Intentional Denial
Matthew 26:69-75 Victory Fellowship
November 12, 2023 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. When does a reality check fail to work? When we are in denial about our circumstances or situation.
b. We may be afraid, embarrassed, humiliated, and/or even in pain over it - but it is essential for our spiritual growth to address our current reality.
c. 34 years ago, U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop observed that Reality is the leading cause of stress among those who are in touch with reality.
II. Relating the Text:
a. In the passage Jaime read we can be certain that Peter is stressed out about the reality of his situation.
III. Application:
a. The 3 tactics of Denial:
i. Disagree - 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” (3 Gospels note)
ii. Defend - 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” Peter said.
iii. Distract – warming himself by the fire in the crowd.
b. If the tactics of intentional denial aren’t effective, we can always play “The Blame Game.” (Projection)
i. Adam and Eve - Genesis 3:11-13 And (God) said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
IV. Conclusion:
a. To overcome denial and quit playing the blame game, we have to agree with God about our current spiritual state of being. (our reality)
i. We stop saying – “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” We acknowledge our sin.
b. When we finally choose to agree with God – it’s called confession.
c. And confession sets us on the road to deliverance. For you see, in the fullness of our sin, God responded with the fullness of His grace through Jesus Christ.
d. The rest of the story about Peter’s denial (John 21:15-19)
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me."
PRAYER
SONG: Loving My Jesus (Casting Crowns)
Matthew 26:69-75 NLT
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.