March 13, 2026, 4:00 PM
Hello again, and I pray you've had a good week!
Are there any people in the Bible whom you identify with? I really identify with Simon Peter.
He really tried hard not to do the wrong thing, but we see him messing up a lot in the Gospels.
On the night Jesus was betrayed and taken into custody by the Jewish leaders, everyone ran away EXCEPT Peter.
Peter tried following Jesus from a distance (which is really impossible), but at least he tried! He even went as far as the very courtyard of the High Priest, where Jesus was being held and tried!
No matter how hard he tried, however, Peter failed and denied knowing Jesus.
Mark 14:72 (NASB): "And immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, 'Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.' And he hurried on and began to weep."
I can sympathize with Peter's denial of Jesus. He was really determined not to do it, yet he failed. I know how weak my own human nature is and can be in times of distress.
Even the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7:15, "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
We are all sinners saved by grace, and we all fall apart without the Holy Spirit!
Later on, in the book of Acts, we see Peter as a different person. He's different from the time he was with Jesus because he has the gift of the Holy Spirit! Listen to Peter's own words in Acts 11:16 (NASB): "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "
I am very grateful that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We can all be thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit to every baptized believer, who helps us live a holy life. I pray that we would all "lean into that" and live more and more for Jesus!
We're currently in a series of sermons - "MIRACLES of the MESSIAH" - looking at some of the powerful miracles Jesus performed while on earth. This coming Sunday, March 15th, we'll talk about Jesus' driving out evil spirits!
Jesus frequently cast out demons during His earthly ministry, demonstrating His authority over the spiritual realm. Today, demon possession takes on many different forms. In our American culture, we see many people held captive by addictions.
If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one whose life has been taken over by an addiction, you know it can feel very oppressive. The "unclean spirit" of addiction can take over a person and turn them into someone – something – they are not.
And it seems that no matter how hard we try, we (or others) cannot overcome some things. They, quite literally, have a "hold of us."
There's good news, though!
There are no hurts, habits, hang-ups or addictions that the power of Jesus can't overcome! That is truly great news for today's world! There is power in the blood of Jesus. That power can "break every chain" of the evil one. Come and hear more this Sunday at FCC!
Have a great weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon!
God Bless,
Greg Herriford
