Christ the Firstborn

At this time of the year the traditional Christmas readings make us familiar with the fact that Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son:

Matthew 1:25 KJV

(Joseph) knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:7 KJV

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

But perhaps we are less familiar with the fact that the NT also makes it clear that Jesus was also GOD’S firstborn:

Hebrews 1:6 NIV

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

Note:

1. This verse relates to the nativity – when God brings his firstborn into the world
2. The angels are here instructed to worship Jesus
3. The verse suggests that he was God’s firstborn before he came into the world.

This is borne out by the use of the title firstborn in the NT when applied to Jesus as God’s firstborn. The Greek word for firstborn is πρωτότοκος. When Jesus is called Mary’s firstborn it simply means that he was the first son she had. But when he is called GOD’S firstborn it means much much more.

Let’s see what the NT has to teach on this thrilling subject.

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN OVER ALL CREATION

Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Note verse 15:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

What does this mean?

NOT that he is a created being as the JWs suggest. Quite the opposite!

15. He is the image of the invisible God

Greek: εἰκὼν   God is invisible but in Jesus we see his exact likeness

 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

He’s the Creator of everything !

17. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

He’s the preexistent sustainer of the universe

18. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell

All the fullness of deity dwells in him!

In light of all this, firstborn must mean something more than ‘born first’. It is connected with the idea of supremacy. The idea springs from the rights and privileges of a firstborn son. See Heb. 12:16 re Esau where πρωτοτόκια means birthright or the inheritance rights of a firstborn son.

So the word firstborn is closely identified with the word heir.

Let’s go back to Hebrews 1. We’ll read the whole chapter in a moment, but first please note how firstborn is associated with heir in vv. 2-6.

2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

 Cf. Romans 8:16-17 , 29.

 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

16. and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Hebrews 1:1-14 ESV

1. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4. having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
6. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7. Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
8. But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10. And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11. they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12. like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”
12. And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
13. Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

In v6 we see that Jesus is referred to as God’s firstborn and the chapter shows clearly that it’s connected with supremacy.

v2 the heir of all things

v3 He is the radiance of the glory of God

He’s the exact imprint of his nature (cf. Col. 1:15)

he upholds the universe by the word of his power

He’s seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high

v6 all God’s angels worship him

v8 he’s addressed as God. He will reign for ever

v10 he laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of his hands

v13 his enemies are under his feet

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Cf. Revelation 1:5 ESV

…Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth

Note:

His victory over death is the basis of:

His supremacy in the church

His supremacy on earth

Our victory too! Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

This leads us to:

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Romans 8:29

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Of course, we all know v28.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

But that doesn’t mean that in this life ‘everything will turn out all right in the end’. Rather, it means that whatever we go through here is nothing compared with our ultimate destiny!

Read Romans 8:16-39

Lessons from their lives – Talk 30 – JESUS

Welcome to Talk 30 in our series, Lessons from their lives.

This is the final talk in the series and our subject today is the Lord Jesus.

If you’re already wondering why I am only giving one talk on the life of Jesus, it’s because between March and June 2019 I gave weekly talks on various aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry.

You can find them by visiting my website www.davidpetts.org

What’s more, as we are approaching Christmas, next week I’m planning to give a Christmas message with the title Christ the firstborn. Be sure to listen in to learn some exciting truths about who Jesus is. He’s much more than Mary’s firstborn son.

But, for now, let’s just consider one aspect of how we can learn from the life of Jesus. Of course Jesus is unique. He is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and at first sight it might seem impossible that we might live as he lived. Yet Peter, who was only too conscious of his own shortcomings, encourages us by saying that Jesus left us an example so that we might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

This is possible because, as Peter tells us in  2 Peter 1:3-4

(God’s) divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

And Paul tells us that with the help of the Holy Spirit it is possible for us to show qualities of character similar to those that Jesus showed.

In Galatians 5:22-23 he tells us that

… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Compare Colossians 3:12-14 love binds them all together

As we shall see, these are just the kind of qualities that Jesus exhibited throughout his earthly life, and so in this talk I am going to consider the fruit of the Spirit in the life of Jesus.

The fruit of the Spirit in the life of Jesus

Self control

After 40 days of fasting Jesus resisted the temptation to turn stones into bread

When Jesus was crucified the mockers said:

If you are the son of God, come down from the cross…

Gentleness (humility)

John 13:3-4

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,

rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.

