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MARK 14: 54

"FOLLOWING AFAR OFF"

Intro: Two vastly contrasting statements. "Thou art the Christ the Son of
       the living  God." (vs. 71. One a strong confession of faith, an
       equally strong denial. Let us  trace the steps of backsliding.

I. THEY BEGAN ALMOST THE MOMENT HE MADE HIS STRONG CONFESSION OF FAlTH
   AS THE LORD SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT HIS  DEATH, PETER SAID, "BE THAT FAR
   FROM THEE LORD."

A . Began with the challenge of the Word of Christ.
        1. The Lord is saying things he doesn't understand.
        2. Rather than lust accepting by faith he challenges.
        B. As long as Jesus talked of building His church or establishing
           the kingdom, Peter with Him.
        1. Talk of a cross is foreign to Peter's concept.
        C. There began an estrangement.
        1. There is no static relationship with Christ. You are growing
           closer or drifting further.

II. VS. 29 -- "ALTHOUGH ALL SHALL BE OFFENDED, YET WILL NOT I."
        A. Again he challenges the Words of Christ.
                1. He thinks he knows himself better than the Lord does.
                2. If the Lord warns you of a danger you better listen.
                3. "Take heed when you think you stand lest you fall."
        B. He is boasting in himself.
                1. Yet will not I.
                2. Comparative boasting, though the rest might, I won't. 
                3. We are usually not as strong as we think we are.

Ill. VS. 37 -"AND HE CAME AND FOUND THEM SLEEPING AND HE SAID UNTO PETER,
              SIMON, SLEEPEST THOU?"
        A. One of the first outward signs of backsliding is a failure in
           our devotional life.
                1. I begin to attend church once on Sunday instead of
                   twice.
                2. Then when I wake up I look out to see if it's raining
                   before I decide.
                3. My Bible reading slacks off, I don't find it as
                   exciting as I once did.
                4. I am sleeping instead of praying.
                        a. After all I will never deny Him.

IV. VS. 47 --"AND ONE OF THEM THAT STOOD BY DREW A SWORD AND SMOTE A
              SERVANT OF THE HIGH PRIEST, AND CUT OFF HIS EAR." JOHN
              TELLS US THAT ONE WAS PETER.
        A. Trying to substitute works for true devotion.
                1. We often times seek works as a path back to full
                   fellowship.
                        a. "I've been growing cold lately, maybe I ought
                           to teach a Sunday School class and get back
                           into it."
        B. Classic example of zeal without knowledge.
                1. Back to basic difference, Peter is still trying to
                   fight idea of cross.

V. VS. 54 --"AND PETER FOLLOWED HIM AFAR OFF."
        A. So many endeavoring to do that today.
                1. Come, but not regularly.
                2. Give, but not much.
                3. Pray, in great emergencies and all else has failed.
        B. Enough of Jesus to get them in, they hope, but not enough to
           cramp their style.
                1. Jesus is welcome if He will promise not to spoil their
                   fun.

VI. VS. 54--"AND HE WARMED HIMSELF AT THE FIRE."
        A. As you grow cold you seek to find warmth.
                1. Tragically so many turn to the enemies fire.
                        a. "I was becoming much too narrow."
                                1. Stopped going to Vegas.
                        b. Think I'll head to the disco-tec tonight.
        B. Tis never a true fire lust an illusion.
        C. What is the enemies fire?
                1. The world seems to know; some maiden will usually come
                   up and say, "I thought you were a Christian," What are
                   you doing here?

VII. NO MATTER HOW FAR AWAY YOU HAVE DRIFTED, IT IS ONLY ONE SHORT STEP
     BACK.