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]*