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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Facing Your Fear of Failure

October 26, 2014 Speaker: Series: Facing Your Fears

Topic: General Verse: John 18:12-18–18:25-27

FACING YOUR FEARS
“Facing Your Fear of Failure”
Pastor Duane Cross | 10.26.14


Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself... Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.   
John 18:12-18, 25-27 (NIV)

HOW DO WE FACE THE FEAR OF FAILURE?

#1: We need to accept the fact that everyone fails.

“As the scriptures say: ‘There is no one who always does right, not even one.’” Romans 3:10
“... all have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard.” Romans 3:23
“We all stumble in many ways.” James 3:2


#2: We need to understand that failure isn’t fatal.

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.  Acts 2:36-41 

#3: We need to see the benefits of failure.

* Failure is educational.
”... all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” I Peter 5:5 

* Failure is also motivational.


#4: We need to remember that God stands ready to forgive.

“The Lord has mercy on those who respect him, as a father has mercy on his children. He knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.”   Psalm 103:13-14


ACTION STEPS:

  1. “Go For It!”
  2. “Get Real!”
  3. “Get Up!”

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