In this sermon, Pastor Scott Worthington preaches from Mark 14:66–72, where Peter denies Jesus.
The Jesus that Peter was experiencing was different than the Jesus that Peter wanted, and that led him to deny knowing Him. Unfortunately, we see this still happening today where many follow a version of Jesus they hope will bring success or fulfill their dreams, but when He doesn’t, they, like Peter, may say, “I don’t know that man.”
Peter’s story invites us to ask: Am I following Jesus for who He truly is, or for who I want Him to be? Watch the full sermon to dive deeper.
Sermon Notes
The Gospel of Mark Peter Denies Jesus // Mark 14:66-72
“And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, ‘You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you mean.’ And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’ But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know this man of whom you speak.’ And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” Mark 14:66-72
“Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:16
“And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’” Matthew 16:17-18
“And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, ‘You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you mean.’ And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed.” Mark 14:66-68
Three realties to remember:
1. The slippery slope of sin · Pride
“‘Even though they all fall away, I will not.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ But he said emphatically, ‘If I must die with you, I will not deny you.’And they all said the same.” Mark 14:29-31
“Pride is the worst viper in the heart! It is the first sin that ever entered into the universe… It lies lowest of all in the foundation of the whole building of sin.” Jonathan Edwards
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:18
· “I would never do __________”
· “I don’t need accountability…”
· “I don’t need community in my life to follow Jesus.”
Three realties to remember:
1. The slippery slope of sin
· Pride
· Prayerlessness
“Peter lost the personal struggle in the dark garden when, instead of drawing on divine power, he confidently slept. Consequently, when temptation arose in the heat of the battle, he was woefully unprepared.” John Macarthur
Three realties to remember:
1. The slippery slope of sin
· Pride
· Prayerlessness
· Pressure
“But he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you mean.’ And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed.” Mark 14:68
“And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” Matthew 26:72
“But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know this man of whom you speak.’ And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times…’” Mark 14:71-72a
Application: Am I following Jesus for who He is – or for what I want Him to be?
Three realties to remember:
1. The slippery slope of sin
2. The sorrow that comes from sin
“And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’” And he broke down and wept.” Mark 14:72
“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter… And he went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:61a-62b
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10
Application: We must be honest about our sin and kill it before it kills us
Three realties to remember:
1. The slippery slope of sin
2. The sorrow that comes from sin
3. The Savior who is greater than our sin
