Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Will You Deny Me?

Bryan Schneider · February 17, 2024

Mark 14:66-72

sharonrpc.org/sermons/will-you-deny-me

Summary

Within hours of promising to die with Jesus, Peter denies him three times under increasingly direct questioning and then weeps when the rooster confirms Jesus' warning.
Peter's failure reveals the weakness of self-confidence: Christian courage cannot finally rest in personality, resolve, moral record, or imagined preparation.
A grievous failure is not identical to settled apostasy; Jesus restores Peter, whereas a continuing pattern of disowning Christ reveals a heart that does not belong to him.
God may providentially expose the hidden corruption of his children to humble them, make them more dependent on him, and teach greater watchfulness.
The difference between fearful Peter and the bold witness in Acts is the risen Christ and the Holy Spirit, not newly discovered human strength.
Believers prepare for pressure by knowing trials will come, fearing God above people, loving Christ supremely, filling life with good works, and holding the gospel ready in the heart.
Christian defense should be marked by meekness, reverence, and a good conscience, trusting the Father's preserving grip even when personal courage falters.

Where am I most tempted to remain silent or distance myself from Jesus and his words?
Have I mistaken confidence in my personality or resolve for dependence on the Holy Spirit?
When God exposes my weakness, do I despair, excuse it, or let it drive me toward humble dependence on Christ?
Is the pattern of my life one of confessing Christ, even though I sometimes fail, or consistently disowning him?
Do I know the gospel well enough to explain the hope within me without relying on a rehearsed performance?
Are my defenses of the faith marked by meekness, reverence, and a clean conscience?
Do I love Christ more than approval, employment, family peace, safety, or reputation?

Denial: Peter's fearful disavowal of knowing Jesus; more broadly, words or conduct that disown Christ before others.
Apostasy: A continuing and settled abandonment of the Christian confession, distinguished in the sermon from a believer's grievous but repented failure.
Providence: God's wise and holy government of every event, including trials through which he humbles and trains his children.
Perseverance: God's preservation of true believers so they do not totally or finally fall away, even though they may fall seriously.
Apologetics: Giving a reason for Christian hope with truth, readiness, meekness, reverence, and a good conscience.
Boldness: Spirit-given courage to confess Christ faithfully under pressure rather than confidence generated from oneself.