DENYING THE LORD

MARK 14

There are steps that led to Peter’s denial of the Lord. One may think, “how can anyone deny the very one that died and rose again for us?” The following steps will lead ANYONE to denial.

1.     PETER’S BOLD STATEMENT. VS.14:29-31

Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 18:13  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. Proverbs 29:20  Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 27:1  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth

Proverbs 27:2  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

2.     FELL ASLEEP WHEN TOLD TO WAIT AND WATCH.  VS. 34, 37, 38, 40-42

Romans 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

1 Corinthians 15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Ephesians 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-8  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

3.     TOOK MATTERS IN HIS OWN HANDS. VS.47, 48

DID THINGS THE WAY HE FELT WAS RIGHT.

Judges 17:6  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Deuteronomy 12:8  Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.

4.     FOLLOWED AFAR OFF. VS. 54

Matthew 9:9  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

5.     JOINED HIMSELF WITH THE WRONG CROWD. VS. 66-72.

Biblical separation is important.

Psalms 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

1 Corinthians 5:11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Proverbs 22:24  Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 9:6  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Never stop and listen to a tale-bearer.

Proverbs 16:27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Proverbs 16:28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Proverbs 18:8  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Proverbs 20:19  He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Proverbs 26:20-22  Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

2 Thessalonians 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

6.     HE REPENTED. VS. 72

Luke 22:62  And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

If you don’t repent and get it right with the Lord, you will continue to deny him and fall away fro the Lord.