Faithfulness

In the garden of Gethsemane

Faithfulness to his Father – not my will…

Faithfulness to his followers – sleeping, the flesh is weak.

Goodness

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Kindness

Turning water into wine was an amazing miracle. But what motivated it?

Patience

John 14:8-9

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Peace

Peace of heart springs from a right relationship with God.

So Jesus must have always been at peace.

But what about Gethsemane? the cross?

Jesus sacrificed peace that we might have peace.

Joy

Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Jesus lived life in God’s presence

Love

Throughout his life everything Jesus did was motivated by love

Consider all the examples we’ve already looked at.

Undoubtedly the greatest demonstration of his love was at Calvary

Cultivating the fruit

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding (or reflecting) the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

1 John 3:2

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Lessons from their lives.  Talk 29. Paul (Part Three)

Welcome to Talk 29 in our series, Lessons from their lives.

Today we conclude our thoughts on the life of the apostle Paul.

We began by looking at his conversion.

Last time we contrasted how God used him powerfully in evangelism, working many miracles through him, with the suffering and persecution he experienced in the cause of the gospel.

Today we’ll be considering Paul’s last recorded words as we find them in 2 Tim. 4. My title for this message is What to do in an impossible situation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The Situation in which Paul found himself

He was in great physical discomfort

                  He was in prison. Mamertine prison in Rome.

He was lacking fellowship

                    verse 11 – only Luke was with him

                    verse 10 – Demas had deserted him (cf. v16 – everyone deserted me)

                    verse 14 – Alexander had harmed him

                    verse 20 – Trophimus was sick

He was in danger of death

verse 17 (lion = lion or Nero or devil)

verse 6 – indeed he was about to die – the time for my departure has come

Although God had rescued him from danger and persecution many times (cf. 3:11)

Paul knew that his end was near.

Paul’s attitude and reaction in the situation

He realised God’s presence with him despite the circumstances

verse 1 – in the presence of God… I give you this charge

He faced the situation realistically

He did not seek to deny the reality of his problems (impending death)

He took practical steps to alleviate the immediate situation as best he could

He urged Timothy to come as quickly as possible (with Mark) and bring his cloak, scrolls and parchments (9, 11-12)

He made what long-term provision for the future he could

He sought to ensure that his work would continue through Timothy after his death by giving him instructions (1-5)

He recognised the overall importance of the proclamation of the Gospel

In his instruction to Timothy –  preach the Word – do the work of an evangelist

From his own mouth even when on trial for his life (17)

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

He concentrated on the certainty of his ultimate destiny

Jesus is coming to reign! 1 – his appearing and his kingdom

Jesus is coming to judge! – all (1)

                                     righteously (8)

                                     so I can leave Alexander to him! (14)

Jesus is coming for me personally!  – verse 18

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus is coming with a crown of righteousness for all who love his appearing! – v 8

and finally

perhaps Paul was able to do all this in the face of death because he was able to look back and view the past with satisfaction:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith – verse 7

I want to be able to say that too – but that will be determined by how I’m living now.

Lessons from their lives – Talk 28

Paul (Part Two)

Welcome to Talk 28 in our series, Lessons from their lives. Today we continue with the subject of Paul. Last time, we talked about Paul’s conversion and the vision he received on the Damascus Road.

We noted, among other things, that the Lord Jesus revealed to Paul:

God’s purpose for his life

Acts 26:16

Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness…

The things he would have to suffer for the sake of Christ’s name

Acts 9:15-16

15. But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’

Today we are going to consider:

The miraculous help God gave him to fulfill God’s purpose for his life

The things Paul suffered in fulfilling God’s purpose for his life

The miraculous help God gave him to fulfill God’s purpose for his life

This is summarised in Romans 15:17-19

17. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
18. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done –
19. by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Examples in Acts

Acts 13. In Cyprus   Elymas

Acts 14:3 In Iconium

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Acts 14:8-10

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Acts 16. In Philippi

Demon possessed girl delivered

Paul ans Silas delivered from Prison

Acts 19:11-12. In Ephesus

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to those who were ill, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Acts 20. Eutychus

