The Future Disciple

Jesus, Mission, and Glory: New Identity PART IV
Dr. Timothy Keller
20 November 2016

John 13:33-38
33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer.  You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now:  Where I am going, you cannot come.

34"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

36"Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"  Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

37Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you."  38Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me?  Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"

THE WAYS PETER FAILED
--Overconfidence--We all really suffer from this--hence the lack of prayer time.
--Peter didn't know his capacity for cruelty and cowardice.
--Peter got his identity from his pious actions.
--He got his identity from his own love for Jesus--NOT from Jesus's love for him.

HOW PETER IS HEALED
--Repent and understand we are powerless over our problems.
--Let suffering and hurt drive us towards the Lord.
--v.37 talks about not being able to follow Jesus now because it was before what HE did for us.
--Peter led the church--after his epic failure.

Our failure can plunge us into grace.