How Far Is Too Far?
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Introduction
Introduction
According to John 12:26, if I’m following God, Serving Him, I’ll be Where He Is!
If we could go back and ask “How close to God were you?”, what would we hear?
○ From Adam
“Just a little closer, and we’d still be there”
○ From Moses
“Just a little closer, and the people would have seen Him and not me.”
○ From David
“Just a little closer and I’d have kept my friend, my kingdom and my family.”
But what if we asked Peter?
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
I-Far Enough Away To Be Unbothered
I-Far Enough Away To Be Unbothered
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
A. About An Hour Too Far
More Time than he could Sacrifice.
More Sleep than he could Give Up.
More Comfort than he could Lose.
B. We want to be close, but not at the expense of our time.
II-Far Enough Away To Be Unrecognizable
II-Far Enough Away To Be Unrecognizable
58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
A. Peter was “Afar Off”
Vs. 69&70 - “Sat Without” - “I know not what...”
Vs. 71&72 - “out into the porch” - “I do not know the man”
Vs. 73&74 - “came unto him” (further yet) - “I know not the man”
Each time a little further from his Savior
B. We want to be close, but not so close that we seem “Different”.
III-Far Enough Away To Be Unfaithful
III-Far Enough Away To Be Unfaithful
8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
A. Peter was 100 yards away (200 cubits).
Could not remember his calling (v3 - “I go a fishing”)
Could not recognize his Saviour (v4 - “knew not that it was Jesus”)
Could not return to his “old life” (v3 - “they caught nothing”)
B. We want to be close but only if we can hang on to the “old life”.
Conclusion
Conclusion
But, How Far Was Christ?
When Peter Slept, Christ Watched and Prayed; Certainly for Peter Too
When Peter Denied, Christ Looked on and Loved
When Peter Abandoned, Christ Cared and Served
One place too far to be and One way to get back
○ Eph 2:13, Eph 2:5
○ Eph 2:8-9
● How close could I be?
○ Heb 11:5
○ Gen 5:22
How Far Away Do You Find Yourself Today?