Peter - The fisherman

Bible character study - Peter

Peter - The fisherman

An unlearned fisherman releasing his boat for a teaching even though he had caught nothing all night. And after the message he was willing to try one more time at the word of Jesus. Notice how he forsook the enormous catch he just made to follow Christ.

In this introduction to Peter, we see a man with a large heart that is open to God's instructions. He had a thirst for something bigger than what he was doing. HE WANTED MORE.

 

[Luke 5:2-6,10,11]

*2* ```He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets``` . 

*3* ```He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat``` 

*4* ```When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." 

*5* Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."``` 

*6* ```When they had done so, they..

caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.``` 

*10* ```Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people."``` 

*11* ```So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.```

*Peter - Walking on waters*

In a dark night in the midst of a storm, suddenly you see Jesus walking on waters, asking for permission to join on the waters will probably not be my request. But Peter was confident the storm was no longer an issue, he needed to experience the miracle. And he did experience it as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. Beloved, have an appetite for the supernatural while keeping your eyes on Jesus all the way.

*[Matthew 14:24-32]*

*24* ```the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.``` 

*25* ```Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.``` 

*26* ```When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said```

 

*27* ```But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."``` 

*28* ```"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."``` 

*29* ```"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.``` 

*30* ```But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"``` 

*31* ```Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"``` 

*32* ```And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.``` 

*Peter - Di-vision*

Everybody has an agenda and a vision for you. Peter had been following Jesus closely yet he had a different vision for Christ. And the moment he heard Jesus deviating from his vision, he felt the need to rebuke him. The people wanted to make him king, Peter wanted to prevent him from dying.

Beloved, be sure of your vision because having 2 opposing visions is called division. And a lot of people have ideas for you. 

*[Matthew 16:21-23]*

*21* ```From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.``` 

*22*  ```But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. "Heaven forbid, Lord," he said. "This will never happen to you!``` 

*23* ```Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."``` 

*Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. [John 6:15]*

*Peter - denying Jesus*

For some this is the first thing to remember about Peter and perhaps it is better that way. The denial clearly shows the limitations of man (despite Peter's boast) and the grace of God (Jesus already prayed for his restoration before the event happened).

Beloved, by yourself you can do nothing, it is your continual dependence on God that produces results. And yes God's grace covers your errors.

*"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."*

*Peter said, Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you." But Jesus said.."Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me."[Luke 22:31-34]*

*But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.[Luke 22:60-62]*

*Peter - Leadership*

The responsibility of leading the newly formed church after the resurrection of Christ was given to Peter. He was specifically chosen by Jesus for the role. All others deferred to him. And his first act was to take them fishing 🤦‍♂️. Beloved, as a leader your actions matter. Let it draw men to God and the fulfilling of purpose. You need to have clarity of vision.

*[John 21:3-4,15,16]*

*3* ```I'm going out to fish, Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.``` 

*4* ```Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.``` 

*15* ```When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."``` 

*16* ```Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep"``` 

*Peter - Schooled by the spirit*

What difference does the Holy Spirit make in our lives? Peter and the other believers were the first to receive the Holy Spirit and the difference we see in Peter is enormous; his boldness and utterance (intelligent speak) was apparent to all.Beloved, you can rely on the spirit of God for your academics, career, business and yes, ministry. He will school you with a difference.

*After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. [Acts 4:31]*

*When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. [Acts 4:13]*

*Peter - Jew-centric*

Perhaps Peter did not remember Jesus' saying that the gospel will go throughout the world *(Acts 1:8)* or he was limited, either ways it took persecution, daylight vision and Paul for the gospel to go outside Israel.

Peter thus became the apostle to the Jews.

It is important to note here that even when God was going to reach gentiles, he went through Peter first. God is a God of order, he will normally not bypass your recognized leader for a major message to your group.

*Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. [Acts 8:1]*

 

*So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God's way?"When they heard this, they had no further objections[Acts11:17-18*

*For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles[Galatians 2:8]*

David - Shepherd Boy, Musician, Worshipper

 

Bible Character Study  [David]

Shepherd boy, musician, worshipper

Ever met a man who thrives in adversities, well meet David. An abandoned out-of-town duty of tending sheep became military, music and theology schools. A lion or bear comes after his sheep, he goes for the animal.