Acts 27 Shipwreck

Acts 28

Viper

Father of Publius

The sick of the island

The things Paul suffered in fulfilling God’s purpose for his life

In the light of the miraculous way God used Paul in miraculous signs and wonders, especially healing, we might wonder why Paul had to suffer at all. Yet, as we read through Acts we see that persecution and suffering seem to have gone hand in hand with the miracles that accompanied the preaching of the gospel. And in 2 Corinthians 11 Paul himself describes many of the things he suffered for the sake of the gospel.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 he tells us how he:

23. was in prison frequently…flogged severely… exposed to death again and again
24. Five times received 39 lashes
25. Three times beaten with rods… once pelted with stones…

three times shipwrecked… spent a night and a day in the open sea,

26. constantly on the move… in danger from rivers… from bandits…from Jews… from Gentiles… in the city… in the country…at sea…. and from false believers.
27. laboured and toiled… often gone without sleep…

gone without food… been cold and naked.

But in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Paul tells us of what was possibly a different form of suffering which he describes as a thorn in my flesh.

This is set in the context of Paul’s defence of his apostleship against the claims of those he calls false apostles (11:13).

Having referred to his abundant labours and frequent persecutions at the end of chapter 11, he goes on to speak reluctantly of visions and revelations which he has received.

He informs his readers that because of these surpassingly great revelations, in order to keep him from becoming conceited, he has been given  a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Read vv. 7-10.

7. or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
9. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What lessons for our lives can we learn from Paul’s experience in this passage?

What was the thorn?

Some people believe it was a sickness. Others argue that it was not.

In my book, Just a Taste of Heaven, I discuss the pros and cons and conclude that we cannot possibly be sure.

The verse is set in a passage where Paul is talking about weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties (v10),

but the word he uses for weaknesses can also mean sicknesses, so it would be foolish to be dogmatic either way. We simply do not know what the thorn was.

But does this matter? It’s quite possible that God had a purpose in not telling us what it was. This way there’s a wider field of application to our personal needs.

What we do know is that it represents some form of suffering which was:

physical (in the flesh)

extremely painful (a thorn, cf. torment)

a cause of weakness (for my power is made perfect in weakness)

The thorn was given

Presumably Paul means that it was given by God although he also  describes it as a messenger of Satan

The best way to understand this is to look at the story of Job.

It was Satan who afflicted Job, but it was God who gave him permission to do so. God is sovereign. Whatever happens he has either caused or permitted.

The thorn was given for a purpose

In the case of Paul it was:

to keep him humble – to keep me from becoming conceited

to manifest God’s power – my power is made perfect in weakness.

God’s purpose for allowing a thorn in our lives might or might not be the same. The important thing to know is that there  always is a purpose in what the Lord allows in our lives.

Paul prayed persistently for its removal

8. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’

The significant thing here is not the number 3. What’s important is that Paul kept on praying until he had an answer. (Cf. James 5:13 which literally reads: Is anyone suffering badly? Let him keep on praying).

God’s answer was not what Paul was expecting

No doubt Paul was expecting the thorn to be removed in answer to prayer, but on this occasion God said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Paul’s reaction

9. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I will boast… if we are weak or sick there is no need to feel ashamed

I delight… Paul could rejoice because what he suffered was for Christ’s sake. Despite physical weakness he was spiritually strong. Christ’s power becomes available to us when we are not strong in ourselves.

Conclusion

The fact that God uses a person like Paul in performing miracles to confirm the message of the gospel does not mean that he is immune from suffering. Quite the opposite. God does allow bad things to happen to good people.

But when he does there is always a purpose. If we are suffering it is always right to keep on praying until we receive an answer. This may be the removal of the suffering or the assurance that God’s grace is enough for us to be able to endure it.

And if that’s the case, then we can rejoice that God’s power is resting on us, that he has a purpose in allowing it (even if we don’t know what that purpose is) and that his grace in enabling us to bear it may well be a greater testimony to others than if he granted us a miracle of deliverance!

Lessons from their lives – Talk 27

Paul (Part 1).  Acts 26:19

Welcome to Talk 27 in our series, Lessons from their lives. Today our subject is Paul. We’ll be concentrating on Acts 26:19 where Paul is on trial before Agrippa and declares, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

We’ll be spending more than one talk on Paul and so today we’ll begin with the vision he received on the road to Damascus which is recorded for us initially in Acts 9 and then again in Paul’s own words in Acts 26.

