The Imperfect Disciple

“The Imperfect Disciple”

February 17, 208

Introduction

Many years ago, as in 30 or 40 years ago, I was a member of a book club and I received three books every three months and was charged $3.00. One of the titles I still remember very well. It was call “The Imperfect Disciple.” I remember exactly what went through my mind: “It must be a book about Peter. As I began to read, I realized that it wasn’t about Peter at all. It was about me!

Actually, it was a book about almost anyone who is trying to live the Christian life. Before we came to Venus, I preached for the church in Ovilla. There was a lady there named Ann Elkins. Ann died a few months ago, but I appreciated so many things about Ann. If I was ever critical of Peter, she would say something about it, and add that Peter was one of her favorite apostles because he gave her hope.

The imperfect disciples are legion! We are all imperfect disciples. Some recognize their imperfections better than others. While we are all imperfect disciples, that does not mean that that is to be our goal, or something to be proud of, but simply a fact. We did say that some recognize their imperfections better than others, and that is true.

Body

I. How do people handle their imperfections?

A. Let’s start with Peter.

1. Perhaps we can all agree that his most outstanding mistake was denying His Lord.

2. Can we say that his problem may have been due to overconfidence?

(Mat 26:31-35 NKJV) "Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' {32} "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." {33} Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." {34} Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." {35} Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples."

3. What did he do when he failed?

(Mat 26:74-75 NKJV) "Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. {75} And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly."

4. Obviously, Peter had slipped badly.

(Luke 22:31-32 KJV) "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: {32} But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

5. But he needed Jesus to restore him.

(John 21:15-17 NKJV) "So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." {16} He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." {17} He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

B. But what about us? What does God require of us?

1. To walk humbly with our God.

(Micah 6:8 NKJV) "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

2. To confess our faults when we make mistakes.

a. To God.

(1 John 1:8-9 NKJV) "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

b. To each other when others know of our sins.

(James 5:16 NKJV) "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

II. How can we help each other?

A. Helping one who has been overtaken in sin.

1. If we know someone has been overcome in a fault, we need to help them.

(Gal 6:1-2 NKJV) "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. {2} Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

2. If someone has sinned against us, we need to go to them.

(Mat 18:15-17 NKJV) ""Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. {16} "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' {17} "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."

B. Just to build up ourselves as we can.

(Jude 1:20-21 NKJV) "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, {21} keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

C. We need to build up each other.

(Rom 14:19 NKJV) "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."

Conclusion

I. Being the imperfect disciple is not the goal of anyone.

II. If we are aware of areas of weakness, we need to ask God’s help, and we may ask someone close to us to pray with us as well.

III. If we see a brother or sister in a fault, we need to help them if we can.

IV. If you aren’t a disciple at all, you can become one if you are will to complete your obedience to Him.

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