Peter is one of the great contradictions in the bible. In one moment he can make great statements of faith, and in the next moment be a failure. He could be bold, and then be cowardly. He was a man who had struggles and failures, but also had faith and victories. Our text is a pre-cursor to one of the most embarrassing failures of his life. His failure at this moment was something that shook him to the core. As things began to spin out of control and he watched the things in which he placed his faith and confidence began to unravel he reacted as many of us might have. Some would say his failure was because of his boastfulness or that he had failed to pray enough. There was something that was taking place in the spiritual realm. Peter did not follow to the high priest's palace with bad intent. His was motivated by a love for Jesus and he wanted to know what the outcome of this situation would be. Right motives cannot save us from disaster if we place ourselves in the wrong setting. Our text reveals where all the denial and cursing began. Verse 56 says he went in to see the end. As he entered the palace, Peter had lost his faith. For three years he had left his life as a fisherman and followed Jesus. Now he went in to see the end. He believed that he was going to see the end despite the promise that Jesus had given. As he observed the events and Jesus being led away, Peter thought that it was over. He had lost his faith. He allowed the spirit of despair to enter his heart and to warp his thinking that he was unable to see a hope of the kingdom to come. In that moment, hope had left his life. In that moment, something began to move out of his life and began the downfall of a man that we could never have predicted would fall. He had placed himself in an atmosphere that was toxic to faith. Faith is more important to our life than anything else. Peter was crippled by his own despair. Our faith is under attack. The world tries to convince us that faith is silly and that believing in such things are the tools of a weak individual. If we allow our world to influence our life, we are in a toxic atmosphere.

The first place that a weakened faith is in our speech. If we speak more negative than positive we our faith is in trouble. Another indicator of weakened faith, is our attitude. A sour outlook on life is an indicator of trouble. Losing faith shows itself in a lack of true worship. Some come to church, but there is no worship. They may sing the words, and raise their hands, but there is not true worship. Worship is preparation to bring us into a place where God can work on us. Lost faith shows up in a lack of attendance to church. When people find it hard to come to the house of God, there is trouble in their spiritual life.

How does this loss of hope begin in our life? Verse 58 gives indications. It says “he followed Him a far off…” The distance is the key here. We cannot keep God at a distance. We must stay close to Him. It was easy to be faithful to Jesus when standing right beside Him, but from a distance, things began to look different. When we get out of touch with the Lord, we place ourselves in a dangerous atmosphere. Verse 58 also says “he came in and sat with the servants…” We better be careful of the crowd we hang around with. Many people’s faith slips away not because of distance, but because of the influence of others with whom we associate. What we hang out will will affect us. Hang out with a critic, and we will become critical. Hang out with a lier, we will become a lier. If we hang out with the wrong people, they will not encourage our relationship with God.

We know that this was not the end for Peter. After his failure, Jesus made eye contact with im and Peter knew what he had done. The bible tells us that Peter went out and wept bitterly. He was able to repent and ultimately preached the powerful message on the day of Pentecost. Many have lost their hope and cannot believe that life will be any better than it is now. They many have had a close relationship in the past, but not life feels empty. THe enemy will try to convince us that it is over and that God will not care about us any longer. THat is a lie. God WILL answer. It is not over. There is always hope. No matter how bleak it looks now, it is not the end. Like Peter, what we are in now is a prelude to a new beginning. It is not the end.

