Peter: A Man of Action

By David Woods

Accountability: How has God spoken to you through His Word recently?

Open: How would you describe your personality?

Our lesson today is about Peter. The title is "Peter: A Man of Action."

Discussion: How would you describe Peter's personality?

Discussion: Why was Peter such an impetuous person?

Read Matthew 14:25-31

The context for this story is that Jesus had been teaching the multitudes on the mountain all day. Jesus told the disciples to get in the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. Then, he spent several hours praying in solitude.

Jesus then saw that the disciples were in the middle of the lake, struggling against the storm. So Jesus went out to meet them.

Discussion: Why did Jesus walk on the water to the disciples? Did He just not feel like walking all the way around the lake? Did He walk on the water because He could?

Discussion: If you were one of the disciples, how do you think you would have reacted to seeing someone walking on the water toward your boat?

Discussion: Should we fault the disicples for their lack of faith?

Discussion: Is the reason why Peter began sinking in the water because he stopped looking at Jesus?

Peter constantly stuck his foot in his mouth and even was in direct conflict with Christ's desires at times. Then, when Jesus was on trial, Peter denied Him, fearing what others would do to him if they knew he was Jesus' disciple?

Discussion: Why and/or how was Peter able to continue following Christ after making repeated, spectacular mistakes?

Read Acts 3:1-7

The context of our second scripture is post-Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit purified the disciples' natures of inbred sin - carnality. The disciples then went out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Through their proclamation of the Gospel many were saved. Lives were being dramatically changed for the better by the power of God. This story is just one example of God's power at work. The lame man had begged at this Temple gate for years.

Discussion: What caused Peter to pay attention to this man this day?

Discussion: Who had the faith that this man would be healed?

Discussion: How would you characterize Peter's faith in God at this time?

By including the first scripture which shows Peter's wishy-washiness and then the second scripture in which Peter's faith is vibrant, an obvious implication of our lesson is that Pentecost changed Peter's life dramatically.

And I believe the experience of entire sanctification did change Peter greatly. However, I want us to consider what entire sanctification did and did not do for Peter.

Bible Study: Acts 2:14, 3:4-6, 11-12, 4:8-12, 19-20, 5:3-4, 11:1-3

Discussion: Did the experience of entire sanctification cause Peter to no longer act impetuously? Why or why not?
(I believe a study of Peter after Pentecost shows that he still acted quite boldly, even impetuously. This was simply his personality.)

Discussion: What impact, if any, does entire sanctification have on one's personality?
(Entire sanctification tempers our personality.)

Discussion: Does the entirely sanctified person never have any doubts about God and what He is doing? Why or why not?
(No. The entirely sanctified Christian can still have struggles of faith. Entire sanctification does not make us zombies without feelings, desires, and attitudes.)

Discussion: How is a Christian's faith enhanced when he/she is entirely sanctified?
(The big difference entire sanctification makes is that our motives are purified. We have consecrated ourselves completely to God. Therefore, while we may struggle understanding or believing, it is not because the carnal nature in inclining us to rebel against God's way, but because we are human and often do not understand why or how God is doing things.)

One of the primary observations the holiness movement makes about Acts 1 where Jesus tells the disciples to wait in Jerusalem is that Christians need to be entirely sanctified so they can be effective in ministry?

Discussion: Why did Jesus send the disciples out to minister before they were entirely sanctified?
(The Bible teaches us that God wants all Christians to be involved in practical ministry, not just an elite few. We should remember that Christians are "works in progress." Maybe the stress and pressures of ministry caused the disciples to have a greater understanding for their need for entire sanctification.)

Discussion: Can an unsanctified Christian be effective in ministry?
(Yes, but such a person can be much more effective when he/she is entirely sanctified.)

Discussion: How does entire sanctification affect one's service to God?
(One's motives are purified. Therefore, we have greater staying power - we're serving God, not flesh. Furthermore, those we minister to will often sense a more genuineness and true care for them. Also, the Holy Spirit is free to work through us however He desires.)

The point I have been trying to lead us to in this lesson is:

Big Idea: God can use even you to accomplish His will.

What I have observed is this: many Christians believe only those who have a certain personality can serve God effectively. You have to be bold - impetuous. But a close study of Peter, I believe, simply shows us that this was just the personality of Peter - one man of many who have served God effectively.

I think many Christians also believe because of various mistakes or failures they have made excludes them from God's service. But if you look at Peter, you see repeated, spectacular failures. Yet Peter continued serving God - effectively.

I think many Christians also have an incorrect understanding of what entire sanctification does for the Christian. They think that somehow entire sanctification will make them a "powerhouse for God."

Then, when they don't become a "powerhouse for God" in an instant of time, they feel like their religion is somehow inexplicably deficient. They seek to be different for a while, but finally settle for just "being" a Christian.

The truth is God can use even you to accomplish His will. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done, He can and will use you if you will just submit yourself to Him. God wants to use you as a part of a force that will turn the world upside down. Will you let Him have His way with you?

Prayer: