God Encounters: Peter (Part 1, Notes)

On one occasion, Jesus was preaching to a crowd on the shore of Lake Galilee. A vast multitude of people was pushing to get close to Jesus to hear the word of God. 2 He noticed two fishing boats at the water’s edge, with the fishermen nearby, rinsing their nets. 3 Jesus climbed into the boat belonging to Simon Peter and said to him, “Let me use your boat. Push it off a short distance away from the shore so I can speak to the crowd.”4 Jesus sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished, he said to Peter, “Now row out to deep water to cast your nets and you will have a great catch.”5 “Master,” Peter replied, “we’ve just come back from fishing all night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you insist, we’ll go out again and let down our nets because of your word.”6 When they pulled up their nets, they were shocked to see a huge catch of fish, and their nets were ready to burst! 7 They waved to their business partners in the other boat for help. They ended up completely filling both boats with fish until they began to sink!8 When Simon Peter saw this astonishing miracle, he knelt at Jesus’ feet and begged him, “Go away from me, Master, for I am a sinful man!”9–10 Simon Peter and the other fishermen—including his fishing partners, Jacob and John, the sons of Zebedee—were awestruck over the miracle catch of fish.Jesus answered, “Do not yield to your fear, Simon Peter. From now on, you will catch men for salvation!”11 After pulling their boats to the shore, they left everything behind and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11 (TPT) 

• Frustration
• Desperation
• Cooperation
• Hesitation
• Devotion

Peter was a:

• Rock
• Fisherman
• Confidant
• Risk Taker

22 As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. 23 After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone.24 But the disciples, who were now in the middle of the lake, ran into trouble, for their boat was tossed about by the high winds and heavy seas.25 At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! 26 When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!”27 Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!”28 Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!”29 “Come and join me,” Jesus replied.So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. 30 But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out.31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?”32 And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. 33 Then all the disciples bowed down before him and worshiped Jesus.  They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!”

Matthew 14:22-33 (TPT)

• Prophet
• Man
• Restoration Story
• Leader