Peter is one of the great contradictions in the bible. In one moment he can make great statements of faith, and in the next moment be a failure. He could be bold, and then be cowardly. He was a man who had struggles and failures, but also had faith and victories. Our text is a pre-cursor to one of the most embarrassing failures of his life. His failure at this moment was something that shook him to the core. As things began to spin out of control and he watched the things in which he placed his faith and confidence began to unravel he reacted as many of us might have. Some would say his failure was because of his boastfulness or that he had failed to pray enough. There was something that was taking place in the spiritual realm. Peter did not follow to the high priest's palace with bad intent. His was motivated by a love for Jesus and he wanted to know what the outcome of this situation would be. Right motives cannot save us from disaster if we place ourselves in the wrong setting. Our text reveals where all the denial and cursing began. Verse 56 says he went in to see the end. As he entered the palace, Peter had lost his faith. For three years he had left his life as a fisherman and followed Jesus. Now he went in to see the end. He believed that he was going to see the end despite the promise that Jesus had given. As he observed the events and Jesus being led away, Peter thought that it was over. He had lost his faith. He allowed the spirit of despair to enter his heart and to warp his thinking that he was unable to see a hope of the kingdom to come. In that moment, hope had left his life. In that moment, something began to move out of his life and began the downfall of a man that we could never have predicted would fall. He had placed himself in an atmosphere that was toxic to faith. Faith is more important to our life than anything else. Peter was crippled by his own despair. Our faith is under attack. The world tries to convince us that faith is silly and that believing in such things are the tools of a weak individual. If we allow our world to influence our life, we are in a toxic atmosphere.

The first place that a weakened faith is in our speech. If we speak more negative than positive we our faith is in trouble. Another indicator of weakened faith, is our attitude. A sour outlook on life is an indicator of trouble. Losing faith shows itself in a lack of true worship. Some come to church, but there is no worship. They may sing the words, and raise their hands, but there is not true worship. Worship is preparation to bring us into a place where God can work on us. Lost faith shows up in a lack of attendance to church. When people find it hard to come to the house of God, there is trouble in their spiritual life.

How does this loss of hope begin in our life? Verse 58 gives indications. It says “he followed Him a far off…” The distance is the key here. We cannot keep God at a distance. We must stay close to Him. It was easy to be faithful to Jesus when standing right beside Him, but from a distance, things began to look different. When we get out of touch with the Lord, we place ourselves in a dangerous atmosphere. Verse 58 also says “he came in and sat with the servants…” We better be careful of the crowd we hang around with. Many people’s faith slips away not because of distance, but because of the influence of others with whom we associate. What we hang out will will affect us. Hang out with a critic, and we will become critical. Hang out with a lier, we will become a lier. If we hang out with the wrong people, they will not encourage our relationship with God.

We know that this was not the end for Peter. After his failure, Jesus made eye contact with im and Peter knew what he had done. The bible tells us that Peter went out and wept bitterly. He was able to repent and ultimately preached the powerful message on the day of Pentecost. Many have lost their hope and cannot believe that life will be any better than it is now. They many have had a close relationship in the past, but not life feels empty. THe enemy will try to convince us that it is over and that God will not care about us any longer. THat is a lie. God WILL answer. It is not over. There is always hope. No matter how bleak it looks now, it is not the end. Like Peter, what we are in now is a prelude to a new beginning. It is not the end.

David’s early life can be divided into three parts. Part was spent in the country, part was spent in the courts of Saul and part was spent hiding for his life in cave. In the country, he learned how to connect with God in worship. The country made a saint of David and taught him that no matter what came his way, he could worship God. Many of the psalms were written about this part of his life. The court days were spent in the service of King Saul. David never knew from one day to the next if he would survive the day. In one moment Saul was calling on David to sing songs or praise, and in the next Saul was trying to kill him. It was here that David learned to keep himself in check. How to limit himself and to keep his calm. It was in the court time of his life, that David learned wisdom. On at least three separate occasions, it is recorded that he handled himself wisely. Finally was the cave years. THe bible says he feared for his life every day. THis season taught him to be a soldier. It taught him to take orders. It taught him to lead men. He learned how to keep his spirits in check.

