The Notes

This coming Wednesday night, April 15, 2026, we look at two examples Jesus gave to impress upon us that our actions matter more than our words.  Jesus said that obedience to God is proof of our love.  We will break that down this week.  Join us for in person worship and mid-week encouragement for the soul at 6:00 p.m.

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This past Wednesday night, April 8, 2026, we looked at Peter's crisis of faith.  Perhaps you have experienced something similar?  A time when you wonder, "Can I really trust God?"  Is He there?  

Peter had such a moment.  After betraying Jesus, the crucifixion, then finding an empty tomb which he still didn't understand, it's easy to see that nothing made sense anymore.  He would have been filled with questions - where do I go now?  What do I do?  All that time with Jesus, with hope for  future, and now - nothing.

Everything he’d counted on for 3 years was gone.  Jesus was gone, and he had failed.  Peter's story shows us how to repent and turn back to God . . . to get our lives back on track.

John 21 tells us of an incredible beach scene.  Peter says to the 6 other disciples with him , “I’m going out to fish.”   They said, “We’ll go with you.”  But after fishing all night, they still had nothing. Just then, a person on the shore tells them to throw their net on the right side of the boat and they will find some.  They do, and there is - lots of fish.  153 to be exact.  And in that moment, John finally recognizes the person on the shore.   John said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”   Peter is so excited, he jumps out of the boat and swims to shore.  And here we learn 7 truths from Peter's story which lead us to our own repenting opportunities.

First - many of us have been throwing our nets on the wrong side of our boats.  We have been looking for fulfillment in what we’ve known, but that doesn’t last.  It's short term happiness.  We have been making our own nets … doing what we want … not seeking God.  We've filled our time with our wants, and only given God what's left.  God has not been the priority of our hearts.  But when we cast our nets toward Jesus, we find what we’ve been seeking.  We find lasting happiness and contentment.  We find peace and joy, in abundance.  All of that happens when we are willing to trust Him and give Him our whole hearts.

Consider that this beach moments was the third time Jesus appeared to them.   It was three chances for Peter to experience the grace and love of Jesus.  It is now a third time for Peter to affirm is love.  Point # 2 - this shows us the patience of God.  He gives do-overs.  He gives multiple opportunities, like Jonah and the whale.  Here, Jesus gives Peter another chance to get things right.  And for us, like Peter, it's another chance to see that our future isn’t determined by our past failures.  God’s not angry with us; He loves us.

This beach moment is turning point for Peter.   It’s what Jesus prayed for, and told Peter He prayed for him during the Last Supper.  Luke 22:31-34 tells us that Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  It was then that Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”  Jesus replied: “Before the rooster crows,, you will deny three times that you know me.”  Point #3 - Jesus knows Peter like God knows us.  Peter's actions were not a surprise to God; the denials were known ahead of time.  And then notice - we see another side of Jesus - Jesus was an intercessor for Peter.  That just means, Jesus was praying for Peter; He was standing in the gap for him.  Jesus wants to be sure his faith will not fail.  He has deep concern for Peter's spiritual well being.   The truth is, life can gut punch us.  What is unexpected to us will happen!  We, like Peter, may fail and make horrible mistakes we wish we could undo and take back.

When those moments happen, know that Jesus is there for you, too.  Romans 8:34 – “Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.”

When the seasons of life puzzle us, just remember - they aren’t a surprise for God.  He knew it would happen, and He will use it for His glory and our good.  When in that season of trials and challenges, know the promises of God to hold onto and get you through.   Remember, "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  (Rom. 8:28).  Remember that the "the testing of your faith produces perseverance.   Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  (James 1:3-4).  That means, the trials of our faith work to better us, to perfect us.  As Zechariah 13:9 tells us, God said:  “I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold.”  The testing of our faith is God putting us in the fire, to refine us and mature us and perfect us.   It is so we will be "complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:4.

Point # 4 - We can look at our trials as setbacks in life and be bitter - OR - we can see them as God’s provision for perfection.  

Now after going through our failures, it's easy to wonder and doubt, can God use me now?   Yes, He can.  Look again at Romans 8:34 – “Who is there to condemn us?”  People may condemn us for our mistakes, but not Jesus.  No condemnation.  He’s praying for us!  He is interceding on our behalf!  Remember that David was far from perfect; he was a bad father and husband; he had Bathsheba's husband killed to try and cover up his affair (dare I say rape of her).  Paul was also complicit in murder; he stood there holding the clokes of those stoning Stephen; and he struggled with sin - “what I want to do, I don’t; what I hate, I do.”  And then there is Peter, who denied Jesus.  God used them, God can use you, too.  Point # 5 - God works through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will.

Peter had a crisis of faith, and most people will have similar moments in their lives.   How do we get back on track?

Point # 6 - we need a meeting with Jesus.  We need to ACT.  We need to A - affirm our love for Jesus for what He did on the cross for us.  We need to C - confess our weakness, our fear, or our failure.  And we need T - to turn back to Jesus.   Put simply, we need to repent.  Relinquish control of our own lives and live for Him . . . His way.  We need to do all of that as soon as possible, because there is still more in store for our lives.  If not, we wouldn’t still be living.  Peter was called to “Feed my sheep.”  He was called to lift people up and feed them spiritually.  Remember Jesus' prayer - “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”   Point # 7 - we have the same calling – to strengthen each other.  The Bible calls on us to encourage each other, because your story is someone else’s story, too.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says – “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

So whatever you have wrestled with in your life, have a talk with Jesus about it.  Let Him intercede on your behalf so that you can be all that God desires for you to be.  Repent for living life on your terms instead of putting God first in your life.  A crisis of faith is a chance to come back strong.  Peter did, and we can, too.