The Dawning of a New Day

Sermon OverviewScripture Reference: Luke 22:31-34Luke 22 tells the story of one of Jesus’ most devoted disciples, Peter, on the darkest night of his life.Peter was known to argue when he should have listened. He boasted when he should have leaned on the Lord. He slept when Jesus asked him to pray. And he fought when he was supposed to love. But Jesus loved Peter, even in his disobedience, and eventually, in his denial. We know this because after the darkest night of his life, Peter saw the dawning of a new day.The night Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death, Peter’s world was unraveling. Jesus was supposed to be Lord, now he is being sentenced to death? How could this be happening?When recognized as a disciple of Jesus by the angry crowd, Peter fearfully denied knowing Jesus three times; then, a rooster crowed...Luke 22:61 says, “And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord; how he had said unto him, before the (rooster) crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”Peter remembered Jesus telling him this would happen: that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.Peter learned that God is still in control, even when it doesn’t seem so. Peter also learned the sympathetic compassion and steadfast commitment Jesus has toward His followers.When we become children of God, Jesus commits Himself to us. We may stray, but if we are truly saved, God brings us back to Him.The Bible says that Jesus prays for His believers, even to this day, (John 17:20-23) and is committed to praying for us even when we regress in our faith rather than progress. He convicts us of our sins so that we will not wander for long. And when we return to Him, He is faithful to forgive.So what did Peter learn on one of the darkest nights of his life? That Jesus is still in control, He has compassion for us, and is committed to praying for us. Just as dawn broke once more for Peter, Jesus will see us through to a new day.Apply it to your lifeHave you been going through a long, dark night, wondering when the dawn will break? Take courage, God is with you! Worship Him in prayer and reading Scripture.