Men of Steel 4-28-25

Jeff Prichard led the men in a powerful message about Peter’s denial of Jesus on the night of His crucifixion and how Peter’s example is a model for all of us in our daily lives and walk with Jesus. We often fall short of the mark that God would have us live perfectly in harmony. Sometimes that might even mean falling short on even baring our faith before other people. You might have even denied Jesus. But through God’s mercy, like Peter, we can be redeemed and made right before God.

John 13:36-38
36. Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”
And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”
37. “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”
38. Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.

John 18:15-18
15. Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus.  16. Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in.  17. The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?”
“No,” he said, “I am not.”
18. Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.

John 18:25-27
25. Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”
26. But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?”  27. Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

Acts 2:22-40
22. “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.  23. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.  24. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.  25. King David said this about him:
‘I see that the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
26. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises!  My body rests in hope.
27. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
28. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’
29. “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us.  30. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne.  31. David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.
32. “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.  33. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.  34. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
35. until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’
36. “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37. Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38. Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away, all who have been called by the Lord our God.”  40. Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”