Our text is from the court years. David had been brought in at Saul’s request to serve. David was called upon to bring his harp and to sing in an effort to calm a raging king. Saul’s jealousy raged against David. The 11th Psalm was written in a time when David was wrestling with great turmoil. Reducing our text to it’s simplest terms, it is a declaration of how David was going to live in this dangerous situation. David had learned that he wanted to live by certain principles. It begins by declaring that he would serve God. It does not matter that happens, or what anyone else says, David would serve God and to depend on Him. David had many people around him telling him what he should do. He didn't’ listen to any of them, and determined that his life was not going to be controlled by fear, but by his trust in God. This is where his fear was conquered.

Here are some facts that David considered and came to understand. These things helped settle his spirit and calm his mind.

He knew where the God was. God’s throne is in the heavens and can seen the beginning and the end and everything inbetween. David couldn’t see a way out, but He knew that God could. God has not abdicated his throne to anyone.

David noted about God that His eyes are looking out. He learned that God see all. He is not blind and not distracted. He is alert and engaged with our situation. The reference to the eyelids means that God was focused and in sharp focus.

David understood that God has not changed his feelings about the wicked. THe bible says that He will reign snares and brimstone upon their head. He knew that Saul would be held accountable for all that he had done. The bible says that wicked men will be caught by their own traps. There will come a day of judgment.

Finally David learned that no matter what happens around him, what came out of him had to be a confession of faith. The victory will be won by remaining faithful to God. What ever came out of his mouth had to be a song of praise.

David’s early life can be divided into three parts. Part was spent in the country, part was spent in the courts of Saul and part was spent hiding for his life in cave. In the country, he learned how to connect with God in worship. The country made a saint of David and taught him that no matter what came his way, he could worship God. Many of the psalms were written about this part of his life. The court days were spent in the service of King Saul. David never knew from one day to the next if he would survive the day. In one moment Saul was calling on David to sing songs or praise, and in the next Saul was trying to kill him. It was here that David learned to keep himself in check. How to limit himself and to keep his calm. It was in the court time of his life, that David learned wisdom. On at least three separate occasions, it is recorded that he handled himself wisely. Finally was the cave years. THe bible says he feared for his life every day. THis season taught him to be a soldier. It taught him to take orders. It taught him to lead men. He learned how to keep his spirits in check.

Our text is from the court years. David had been brought in at Saul’s request to serve. David was called upon to bring his harp and to sing in an effort to calm a raging king. Saul’s jealousy raged against David. The 11th Psalm was written in a time when David was wrestling with great turmoil. Reducing our text to it’s simplest terms, it is a declaration of how David was going to live in this dangerous situation. David had learned that he wanted to live by certain principles. It begins by declaring that he would serve God. It does not matter that happens, or what anyone else says, David would serve God and to depend on Him. David had many people around him telling him what he should do. He didn't’ listen to any of them, and determined that his life was not going to be controlled by fear, but by his trust in God. This is where his fear was conquered.

Here are some facts that David considered and came to understand. These things helped settle his spirit and calm his mind.

He knew where the God was. God’s throne is in the heavens and can seen the beginning and the end and everything inbetween. David couldn’t see a way out, but He knew that God could. God has not abdicated his throne to anyone.

David noted about God that His eyes are looking out. He learned that God see all. He is not blind and not distracted. He is alert and engaged with our situation. The reference to the eyelids means that God was focused and in sharp focus.

David understood that God has not changed his feelings about the wicked. THe bible says that He will reign snares and brimstone upon their head. He knew that Saul would be held accountable for all that he had done. The bible says that wicked men will be caught by their own traps. There will come a day of judgment.

Finally David learned that no matter what happens around him, what came out of him had to be a confession of faith. The victory will be won by remaining faithful to God. What ever came out of his mouth had to be a song of praise.

