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Have you ever felt like you’ve let someone down—so deeply that you weren’t sure the relationship could ever be repaired? That’s exactly where we find Peter in this story. He had followed Jesus for years, boldly declaring he would never leave His side. Yet when it mattered most, he denied even knowing Him.
But failure doesn’t get the final word.
As we take a closer look at Peter, let’s remember everything he went through.
But failure doesn’t get the final word.
As we take a closer look at Peter, let’s remember everything he went through.
Luke 5:1-11
Luke 22:54-62
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”
57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
Luke 22:54-62
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”
57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
Big Idea: God's Personal Tests Have One Goal, Our Personal Best!
1. Test of Confusion
Luke 22:54
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance.
A distance? Why...
Peter wasn’t all in—but he hadn’t walked away either. He was caught in between. Not rejecting Jesus, but not standing with Him either.
Ask yourself: Is Jesus at a distance in your life? If so—why?
Peter had already failed more than once.
And now, as Jesus is taken away, Peter’s probably thinking:
“What’s next? Is this really how it’s going to end?”
One of Satan’s best weapons is the Test of Confusion.
There are two versions of Jesus that often confuse believers:
Matthew 16:24-26
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. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
That’s hard to wrap your mind around.
It can feel very confusing.
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance.
A distance? Why...
Peter wasn’t all in—but he hadn’t walked away either. He was caught in between. Not rejecting Jesus, but not standing with Him either.
Ask yourself: Is Jesus at a distance in your life? If so—why?
Peter had already failed more than once.
- He sank when his faith wavered.
- He lashed out and cut off Malchus’ ear.
And now, as Jesus is taken away, Peter’s probably thinking:
“What’s next? Is this really how it’s going to end?”
One of Satan’s best weapons is the Test of Confusion.
- He keeps us at a distance.
- He fills our hearts with questions.
- He whispers, “What is God really doing?”
There are two versions of Jesus that often confuse believers:
- Salvation Jesus—the One who gives us something.
- King Jesus—the One who asks us to give up something.
Matthew 16:24-26
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. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
That’s hard to wrap your mind around.
It can feel very confusing.
2. Test of Friends
Luke 22:55
55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
Your friends will always shape your future.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Peter chose to sit among the crowd—blending in instead of standing out.
He was trying to stay close, but also trying not to be noticed.
He didn’t want to look different.
But God reminds us:
“You are in the world, but not of the world.”
In that moment, Peter was acting like he was of the world.
And yet—even then—the people around him could tell there was something different about him.
Ask yourself:
55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
Your friends will always shape your future.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Peter chose to sit among the crowd—blending in instead of standing out.
He was trying to stay close, but also trying not to be noticed.
He didn’t want to look different.
But God reminds us:
“You are in the world, but not of the world.”
In that moment, Peter was acting like he was of the world.
And yet—even then—the people around him could tell there was something different about him.
Ask yourself:
- Do you stand out, or do you blend in?
- Who are the people you surround yourself with?
- Do your friends lead you closer to Jesus—or pull you further away?
3. Test of Witness
Remember where Peter is—not with the other disciples. He’s isolated.
Luke 22:56-60
56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”
57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”
Matthew 26 adds
74 Then he (Peter) began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
The bold, passionate Peter—the one who said he’d die for Jesus—is now exhausted, confused, and afraid.
In that moment, looking toward Jesus, Peter is essentially saying:
“I don’t want any part of what’s about to happen.”
But Jesus had already warned of this test:
Luke 9:26
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
It’s a sobering truth—but also a reminder: Jesus knows our weakness.
Even in our worst moments, His grace is still available.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Even in failure, God isn’t finished with Peter—and He’s not finished with us either.
Luke 22:56-60
56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”
57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”
Matthew 26 adds
74 Then he (Peter) began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
The bold, passionate Peter—the one who said he’d die for Jesus—is now exhausted, confused, and afraid.
In that moment, looking toward Jesus, Peter is essentially saying:
“I don’t want any part of what’s about to happen.”
But Jesus had already warned of this test:
Luke 9:26
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
It’s a sobering truth—but also a reminder: Jesus knows our weakness.
Even in our worst moments, His grace is still available.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Even in failure, God isn’t finished with Peter—and He’s not finished with us either.
