The Ballestero Blog

The Jesus Peter Didn’t Know

Over 25 years ago I preached a sermon on the last night of a church conference. The response was not positive. The audience remained quiet. I never preached it again. No compliments were given. I filed it away. I guess they wanted to shout and my subject was a disappointment.

I read my text: Matt. 26:74 ‘Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.’

The proposal of my sermon was that in a sense, Peter was telling the truth. He really didn’t know the Jesus they were talking about.

The Jesus He Knew:

• Preformed Miracles
• Walked on water
• Healed the sick
• Raised the dead
• Turned water into wine
• Opened blinded eyes
• Forgave sins
• Fed 5,000 with a few loaves and fishes

He Didn’t Know The Jesus Of:

• Rejection
• Pain
• Sorrow
• Disapproval
• Heartache
• Tears
• Confusion
• Depression
• Trials
• Tests

Some Today Only Know The Jesus Of:

• Shouting
• Blessing
• Prosperity
• Healing
• Joy
• Victory
• Running the aisles
• New cars
• Better houses
• Raises on the job
• Lots of friends

They Don’t Know The Jesus Of:

• Tears
• Unsolved problems
• Sickness
• Sorrow
• Dark trials
• Correction
• Denying self
• Decreasing so that He may increase
• Suffering (They do not know him in the fellowship of His suffering.)
• No money
• Overwhelming bills
• Getting laid off
• Loneliness

Like Peter, you don’t know Jesus, if all you do is:

• Hate your brother
• Criticize your pastor
• Rebel against Biblical requirements
• Refuse to submit to His Word and His authority

1John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Oh, And While We Are On The Subject…

• If you believe that Jesus was the just Mary’s little boy…
• That He was the blessed Second Person in the Godhead…
• Then you really do not know Him!

(What None Of Us Ever Want To Hear Him Say Is, Depart From Me Ye Worker Of Iniquity, I Never Knew You)

• Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• Matt. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
• Matt. 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt. 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Do you know Him? Really know Him?