If possible, it would be good to read this chapter before listening any further to this podcast. If that’s not possible, it would at least be helpful to have your bible open there, as I won’t be taking time to read through the whole chapter.

We’re starting in Acts 22 where we see that:

Paul was a highly privileged young man.

He was a Roman citizen

born free – Acts 22:25, 28

He had had a good education

Acts 22:3

Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

He knew the right people

Acts 22:5

As also the high priest and all the council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

But in chapter 26  he explains the reason for the dramatic change in his life and declares I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

Today I want to talk about this vision and relate it to our lives, because without vision there is no real direction.

The Source of the Vision

The vision was from heaven.

26:19 I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

Compare v.13

About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.

We all need vision in our lives. But not just any vision. It’s not true that any dream will do (Joseph and the technicolour dreamcoat). The vision must come from heaven – not yourself, not other people. God’s purpose for your life is best. It’s brighter than the sun. Better than the best.

The Purpose of the Vision

To turn him from his own way and turn him to Christ

14. I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, Saul,Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads

To reveal God’s purpose for his life

16. Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

To reveal something of God’s overall purpose for mankind

18. To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

To prepare him for future difficulties

Acts 9:15-16

But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’.

The Nature of the Vision

Beyond the natural

V.13. About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.

Christ centred

V.15. Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’   ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting’, the Lord replied.

Scriptural

Vv.22-23 …but I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen, that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.

Cf. Isaiah 8:20 …to the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word they have no light of dawn.

Reasonable

25. ‘I am not insane, most excellent Festus’, Paul replied. ‘What I am saying is true and reasonable’.

Cf. V. 8. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

Sustained him through trial

Paul had been arrested in Acts 21 and in 24:27 he had been in prison for two years. Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-33; 12:1-9.

Promised further revelation

16. Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

Response to the vision

Paul’s.  I was not disobedient … This implies that he could have been.

Ours

We all need vision to have purpose in life

Heaven has a vision for all of us and God’s plans are best

It does not depend on our worthiness (Cf. Paul)

It does not depend on our age    Acts 2:17 – young… old

Surrender to Christ. Ask him to show you. Romans 12:1-2.

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 160

Talk 16 – Philip’s four daughters (Acts 21:9)

At  the beginning of Acts 21 Paul is towards the conclusion of his third missionary journey on his way back to Jerusalem. Luke, who was one of Paul’s companions on this journey mentions various places where they stopped.

In v 9 he records that they arrived at Caesarea and stayed with Philip the evangelist for several days. The major event described there is the arrival of the prophet Agabus from Judea to prophesy over Paul. But he mentions in verse 9 that Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied (had the gift of prophecy).

In this talk we’ll consider:

• What the Bible teaches about prophecy in general
• What we can learn about prophecy from Acts 21
• Philip’s four unmarried daughters

What the Bible teaches about prophecy in general

To prophesy means to speak on behalf of God (Cf. Exodus 7).

The Bible reveals at least four different levels of prophecy:

1. All Christians should prophesy (speak for God) (Acts 2:17ff.)
2. The gift of prophecy, the purpose of which is to strengthen, encourage and build up the church (1 Cor.14:3). It’s not infallible (1 Cor.14:29), but it must not be despised (1 Thessalonians 5:20)
3. The ministry of a prophet (Ephesians 4:11)
4. The prophecy of Scripture which is infallible (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20)

In Acts 21 we have examples of both 2 and 3.

2. The gift of prophecy v.4

We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

3. The ministry of prophets vv.10-14

What can we learn about prophecy from Acts 21?

Please read Acts 21:10-14. From this we learn 4 things:

1. Prophecy can be predictive v.11

In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles

2. It can be misapplied vv. 12-13
3. When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Cf. 21:4.

We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

But Cf. 20:22-23

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

3. Only the individual can decide the Lord will for himself v13

Then Paul answered, ‘Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’

4. Even with the gift of prophecy, we do not always know God’s will for sure and have to say ‘the Lord’s will be done’ v.14.