Night time was for music training all the while loving God and writing poetry for him.

Beloved, perspective matters; you are only disadvantaged, if you think so. Turn your adversities to testimonies.

*But David persisted. "I have been taking care of my father's sheep and goats," he said. "When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! [1sam 17:34-36]*

*In the same way all seven of Jesse's sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen any of these." Then Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse replied. "But he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats." "Send for him at once," Samuel said. "We will not sit down to eat until he arrives."[1Sam 16:10-11]*

*But when David's oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. "What are you doing around here anyway?" he demanded.."What about those few sheep you're supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!" "What have I done now?" David replied. "I was only asking a question! [1Sam 28-29]*

*You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments.[Amos 6:5]*

*skill and anointing*

Some portray skills and anointing as being mutually exclusive, but that is not true. God does not need you to be skill-less for him to use you.

David was anointed, he had a relationship with God, yet he possesses well honed skills in warfare, shepherding (management) and music. *Beloved, never undervalue personal and professional development, God values it.*

*Saul said to his attendants, Find someone who plays well and bring him to me. One of the servants answered, I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him [1Sam 16:17-18]*

*It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.  [Psalms 18:32-34]*

*Facing Goliath*

David and Goliath is one of the best known stories in the Bible, a most unlikely outcome. While we consider it a David-Goliath fight, David saw it differently.

It was a God-Goliath fight to him and the outcome was as clear as day in his mind.

He only saw the greatness of God and not the size of Goliath. *If only we can consistently learn to put God in view, we will be saved of the so many worries we carry*.

*David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"[1Sam 17:26]*

*Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine[1Sam 17:36-37]*

*David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."[1Sam 17:45-47]*

*Understanding God*

A major reason for David's success was his understanding and knowledge of God beyond the letters of the law. He ate the showbread and gave his men to eat because he knew God is a good God who sees the heart.

It was the same understanding of God that prevented him from hurting Saul because no man will go unpunished by shedding (anointed) blood to achieve selfish aims. Beloved, take time to know God, it has great benefits.

*And the priest answered David and said, "There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women." Then David answered the priest, and said to him, "Truly, women have been kept from us about three days since I came out. And the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in effect common, even though it was sanctified in the vessel this day." So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the LORD [1Sam 21:4-6]*

*And he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD."  So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. [1Sam 24:6-7]*

*Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." 

But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? [1sam 26:8-9]*

*As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed...  let's go." [1Sam 26:10-11]*

*Costly mistake*

One moment of indiscretion and David brought untold problems to himself and his family. If only he had gone to war like he was supposed to. Truth is God forgave him and still loved him, but his adultery and murder reaped for him death disgrace and loss of children.

The devil is looking for inroads beloved, don't give him an opening. A little sin can bring a tsunami harvest. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

*Vs1-In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army*

*Vs2- But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing*.

*VS 3- The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite."*

*Vs4- In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, "Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die." [2Sam 11:1-4]*

*Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.' "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.'" [2 Sam 12:10-11]*

*Giant Killers*

I believe the most important duty of a leader is to raise other leaders and David exemplified this perfectly. Several of the valiant men of David were giant killers like him, unlike Saul who could not produce one giant killer.

More impressive, is the caliber of men who were raised by David: the debtors, disgruntled etc and they became mighty men, that is leadership. *Develop those under you beloved*. 

*During another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver's beam! [2Sam 21:19]*

*So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. [1Sam 22:1-2]*

*These are the names of David's mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. [2Sam 23:8]*

*A lasting covenant*

A covenant of mercy, permanent king on throne and forbear of Christ. David caught something. Even though he was not perfect, he was always in good standing before God because of his heart.

He did not become big in his eyes, nothing was too big to give to God and when he did miss it, once it was pointed to him, he genuinely repented. *Beloved, guard your heart, keep it simple*.

*The Lord said, "I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: 'I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.'" [Psalms 89:3-4]*

*Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David. Indeed I have given him [as] a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. [Isaiah 55:3]*

*In that day the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place. [Isaiah 11:10]*