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Sifted to Strengthen Others

Sifted to strengthen others

Luke 22v31-32

Jesus

1. Satan has asked to sift you – does not say no way!
2. Prayed his faith would not fail
3. When you have turned back
4. Strengthen your brothers

Sifting is not exactly sieving!

Kids Demo of sieving flour

Ancient times wheat preparation to make flour

1. Threshed
2. Winnowed
3. Sifted
4. Ground

Kid to try! Sift some sweets – new garden sieve – toffees, rabbit food for chaff, pebbles

Violent shaking and some dross goes through, some separates and picked out – skilled end up with two piles in the sieve.

Tough process

Satan wants to bruise us, knock us about – but Jesus prayer is that we get through it and come out with the rubbish taken away and able to strengthen others.

The sifting is discipline – and it’s not rejection. The Father disciplines those he loves Heb 12:5-11.

Peter blew it big time – proud, but denied Jesus x3 with a bit of fruity language.

Believers sin – when you think you are strong, that’s when you are most vulnerable.

Feel bad – shame, guilt or fear

Embarrassed – Stef told a 400m story – mine was the mile, I sprinted a lap and was done! Came last.

But we don’t lose our salvation.

Peter sinned around a fire.

Jesus restored round another campfire

Peter denied him 3 times

Jesus told him to feed my sheep 3 times.

Jesus prayer is answered! Peter came back and got to strengthen the brothers.

Within weeks he preached a sermon and 3000 people got saved!

Do you feel haunted by failure? Maybe find a quiet place this afternoon and read the story of Peter’s restorative breakfast in John 21 and allow Jesus to strengthen you too