The Savior over the Sifter
Overview
Jesus is alive, and we are still living in the awe of what He did for all of humankind. Satan demands to sift and shake people so badly that they abandon their faith in God, but Jesus is praying that our faith would not fail.
1. Faith that does not fail
Jesus died to save us from the grip of Satan and hell, and He now intercedes on our behalf to God the Father. Peter would fall, but he would not fail.
Points
- Jesus tells Peter personally that Satan wants to shake him, but Jesus is praying that his faith may not fail.
- Faith not failing does not mean never falling; it means not leaving, quitting, or abandoning faith.
- Peter’s story shows that faith can fall for a time without finally failing.
- Falling short is not the same as giving up, and Peter got back up.
Quotes
- Jesus says, “Simon I need you to know that Satan demands you and wants to do everything he can to shake up your life and to force you to wreck your whole world. BUT, I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”
- Peter would fall but he would not fail.
- There’s a difference between I messed up and I give up.
2. Faith for Your Friends
When people go through hardships and keep the faith, it is meant to inspire others around them to continue in their faith in Jesus as well. Peter turned, repented for his failure, and was given the assignment to strengthen his brothers. Jesus knew Peter’s story and still used him to strengthen others in the faith.
Points
- Enduring hardship in faith is meant to bring strength to others, not only to the person who suffered.
- Peter’s restoration was meant to lead to strengthening others after his failure.
- Past failure does not disqualify someone from helping others follow Jesus.
- Jesus saves individuals and places them within His Church so they can strengthen one another.
Quotes
- When you go through hardships and you keep the faith it’s not only for you, it’s to inspire others around you to continue in their faith in Jesus as well.
- No, Peter turned, meaning he repented for his failure, and then Jesus gave him the assignment to strengthen his brothers.
- He said when you regain your faith, help others regain their faith.
- This is why church is vital. Jesus saves us as individuals to place us within a body, to place us within His Church.
3. Faith is not in your feelings
Peter felt strong because he had seen Jesus teach, heal, preach, and deliver people, but when Jesus was taken, Peter’s so-called faith was also taken. Feelings cannot be where faith is placed, because a relationship with Jesus based on feelings turns everything back toward self. Faith is found in hearing the Word of God over and over again and holding on to the words of Jesus in the middle of trial, temptation, and attack.
Points
- Peter’s confidence was based on what he had seen and felt, not on a faith that could remain when circumstances changed.
- Feelings are unstable and cannot be the foundation of a relationship with Jesus.
- A faith built on feelings makes the relationship more about self than about God.
- Faith is strengthened by the words of Jesus and must remain in Him even when feelings change.
Quotes
- So, Peter really wasn’t going by faith, he was going by feelings.
- Our feelings cannot be where we place our faith.
- Reducing our relationship with Jesus to only our feelings makes it more about me than it makes it about God. If religion is about me instead of God, then I’m actually just creating my own god instead of worshipping the One True God.
- You find faith in hearing the Word of God over and over again and strengthening yourself in the words of Jesus.
Conclusion
Satan has demanded to wreck lives, but Jesus is praying for faith not to fail, and this day can be remembered as the day faith arose again in Him. Jesus died because all have fallen, and forgiveness is given to those who confess their sins and place their faith in Him for this life and for eternal life with Him.
