Locations & Times

What do you do when you’ve blown it so badly you don’t think you can come back?

This story walks through two men who failed Jesus in massive ways, Judas and Peter, and asks a question most of us avoid. What happens after the moment you cross the line? Both looked strong on the outside. Both crashed in the dark. One tried to fix it alone and lost everything. The other ran back to Jesus.

Failure isn’t the end. It’s the fork in the road. One path is shame, hiding, and self-destruction. The other is honest repentance and a return to Jesus. Peter’s story shows that even after denial, there’s restoration, purpose, and a future. Not because he was strong, but because he went back to the only One who could fix what he couldn’t.

Jim Burgen
March 29th, 2026

// Bible References: Matt 26:14-16, 47-50, 69-74; 27:3-5; Luke 22:61-62; John 12:3-6; 13:27-30, 37-38; 18:10-11; 21:7, 15-19 2 Cor 7:10;

// Community Question: What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? It can be light or a little deeper. Maybe you’ve never had coffee, got lost on an easy hike, or have some random hidden talent. Or maybe it’s something more real, like you used to run from God, you’ve failed at something big, or you’re still working through something you thought you’d be past by now. And if you’re up for it, what makes that something you don’t usually share?

// Discussion Questions

1. The sermon discusses two different types of sorrow: godly grief and worldly grief. Godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation without regret, while worldly sorrow leads to death. Think about a time you felt sorry for something you did wrong - was it more focused on the consequences to you, or on your relationship with God and others?
2. Jim talks about how God sometimes lets us 'sit in the fire' not as punishment, but for our growth. Can you identify a difficult season in your life where God seemed to be letting you 'sit in the fire'? What did you learn from that experience?
3. Jim mentions that Judas never referred to Jesus as 'Lord' in any of the Gospels, only as teacher or rabbi. Why is this distinction significant in understanding the different outcomes between Judas and Peter? In your own life, do you view Jesus more as a teacher who gives good advice, or as Lord who has authority over your life decisions?
4. Going Deeper: Read John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Why do you think Jesus asked Peter this question three times, and what was the significance of giving Peter a mission after each response? How has God used your past failures or mistakes to shape your current purpose or ministry to others?

// Challenge: Is there a habit or area in your life that you need to repent from? What is the first step you need to take to uncover it and run towards Jesus?