WHY CHOOSE PETER? As I mentioned previously, when LEADERS consider the prospect of SUCCESSION for their ORGANIZATIONS, MISITRIES, and FAMILY BUSINESS, it is a common temptation to establish criteria that are LIMITED TO TALENT, EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, and ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS. that may seem reasonable. However, as I also stated before, IN MANY CASES THIS APPROACH HAS RESULTED IN GREAT CONFLICT, DISAPPOINTMENT, AND EVEN ORGANIZATIONAL FAILURE. After many years of observation, interaction, and personal research, I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THESE CRITERIA DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE BEST AND MOST-EFFECTIVE PREREQUISITE FOR SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION. My careful study of historical cases of SUCCESSFUL SECCESSION---the Hebrew DELIVERER, Moses, and his aide Joshua; the PROPHET Elijah and his protege Elisha; the GREAT king Davis and his son Solomol and ultimately Jesus Christ and His student Peter---INDICATES THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT PREREQUISITE IS ({[LOVE.]}) Ask the ulitimate question: DOSE THIS POTENTIAL SUCCESSOR LOVE ({{ME.]}) When Christ had to decide who could carry on His ministry, Peter stood out ABOVE the other, a ROCK in times of UNCERTAINTY and HARDSHIP. WHY PETER? THE REASON MIGHT NOT BE OBVIOUS TO US. YOU WILL RECALL THAT HE WAS A (MAVERICK.) At their first meeting, even he thought himself UNFIT among those Jesus had chosen. Luke 5:8 WHEN SIMON PETER SAW THIS, HE FELL AT JESUS KNEES AND SAID, GO AWAY FROM ME, LORD; I AM A SINFUL MAN! From time to time, he PESTERED Jesus with questions. John 21:21 WHEN PETER SAW HIM, HE ASKED, LORD, WHAT ABOUT HIM? Initially, he REFUSED to have his feet washed. John 13:8 NO, SAID PETER, YOU SHALL NEVER WASH MY FEET. JESUS ANSWERED, UNLESS I WASH, YOU, YOU HAVE NO PART WITH ME. Peter CHALLENGED Jesus on why He had to die, disputing the necessity of it. Matthew 16:22 PETER TO HIM ASIDE A BEGAN TO REBUKE HIM. NEVER, LORD! HE SAID THIS SHALL NEVER HAPPEN TO YOU! Peter was HOTHEADED. Remember, he was the one WHO CUT OFF THE SERVANTS EAR. John 18:10-11 THEN SIMON PETER, WHO HAD A SWORD, DREW IT AND STRUCK THE HIGH PRIESTS SERVANT, CUTTING OFF HIS RIGHT EAR. (THE SERVANTS NAME WAS MALCHUS.) JESUS COMMANDED PETER, PUT YOUR SWORD AWAY! SHALL I NOT DRINK THE CUP THE FATHER HAS GIVEN ME? Peter, as you know, even DENIED HE KNEW JESUS IN HIS HOUR OF NEED---AND NOT ONCE, BUT THREE TIMES. Luke 22:54-62 THEN SEIZING HIM, THEY LED HIM AWAY AND TOOK HIM INTO THE HOUSE OF THE HIGH PRIEST. PETER FOLLOWED AT A DISTANCE. BUT WHEN THEY HAD KINDLED A FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COURTYARD AND HAD SAT DOWN TOGETHER, PETER SAT DOWN WITH THEM. A SERVANT GIRL SAW HIM SEATED THERE IN THE FIRELIGHT. SHE LOOKED CLOSELY AT HIM AND SAID, THIS MAN WAS WITH HIM. BUT HE DENIED IT. (WOMAN, I DONT KNOW HIM,) HE SAID. A LITTLE LATER SOMEONE ELSE SAW HIM AND SAID, YOU ALSO ARE ONE OF THEM. (MAN, I AN NOT!) PETER REPLIED. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER ANOTHER ASSERTED, CERTAINLY THIS FELLOW WAS WITH HIM, FOR HE IS A GALILEAN. PETER REPLIED, (MAN, I DONT KNOW WHAT YOURE TALKING ABOUT!) JUST AS HE WAS SPEAKING, THE ROOSTER CROWED. THE LORD TURNED AND LOOKED STRAIGHT AT PETER. THEN PETER REMEMBERED THE WORD THE LORD HAS SPOKEN TO HIM: (BEFORE THE ROOSTER CROWS TODAY, YOU WILL DISOWN ME THREE TIMES.) AND HE WENT OUTSIDE AND WEPT BITTERLY. Peter feels he has let Jesus down and weeps in SHAME. All these things that SEEMS TO SHOW PETERS FAILINGS ARE TRUE, BUT LOOK AGAIN. ([TRY TO SEE PETER THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS.]) TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT HOW PETERS DENIAL OF JESUS REVEALS HIS (STEAD FAST LOVE AND LOYALTY TO HIS MENTOR.]) MOST OF YOU PROBABLY LEARNED TO SEE HIS DENIAL AS A FAILURE OR BETRAYAL. IT IS A STORY PARENTS AND TEACHERS TELL SMALL CHILDREN. PETER DENIED CHIST THREE TIMES! THEY WARN YOUNG PEOPLE STERNLY NEVER TO DISOWN THE LORD. CONGREGATIONS RECITE THIS PASSAGE WITHOUT FAIL EVERY EASTER, AND THEY HEAR IT AS AN INDICTMENT OF WEAKNESS AND SHAME. THEY VOW NOT TO BE LIKE PETER. THEY HAVE LEARNED AND BELIEVED ALL THEIR LIVES, AS I DID, THAT PETER DID A (BAD) THING BY DENYING JESUS, ([BUT NOBODY EVER EMPHASIZES ([HIS LOVE.])
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 23:35:48 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015