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Learn about the dangers of backsliding through pride, laziness, cowardice, worldliness, and denial, as exemplified by Peter's actions. Discover how to avoid denying the Lord in your faith journey.
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Denying The Lord • Peter’s Path To Denial
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
Introduction • “Backsliding” is a real danger! (2 Pet. 2:20-22) • Turning away from God is worse than never knowing • Occurs gradually, can overtake us slowly
Outline • Pride • Laziness • Cowardice • Worldliness • Denial Peter’s Path To Denial
Outline • Pride • Laziness • Cowardice • Worldliness • Denial Peter’s Path To Denial
Pride • Peter is boastful that he will not stumble (Mark 14:27-31) • Pride is often a first step towards falling away (Prov. 16:18)
Pride • Pride is the opposite of humility (Matt. 18:3-4) • Without humility, we cannot enter Heaven • Notice Peter’s advice for pride (1 Pet. 5:5-6)
Outline • Pride • Laziness • Cowardice • Worldliness • Denial Peter’s Path To Denial
Laziness • Mark 14:32-42 • Peter told to keep watch, put kept falling asleep • A lack of diligent preparation here in the garden • Peter will later be caught off guard later
Laziness • Spiritual laziness happens over time (Heb. 2:1) • Notice Peter’s advice for laziness (1 Pet. 5:8-9) • Already diligent? (2 Pet. 1:10, 3:14) • Peter stresses the importance of diligence
Outline • Pride • Laziness • Cowardice • Worldliness • Denial Peter’s Path To Denial
Cowardice • Peter displays cowardice (Mark 14:53-54) • Doesn’t want to be identified with Jesus • He was unprepared for facing ridicule and persecution
Cowardice • Ashamed to stand up for our Lord Jesus? • Ashamed to let others know you’re a Christian? • Ashamed to be seen reading your Bible? • Ashamed to be seen praying? Without Diligent Preparation, We Too Can Become Guilty of Cowardice!
Cowardice • Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel! (Rom. 1:16) • Remember how Jesus will deal with cowardice (Mark 8:38) • Cowards don’t enter Heaven (Rev. 21:8)
COWARDICE • Peter’s later advises “don’t be ashamed” (1 Pet. 4:16) • We can bring glory to God by suffering for Him • When we’re ashamed of Christ, it’s easy to go along with worldliness
Outline • Pride • Laziness • Cowardice • Worldliness • Denial Peter’s Path To Denial
Worldliness • Ashamed of Christ, Peter mingles with the world, enjoys their comforts (Mark 14:54) • Once we become “friends with the world”, we’re one step away from denying God (1 Cor. 15:33) • Notice Peter’s advice for worldliness - “Abstain!” (1 Pet. 2:11-12) • Remember you’re a “sojourner and pilgrim”!
Outline • Pride • Laziness • Cowardice • Worldliness • Denial Peter’s Path To Denial
Denial • Away from Christ & comfortable with the world • Peter denies his Lord & Savior (Mark 14:66-71) • Peter is now in spiritual danger (Matt. 10:32-33)
Will We Deny Jesus? By Words? By actions?
Denial • We are called to worship. • We are called to serve God. • We are called to suffer for His name. • Will we make excuses? • Do we render little or no service? • Do we stand far off in the safety of worldly comforts?
Denial • Peter had to face the Lord (Luke 22:60-62) • Just Imagine how Peter felt • He wept bitterly!
DENIAL • Notice Peter’s advice for denial (1 Pet. 3:13-17) • Was Peter ready for his defense? • Being “ready” Involves preparation (2 Pet. 3:17-18)
Outline • Pride • Laziness • Cowardice • Worldliness • Denial Peter’s Path To Denial
Have You Been Denying The Lord?