Denying The Lord Jesus Christ

Text: Luke 22:54-62   IBCSWS   11/21/04

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

   One of the worst things a Christian may possibly do in his lifetime is to vehemently deny His Savior before the presence of unbelievers. It is so sad that many believers today are not even aware that they are denying Christ publicly in several ways.

   We really believe that no Christian in his sound mind would like to deny the Lord Jesus Christ, but because of strong pressures from this wicked world and a weak stand of a believer, the sin of denying Christ could easily creep in to destroy one’s testimony.

   Without sensitivity to the Word of God, no believer could claim the victory over this dangerous sin which gave a hard blow to the early disciples of Christ.

   In Luke 22:31-32, it is written, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Peter was warned by the Lord, but because of self-confidence and insensitivity to the Word of God, his faith weakened and he denied the Lord who loved him so much.        

(I)                          Shameful Sin Before God

                   Luke 22:33   Mark 14:29-31  Luke 22:64-60

 Mark 14:66-72

-The commitment     Mark 14:26-31

   We must be careful to carry out our commitment to God. Eating our own words is hazardous to our spiritual health. It is a shameful act before our faithful and loving God.

-The impressive but short-time courage

  Luke 22:49-51

   True courage cannot be intimidated by the raging presence of death, neither be conquered by physical death. True courage lives beyond man’s earthly life.        

-The fears and insecurities    Mat. 26:56

    A coward will never go forward. Surely, he will miss his reward. A dead hero is better than a thousand men living in cowardice. Fears and insecurities are devil-given imaginations of an unfaithful and wavering man. Bear in mind that fear of men is an abominable reason to justify our sin of denying the Lord Jesus Christ.

-The denied identity         Mark 14:68-71

   The believers’ identity with the Lord is the highest level of connection and is above all existing royal association on earth. A believer who denies his friendship with the Lord will become a victim of spiritual shipwreck.

   A Christian who treasures his identity with the Savior will surely guard his testimony and will never compromise with the world.       

-The reminder         Mark 14:72

   Reminders play a vital role in all aspects of life, especially in our Christian Service. In Luke 22:61, it is written, And the Lord turned, looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

   Truly, Peter learned a lot from reminders that came from the Lord. His life and Epistles are living proofs of what he learned from the Savior.    

-The awakening      Mark 14:72

   In Luke 22:62, it is written, And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. What a dramatic awakening for Peter. May we realize the value of spiritual awareness so we may see our real self as the Lord sees us.       

   Sometimes strong words of commitment are being made as expression of believers’ gratitude to God,  but these commitments become fruitless and mere spoken words of vanities if not carefully guarded and well-lived.

   We may not fall in the same manner as Peter experienced, but the devil could trap us in some other tragic ways.

   We may not be aware, but this lesson may awake us from some sinful sleep of life like: not telling other people about Christ; not praying consistently; not reading the Bible; not involving one’s self in Biblical giving; not attending Church gatherings regularly; and not living the way God wants us to live.  Undoubtedly, this lesson is a relevant message that will lead us to a more guarded spiritual life. 

   As we fellowship with one another, praising His Holy Name, serving Him in sincerity and in truth, may we also watch one another in love so we may not fall into the ravine of sin and deny our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.