Good morning! Only two more days to study with you, and that makes me sad! We're going l to mostly finish out this study with discussion, so please dive in and let's finish well! Your discussion has been such an encouragement and challenge to me throughout the study, and I'm so thankful for you!

Let's dig right back into the letters of Peter today! I'd like to point out before we begin who Simon Peter at this point had become. He preached sermons, and thousands were saved. He went to prison, and could not be held there... his chains were loosed by the angels themselves! A touch of the hand of Peter was used to heal the sick. He led the church, he taught his friends, and he traveled as a missionary.

[I guess you could say our humble fisherman had become somewhat of a celebrity.]

After the years and time that Peter had spent wanting to be ahead of the pack, he finally could have gained any amount of attention and admiration he desired. He could have rallied his own followers, he could have held to his importance as being one of the only people on earth to have walked so closely with Jesus. He could have been defined by the miracles that God worked through him.

But that's not what Peter wanted.

Peter wanted Jesus. And that is the only reason that so many wonderful things were worked in and through Peter in the first place.


Peter wanted to know Jesus, to serve Jesus, to please Jesus, and to fully accomplish what was asked of him. He was resolved to follow.

As you read through the letters of Peter, please notice the sheer simplicity and humility with which he writes. He does not write as a celebrity. He writes as a common man who has made terrible mistakes and received extraordinary grace. He writes as a man who is fully aware of the cost, has counted it, and will not dwell there for another moment. He is resolved to follow and move forward, and has put all dwellings on the cost behind him in pursuit of the cross. He writes as a man who loves other people... and wants them to know Jesus the way that he does. He writes as a friend of Jesus. He writes as a witness to the undeniable, daily reality of Jesus in his life.

And prophecy is fulfilled.

Peter has become a rock. He is a part of the divine Cornerstone that “gives us everything we need through the knowledge of Him.” Simon was out of the way... he no longer needed glory or control. Peter was a servant and a friend of Jesus Christ. And he had become a “Fisher of men.” Thousands were added to the church... daily.

“Come. Follow me. And I will make you fishers of men.”

Will you make the story of Peter personal today and thank the Lord for showing us through the life of Simon Peter that “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus?” Philippians 1:6. Will you praise the Lord and claim the fact that we know this same Jesus, and that His calling to us is the same?

WHAT A WONDERFUL SAVIOR! Talk about something to be thankful for!!! In thinking of and rejoicing in His incredible love for us, I am reminded of this awesome verse and I want to share it with you today:

On that day they will say [to JERUSALEM], “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:16-17

Isn't that the most mind-blowing, incredible thing imaginable? I can so easily picture Jesus loving Peter this way, and Peter made Jesus his focus... and look at what Jesus was able to do with his love in and through Peter! And we have the same Savior. :) Praise the Lord!

For Discussion: Today, I'd like to challenge you to read through 1 Peter. Tomorrow we'll read 2nd Peter and conclude the study. There are only 5 very short chapters in the book of 1Peter and it won't take you long to read. Read it now as someone who knows more of Peter personally, and see what you glean from his writing. Notice his simple focus on the Lord. Notice and please feel free to discuss the multiple references to WHO WE ARE... just as Jesus had made multiple references to who Peter was. Peter had learned a lot about who they both were... and our lives can be greatly impacted by taking to heart and making personal what lessons their relationship can teach us. Don't let your knowledge by idle. Remember... [Forward motion.] Do you realize you can go further with Jesus today than you've ever gone before? What are we waiting for?!?


“Come. Follow me. And I will make you Fishers of men.”


Are you resolved to follow?