Why does the story of Peter fascinate us so much? Because he is so human, so much like each of us. His nature that made him so great also brought him to the lowest points of his life. What Peter thought could never happen did happen. What Peter thought was impossible was done almost before he realized what he had done. We study Peter’s sin and restoration because it is like looking in a mirror.

1.  Peter stumbles before he fell.

   1. The fall may be sudden, but the movement toward the moment is a gradual process. 

      1. Self-confidence. He preferred himself over others and compared himself with them. (Luke 22:33; Matt. 26:33).

      2. Rashness.  Rashness is misguided zeal, and it is often a forerunner of a failed word or deed.

      3. He followed from afar. The disciple that allows too much time to elapse or distance to exist between himself and the Lord is likely to stumble in his duty.

      4. Evil associations. John 18:15,16; Luke 22:55 and I Cor. 15:33

2. He fell.

   1. While sitting around the Devil’s fire he fell.

      1. Peter tried to pass off the first taunting statement with ignorance.

      2. He met the second with an emphatic denial.

      3. He answered the third with an oath. (Mark 14: 66 – 71)

   2. Three times he denied the Lord. He fell, he sinned.

      1. He was guilty of lying, swearing and of disloyalty.

      2. He was a marked man, a recognized leader. (John 18: 10, 26)

      3. He was a lonely man. Everyone else had fled except John.

      4. He was a defenseless man. The Lord had disarmed him of his sword. He would have fought till the death with his sword.

3. He arose. He sinned and then he repented.

   1. His sin should warn us; his repentance should win us.

      1. Jesus won him back; He turned and looked at him. A look of love and sorrow.

      2. Peter was alone. He went out and wept bitterly alone.

      3. An Immediate thing. Delay destroys resolve. Repent now!

      4. A real thing. He took responsibility for his own actions.

   2. What did Peter give us?

      1. Repentance is a matter of accepting responsibility.

      2. A disciple may fall – even strong ones, good people fall.

      3. The Lord promises a way of escape. (I Cor. 10:13)

      4. The Lord does not quit on us when we fall.

      5. He got back in the work. “When you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”