When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’

Philip’s four unmarried daughters

1. They did not have the same gift as their father who was an evangelist
2. As an evangelist their father was probably away from home quite a lot. But this had not affected their attitude to the Lord. They had an experience of the Spirit for themselves.
3. They were not discouraged by the fact that their sisters already had the gift.
4. They were not discouraged by the fact that they were probably quite young
5. They were not discouraged by the fact that they were female – compare Acts 2:17-18
6. They all prophesied – no restriction – 1 Cor. 14:39 Be eager to prophesy
7. They did so regularly – propheteuousai – the Greek present participle implies continuity. They kept on prophesying.

QUESTION

Is anything discouraging you from prophesying (speaking on behalf of God)?

You might not be a prophet like Agabus.

You might not have the gift of prophecy like Philip’s daughters.

What you say will never be infallible like the words of Scripture.

BUT you CAN ask the Holy Spirit to give you words that will encourage others.

and you CAN tell people who don’t yet know the Lord your experience of Jesus.

Welcome to talk 25 in our series, Lessons from their lives.

Today our subject is Philip the evangelist. This Philip is not Philip the apostle, but the Philip who was one of the seven men, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, who were chosen to help with the administration of food to the poor widows in Acts 6:1-6 and who is described in Acts 21:8-9 as Philip the evangelist who was living at Caesarea and who had four daughters with the gift of prophecy. We read about him in Acts chapter 8. As this is a fairly long chapter, let me summarise its contents for you.

As a result of the persecution which arose after the stoning of Stephen the Christians had been scattered with only the apostles remaining in Jerusalem. We read that Philip, who was one of these Christians, went down to Samaria and preached the gospel to them.

As Philip preached Christ to the Samaritans, healings, signs and wonders took place and the people, persuaded and overjoyed by the message of the gospel, put their trust in Christ and were baptised in water, but they were not yet baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Hearing about this, the apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria in order that the new converts might receive the Holy Spirit. On seeing the people receiving the Holy Spirit as the apostles laid hands on them, a sorcerer named Simon, who had previously led the people astray, offered the apostles money thinking that he could receive the gift of laying hands on people in this way. Simon was sternly rebuked by Peter and told to repent.

After this the apostles returned to Jerusalem preaching the gospel on their way. Philip was told by the angel of the Lord to go down to the desert road which leads to Gaza. There he met an Ethiopian eunuch who had been to Jerusalem to worship and who was reading a scroll from the prophet Isaiah as he travelled in his chariot. The passage he was reading was from Isaiah 53 and Philip was able to explain to him that this was referring to Jesus. The Ethiopian believed and was baptised and went on his way rejoicing.

As for Philip, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took him away and Philip appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Philip is the only person in the NT specifically named as an evangelist and Acts 8 is the only chapter describing his ministry. So let’s see what we can learn about evangelism from this chapter. We’ll consider:

• The people who should be involved in the task of evangelism
• The people we’re trying to reach
• The message we need to deliver
• The help God gives as we deliver it
• The results we should expect
• The need for new disciples to receive the Holy Spirit

The people who should be involved in the task of evangelism

Evangelists

5. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.
6. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Apostles v. 25

After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Everyone vv1-4

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

The people we’re trying to reach

We often think of the ministry of an evangelist as preaching to great crowds. But crowds are made up of individuals and in this passage Philip preaches to both. The passage also makes clear the condition of these people.

Deceived vv 9-11

Now for some time a man named Simon had practised sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery.

Diseased  v7

For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed.

Dissatisfied 27-31

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. “‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The message we need to deliver

Its foundation – the word of God 4, 14, 25, 32, 35

4. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

14. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.

25. After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

32. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
33. Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

Its focus – Jesus Christ

5. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah (Christ – the anointed) there.

35. Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus (saviour).

Its forthrightness – a proclamation of the authority of Jesus

demanding that people repent and believe

12. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.
13. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

The help God gives as we deliver it

Signs

6. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.
7. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed.

Direction

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch…

29. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’

The results we should expect

Deliverance

7. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed.

Delight

8. So there was great joy in that city.
9. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Decision (expressed in baptism)

12. But when they believed … they were baptised, both men and women.

38. And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.
39. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Who? Those who believed

How? Immersion

The need for new disciples to receive the Holy Spirit

14. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.
15. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
16. because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said,
19. ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’
20. Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
21. You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Significance 16 come on  Compare Acts 1:8

Seriousness 15

Sign 18. What did Simon see?

