Help QuickNav Adv. Options
KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Section Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Section Next Book
The Blue Letter Bible
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Mark 14:54

toggle collapse
Choose a new font size and typeface
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"FOLLOWING AFAR OFF"
Intro: Two vastly contrasting statements. "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God." (vs. 71) One a strong confession of faith, an equally strong denial. Let us trace the steps of backsliding.
I. THEY BEGAN ALMOST THE MOMENT HE MADE HIS STRONG CONFESSION OF FAITH AS THE LORD SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT HIS DEATH, PETER SAID, "BE THAT FAR FROM THEE LORD."
A. Began with the challenge of the Word of Christ.
1. The Lord is saying things he doesn't understand.
2. Rather than just accepting by faith he challenges.
B. As long as Jesus talked of building His church or establishing the kingdom, Peter with Him.
1. Talk of a cross is foreign to Peter's concept.
C. There began an estrangement.
1. There is no static relationship with Christ. You are growing closer or drifting further.
II. VS. 29 -- "ALTHOUGH ALL SHALL BE OFFENDED, YET WILL NOT I."
A. Again he challenges the Words of Christ.
1. He thinks he knows himself better than the Lord does.
2. If the Lord warns you of a danger you better listen.
3. "Take heed when you think you stand lest you fall."
B. He is boasting in himself.
1. Yet will not I.
2. Comparative boasting, though the rest might, I won't.
3. We are usually not as strong as we think we are.
Ill. VS. 37 - "AND HE CAME AND FOUND THEM SLEEPING AND HE SAID UNTO PETER, SIMON, SLEEPEST THOU?"
A. One of the first outward signs of backsliding is a failure in our devotional life.
1. I begin to attend church once on Sunday instead of twice.
2. Then when I wake up I look out to see if it's raining before I decide.
3. My Bible reading slacks off, I don't find it as exciting as I once did.
4. I am sleeping instead of praying.
a. After all I will never deny Him.
IV. VS. 47 - "AND ONE OF THEM THAT STOOD BY DREW A SWORD AND SMOTE A SERVANT OF THE HIGH PRIEST, AND CUT OFF HIS EAR." JOHN TELLS US THAT ONE WAS PETER.
A. Trying to substitute works for true devotion.
1. We often times seek works as a path back to full fellowship.
a. "I've been growing cold lately, maybe I ought to teach a Sunday School class and get back into it."
B. Classic example of zeal without knowledge.
1. Back to basic difference, Peter is still trying to fight idea of cross.
V. VS. 54 - "AND PETER FOLLOWED HIM AFAR OFF."
A. So many endeavoring to do that today.
1. Come, but not regularly.
2. Give, but not much.
3. Pray, in great emergencies and all else has failed.
B. Enough of Jesus to get them in, they hope, but not enough to cramp their style.
1. Jesus is welcome if He will promise not to spoil their fun.
VI. VS. 54 - "AND HE WARMED HIMSELF AT THE FIRE."
A. As you grow cold you seek to find warmth.
1. Tragically so many turn to the enemies fire.
a. "I was becoming much too narrow."
1.) Stopped going to Vegas.
b. Think I'll head to the disco-tec tonight.
B. Tis never a true fire just an illusion.
C. What is the enemies fire?
1. The world seems to know; some maiden will usually come up and say, "I thought you were a Christian," What are you doing here?
VII. NO MATTER HOW FAR AWAY YOU HAVE DRIFTED, IT IS ONLY ONE SHORT STEP BACK.
Sermon Notes for Mark 14:38 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Mark 14:66 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Matthew 1:18 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Luke 1:5 Next Book →
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
← Back to all Commentaries
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
  [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV
Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.