Keion Henderson - From Failure to Future

Go with me to Luke chapter 22. Luke chapter 22, and we’re going to start reading at verse 24. We’re still talking about Simon Peter, so let’s see what the Lord gives us from Luke 22. I will be discussing several different scriptures today, using this as a reference, but there are various texts that I will reference throughout this message. Luke 22: 24. If you are ready, say «go.» Here 's what the Bible says: a dispute started among them over which of them was regarded as the greatest. You remember hearing about the disciples arguing over who was the greatest among them. So Jesus said to them, «The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 Not so with you. Instead, the one who is the greatest among you must be like the youngest or the most humble, and the leader like the one who serves .» So He’s saying that among the disciples, the greatest one is the one who serves the best. Are you with me so far? For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves? Common knowledge would say that the greatest at the table is the one sitting at the table. Jesus says no; the people at the table are not greater than the people who serve. He’s saying that you might think the person who can afford the meal is more important than the one who serves it, but He says, «I’m telling you that the one who serves the meal is more important than the one who pays for it.» For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Now, what is getting ready to happen is Jesus is in the upper room with the disciples, preparing to discuss the Passover. He says to Peter, " Peter, something is getting ready to happen to you, but don’t worry about it because I’ve already prayed for you. By the time the rooster crows in the morning, you will have denied me three times .» What does Peter say? «Ain 't gonna happen; I’ll never leave you.» But he does, and he still ends up preaching at Pentecost. I want to talk to you about something that I think will help you. I want to speak about moving from failure to future. What if I told you that the future always comes after your greatest fear? How many of you need God to do something? Just shake your neighbor’s hand and tell them, «God’s about to take you from failure to future.» You may be seated in the presence of the Lord. I want to teach this to you today because I believe this will be important as you discover that you are extraordinary. Now, for the last few weeks, I’ve been discussing this. How many of you are figuring out that you’re not average? Now, who will be honest and say before we started this series, even though you knew you were not, isn’t it true that sometimes circumstances make you believe that you are? What is happening to you, or that you are where you are? Like you know you believe you can do more and will do more, but when you look at your situation, you kind of doubt it. One of the things I’ve seen people do in the area of salvation is that you’ll know you’re saved, but then when you start sinning, you start thinking that God took the salvation away. Sometimes we always calibrate ourselves to where we are. The greatest thing about salvation is that God gave it before you accepted it. If salvation was given by God before you accepted it, then can you explain how you have to do anything to keep it? Paul gives the doctrine of salvation, which is that once you’re saved, you’re always saved. You cannot lose your salvation, except for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. So, the cross of Jesus Christ is a complete work; it cannot be undone by human efforts. Don 't miss this. So the cross, watch this, is grace, thereby delivering us from the law. We are no longer saved by works; we are saved by grace. Since you are saved by grace, then your works cannot undo that grace. Does this make sense so far? So I’m laying this out for you because Peter is going to eventually, in Acts chapter 2 when we get there, preach at Pentecost. Peter is an example of grace because where Peter started, he should not have ended up where he finished. Peter had all kinds of issues, and we’ve talked about that at length, but despite all he had done, he fell short. Peter has seen Jesus turn water into wine. He has seen Jesus take two fish and five loaves and feed 5,000. Peter has walked on water. Peter has seen his mother-in-law have a fever, and Jesus came in and healed her. Peter has been in prison, and God got him out. Peter has been through all kinds of things. Peter has fished all night and didn’t catch anything. After all of that, he waits until the eve of the whole matter to act foolishly. Like he’s been praying, walking with God, and doing amazing things, and he still falters.