Lessons from their lives Talk 24. Peter (Part Two)

Welcome to talk 24 in our series, Lessons from their lives. Last time we began to look at the life of Peter, concentrating mainly on the accounts in the gospels. We saw how Jesus was moulding Peter in order to make him a fisher of men.

From the story of Peter walking on the water, we saw that Peter needed to learn to keep looking to the Lord, whatever the outward circumstances might be.

From the story of Peter confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and his subsequent attempt to dissuade Jesus from going the way of the cross, we saw that Peter had to learn that

Jesus’s death on the cross was to be central to our salvation and that, like Jesus,  Peter must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Him.

From the account of Jesus’ transfiguration we saw that Peter needed to learn to listen before he spoke.

From the story of Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, we saw that Peter needed to learn that:

• the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual – the angels are on our side!
• we can have confidence that what God has said in the scriptures must be fulfilled
• it’s more important to do the will of God than to avoid personal suffering

From the story of Peter’s denial and his subsequent reinstatement by Jesus we saw that Peter needed to learn that despite his failures, Jesus was willing to forgive him and still had a purpose for his life.

Today we’ll be looking at Peter in the book of Acts in order to see how the lessons Peter learnt from Jesus were evident in his life after he was filled with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We will notice a very real difference in Peter and will be asking how this difference can be explained.

First then, how the lessons Peter learnt from Jesus can be seen in the book of Acts.

1. Peter had learnt that despite his failures, Jesus was willing to forgive him and still had a purpose for his life. Acts 1:15.

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said…

2. Peter had learnt that what God had said in the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Acts 1:16-17, 20; Acts 2:24-25

1:16. “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

1:17. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” …

1:20. For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’

2:24. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

2:25. For David says concerning him…

3. Peter had learnt that Jesus’s death on the cross was central to God’s plan of salvation. Acts 2:23, 3:14-15,  4:9-12

23…this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

3:14-15 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

4:9-12

…if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

4. Peter had learnt that it’s more important to do the will of God than to avoid personal suffering. Acts 4:18-20.

18. So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

19. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,

20. for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.””

5. Peter had learnt to listen before he spoke. Acts 9:40

But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

Cf. Acts 3:6

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

6. Peter had learnt to keep looking to the Lord, whatever the outward circumstances. Acts 12:1-6. 1 Peter 4:12-14.
7. About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.
8. He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
9. and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
10. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
11. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
12. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.

1 Peter 4:12-14

12. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

7. Peter learnt from personal experience that the angels are on our side. Acts 12:7-10

7. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.
8. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
9. And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.

So these passages in Acts show us that Peter had learnt the lessons Jesus was teaching him in the Gospels.

How do we account for the difference?

• Jesus had been making him
• Jesus had died for him
• Jesus had met with him – Peter had seen the risen Christ
• Jesus had forgiven him

But Peter still needed the Holy Spirit. It was by the Holy Spirit that Jesus would continue teaching him, moulding him and empowering him.

John 14:16-18

16. “… I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
17. even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

As we have seen, Peter had learnt many lessons while Jesus was physically present with him. But now he must learn to let Jesus lead him by his Spirit. There are two main areas where the Spirit is at work in Christians – fruit (character resulting from regeneration) and gifts (power, resulting from the baptism in the Holy Spirit).

With regard to power, Peter had already worked miracles before being filled with the Spirit at Pentecost. These were performed by the direct authority of Jesus (Matthew 10). After Jesus had departed, Peter would have to learn to hear the voice of the Spirit.

With regard to character, Peter did not become perfect when he was filled with the Spirit at Pentecost. He needed to be reminded of what Jesus had said and to gain a new understanding of God’s purpose for the Gentiles – see Acts 10, the story of Cornelius. And even after this, he still displayed a weakness re Gentile Christians.

Galatians 2:11-14

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?”

Pentecost had certainly made a great difference in Peter’s life, but it didn’t make him perfect. But by the grace of God, God went on using him until the day came when Peter laid down his life for Jesus. 

No one experience, however wonderful, will make us all that we ought to be. Until that day when we are presented blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy (Jude 1:24) we need to:

• keep filled with the Spirit and use the power he makes available to us
• go on learning to hear the voice of the Spirit and follow his leading
• allow him to mould us into the likeness of Jesus so that we, like Peter, will truly become fishers of men.