In our familiar story, Goliath challenges the army of Israel. For forty days his voice struck fear in the Saul’s army. He not only controlled the battle field, but he controlled God’s people by his very presence. How many times have we been controlled by the enemy just by him speaking to us? We all have known fear in our lives. There are times when we are worried about our situation and fear controls us. Actually fear and faith are the same thing. The definition is: the belief that something that has not happened, will or can happen. The definition is the same; the difference is what we believe. If we believe we will be defeated, we will. When we step forward and have faith in God, we have His power behind us. We have to have faith that God will fight our battles for us. David had faith; Saul had fear. God wants us to be victorious; God wants us to overcome. David had an understanding. The Philistines had crossed over into Judah. Judah is translated praise. Israel was facing an enemy that has come in and occupied their praise. The enemy had come in to take their praise. Saul was scared and was showing no leadership. He agreed to send David to face the giant. He tried to outfit David with his armour, but David refused. We cannot go into battle with the equipment that the world thinks we need. David goes out to fight with a sling and five stones. Goliath mocked David, but he was not phased. David knew that his faith and confidence was in God. God guided the stone to exactly where it needed to hit to be effective. That is a great story that David could sling the stone and bring down the giant. But that is not where the story ends. When the giant hit the ground, David went in and finished the job. Goliath might have gotten back up, but David went in and finished the job. David defeated Goliath and made sure that he would never have to face him again. Sometimes we can come to the presence of God and thing that dead giants are victories. The challenge was that if Goliath was defeated, that the Philistines would serve them. If Israel had allowed the Philistines to serve them, they would have been defeated from within. We can knock down Giants, but if we allow their families to live in our house we will be lost. We cannot get a victory and allow sin to remain in our lives. We cannot allow it to serve us. What we allow us to serve us, will grow up with our children and grandchildren. It doesn’t matter if we knock the giant down. We have to finish the job.

In our familiar story, Goliath challenges the army of Israel. For forty days his voice struck fear in the Saul’s army. He not only controlled the battle field, but he controlled God’s people by his very presence. How many times have we been controlled by the enemy just by him speaking to us? We all have known fear in our lives. There are times when we are worried about our situation and fear controls us. Actually fear and faith are the same thing. The definition is: the belief that something that has not happened, will or can happen. The definition is the same; the difference is what we believe. If we believe we will be defeated, we will. When we step forward and have faith in God, we have His power behind us. We have to have faith that God will fight our battles for us. David had faith; Saul had fear. God wants us to be victorious; God wants us to overcome. David had an understanding. The Philistines had crossed over into Judah. Judah is translated praise. Israel was facing an enemy that has come in and occupied their praise. The enemy had come in to take their praise. Saul was scared and was showing no leadership. He agreed to send David to face the giant. He tried to outfit David with his armour, but David refused. We cannot go into battle with the equipment that the world thinks we need. David goes out to fight with a sling and five stones. Goliath mocked David, but he was not phased. David knew that his faith and confidence was in God. God guided the stone to exactly where it needed to hit to be effective. That is a great story that David could sling the stone and bring down the giant. But that is not where the story ends. When the giant hit the ground, David went in and finished the job. Goliath might have gotten back up, but David went in and finished the job. David defeated Goliath and made sure that he would never have to face him again. Sometimes we can come to the presence of God and thing that dead giants are victories. The challenge was that if Goliath was defeated, that the Philistines would serve them. If Israel had allowed the Philistines to serve them, they would have been defeated from within. We can knock down Giants, but if we allow their families to live in our house we will be lost. We cannot get a victory and allow sin to remain in our lives. We cannot allow it to serve us. What we allow us to serve us, will grow up with our children and grandchildren. It doesn’t matter if we knock the giant down. We have to finish the job.

Ahaz took Israel back into darkness. When he did this, he undid all the accomplishments that David had done. When things began to go wrong for Israel, Ahaz did not turn from what he was doing, and even went further in doing evil in the sight of the Lord. Ahaz even had a second altar made and place into the house of the Lord. However, this altar was not consecrated by the blood. He no longer wanted anything to do with a bloody religion. We have modern day Ahazs in our world. There are many churches that have distanced themselves from anything that has to do with blood or sacrifice. All that men who have that mindset see is death. There was nothing wrong with the old altar. We live in a day when men are proud of their evil. We must lift up the light of righteousness. This light will give hope to those living in darkness.

