Peter failed by TRYING TO PLEASE THE CROWED.
Text: Galatians 2:11-21 11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 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. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
When the Gentiles got saved and came into the church, the Christian Jew's said, in order for them to get saved, they need to be circumcised. This caused a big problem in the Early church. So all the leaders in the early church met at Jerusalem to discuss this matter (Acts 15). Jame's said, Salvation is a gift, It cannot be earned by rituals or work and came to the conclusion that the
gentiles need not be circumcised. During this time, Peter was ministering in Antioch & having a fellowship meal with the saved Gentile Believers. But when he saw the disciples of James come that way, In fear that he will fall into a problem, separates him self from them. He struggled to live according to his convictions. He tried to live a double stander-ed life. So Paul approached and rebuked him for his double stander-ed life style. This is where Peter stumbled for the seventh time.
We must preach the whole counsel of the Lord without compromise. We cannot preach the word to suit our selves or to please the congregation. I have seen some ministers preach in a different way to the Pentecostals & in a different way to the mainline churches. God has given us the word trusting we will preach it without compromise. Only when people hear the TRUTH, (the whole Truth), that they could be set free. When we live according the the word of God, We can boldly proclaim it.
Though Peter Failed in many areas of his life, still he loved the Lord with his whole heart. Yes, there were times he Lacked Faith, Didn't recognize the importance of the Cross, Had a weak Flesh, tried to take Vengeance, Denied the Lord, got discouraged and went back to the profession he once left and came to follow Christ, had Double standereds in life, Yet he rose up from all that failures.
Do You know that...
It was Peter who led the FIRST BLACK MAN to Christ? (Acts 8).
It was Peter who led the FIRST WHITE MAN to Christ? (Acts 10).
3000 People got saved in Peter's FIRST SERMON Preached?
5000 People got saved in his SECOND SERMON preached?
Come back to Jesus, He is willing to take you to great heights. He has a great plan and a purpose. Only you can accomplish the ministry He has designed for you. You are so special in His sight. He loves you no matter what you have done. Let go your past. Look to the bright future He has set for you.
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