Lessons from their lives.  Talk 23.  Peter (Part One)

Welcome to talk 23 in our series, Lessons from their lives. Last time we were considering the call of the four fisherman in Matthew 4. We saw seven lessons that we can learn about winning others for Jesus:

1. Winning others for Jesus means calling them to repentance
2. You don’t need a special call to tell others about Jesus
3. Winning others for Jesus may well involve a complete change in lifestyle
4. This may involve forsaking one’s means of livelihood
5. It may also involve leaving one’s family behind
6. Winning others for Jesus means allowing him to make us
7. Winning others for Jesus means proclaiming the kingdom of God

These points (esp. 6) can be clearly seen in the life of Peter who was, of course, one of those four fishermen. Peter is the subject of our talk today and as we look at the key aspects of his life we see how Jesus was making or moulding him into the person he wanted him to be.

As we saw last time, Jesus’ first recorded words to Peter were, Come follow me.

Jesus’ final words to Peter (and to all the disciples) are found in Acts 1:4-8 where he told the disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait until they were baptised in the Holy Spirit, finishing with the promise in v.8:

… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

This was of course fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and the difference this made in Peter’s life is clearly seen in the book of Acts.

So, bearing this in mind, we’ll divide our study into two sections:

Peter before Pentecost (today)

Peter after Pentecost (next time).

Peter before Pentecost

Peter is probably the best known and best loved of Jesus’ disciples, partly because the Gospels tell us more about him than the other disciples and partly because in Peter’s life we see a reflection of our own shortcomings.

In this talk we’ll be looking at a few well known examples from Peter’s life and see how Jesus was preparing him to become a fisher of men. We’ll discover that the lessons Peter had to learn are in many ways applicable to our lives too.

Walking on water

In Matthew 14:25-33 we have the story of Peter walking on water.

The disciples are in a boat on the sea of Galilee when Jesus comes to them walking on the water.

The disciples are terrified thinking they’re seeing a ghost, but Jesus says, Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.

‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replies, ‘tell me to come to you on the water’

and Jesus says, Come.

So Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water towards Jesus.

But when he sees the wind, he’s afraid and begins to sink. So he calls to Jesus,  Lord, save me!

Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him.

You of little faith, he says, why did you doubt?

Peter believes that Jesus had the power to enable him to do the impossible (28)

Peter acts on Christ’s command and starts to do the impossible (29)

BUT

As he looks at the natural circumstances Peter is afraid and begins to sink (30). This is the result of Peter doubting (31).

Peter needed to learn to keep looking to the Lord, whatever the outward circumstances might be.

Confessing Jesus as Lord

In Matthew 16:13-25 Jesus asks his disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is? (13)

They reply, John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets (14)

Jesus asks, But what about you? Who do you say I am? (15)

Peter answers, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God (16).

BUT

When Jesus begins to explain that he must suffer and be killed in Jerusalem (21)

Peter begins to rebuke Jesus and responds, ‘Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!’ (22)

Jesus turns his back on Peter, saying,  Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns (23).

Peter needed to learn that the cross is central to our faith, that like Jesus he must deny himself (v24)

The Transfiguration

In Matthew 17:1-8 Jesus takes Peter, James and John and leads them up a high mountain. There he is transfigured before them. His face shines like the sun, and his clothes become as white as the light. Then Moses and Elijah appear before them, talking with Jesus. Peter says to Jesus:

Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (Luke adds: He did not know what he was saying. See Luke 9:28-36).

But while Peter is  still speaking, a bright cloud covers them, and a voice from the cloud says,

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!

The disciples are terrified and fall face down to the ground. Jesus comes and touches them and tells them not to be afraid. When they look up, they see no-one except Jesus.

Peter needed to learn to listen before he spoke.

(Jesus is the fulfilment of the law and the prophets).

Cutting off Malchus’s ear

In Matthew 26:49-54 and John 18:10-11 we read how, when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus said to him:

Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’

John tells us that the servant’s name was Malchus and that Jesus said to Peter:

Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?

Peter needed to learn that

• the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual
• angelic forces are more powerful than military weapons
• what God has said in the scriptures must be fulfilled
• it’s more important to do the will of God than to avoid personal suffering

Denying Jesus

Still in Matthew 26 we read how after Jesus was arrested Peter denied that he had anything to do with him. The relevant verses are 30-35, and 69-75.

