THE AGONY OF DEFEAT

LUKE 22:31-34; 54-62

As we look at the life of Peter early in his walk with Christ. We see that he was a lot like us! He had some GREAT moments and some NOT SO GREAT moments! Some ups...and some downs! And He was prone to speak without thinking!   The greatest thing to ever happen in the life of Peter was when his own brother, Andrew, brought him to Christ! John 1:41-42 Being brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus is the greatest thing that can ever happen to a person! I don’t care who you are!

In our text, I believe we see Peter hitting one of the lowest lows of his life.  Here we see Peter make a bold claim of loyalty to Christ, then we see him fail to make good on his claim and even deny the Lord three times. If that wasn’t bad enough, his eyes met the Lord’s eyes just as the third denial left his mouth and cock crew!   Can you imagine the agony of defeat that Peter experienced at that moment?

 I. THE CAUSES OF DEFEAT.

A. Satan–By Permission of The Lord. (Vs 31-32)   

B. Confidence In The Flesh.

                        1. His Willingness. (Vs 33, 50;  John 18:10)

                        2. His Walk. (Vs 54)  Followed afar off.

            C. Compromise of Convictions.

1. By His Actions. (Vs 55)  Peter didn’t belong “among them” did he? 

2. By His Talk. (Vs 56-60)   Mat 26:74 “Then began he to curse and to swear.”

            D. Controlled By Circumstances.

1. When he made his bold claim, his honor was on the line. (Pride) (Vs 33)

2. When he made his denial, his life was on the line.

 II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF DEFEAT.

 A. Loss of Fellowship With Christ.  It began with following Jesus afar off (Vs 54)

 B. Loss of Peace With Self. (Vs 62) 

             C. Loss of Testimony With Others.

 D. Loss of Ability To Minister As Before.  (John 21:1-3)

             E. Setting a Poor Example For Others.  (John 21:3)

 III. THE CURE FOR DEFEAT.

            A. A Renewal of Repentance. (John 21:15-17)

            B. A Restoration of Fellowship. John 21:15

                        1. Through The Word. (Jesus talking to him)

                        2. Through Prayer. (Him talking to Jesus)

 C. A Rendering of Service. (John 21:15-17)

             D. A Reaching For Maturity. (John 21:20-22) 

 We’ve all faced times of defeat in our lives, but the question is what are we going to do with that defeat? Are we going to wallow in it or arise from it?   

Each of us was born in defeat. We were defeated by the sin nature that we were born with!  We were unable to please God or meet His holy demands.