PETER, THE IMPULSIVE APOSTLE

(MBC - Wednesday PM, January 18, 2023

Peter usually the one who comes first to our mind when we think of the Lord’s twelve disciples. In fact, Peter name always mentioned first before other disciples of Jesus Christ. Read the list of the twelve Apostles in Matthew 10:1-4, identify which name comes first? _________________________ .

Matthew 10:1-4 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. ²Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; ⁴Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.”

Peter seems to stand out more than any of the other disciples, as we read the four gospels book of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Peter was usually the one who speak up when something needs to be said and when something did not need to be said. Not only Peter was the only one to first to speak up but also the first and who quickly jump into action, always quick to jump into things. Normally and obviously before you jump, you have to look first the place. Like when someone want to jump into a swimming pool the first thing to do is to wisely see if the pool is filled with water. However, Peter does the unusual, he had a tendency to jump first and look later. Another example is when someone jumping off an airplane, he had to check first if he has a parachute and if the parachute is in good condition. If Peter had lived in the age of planes, it is very possible that Peter have jumped first and checked if he had a parachute as he was halfway going down. Peter was the impulsive Apostle.

Peter not only quick to jump into action but Peter also quick to say things. Peter most of the time speaks first and later thinks. There are times that Peter said the right thing and there are times when Peter said the wrong thing.

MATCHING TYPE:

John 6:67-69 __________

Matthew 16:21-22 _________

Mark 9:5-6 _________

Matthew 16:15-16 _________

A. Peter was quick to say the right thing.

B. Peter was quick to say the wrong thing.

Contrary to Peter being impulsive, James said in James 1:19 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear; ________ to _______, slow to wrath:"

James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

This instruction implies that we are to slow down and take time to think before we speak and think before we act.

What can you say of Peter, is Peter quick or slow when he speaks and acts? ______________

The people like Peter were described by the word “impulsive.” When someone acts suddenly without really pausing to think what he is doing, and that person only based on a sudden impulse or sudden feeling, that person is called an impulsive person.

The people like Peter were described also by another word “impetuous.” The word impulsive and impetuous have similarity in meaning. The word “impetuous” like the word impulsive describes a person who acts and speaks or moves quickly with a sudden, action without thinking first.

Below are lists of words that describe an impulsive or impetuous person and the rest are the words that describe the opposite. Find the words that can describe an impulsive person like Peter:

Calm	Careful	Deliberate
Swift	Sudden	Headlong
Hasty	Cautious	Quick
Slow	Steady	Excitable

Some people acted fast without thinking first. Are you a person like that? Did you get into trouble when you ever acted quickly without thinking what would be the circumstances? Did you speak some words quickly then later you feel regret and saying to yourself you wish you did not say that words? Did you get into trouble when you ever quickly speak a word without thinking? Do you know of people who have gotten into trouble as a consequence they hastily spoke a word or acted too quickly without thinking about the result that would occur?

Can you think of times when it is needed and right to be quick in acting or quick in speaking? Should you spend five minutes thinking about what you should do when you see a young child walks into a street with many buses and people passing by? If a student was asked by her teacher to run an errand, should the student give an excuse to her teacher and request for several minutes to think if the student would obey or not? Of course not, the student should be quick to do and obey the teacher hastily. If a house is burning and the owner calls the fire station for rescue, should the firemen think for five minutes to rush and go to a location where houses and families is in danger? It is right to help quickly those who are in need and those who are in danger situation. If you are genuinely saved as a Christian, and someone asks you how to be saved, it should not take you one week to share how to be saved. We are told in the Bible that we should confess the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord in Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”.

A person who is impulsive jumps to soon, so he often quick to say and act in the wrong way. An impulsive person needs to learn to think and look before he leaps. An impulsive person should learn to slow down and avoid just doing something suddenly whenever he likes to do it. Not only Peter needed to learn the mistake of acting and speaking quick but likewise do we.

The Bible recorded many mistakes of Peter, and we can learn some lessons from it as Peter learned valuable lessons from his own mistakes.

