This is a story of a man called Peter who had an encounter with the living God. This sermon is about the real Peter as told to me by the Holy Spirit. This sermon is about you and me and the first time we came in contact with the living God. The reactions Peter had are no different than what you and I had when we first meet Jesus.As you read this outline please remember where your "GALILEE" was. I will never forget the very place I first meet the Living God. I can take you to the very spot it took place. I can remember the time of day even the month and day I first meet Jesus. Now when I seem to drift away from Him I always remember the very spot time and date where he came to me and gave me new life, hope, salvation and a personel relationship with God Himself.

Galilee

Encounter With the Living God

Luke 5:1 (KJS) And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Galilee,2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing [their] nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.7 And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. What was your first thought when the Holy and righteous God meet you? 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Peter Walks on the Water

(At Galilee)

Peter loved Jesus with all his heart. He did not want the Lord to be anywhere at anytime without him. Peter longed to be with Jesus even in the most dangerous of situations. Matt 14:28 (KJS) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Peter declares Jesus as the Messiah

(Upper Galilee )

Peter had a relationship with Jesus and he knew him very well. His love for Jesus brought him even closer to the Father himself. Matt 16:16 (KJS) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Peter wants all God has for him

(At Last Supper)

Peter was not the man most people make him out to be. He wanted everything the Lord had to offer. He knew that Jesus could Bless and Heal. Peter had seen it with his own eyes. That night, Peter ask for all that Jesus had to offer him. John 13:6 (KJS) Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head.

Peter declares he will never turn his back

(At Last Super)

Peter is the first to announce his loyality. His love for Jesus is geniune in every respect. Matt 26:33 (KJS) Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended. Would you not say the same thing if you were in Peters place?Have you ever been in a situation where you may have made a vow to God and found out later you had spoke hastly?

Peter Runs to the Grave

(At Jerusalem)

Luke 24:1 (KJS) Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them.2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and other [women that were] with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. Peter wanted more than anything to be with Jesus. His desire was never ceasing. It dawns on him the words Jesus spoke "I shall rise on the third day". He now knows that Jesus is alive and wants more than anything to be with him. What does Peter do he goes to the place where he first meet Jesus at Galilee. I am convinced he would stayed there until he died waiting on the return of Jesus.

Go to Galilee

(and Peter)

Mark 16:6 (KJS) And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Remember, Jesus will always be in the same place where you left him, waiting on you to return to Him.

At Galilee

Peter did the only thing he knew to do. That was to go to the place where he first meet Jesus. He went back to the very thing he was doing when he meet Jesus - fishing. John 21:3 (KJS) Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt [his] fisher's coat [unto him], (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

Remember the first time you came in contact with the Living God?

Have you drifted away?

Just go back and remember the time and place where Jesus first meet you and say "Lord I am here once again. "Heal my unbelief" "Touch my infirmity""Take away my sin" or whatever you have need of" and JESUS will show up and meet you there. Rev. Bob Stevens