Ahaz took Israel back into darkness. When he did this, he undid all the accomplishments that David had done. When things began to go wrong for Israel, Ahaz did not turn from what he was doing, and even went further in doing evil in the sight of the Lord. Ahaz even had a second altar made and place into the house of the Lord. However, this altar was not consecrated by the blood. He no longer wanted anything to do with a bloody religion. We have modern day Ahazs in our world. There are many churches that have distanced themselves from anything that has to do with blood or sacrifice. All that men who have that mindset see is death. There was nothing wrong with the old altar. We live in a day when men are proud of their evil. We must lift up the light of righteousness. This light will give hope to those living in darkness.

After David was anointed King, he could have started his life of Royalty by relaxing and sending others to do his bidding. That is not what he did. He was ready to take on what God had for him and did so. The enemy mocked him and even said that the blind and lame could defeat him in his quest to take over what God had promised. The enemy likes to deceive and confuse. If we even give him the opportunity, he will get into our head and start working against us. He will try to convince us that we will fail before we even begin. He will try to make us believe that no matter what, we will never be any better than our past. He tells us to not even try because no matter what, we will fail. He will try to plant seeds of doubt. He said all these things to David, but David went ahead and believed in God. He didn’t listen to the lies the enemy said, and went ahead with what he needed to do. He claimed his city and renamed it the City of David! He claimed victory. Our God has no limitations. With Him on our side, we can leave the battle victorious. After every victory the enemy will come looking for us. After every victory there will come a greater battle. When David heard that the Philistines were coming, he found a place of prayer and ask God to direct him. God said to fight. He said it would be a doubtless victory. Some victories are by a slim margin. Others will be transformational! No one will doubt that kind of victory. The bible says that David went up to the enemy and smote them there. He didn’t wait for them to reach him, he took the battle to them. David renamed the place Bael-Perazim which means the Lord who breaks through. David is credited with many great things. Killing the Lion, Killing the bear, defeating Goliath, and many others. David gets the credit, but it was really God who did all those things. David gave the credit to where it should go; the credit goes to God. David’s name was famous across the land, but it was God who was responsible for all those great things. If we will allow Him, God will break through for us. If we will let Him, He will create a Baal-Perazim for each of us.

After David was anointed King, he could have started his life of Royalty by relaxing and sending others to do his bidding. That is not what he did. He was ready to take on what God had for him and did so. The enemy mocked him and even said that the blind and lame could defeat him in his quest to take over what God had promised. The enemy likes to deceive and confuse. If we even give him the opportunity, he will get into our head and start working against us. He will try to convince us that we will fail before we even begin. He will try to make us believe that no matter what, we will never be any better than our past. He tells us to not even try because no matter what, we will fail. He will try to plant seeds of doubt. He said all these things to David, but David went ahead and believed in God. He didn’t listen to the lies the enemy said, and went ahead with what he needed to do. He claimed his city and renamed it the City of David! He claimed victory. Our God has no limitations. With Him on our side, we can leave the battle victorious. After every victory the enemy will come looking for us. After every victory there will come a greater battle. When David heard that the Philistines were coming, he found a place of prayer and ask God to direct him. God said to fight. He said it would be a doubtless victory. Some victories are by a slim margin. Others will be transformational! No one will doubt that kind of victory. The bible says that David went up to the enemy and smote them there. He didn’t wait for them to reach him, he took the battle to them. David renamed the place Bael-Perazim which means the Lord who breaks through. David is credited with many great things. Killing the Lion, Killing the bear, defeating Goliath, and many others. David gets the credit, but it was really God who did all those things. David gave the credit to where it should go; the credit goes to God. David’s name was famous across the land, but it was God who was responsible for all those great things. If we will allow Him, God will break through for us. If we will let Him, He will create a Baal-Perazim for each of us.