Different events that prove the impulsiveness of Peter:

I – REGULAR STEPS OF PETER AS HE WALKS ON THE WATER – Matthew 14

May be Peter is like some people who would ride a boat and went to deep big lake. In the middle of that big lake, he suddenly jumps into the water but forgot to put his life belt. Many people are like that, they were impulsive doing or speaking something without thinking.

On other hand, other people are much slower and think more and cautious before they speak a word or act to do something. These people might think first and say to themselves, “What if I can’t do it? What if I get hurt? What if I fall and get hurt? Do I really need this thing? Do I really need to buy this thing? I want to try it, but I don’t want to go first. I will enjoy riding a motorboat, but I want to know first and get some instruction. Ask yourself, are you impulsive or slow about many things? Can you say that being courageous is good? Why? Can you say that being cautious is good? Why? Can you say that being courageous and cautious is even much better?

The problem with Peter is that he had much courage but at many times he had little caution (Read Matthew 14:24-27).

Matthew 14:24-27 “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. ²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. ²⁶And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. ²⁷But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

In this verse, we see that in the hours before daybreak, the disciples have been struggling in the midst of a stormy sea. These disciples saw someone waling on the water. These disciples thought it was some kind of spirit, but the Lord immediately make himself known and said to the disciples in verse 27, “It is I; be not _________ “

Now, after the disciples realized who that person walking on the water in verse 28, who is the first disciples to speak up? ________________ .

Matthew 14:28 “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.”

According to this verse, what is the request of Peter, that he wanted to do? _________________________ .

None of other disciples thought of walking on the water like Peter. If you had been sitting with the disciples in the boat, would you have said and done as Peter? Are you bravely enough to leave the boat walk not on a calm lake but face the raging storm? (Verse 24 “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.”).

Know and read Matthew 14:28-29, if Peter waits unto the Lord told him to walk on the water or Peter just start walking on the water?

Matthew 14:28-29 “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. ²⁹And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”

Many people get into trouble because they try to do something which God has never instructed them to do. Peter was not guilty of this. Peter knew well not to step into the water unless the Lord had commanded him to do so. Peter said in verse 28 “bid me come unto thee on the water.” Then Jesus said in verse 29 “Come”.

Peter was impulsive to quickly act to get into the water from the boat with much courage and faith. Peter would have changed his mind if Peter had really stopped to think before he got into the water and walks. It is like a person who suddenly jumps from the plane without thinking he don’t have a parachute.

Peter as an impulsive person acted first without thinking and later, he realized about that he did it in a wrong way. Peter did not need anyone to push him, because he is quick to act.

Read Matthew 14:30 “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Based on this verse Peter thought about __________, and the waves and suddenly fear took place of faith and Peter began to _________. Did you see the important lesson here that fear, and faith cannot live together? When one of the two comes in the other must leave. We notice that Peter started in faith his first steps (verse 28 “bid me come unto thee on the water” and verse 29 “he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” However, Peter ended in fear, so he cried in verse 30 “Lord save me” and the Lord had to rescue him in verse 31 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Jesus rebuked Peter of his faithlessness. Peter should have continued in faith as he started.

There are lot of missteps and mistakes or errors in his life, but the Savior Jesus Christ was always there to help him, to pick him up and to rescue Peter was speechless, silent or voiceless enough to make the misstep but bright enough to learn from his mistakes. May we learn by God’s grace from all our mistakes and failures in life.

- - - - - - TO BE CONTINUED ON NEXT STUDY - - - - - (part 2)

II – REBUKE AND CONTRADICTION OF PETER WITH THE LORD – Matthew 16

Do you know a Christian who always quick to raise his or her hand without thinking? That kind of person always assumes that he has the answer to every question of his Sunday school teacher, so he is always impulsive to raise hand and speak out. How about you? Are you quick to raise your hand or are you slow to raise your hand? Some Christian during Sunday school class are shy and just keep silent and never raise their hand even they know the answer or ask some question even they want to, beside these students in Sunday school class hopes their teacher will never call him to participate. Do you think this is good?

The Bible teaches us that Peter was a disciple, follower or learner of the Master the Lord Jesus Christ. As Peter sat in the classroom of life, with the other learner or disciples in front of their great Master Jesus Christ being their teacher, Peter always most of the time impetuously the first one to raise his hand and speak and give the answer. There are times that Peter gives the answer correctly but there were other times that Peter gives his answer wrongly.

