1. From Simon the Fisherman to Peter the Fisher of Men
a) Jesus takes the raw material
Inquisitive, Involved, Initiator
b) Jesus uses daily experiences
“Character, like embroidery, is made stitch by stitch.”
2. From Simon the Disciple to Peter the Disciple-Maker
a) Submission
b) Restraint
c) Humility
d) Loving Service
e) Courage
1. A Common Thread God takes the initiative to undeserving, ordinary people 2. A Common Truth Nothing is impossible with God 3. A Common Response Humble obedience 4. A Common Question Will YOU receive the Awesome Grace of God to turn your Ordinary life into something Extraordinary?
1) REMEMBER! The great cloud of witnesses 2) RESOLVE! To lay aside To run with endurance To fix your gaze 3) REJOICE! After the pain comes the prize The joy of heaven awaits
1. GRIME! A tapestry of sin and shame 2. GRIEF! A tragedy of pain and loss 3. GRACE! A testimony of love and mercy
1. Perseverance – it’s all of God and it’s his gift to us Rom 8:30, 1 Pet 1:4-7, Eph 2:8, Phil 1:6, Rom 8:38 2. Perseverance – it’s our responsibility too! Col 1:22-23, 1 Cor 15:1-2, 2 Tim 2:12 3. Balancing God’s preservation and our perseverance 1 Cor 15:10 4. What about people who believed…
SOMETHING: 1. SERIOUS! (v1-2) Hardliners threaten the church & the Gospel 2. SIGNIFICANT! (v2-35) The Council at Jerusalem: The Pharisees (v5), Peter (v7), Barnabas (v12), James (v14) 3. SAD! (v36-41) Paul & Barnabas part company
Straining Forward (3:12-16) Staying Focused (3:17-21) Standing Firm (4:1)