Sinners & Saints - Peter: When Failure Isn’t Final
When Failure Isn't Final: Lessons from Peter's Life
Have you ever felt like your failures disqualify you from being used by God? The story of Peter in the Book of Acts reveals a powerful truth: failure isn't final when you're following Jesus. Peter's transformation from a fearful denier to a bold church leader shows us that God specializes in using broken people to accomplish extraordinary things.
Key Verses
Acts 1:8
John 18:18
John 21:9
Acts 4:8-12
Luke 22:31-32
Understanding Our Place in God's Story
The Book of Acts isn't just ancient history—it's the continuation of what Jesus began in the Gospels. When Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, His work wasn't finished. Acts 1:1 tells us that Luke's Gospel recorded what Jesus "began to do and to teach," implying that Acts shows what Jesus continued to do through the early church.
We're living between Jesus' first and second coming, part of a movement that has outlasted every empire and reached nearly every nation on earth. This movement started with ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, and outcasts—whom Jesus called to be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth."
What Does It Mean to Be a Witness?
Jesus promised His disciples in Acts 1:8 that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Remarkably, this promise has been fulfilled—even reaching the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific, the exact opposite point on earth from Jerusalem, where mutineers found faith through a Bible discovered in shipwreck debris.
God Doesn't Call the Qualified—He Qualifies the Called
Peter's life perfectly illustrates this principle. He was a walking contradiction—one moment walking on water with Jesus, the next sinking in doubt. He declared Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," then immediately tried to rebuke Jesus for talking about His coming death. Peter promised never to deny Jesus, yet within hours, he was swearing to a servant girl that he'd never known Him.
What Makes Someone a Saint?
When we hear "saint," we might think of Mother Teresa or Francis of Assisi—people of extraordinary devotion and miraculous deeds. But biblically, every believer is a saint. Paul addressed entire churches as saints, not because they were perfect, but because they were "set apart by God through faith in Jesus Christ."
Being a saint isn't about performance—it's about position in Christ. It's not a title earned through extraordinary virtue but a declaration of who you are when you put your faith in Jesus. You're qualified not by your spiritual resume but by your amazing Savior.
The Two Charcoal Fires: Failure and Restoration
The word "charcoal" appears only twice in the entire Bible, both times connected to pivotal moments in Peter's life. These two fires frame his greatest failure and his complete restoration.
The First Fire: Peter's Greatest Failure
At Jesus' arrest, Peter followed at a distance to the courtyard of the high priest. Around a charcoal fire, warming himself while Jesus stood trial nearby, Peter was confronted three times about being Jesus' disciple. Three times he denied even knowing Jesus, culminating in cursing and swearing his denial.
The devastating detail Luke adds: "At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter." They made eye contact across the courtyard—Jesus in chains, Peter in denial. Peter wept bitterly and ran away, convinced his failure was final.
The Second Fire: Complete Restoration
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee. When they came ashore, they found Jesus cooking breakfast over—you guessed it—a charcoal fire. This wasn't a coincidence. Jesus could have used any fuel, but He chose charcoal, bringing Peter back to the scene of his failure.
Around this second fire, Jesus asked Peter three times: "Do you love me?" Three denials were countered with three moments of restoration. Jesus was showing Peter that his failure didn't define him or disqualify him from ministry. Instead, it would become fuel for his mission.
How Does God Transform Failure into Ministry?
Peter's transformation teaches us several crucial lessons about how God works in our lives:
Run to Jesus, Don't Hide from Him
Both Peter and Judas betrayed Jesus, but their responses were completely different. Judas ran away and died in his shame. Peter, when he saw the risen Jesus, jumped out of the boat and swam to shore. When you fail, don't hide from God—run to Him. He's waiting to restore you.
Your Failure Becomes Your Ministry
Jesus told Peter, "When you have returned, strengthen your brothers." Peter's experience of failure and restoration equipped him to lead others with grace and understanding. The place of his greatest shame became the source of his greatest strength.
From Fearful Denier to Bold Proclaimer
The transformation was complete when Peter stood trial in Acts 4. In the same courtyard where he had denied Jesus before a servant girl, he now boldly proclaimed Christ before the same religious leaders who had condemned Jesus. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter declared: "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."
The fearful denier had become the bold proclaimer. According to church history, Peter eventually died as a martyr in Rome, requesting to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
What Can We Learn from Peter's Story?
Peter's life reveals several powerful truths:
God is capable of extraordinary transformation in surrendered hearts
Your "charcoal fire moments" aren't the end of your story—they're fuel for your mission
Failure can derail you temporarily, but it no longer defines you in Christ
God uses broken people who know His grace to strengthen others
Life Application
The gospel has reached the ends of the earth, but has it reached your neighborhood, office, family, or classroom? God isn't looking for spiritual superheroes—He's looking for ordinary people who know His grace and are willing to be His witnesses.
This week, identify one area where past failure or fear has held you back from fully following Jesus or sharing your faith. Instead of hiding from God about this area, intentionally run to Jesus through prayer, asking Him to transform that weakness into strength. Consider sharing your struggle with a trusted Christian friend who can pray for you and encourage you in taking a step of faith despite your fears.
Ask yourself these questions:
What "charcoal fire moments" in my life have I allowed to define me instead of letting God transform them?
Am I running toward Jesus in my failures or hiding from Him in shame?
How can my experiences of God's grace and restoration be used to strengthen others?
What stands out to you most about Peter's character and personality from the stories shared in the sermon?
Jonathan mentioned that 'God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.' How does this truth encourage you in your own walk with Jesus?
Peter had 'high highs and low lows' in his relationship with Jesus. Can you relate to this pattern in your own spiritual journey? Share an example if you're comfortable.
What do you think was going through Peter's mind when he saw Jesus building a charcoal fire on the beach after his resurrection?
How do you typically respond to failure - do you tend to run toward God or away from Him? What makes the difference?
The sermon emphasized that our failures can become 'fuel for our mission.' How have you seen God use difficult experiences in your life or others' lives for good?
Peter went from denying Jesus before a servant girl to boldly proclaiming Him before the same religious leaders who condemned Jesus. What do you think caused such a dramatic transformation?
Where is God calling you to be a witness for Jesus - in your neighborhood, workplace, family, or elsewhere? What fears or obstacles do you face in sharing your faith?
Key Takeaways
God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called - your past failures don't disqualify you from being used by God
God is capable of extraordinary transformation in your life when your heart is surrendered to Jesus
Your 'charcoal fire' moments of failure are not the end of your story but can become fuel for your mission
When you fail, run to Jesus rather than hiding from Him in shame - He is waiting to restore you
As believers, we are all 'saints' not because of our performance but because of our position in Christ
Remember: Failure isn't final with Jesus. Your story of redemption and transformation could be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
1. Battle Belongs - Phil Wickham
2. Abide - The Worship Initiative
3. Gratitude - Brandon Lake
4. Mighty Name Of Jesus - The Belonging Co.
WFC Speedway
1. Beautiful Surrender - Melissa Helser
2. I know A Name - Elevation Worship
3. Here Again - Elevation Worship
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!