Read Matthew 16:15-17 when Jesus Christ asked all of the disciples then answer some questions:

Matthew 16:15-17 "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ¹⁶And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

1. Can you give the name of the first one who gave the answer? _____________ (v.16)

2. What can say about the answer, is it correct? ______________

3. How did Peter know the right answer? ______________ (v.17)

Read Matthew 16:21-22 when Jesus Christ gave an important announcement about what would happen to Him, after Peter gave his good answer. Would you please answer some questions:

Matthew 16:21-22 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. ²²Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

1. After Jesus gave His announcement about what would happen to Him, who was the one who first speak up? (v.22)

2. Would you agree that the learner knew more than the Teacher? ___________

3. Did Peter agree or disagree and contradict with what his teacher said? _________________

It is precisely correct to keep quiet when we do not like or when we do not understand what God said,

instead, just pray to the Lord and tell Him that even though you do not understand, you are very confident that God knows well what is going on and the Lord is doing what is best. And tell the Lord that His will be done and not your own will. Did Peter pray that kind of prayer?

When Peter gives the correct answer, who helped Peter get the right answer? ________ (Matthew 16:16-17)

Matthew 16:16-17 “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

When Peter gives the wrong answer, who helped Peter get the wrong answer? _______ (Matthew 16:22-23)

Matthew 16:22-23 “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. ²³But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

We must be aware that Satan can use our quickness and hastiness when we act and Satan can use our thoughtlessness when we speak words. We are very fast when we suddenly utter things which later, we are very sorry why we said it and wish we never said.

Peter rebuked Jesus Christ when the Lord said that He must suffer and die as it was prophesied. The Lord Jesus acted patiently with the impulsiveness of Peter and the Lord taught Peter to learn through his many mistakes. Interestingly, Peter changed his attitude had completely changed later in his life. We learned that in his book of I Peter, he emphasized the sufferings and vicarious death of Jesus Christ were very precious to Peter. Peter mentioned the redemption through the preciousness and power of the blood of Christ. Would you give some verses in his letter of I Peter, when Peter writes how much the sufferings and death of Christ meant to Peter? ________________ .

I Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

I Peter 2:21-24 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ²²Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ²³Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: ²⁴Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

I Peter 3:18-22 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: ¹⁹By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; ²⁰Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. ²¹The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: ²²Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

I Peter 4:1 “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;”

I Peter 4:12-19 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ¹⁴If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. ¹⁶Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. ¹⁷For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? ¹⁸And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? ¹⁹Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

III – REMARKS OF PETER WHEN HE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY – Mark 9

Did you ever been experienced a situation where you just did not know what to say? What would you do if you do not know what to say? It is better and often best not to say anything than quickly uttering something without thinking first.

In Mark 9:2-6, Peter experienced that kind of situation where he did not know what to say.

Mark 9:2-6 "And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.³ And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.⁴And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.⁵And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for eMoses, and one for Elias."

In this passage, Jesus taken Peter, James and John and lead them into high mountain. There, Peter saw the Lord Jesus transfigured in His glorified body and Peter also saw Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus Christ.

Complete the words in verse 6 Peter “wist (knew) ________ what to _______;”

Mark 9:6 “For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.”

There is a human philosophy that is contrary to the Holy Scriptures that say, “When you don’t know what to say, say something anyway”. We can say that is exactly how Peter remarks according to that human philosophy.

In verse 5, we see the foolish statement blurted by Peter.

Mark 9:5 “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”

The statement of Peter was far from the aim in two ways:

1. Peter statement put Moses and Elijah on one equal level with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is very wrong words of Peter because no person, even the best person on earth should never be put equal level with the sinless and perfect Son of God.

2. Peter statement was to remain on the mountain and make three tabernacles which certainly not God’s will for Peter, nor for the Lord Jesus because Jesus Christ had to come down in order to start going to the cross and be crucified.

LESSON: About Peter’s statement concerning his experience in Mount transfiguration, Peter learned a lesson later in his life, because he said somethings that were right about what he saw on that holy mountain.

