We fail through sins of COMMISSION… We fail through sins of OMISSION… What do we do when we fail Jesus?

Common responses to failure  Rationalize & Minimize  Blame-shift  Despair  Eliminate possibility of failure

Mark 14: "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 29 Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." 30 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today-- yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

The Seeds of Failure  “No, you are wrong Jesus. I will not fall away. I am too strong for that.” SELF-DECEPTION  “They may fail, but I won’t. I am more devoted.” SELF-RIGHTEOUS ARROGANCE

Luke 22: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 33 But he replied, "LORD, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." 34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

The Stakes Were High  Satan had a target on Peter!  Jesus allowed Satan to mess with Peter!  What if you never deal with spiritual failure, never are tempted to give up pouring out life for others, never face impossible ministry issues with people? What if things are always smooth-going? PROBABLY SPIRITUALLY DEAD!!! The enemy does not mess with those who are no threat to his kingdom.

Luke 22: Then seizing him (Jesus), they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied.

Luke 22:54-62 (continued) 59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The LORD turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the LORD had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. COLOSSAL FAILURE!!!!

Summary Observations  Great familiarity with Jesus does not prevent failure.  Great insights and extravagant experiences with Jesus do not prevent failure.  Great godly vision for our lives does not prevent failure.  Trusting in self always precedes failing to follow Christ  Jesus does not prevent us from failing Him!!! In fact, He calls us to things that have great potential for failure…because He calls us to things beyond us!

John 21:4-7 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the LORD!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the LORD," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

John 21:4-7 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the LORD!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the LORD," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. Restoration involves intentionally moving toward Jesus.

John 21:15 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, LORD," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Restoration involves having our arrogance & self-righteousness exposed.

John 21:16 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, LORD, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." Restoration involves seriously pondering our specific failure.

John 21:17 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "LORD, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Restoration involves feeling the depth of our failure.

KEY FINAL STEP OF RESTORATION “Feed my sheep!” Pounded this 3 times “my sheep” Healthy Christian leadership communities are full of wounded warriors who celebrate people taking risks for Christ AND are excited about people “failing forward”!!! We are not fully restored until we are engaged in sacrificial ministry to others for Jesus’ sake!