Monday, May 25, 2009
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God's Faithfulness to the Fallen
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24/05/2009 (0915 service)
God's Faithfulness to the Fallen
By Rev Stanley Chua
Luke 22:31-34
"Luke 22:31-34 (New International Version)
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift 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." "
Fact of Matter: Religious leaders are human also and they are not exempt from sin.
Why does God allow us to fall into sin?- God allows good people to fall into sin so that the rest of us will learn not to make the same mistakes.
("Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did." 1 Cor 10:6)
CASE STUDY:
PETER - promised more than he can acheive (although in the end he died for his faith)
- most "human" of disciples -> most mischeivious and have the courage to say that people would diam diam about
- "...when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." v32
IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE AN
UNCONVERTED CHRISTIANS!!!
Man:
-want to live a life for God
-salt and light for world
-want to be a good husband, father
-ultimately want to be a Godly man for God
But then WHY in the years to come people fall?
- in church congregations, women>men
- in christians families, men have all the ideas of bringing their children up, but then everything pushed to wife
THERE WAS A HIGH LEVEL CONFERENCE BETWEEN GOD AND SATANJob: suitable target selected by God
Peter:": Satan asked to tempt Peter
refering to Luke 22:31-34::::
has asked -> refers to STRONG demand
to sift YOU -> actually in plural form; referring to all disciples
Satan power is not equal/not matched to God's.
Satan has to ask permission from God. (reason against evil superstitions)
fact 0f matter 2: Satan often goes after spiritual leaders.
3 amazing truths about v32
1) Christ knew in advance everything Peter was about to do.
2) Christ's response to Peter's fall was to pray for him. (" Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Heb 7:25)
3) Christ did not pray for Peter to be removed from temptation. (Jesus had more faith in Peter than he had in Jesus)
1 Purpose for FaLL:
TO STRENGTHEN HIS BROTHERS -God can touch your broken places and make them stronger before.
so QN: if God knows that we are going to fail, why GoD still let us go through the test?
Reasons why God allow to fail
1) To show us the depth of our sin - Satan always attacks us at the point of our strenght, not at the point of our weakness.
2) To purge us from prdie - Our failure serve as a perpetual reminder and a guard against overwhelming pride.
3) To prepare us for a greater work - God allows us to fail to qualify us to minister to others we could never otherwise reach.
GOD ALWAYS USE BROKEN-HEARTED PEOPLE TO DO GREAT THINGS!!
3 things to learn:
1) The value of humility
2) The need for patience with each other
3) The magnificene of God's grace.
aaron chua thanked jesus at12:47 AM