In v.31 Jesus tells his disciples

This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘ “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

Peter replies, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’

To which Jesus answers

Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.

But Peter declares

Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.

But of course we know what happened. Sitting in the courtyard of the high priest, Peter is accused three times of being one of Jesus’ disciples. And three times Peter denies it. He begins curse and swear.

I don’t know the man!

And immediately a cock crows and  Peter remembers what Jesus said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.’

And Peter goes outside and weeps bitterly (75).

But even despite this awful failure the Lord’s purpose for Peter remains unchanged. In John 21:15-19 Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to make amends.

15. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
16. Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
17. The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.
18. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’
19. Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’”

Brief comment on the use of Greek verbs for love.

Peter needed to learn that despite his failures, Jesus was willing to forgive him and still had a purpose for his life.

Summary – how does all this apply to us?

Like Peter we need to learn:

1. to keep looking to the Lord, whatever the outward circumstances might be
2. that the message of the cross is central to our faith and that like Jesus we must deny ourselves
3. to listen before we speak
4. that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual – the angels are on our side
5. that we can have confidence that what God has said in the scriptures must be fulfilled
6. that it’s more important to do the will of God than to avoid personal suffering
7. that despite our failures, Jesus is willing to forgive us and still has a purpose for our lives.

Great Bible Truths with Dr David Petts

Lessons from their lives Talk 22 – The four fishermen

Welcome to Talk 22 in our series, Lessons from their lives.

Today our subject is the four fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John.

We’ll begin by reading Matthew 4:17-22.

17. From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’
18. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
19. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’

20. At once they left their nets and followed him.
21. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,
22. and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

The theme I have chosen for this talk is based on verse 19:

I will send you out to fish for people.

But before we start to look at what this passage teaches us about winning people for Jesus, it’s important to know that, for Andrew and Peter at least, this was not their first encounter with Jesus.

In John 1:35-42 we read that Andrew had been one of John the Baptist’s disciples and that John had pointed him to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Along with another disciple, who is not named, Andrew follows Jesus and asks him where he is staying. Jesus replies, Come and see.

After spending the best part of a day with Jesus, Andrew is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and goes to find his brother Peter and introduces him to Jesus.

We know that this took place before the events recorded in Matthew 4 because we are told in Matthew 4:12 that John the Baptist had already been put in prison. We’re not told whether James and John had already met Jesus, but presumably Peter and Andrew had told them about him. Indeed, the very fact that they left everything to follow Jesus the moment he called them surely indicates that they had already come to faith in him.

So what can we learn about the call of Jesus’ first disciples about how we can, like them, become fishers of men?

1. Winning others for Jesus means calling them to repentance

17. From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

If people are to come to Christ they must first repent. This was the message of John the Baptist and this was the message of Jesus. Bringing others to Jesus in order that they might follow him will always mean leading them to repentance.

As followers of John the Baptist the fishermen would have already repented and come to faith in Jesus as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

2. You don’t need a special call to tell others about Jesus

John 1:40-42

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

As we have seen, this took place before Jesus called them on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

3. Winning others for Jesus may well involve a complete change in lifestyle

18. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19.‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’

 The call to repentance is by definition a call to a change in lifestyle.

We turn from our old way of life to live in a new life in Jesus.

But for some, though not all, Christians, there is a call to do something completely different from what we have been doing before.

4. This may involve forsaking one’s means of livelihood

20. At once they left their nets and followed him.
21. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,
22. and immediately they left the boat …

5. It may also involve leaving one’s family behind

22. and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

6. Winning others for Jesus means allowing him to make us

19. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ (Greek: I will make you fishers of people)

It means following Jesus, allowing him to show us the way, allowing him to mould us and make us what he wants us to be. Jesus took three years in making his disciples.

7. Winning others for Jesus means proclaiming the kingdom of God

17. From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’
18. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and illness among the people.
19. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralysed; and he healed them.
20. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

In these verses Jesus has been showing them how to do it.

In Matthew 10 he sends them out to do it

Matthew 10:1, 7-8

1. Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and illness.

7. As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”
8. Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

 Compare Mark 16:15ff.