NEVER SAY NEVER

“Even if all fall away on account of you -- I never will,” (Matthew 26:33) – Peter declares to Jesus. “Even if I have to die with you -- I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35).

In Mathew 26:69ff Peter not only betrays Jesus once, Peter betrays Jesus three times, in the most adamant way. Calling “…down curses on himself… [Peter swears to those around him]. ‘I don’t know the man!’ (Matthew 26:74). And then a rooster crows and Peter wakes up, done-in by his cockiness, weeping bitterly.

“[The Savior, Jesus]…has given us everything we need for life…through our knowledge of Him…[For Jesus] has given us His very great and precious promises, so that…we [may]…escape the corruption [of] this world….[the bitterness of life].”

(2 Peter 1:3-4)

Acknowledge: We All Have A Dark, Sour Side

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do -- but what I hate, I do…What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Romans 7:15; 24).

"[Max] what you did was wrong. But what you are doing tonight is right. [For] God's love is [greater than your sin]. [Max] trust his grace."

“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.” – Carl Sandburg.

Let God Grip You, Giving All, Not Just

‘Some,’ To The Savior.

Not once, but three times in John 21, Jesus asks Peter: “do you love me…” (John 21:15; John 21:16; John 21:17).

And Peter is incredulous: “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you…” (John 21:17). Well then Peter -- Jesus infers: sell-out – give up -- give all. Totally, fully, unconditionally – “…follow me…” (John 21:19).

“…I have been crucified with Christ…it is no longer I who live, but Christ… [who] lives in me -- and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me…” (Galatians 2:20, The Amplified Bible).

Anticipate Marvelous Outcomes, As ‘Life And

Light’ Overflow, From Full Devotion To Jesus

“…God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. [And so] humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you…And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ…will…restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:5-7; 10-11)

“When he came there was no light. When he left,

there was no darkness.”

“[Jesus]…has given us everything we need for life…through our knowledge of Him…[For Jesus] has given us His very great and precious promises, so that…we [may]…escape the corruption [of] this world….[the bitterness of life].” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

“…Jesus did not die to keep us safe, Jesus died to make us dangerous; faithfulness is not holding the fort; it’s storming the very gates of hell.” (adapted,

Mark Batterson)