Message summary: If Peter could comeback after his disgraceful fall you can as well!

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"And he (Peter) went out and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75). "But go, tell His disciples and Peter" (Mark 16:7). "But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them..." (Acts 2:14).

This last weekend had several great comebacks in sports; Ohio State came back to beat Penn State by one point in a football game, disappointing to many in our area! The Astros won a dramatic game five of the World Series forcing the Dodgers to mount a comeback in the final two games if they are to win the series.

Great sports stories often revolve around comebacks.  "Comeback" is used in sports to describe an athlete or team that's behind and comes back to victory. These comebacks can be encouraging to sports fans everywhere (except for those cheering on the team that lost!)  Comebacks remind us that it really isn't over till it's over. But of course we see a spiritual application as well. Comeback is not just a sports term but it's also a life term!

We consider people in our lives who need a comeback. I have a friend who recently lost his job of many years and it has been a real blow to his life. Brooksyne is working with a young lady who dramatically needs a comeback. Her life is ravaged by drug abuse, immoral living and other sinful choices. We understand that years ago she had a walk with the Lord and now she needs a comeback.

Peter made a great comeback. He had infamously denied the Lord at His trial. Following his denial he went out and wept bitterly. That could have been the end of the story or worse, he could have taken his own life like Judas after his betrayal. After Peter had so famously indicated that he would never deny Christ, his thrice denial must have pummeled his spirit to an all-time low. His denial had a potentially deadly spiritual impact.

Peter was down but he didn't stay there. He repented of the pride that led to his downfall and embraced humility that once again put him in favor with God and restored his role as a spiritual leader. By resurrection morning he and John were among the early witnesses of the empty tomb. Jesus seemed to make a special effort to let Peter know he was forgiven when the angel told the women, "But go, tell His disciples and Peter". Later, before His Ascension, Christ had a special moment with Peter telling him to feed His sheep.

His “comeback” is one of the great stories of the Bible. He came back to be a leader in the early church and wrote two letters that are in the Bible. He was the "lead pastor" on the day of Pentecost. "But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them".

Jesus made the greatest comeback. In this extemporaneous message Peter makes a great statement of faith concerning Christ who had made the greatest comeback fifty days earlier: "God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death." Jesus had experienced the agony of death and seeming defeat. His lifeless body was placed in a tomb and sealed. To His enemies a comeback now was an impossibility. But no paltry Roman guard was going to stop the almighty comeback of God's Son!

You have and can make a comeback! We also have comebacks in our own lives. It might be a comeback from a reckless lifestyle, an accident, marital problems, financial ruin or a spiritual failure. The church is full of people who, in one way or another, have made a comeback. You might be among those spotted in the comeback pews of the church!

Today we'd like you to consider comebacks in your life; issues that seemed so insurmountable at the time but you dealt with them and with God's help overcame the major obstacle (or you're presently overcoming). That's part of your testimony. If you are dealing with circumstances right now that seem hopeless, above all, hold onto your faith! God is there to undergird you during the unforeseeable circumstances that come your way. He's also there to forgive, restore, and guide those of you who've taken a wrong turn, to get you back on the righteous path. If Peter could comeback after his disgraceful fall, you can as well!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You proved that death could not keep its hold on our Lord Jesus Christ, when You raised Him from the dead. The resurrected power that You gave Jesus also dwells in us, the redeemed. It gives us the power to overcome the most impossible situations where Satan has had influence over us. At times You miraculously intervene and other times You provide us with strength, endurance and hope to remain steady when we experience trouble upon trouble. When we lose our way You lovingly, gently, and persistently nudge us back to the Great Shepherd of our souls. Thank You for specializing in things thought impossible and for doing what no other power can do. Thank you that, by Your grace and power, we can comeback! Amen.

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"Somebody's Miracle"  Video   Brian Free and Assurance

"Big Enough"  Video  Joseph Habedank

"Gospel star Joseph Habedank opens up about drug addiction"  Video  He made a comeback!

"Say Amen"  Video  Brian Free & Assurance

Daily Encouragement Net Reader Survey: Thanks to all who took a few minutes to fill in a reader survey we placed up last week. We found the input helpful and encouraging. For those who may be interested we have prepared a page with the results, including comments (pdf)

Finally today: Kevin, a long-time reader from Maryland, correctly answered our Scripture numeric reference quiz yesterday. Of course any book that had that particular chapter and verse would not be a "wrong" answer but Kevin captures what many of us would find was so familiar about these references!

If you still want to take the quiz go here and scroll down to quiz. Otherwise scroll down on this page below Personal Mission Statement for Kevin's answers!