II Peter 1:16-19 “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. ¹⁸And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. ¹⁹We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”

As we have learned from our previous study, Peter said something anyway even though he did not know what to say. It is better that Peter should have said nothing. Someone described a person who does not know what to say, by saying that if that person who does no know what to say says nothing people might think that person is ignorant and if that person says something that person proves that he is person who does not know what to say.

May God help us to know what to say correctly, when to say it appropriately and how to say it properly.


 - - - - - - TO BE CONTINUED ON NEXT STUDY - - - - - (part 3)

IV – REQUEST OF PETER ABOUT WASHING HIS FEET IS WRONG – John 13

The question we need to answer is should Peter let the Lord wash his feet?

We see again here in John 13 the impulsiveness of Peter as he quickly speaks two times and both that times is wrong. It would be better for people who are impulsive are extreme either to speak all or speaking nothing and seem not happy for average or medium.

The Lord Jesus is washing the feet of His disciples because He wants His disciples to learn how God forgives the sins of God’s children when they confess their sins to God. Read I John 1:9 and to see how God cleanse and forgives sins of all the believers.

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Read our text in John 13:4-8 and then please answer several questions.

John 13:4-8 “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. ⁵After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. ⁶Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? ⁷Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ⁸Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Did Peter speak up right or wrong? (v. 6, 8) ___________________

Did Peter want his feet to be washed by the Lord? (v.8) __________________

John 13:8 “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt ____________ wash my feet.”

The first wrong statement of Peter: (v.8)

Peter is talking quickly that he does not know what he is saying about. There is a very important truth here that Peter needs to learn. In verse 8, Jesus said "no part with me." What is that really mean? It means that the Lord Jesus can have no “part” (partnership, fellowship) with any believer who has dirty feet. When there is unconfessed sin in our Christian lives, we can never have fellowship with God until we come to God and ask for forgiveness (I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."). That is why we strongly believe that what Peter have said "Thou shalt never wash my feet" was wrong and foolish, because it would be like to a Christian who was saying to the Lord that he does not want to confess his/her sins to God, and he/she refuse to come to God for cleansing.

The second wrong statement of Peter: (v.9)

As we have studied, Peter was either extreme to speak all or speak nothing at all. But this time, Peter wants a complete Bath according to John 13:9.

John 13:9 “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”

Notice Peter in this verse 9, he wants the Lord Jesus to wash him from head to toe. At first, Peter did not want any cleansing at all (v.8) but now Peter wants his whole body washed by the Lord (v.9). Again, it is clear how Peter was impulsive, he was quick to speak and quick to say the wrong thing. Why Peter was wrong? Because every believer sins have been cleansed and forgiven, so every believer is clean, according to Jesus in John 13:10.

John 13:10 “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” This means that every Believer has already had a complete salvation. Once saved always saved. That is all the sins of the believer have been cleansed and forgiven the moment a person repented from sins and put his or her faith in Christ for salvation.

The believer is eternally saved (John 10:27-29).

John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”

On the other hand, believers need to confess their sins to keep in fellowship with the Lord but believes do not need to be saved all over again. That is why we conclude that the second of Peter’s statement was wrong and foolish and would like to a Christian who was saying to the Lord that he admitted he sinned as a Christian and therefore he needed to be saved all over again. Is this correct?

The Lord Jesus wants to illustrate, explain and teaches us a very important lesson to learn how the Christian should deal with sin in Christian life. That is the purpose why the Lord Jesus used the two wrong statements of Peter.

V – RELIANCE OF PETER THAT HE WOULD NEVER DO THINGS BUT END UP DOING IT – Matthew 26

Let us talk about what Peter said, "I will never do it, Lord."

There is a wise word from someone who said, "never say never." We observed that people who confidently say that they will never do something often end up doing the very thing they said they would never do. Paul said something in I Corinthians 12:10 for those people who think and say something with confidence to himself.

I Corinthians 12:10 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Let us read Matthew 26:31-35, then answer several questions:

Matthew 26:31-35 “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. ³²But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. ³³Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. ³⁴Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ³⁵Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”

As We see that Jesus was speaking to all of His disciples (v.31):

Who among them was quick to speak? (v.33) ____________.

