1. Peter's failure

1. “A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest (Lk. 22:24).” 
   1. Failure usually starts with pride. Paul said, “Let he who THINKS he stands take heed lest he fall.”  
   2. Failure comes when there is an environment of competition.
2. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (v. 30)
   1. “Simon, Simon…”. Jesus called him by his former name (“SIMON”). When Jesus met Simon, He changed his name to “Peter,” the rock. Simon represented his former life, his old way of thinking and reacting.
   2. Failure comes when we revert to our old way of thinking before salvation.
3. “Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat…”  
   1. Failure comes because we have an invisible enemy. 
   2. “That he might “sift” you like wheat.” The Lord knows that when you get “winnowed,” that which is FAKE blows away, and what is FAITH falls remains. 
4. “I have prayed for YOU that your faith may not FAIL.”
   1. Jesus is praying for you! You may have fallen, but you will still have the courage to rise and fight again. Faith is what you have left after a failure takes everything away from you.
5. “When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”
   1. The Lord knows about this thing you are walking through right now. He has prayed for you to make it! YOU WILL make it and become a source of hope and inspiration, and strength to OTHERS who are still struggling in that area.
   2. Twenty-four verses after PETER SAID, “I am ready to die and go to prison for you,” he DENIED THREE TIMES that he had ever met Christ. He was even calling down a curse upon himself to prove he had never met him.

2. Peter's Forgiveness

1. REPENTANCE:  
   1. “Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62). When Peter failed, the rooster crowed. At that moment, Jesus, who was inside the building, turned and looked out a window straight into Peter’s eyes. They locked eyes, and the world stopped for him.
   2. When Jesus turned, Peter “turned.” When you fail, you have to repent.  
   3. Judas had REGRET, but Peter had REPENTANCE.
      1. Regret is concerned about what you lost and the consequences.
      2. Repentance is concerned about what you did to Christ.
2. RESTORATION:
   1. Jn. 21: 3—“I am going fishing.”  Peter’s failure had a residual effect on his confidence. HIS FAILURE scarred him.
   2. Sometimes it is easier to be forgiven than to forgive yourself. The giant of SHAME had risen in His life. Perfect love casts out fear.
   3. We have to face the moment where our greatest failure occurred.  You have to face the reality of where the fall or the sin happened.”
   4. Jesus three times asked him the question: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” This was the exact number of times he denied the Lord. Christ is RESTORING him.
      1. If you have failed, you have fallen, you need to be RESTORED. Forgiveness is instant, but restoration takes time: “You that are spiritual, restore (put a cast on a broken arm) such a one.”

3. Peter's Freedom

1. THERE IS ONE MORE STEP IN THIS JOURNEY. “Failure” turned into “forgiveness.” Now, 40 days later, “forgiveness” turned into “freedom.”
2. “Freedom from fear.”
   1. On the day of Pentecost, the most incredible day in the history of the church happened. One hundred twenty disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit and spoke in supernatural languages.  
   2. Someone had to preach to the crowd. Peter preached 22 verses, and 3000 people received Christ and were baptized.
   3. The Holy Spirit sets you free from your past. He sets you free from your limitations. 
   4. YOU ARE NOT HOLDING HIM. HE IS HOLDING YOU. Wrap yourself in the promises of God.