1. The Come-Back Prayer Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, May 18, 2014 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts © Copyright 2014 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute.

2. The Come-Back Prayer Luke 22: 31-34

3. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

4. The Come-Back Prayer The God of all grace will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. I Peter 5:10

5. James Dobson: Focus on the Family Parent to child corrective punishment must be done in the context of an over- arching concern to shape a child’s will, but not at the expense of breaking that child’s spirit. “Fathers, do not break their spirit.” Colossians 3:21 (Amplified Bible)

6. James Dobson: Focus on the Family No third party should be looking on or listening in to corrective punishment. Discipline must be done without damaging self-esteem. “Fathers, do not break their spirit.” Colossians 3:21 (Amplified Bible)

7. Let’s Pray

8. Jesus met with Peter Privately on Resurrection Day GOOD…  Angel message to the women: “Go, tell His disciples and Peter.” Mark 16:10

9. Jesus met with Peter Privately on Resurrection Day GOOD…BETTER…  Angel message to the women: “Go, tell His disciples and Peter.” Mark 16:10  Emmaus road witnesses on Easter night: “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Peter.” Luke 24:34

10. Jesus met with Peter Privately on Resurrection Day GOOD…BETTER…BEST CLUE  Paul’s testimony 25 years later: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” I Corinthians 15:3-5

11. “And Peter broke down and wept bitterly.” Mark 14:72 Too Smart Too Confident Too Tired Too Much of the World Too Far Away From Jesus Too Close to Enemies

12. “And Peter broke down and wept bitterly.” Mark 14:72 “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22: 31-32

13. “And Peter broke down and wept bitterly.” Mark 14:72 “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22: 31-32

14. What a Powerful Reality! Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7: 24-25

15. “And Peter broke down and wept bitterly.” Mark 14:72 “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22: 31-32

16. Some time on Resurrection Day: Private, One-on-One, Disciplinary Encounter Between Peter and his Lord

17. “And Peter broke down and wept bitterly.” Mark 14:72 “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22: 31-32

18. “Strengthening his brothers” Life-Work The God of all grace..WILL Himself Restore you and make you Strong, Firm and Steadfast. I Peter 5:10

19. What happened in that “some time”? “Lord, I have sinned against You. I am no longer worthy to be called Your disciple.”

20. What happened in that “some time”? “Lord, I have sinned against You. I am no longer worthy to be called Your disciple.” “Peter, There is so much to tell you and to explain. I want you and the others to go to Galilee where I will meet you and teach you in detail about what has happened to Me…

21. What happened in that “some time”? But, for now, know this Peter: I love you, You belong to Me, You are important to Me, and I forgive you!”

22. Elements of Recovery  Casting sin-cares upon Him: “I have sinned, sorrowful, forgive me”

23. Elements of Recovery  Casting sin-cares upon Him: “I have sinned, sorrowful, forgive me”  Receiving the Lord’s response: I love you

24. Elements of Recovery  Casting sin-cares upon Him: “I have sinned, sorrowful, forgive me”  Receiving the Lord’s response: I love you You belong to Me

25. Elements of Recovery  Casting sin-cares upon Him: “I have sinned, sorrowful, forgive me”  Receiving the Lord’s response: I love you You belong to Me You are important to Me

26. Elements of Recovery  Casting sin-cares upon Him: “I have sinned, sorrowful, forgive me”  Receiving the Lord’s response: I love you You belong to Me You are important to Me You are forgiven!

27. On Easter Night behind locked doors Matthew, Luke and John record Jesus’ appearance to the Eleven John tells us only Thomas was not with them Much animation and conversation among them No record of Peter saying any words of confession, repentance and asking for forgiveness WHY?

28. II Corinthians 7: 10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”  Peter turned back to Jesus and was revitalized  Judas turned not to God, but to man and despair

29. Do you need to claim some provision of the Lord’s Come-Back prayer?

30. May the God of all grace Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.