What did that one who quick to speak said that he would never do? (v.33, v.35) _____________________________.

Did that one who said he would never do, end up doing what he said he would never do? (v.34) ______________.

Have you promised your parents, friends, church mates, co-employee, or even yourself that you would never do something, only to end up doing what you have said you would never do? ____________________ .

Of course, it is not bad to have confidence, it is important as long as you have the right kind of confidence. Peter had strong confidence in himself, however Peter let himself down. Remember, we often fail ourselves, but God will never fail us.

The person who has no confidence says, "I can do nothing."

The person like Peter who has self-confidence says “I can do all things”

The person who has Christ-confidence says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).

How about you, what kind of confidence do you want to have? Self-confidence or Savior-Confidence.

- - - - - - TO BE CONTINUED ON NEXT STUDY - - - - - (part 4)

VI – RUSHING OF PETER TO SWING THE SWORD – John 18

We will see how quick Peter wanted to swing the sword.

Jesus was being arrested on the evening before He was crucified. Now, read John 18:10 and Matthew 26:53 then answer several questions:

John 18:10 “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”

Matthew 26:53 “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Who was the bold and courageous disciple who rushed to the Lord’s rescue? (John 18:10) _____________________

Did the Lord Jesus really need help from Peter? (Matthew 26:53) ________________________

Does multitudes of angels would done a better job than Peter? _________________________

Peter’s is courageous and zealous man, and we admire him for that, but it is sad to think that Peter has the zeal without knowledge, or he has a thoughtless zeal, and soon in John 18:17, that courageous Peter would soon become coward Peter.

John 18:17 “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.”

Again, the Lord never gave up on Peter and still patient with him. After about 53 days later, we can see Peter again took a sword and used the sword successfully against the enemies of Christ. This Peter sword did much more than cutting off the right ear of the high priest servant named Malchus in John 18:10. That penetrating sword of Peter pierced deeply into the hearts of thousands of people. Regarding how Peter used the sword that pierced the hearts of many, please Read Acts 2:14, 36,37,38,41.

Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

The word “pricked” here means pierced or stabbed. The people who heard the message of Peter were pricked or cut to the heart. What is the sword that Peter used? The Sword that can pricked or cut the heart of hearer is described in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

What was the sword of Peter, that was quick, and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword? ______________

Ephesians 6:17 “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

VII – READINESS OF PETER FOR ACTION – John 20-21

Two more examples of the impulsiveness of Peter:

1. John 20:

On the first Easter Sunday, Peter and John went and ran to the tomb.

a.) Which of these two disciples ran fastest? ________________ (John 20:4)

John 20:4 “So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.”

b.) Did the disciple who ran fastest go to the tomb? __________ (John 20:5)

John 20:5 “And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.”

John who ran faster than Peter just stooped down and looked in but did not went in.

c.) Peter comes along moments later, did Peter stop and stoop down at the tomb’s entrance? ______ (John 20:6)

d.) What Peter did after he came? ____________________ (John 20:6).

John 20:6 “Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,”

Peter was an action man, always ready for action. That is the readiness of Peter for action.

2. John 21:

The seven of Christ disciples were fishing out in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. The Lord Jesus was risen and early in the morning appeared to them on the Shore. Jesus was first recognized by the sensitive and thoughtful John.

a.) When Peter finds out who appeared to them on the shore, what did Peter do? ___________ (John 21:7).

John 21:7 “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.”

Did you get the point? Peter was an action man. Peter was always ready for action. So, Peter did not waste any time.

The early life of Peter before Pentecost continually illustrates that being quick, hasty and impulsive can get us into trouble. Of course, there is much reason to admire Peter at the same time.

We need men and woman, adult and young people who are ready and quick to act and speak for the Lord.

We need people who are quick to voluntarily and joyfully serve the Lord.

We need people who are always ready for action, to do will of God and ready to obey Christ immediately.

We need to be grateful to God for the zeal, strength and energy which has given to us by God, and thus we must meaningfully, purposely use all our energy, our best we can for our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life, for us.

From the day of Pentecost and onward, Peter is one of the greatest preachers the church had in the Bible history.