Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Apostle Peter: Warning Signs of a Pending Spiritual Fall

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.  John 18:15-18; 25-27

1. The ignorance of the power of Satan

a. Peter was ignorant of Satan’s opportunistic nature: Luke 26:30, Matthew 3:13-4:1

b. Peter was ignorant of Satan’s cunningness: 2 Corinthians 2:11, Ephesians 6:11-12

2. The ignorance of the power of sin: Matthew 26:30-35

a. Its power to influence forgetfulness of Christ’s identity: Matthew 16:16

b. Its power to influence forgetfulness of human weakness: Matt.26:30-35, 1 Cor. 15:10a, James 4:15, Matt. 26:33, Romans 12:3

3. The neglect of earnest prayer: Matt. 26:36-41, Luke 22:31-32