This message is Part 3 of the series “The Miracle Of Mercy” by Pastor Chuck Bernal. In this message Pastor Chuck talks about “God’s Mercy & Our Failures”. Our God is a God of second chances and fresh starts. The truth is WE HAVE ALL FAILED in some way, at some time in some context - and we ALL need God's mercy to move past our past. Some of us are still weighed down by our failure(s) and we need to be set free once and for all. Here's the good news, you do not have to be defined, defeated or destroyed by your failure - all because our God is a God of MERCY. Your name is not FAILURE - because of Jesus, your name is FORGIVEN! In this message, Pastor Chuck talk about Peter’s colossal failure on the night before Jesus was crucified and how in spite of what he did, he found forgiveness and a renewed purpose for his life. And so can you. So, don’t quit, and don’t give up, even when you’ve experienced failure. Instead, allow God to use failure to move you forward. This message was delivered at LifePointe Church on Sunday, October 2, 2016.

4. WHAT CAUSES OUR
PERSONAL FAILURES?
THE 3 THINGS PETER DID WRONG

5. He overestimated
his own strength

6. “I WILL NEVER DENY YOU!”

7. Jesus said ‘Tonight every one of you will desert
me” . . . Then Peter boasted, ‘But Lord, even if
everyone else fails you, I will NEVER deny you!
(Matthew 26:31-35)

8. If you think, “I am strong! I can handle this.
I’d never fall for that temptation,” then be
careful! For you could easily fall too!
(1 Corinthians 10:12)

9. He feared the
disapproval of other people

10. “I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT
YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT”

11. Peter followed Jesus at a distance . . .
He went in and sat down with the guards
To see what was going to happen to Jesus . . .
a servant girl came up to him and said,

12. “You were with Jesus of Galilee, weren’t you?”
Peter denied it. “I don't even know what you're
talking about!”, he said.
(Matthew 26:58, 69-70)

13. It is a dangerous trap to be concerned
with what others think of you, but if
you trust the Lord, you’ll be safe.
(Proverbs 29:25)

14. He spoke
without thinking

15. “I DON’T EVEN KNOW THAT MAN”

16. “We KNOW that you are one of them because
your Galilean accent gives you away.” Peter lost
his temper and started cursing and swearing.

17. He shouted ‘I don’t know the man!’
Immediately he heard a rooster crow.
(Matthew 26:71-74)

18. The tongue is a small thing, but can do enormous
damage! As a tiny spark can burn up a great
forest, the tongue is a flame of fire.

19. That part of your body is full of wickedness
and can poison everything in your life. It is
set on fire by hell itself and can turn our whole
lives into a flame of destruction and disaster.
(James 3:5-6)

20. WHAT CORRECTS OUR
PERSONAL FAILURES?
THE 3 THINGS PETER DID RIGHT

21. He grieved
over his failures

22. ADMIT IT!

23. Peter heard the rooster crow and remembered
that Jesus said, “Before the rooster crows,
you’ll deny me 3 times.” Then Peter left &
WEPT BITTERLY.
(Matthew 26:75)

24. The sacrifice God wants is a broken
and contrite spirit, God will not reject
a humble and repentant heart.
(Psalm 51:17)

25. Now this type of deep sorrow, godly sorrow,
is not so much about regret; but it is about
producing a change of mind and behavior . . .
(2 Corinthians 7:10 – The Voice)

26. He received support
from other people

27. EMBRACE IT!

28. Mary Magdalene found the disciples together,
grieving and weeping.
(Mark 16:10)

29. That evening the disciples were together,
with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish
leaders. Suddenly, Jesus appeared
in the middle of the group,

30. and said “Peace be with you!” . . .
A week later the disciples were
together again meeting in a home.
(John 20:19-20, 26)

31. If you have sinned, you should tell each other
what you have done. Then you can pray
for one another and be healed.
(James 5:16 – Contemporary English Version)

32. He cast himself totally on
the mercy of God

33. RECEIVE IT!

34. Because of his great mercy God has given us a
new life by raising Jesus Christ from death.
This fills us with a living hope . . .
(1 Peter 1:3)

35. Cast all your anxiety on him
because he cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7)

36. WHAT DOES JESUS DO
WITH OUR FAILURES?
LUKE 22 & JOHN 21

37. Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like
wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your
faith should not fail.

38. So when you have repented and turned back
to me again, strengthen and build
up your brothers.”
(Luke 22:31-32)

39. Jesus isn’t
shocked by our failures

40. He knows us!

41. God knows what we are made of. He bears
in mind that we are dust.
(Psalm 103:14)

42. Jesus constantly
prays for us

43. He loves us!

44. Jesus is able to save us completely because
(in heaven) he lives to intercede on our behalf.
He is always talking to the Father,
asking him to help us.
(Hebrews 7:25)

45. Jesus never stops
believing in us

46. He values us!

47. . . . so WHEN you have repented
and turned back to me again . . .
(Luke 22:32)

48. For even though a righteous man falls 7 times,
he will rise again!
(Proverbs 24:16)

49. “I know you are looking for Jesus who was
crucified. But he is not here—he’s risen
from the dead. Now go tell his disciples,
AND tell Peter!”
(Mark 16:6-7)

50. Jesus shows us mercy
when we are at our worst

51. He forgives us!

52. Two weeks later Jesus makes
breakfast on the beach for the disciples
(John 21:1-14)

53. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end; they are
new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

54. Jesus always gives a
second chance to do His will

55. He uses us!

56. I prayed for you. I have prayed that your faith
will hold firm and that you will recover from
your failure and become a source of
strength for your brothers.
(Luke 22:32)

57. Jesus recommissions Peter for the purpose
for which He called him.
(John 21:15-17)

59. Let’s Pray