How to stand For Christ

Denying Christ

Mark 14:16-72, Matthew 26:69-75

Have you ever thought of denying Christ?

Do you know you have been denying Christ in a little way you don't know?

 

Peter was forewarned by Jesus that he was going to deny Him (Jesus) three times. But he (Peter) thought he could never a day deny Christ.

“But Peter said unto him, although all
shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus
saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that
this day, even in this night, before the
cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice”
(Mark 14:29,30)

Peter never knew that he was in the flesh but he can stand ever to support (staying by His side always). He never understood the work of the devil to pray against him.

After Jesus was arrested, Peter, who was so zealous about Jesus followed them afar off and went with them wherever they went. When they came to the palace, Peter joined some persons in warming himself by the fire. At that point, he was met by a maid. The maid was able to recognize Peter to be a servant of Christ

She didn’t close her mouth but said it out to people’s hearing. But straight away, Peter denied it.

"And when she saw Peter warming himself,
she looked upon him, and said, And thou also
wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied,
saying, I know not, neither understand I what
thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew"
(Mark 14:67,68)

Again, another maid me him and said; “this one is one of them” but Peter yet denied again.

Finally, to fulfill the prophesy of Jesus to him, the people around recognized Peter but h denied this last time cursing and swearing saying

“I know not this man whom ye speak”

After these series of denials, the cock crew and peter realized himself that what Jesus had told him earlier is true.

What do we learn from this?

• No matter how strong you think you are, you can still fall
• Watch and pray lest ye fall into temptation
• Devil takes you when pushed to the wall.

1.           No matter how strong you think you are, you can still fall

Jesus is using this to teach us believers today to be strong and warned. That no matter how strong we think we are, as long as you live in the flesh, there is still possibility to fall if you are not watchful and prayerful.

We Christians today should not look at our strength like Peter did or to trust in our abilities but to look unto Christ for strength and Grace as Hebrews says

 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about 

with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside

every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset

us, and let us run with patience the race that is set 

before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher

of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him

 endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set

 down at the right hand of the throne of God"
(Hebrews 12:1,2)

If at when Christ told Peter he was going to fall and he cried for mercy and grace not to, he would have been given grace not to fall.

Several Christians today think they are strong and end up falling even below the surface. Look unto Christ for strength for the fight.

2.           Watch therefore and pray (Matthew 24:42,43)

If Christians will not do anything, it is not to stop watching. And praying. Christians must stand watching and praying lest they fall into temptation for the devil is always moving about looking for who to devour.

The devil is always looking for who he will knock down. If you will not pray, he will do that to you.

3.           Devil takes you when pushed to the wall.

There are times that one get pushed to the wall and it seems there is nothing to do than to bend to the will of the devil.

Example is when maybe you work in an office and you are asked by your boss to tell lies or cheat. You would lose your job if you don’t do that you know. Or times that you would have to save a senior friend from trouble.

Those are points where on get pushed to the wall.

It only takes great strength and grace to overcome at such points.

We have to be careful and praying to God to avoid such moments and even when it comes, you overcome.