1. We can learn from the apostle Peter

2. Peter meets Jesus
John 1:35 Again, the next day, John (the baptizer) stood with two of his disciples And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

3. 39. He said to them, “Come and see
39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour, 4:00 PM). 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he (Andrew) brought him (Peter) to Jesus

4. Andrew and Peter lived on the NW edge of Lake Galilee, north along the Jordan River about 70 miles from where they had first met Jesus near Jericho
TNIV Mark 1:16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18At once they left their nets and followed him.

5. Putting the Gospel records together
Peter and Andrew are commercial fishermen in Lake Galilee
They heard of John preaching and went to hear him near Jericho.
A gap of time
Peter and Andrew are back at work on Lake Galilee. Jesus comes
“Follow Me” They do
6. Another gap of time 7. They are back fishing. Jesus has been healing and teaching. A crowd gathers. P & A are cleaning their nets. Jesus teaches from the boat and sends the crowd away. 8. He asks Peter to take Him fishing. One catch fills two boats!!

6. Luke 5:6 they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

7. Andrew, Peter, James, and John left their homes and business to “go on the road” with Jesus
Luke 5:9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

8. Sometimes Peter talked (1) for God
Matt. 16:17
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

9. Sometimes Peter talked (2) for Satan
Matt. 16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!

10. SOMETIMES Peter talked (3) for himself
Luke 22:33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

11. Peter seemed clueless about God’s turning from national Israel to the international Church
Acts 10 “I have NEVER eaten” (what Moses said not to)
Years later
Gal. 2:12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him,

12. The Holy Spirit filled Peter to preach on Pentecost and 3,000 Jews were saved

13. The Holy Spirit filled Peter to write two books of the Bible
2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

14. Peter, the ROCK, was crushed by his 3X denial of Jesus, but he affirmed his love and commitment

15. “Follow Me”
John 21:18 , when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.

16. 1. The Father chose Peter and gave him to Jesus John 17 2
1. The Father chose Peter and gave him to Jesus John Peter learned by his mistakes, accepted forgiveness, changed, and kept going 3. The Holy Spirit was transforming Peter and working through him at the same time 4. However we eventually die, let us, like Peter, determine to live and to die for His glory