4. Test of Sorrow
Luke 22:60(b)-62
Immediately, while he (Peter) was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
That moment broke Peter. He had denied the One he loved—and now Jesus looked right at him. Peter didn’t just feel bad. He felt broken.
That’s what Scripture calls godly sorrow:
2 Corinthians 7:10–11
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner:
Godly sorrow is pain that drives us to God, not away from Him.
It leads us to turn around—to repent—and it sets us back on the path of salvation.
We may feel deep pain, but we will never regret the sorrow that brings us closer to God.
But worldly sorrow—the kind that leads to shame, hiding, and bitterness—only brings regret and spiritual death.
Peter’s sorrow was real.
He didn’t just feel guilty—he repented.
That’s why, in John 21, when Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”, Peter is restored.
And Jesus says: “Feed My sheep.”
Peter experienced the grace of full forgiveness.
Ask yourself:
Matthew 5:4
Without Peter’s sorrow, there would have been no repentance.
And without repentance, there would have been no restoration.
But because he mourned—because he wept bitterly—he found grace.
Immediately, while he (Peter) was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
That moment broke Peter. He had denied the One he loved—and now Jesus looked right at him. Peter didn’t just feel bad. He felt broken.
That’s what Scripture calls godly sorrow:
2 Corinthians 7:10–11
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner:
Godly sorrow is pain that drives us to God, not away from Him.
It leads us to turn around—to repent—and it sets us back on the path of salvation.
We may feel deep pain, but we will never regret the sorrow that brings us closer to God.
But worldly sorrow—the kind that leads to shame, hiding, and bitterness—only brings regret and spiritual death.
Peter’s sorrow was real.
He didn’t just feel guilty—he repented.
That’s why, in John 21, when Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”, Peter is restored.
And Jesus says: “Feed My sheep.”
Peter experienced the grace of full forgiveness.
Ask yourself:
- Do I truly sorrow over my sin?
- Do I mourn over the lost?
Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourning for they shall be comforted!”
Without Peter’s sorrow, there would have been no repentance.
And without repentance, there would have been no restoration.
But because he mourned—because he wept bitterly—he found grace.
Jesus doesn’t give up on broken people—He rebuilds them.
Peter’s story didn’t end in denial—it continued through redemption.
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. He rose.
Luke 22 through Luke 24 recount the story of the crucifixion and resurrection, proof that Jesus is alive and that hope is never lost.
Peter’s story didn’t end in denial—it continued through redemption.
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. He rose.
Luke 22 through Luke 24 recount the story of the crucifixion and resurrection, proof that Jesus is alive and that hope is never lost.
Why Does the Resurrection Matter?
Because the resurrection changes everything.
If Jesus overcame death, then He can overcome our failure, too.
Jesus was always the plan!
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Tim Murdock once said, “Failure is a delay, not a defeat!”
If Jesus overcame death, then He can overcome our failure, too.
Jesus was always the plan!
- Adam failed—He ate the apple.
- David failed—He committed adultery and murder.
- Peter failed—He denied Jesus three times.
- We’ve all failed.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Tim Murdock once said, “Failure is a delay, not a defeat!”
The Good News!
Jesus restores.
Jesus redeems.
Jesus rescues.
He saves us!
John 1:1-3 in the beginning was the word…
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only…
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…
John the Baptist Said, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!”
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins . . .
Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
How?
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus is intended this day to be personal to us today.
Jesus says Follow Me!
Jesus redeems.
Jesus rescues.
He saves us!
John 1:1-3 in the beginning was the word…
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only…
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…
John the Baptist Said, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!”
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins . . .
Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
How?
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus is intended this day to be personal to us today.
Jesus says Follow Me!
God’s testing brings us face-to-face with our brokenness, but through sorrow, He offers forgiveness. This leads to repentance and ultimately to salvation for the lost.
Is the Spirit of God drawing you?
John 6:44
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
God is drawing all of us...
John 12:32
32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
His presence is real.
His conviction is real.
Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Jesus is calling.
Jesus restores.
Jesus redeems.
Jesus rescues.
Jesus says, “Follow Me.”
John 6:44
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
God is drawing all of us...
John 12:32
32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
His presence is real.
His conviction is real.
Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Jesus is calling.
Jesus restores.
Jesus redeems.
Jesus rescues.
Jesus says, “Follow Me.”
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