day one of the politicians in Washington decided that they would get a head start on the day. They were introducing a bill that they felt was very important and needed to get passed so that eventually it would be a law.

The law maker got a limo from the hotel to the US Capitol Building. The driver walked around the limo to the back to open the door and let the law maker out. The driver wished the lawmaker a good day and there was no reply. As he walked to the building his phone rang. He answered it and whomever he was talking to was getting an earful, because the documents needed printed and sorted and there wasn’t enough time to get it all done.

As the Congressman approached, the doorman opened the door and said good morning, Mr. Congressman. The lawmaker just kept walking and continued to speak harshly to the person on the phone. Walked through security to the elevator that had an out of order sign on it and completely ignored it until, BAMM! He slammed into the plywood barrier blocking the open elevator shaft. He turned and yelled at the lobby security guard and said, “Do you know who I am?” “Yes sir” replied the guard, “you are the third politician today to not follow directions.”

Sometimes people think more of themselves that who they really are. In our main text we see a whole new Peter. We now see Peter in a roll of understanding and boldness in Jesus. We see Peter that knows and understands his roll. Let’s read our main text. Found in Acts 4.

Quite the different Simon Peter, wouldn’t you say? It was not that long ago that Peter was ready to fight to the death, lied to about knowing Jesus. Hid in the upper room for a while before going back to fishing for fish instead of men. And now he is giving the religious leaders a “what for”.

Who does Peter think he is, anyhow? Let’s see what we can figure out about the change in Peter’s life and maybe we might learn a thing or two to apply to our lives? Point 1…..

1. Without Jesus, we are useless!

Matthew 26:69-72

John 15:1-4

While we were gone to Minneapolis, one day after spending like 37 hours at the Mall of America, (okay maybe not that long but after walking close to 10 miles inside the building just to see every store, it felt like 37 hours) we wanted to continue in that shopping experience of the area and we decided to go to a Super Target.

Personally, there is not anything super about a Target, but on our way into Minneapolis we saw a Target and, on the sign, it said, “Super Target” and we wanted to check it out. So, we did a quick google search and followed the directions on the GPS to this sketchy, small, run down Target. That was not where we wanted to go, for sure.

We did a little more better, search and found the “Super Target”. Programmed that one into the GPS and we ended up at the right one this time. It was huge. I think it sold everything except waterbeds. I don’t know, I don’t think we went everywhere in the store.

When we search the bible looking for things, sometimes we are going to find just enough scripture to get us lost. We find what we are looking for to make us feel good about ourselves and we end up on the wrong target.

My dad uses to say that you can get the bible to justify anything if you take pieces of it from here and put it with pieces of it there. Like, the bible says in one spot, “Judas went out and hung himself” and in another “Go and do likewise”. Let me tell you that no where and in no way is the bible telling you to do that.

Peter denied Jesus 3 times, the bible isn’t teaching us that because Peter did it, it is okay to do it. My thoughts are that the bible told us about Peter as a warning and a revelation. One that Jesus is all knowing. Jesus didn’t tell Peter that some time in the next few days you will deny Me several times. He said, “I tell you the truth. Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.” That was spot on. Peter thought that he was all that and a cookie and without Jesus he was nothing.

Jesus is our lifeline. Staying connected to Jesus helps us not to research the bible for what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. Satan knows the scriptures well and if you are doing it to make yourself feel better, Satan will guide you to do just that.

Peter thought he was ready to tackle the world for Jesus, but he wasn’t even ready to have a conversation with a young girl about Jesus. Which brings me to point #2.

2. Even with Jesus, we can’t do it without Him.

Acts 4:29-30

Psalm 121:1-2

Let me clarify this for a moment before we dive into “Even with Jesus, we can’t do it without Him.” Since that statement could be a little confusing, let me put it this way. When we win battles from time to time, we tend to get a big head. We like to think that somehow, we did it. The only reason we did it, is the “we”. You and Jesus. Jesus gave you the power to conquer the trial, the enemy or a weakness. You allowed Him to work through you.

The problem is, that sometimes, we think that because we did it, that I can do it this time by myself. When we give our hearts to God and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we forget from time to time that He is Lord. And when I fail or you fail to understand that it is not you or I, but the Lord working through us that gives us the power to do whatever. Not by my might or my abilities, but from the Lord.

So, in other words, just because we are a Christian, that does not mean that we will win any battles through our own strength. Our help comes from the Lord.

Peter was very clear in his prayer that he wanted to speak the word of the Lord with boldness. He was asking God to not only give him the words to say but the boldness to say it. And did you notice verse 30? “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Not through the power of Peter, not from the name of Peter, but through the power of Jesus, Peter is asking God to heal, perform signs and wonders.

I love how this whole thing got started, Peter and John were going to church. They probably went every day. At the gate of the temple is a man that was crippled. He was probably there every day too. But this day, God had more instore for the man and for Peter and John.

From the song I won’t walk without Jesus.

“A beggar lame at the gate was sittin'. And all his life he'd been regrettin'. Cause he'd never stood or took a stroll on down the street. Then Peter and John happened by his way. Look upon us, old Peter did say, Rise up and walk in the Name of the Lord and he leaped to his feet.

And I won't walk without Jesus, I won't talk without Jesus, and I refuse to live one day as before. No, I won't go without Jesus, it just ain't so without Jesus, 'cause everything that I would do, I just won't do without the Lord.

3. Remember to give God the glory.

Acts 3:1-8

Acts 4:7-10

I was watching a clip of Facing the Giants. A very good movie with a very good message. Maybe a little far fetched when David Childers a 140-pound high school kid kicks a 51-yard field goal to win the state championship, but still a great story line. But if we believe we can do all things through Christ, then we should be able to believe in the possibility of God working a miracle on a high school football field.

Coach is giving a heart to heart with the team about what their goal is. One of the players says, “To win games”. Coach goes on to say, “Life ain’t about us. We aren’t just here to get the glory and make life about us… I want God to bless this team so much that people talk about what He did. That means we have to give Him our best in everything we do. When we win, we praise Him and when we lose, we praise Him.”

When you think about the title of this message, “Who Do You Think You are?” The answer should be I am nothing without God. Everything, every blessing, every breath should remind us to give God the glory.

Expanding on what the coach said, I want God to bless this Church so much that people talk about what He did. I want God to get the glory in our church and the best way for that to happen if for God to get all the glory in your life. Is God getting the glory? Is life all about you or is it all about Him?

Who Do You Think You Are