Title: The Futility of Resolutions by Self-Reliant People
Text:
Matthew 26:33-35 (HCSB)
33 Peter told Him, "Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!"
34 "I assure you," Jesus said to him, "tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!"
35 "Even if I have to die with You," Peter told Him, "I will never deny You!" And all the disciples said the same thing.
Observation:
When we make resolutions we need to do an internal checkup to see if we are relying upon self or relying upon God. We need to remember the lesson of Peter; notice it was not just Peter, but "All of the disciples said the same thing".
Notice how their resolution turned out:
Matthew 26:69-75 (HCSB)
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant approached him and she said, "You were with Jesus the Galilean too."
70 But he denied it in front of everyone: "I don't know what you're talking about!"
71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another woman saw him and told those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!"
72 And again he denied it with an oath, "I don't know the man!"
73 After a little while those standing there approached and said to Peter, "You certainly are one of them, since even your accent gives you away."
74 Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, "I do not know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed,
75 and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
However, we are not without hope and without help; Jesus is the answer, put your trust in Him, and you will not be fruitless. You were made to be fruitful, but not by being self-reliant.
John 15:5 (HCSB)
5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the divine hope and help that we have in You, and the Savior that You sent. Lord, I trust in Him, and grant me the grace to trust Him more. In the name of Jesus the Christ of God I pray, Amen.
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Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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