Thesis
Every human being fails, but failure does not define who we are. Drawing from Peter's experience of walking on water and later denying Jesus, Pastor Scott Rogers argues that failure is an event to learn from, never an identity to carry. Because God redeemed Peter's most devastating failure by using him to birth the New Testament church, we can trust that He is equally eager to redeem our failures — freeing us to move forward without regret and to step out in bold, risk-taking faith.
Key points
- 1
Failure is an event, not a person — it is not your identity.
- 2
Stepping out in faith — even when you sink — is worth more than staying safely in the boat.
- 3
When we only identify with failure, we sabotage the blessings God has for us.
- 4
Don't waste a failure — learn from it, grow through it, and do it differently next time.
- 5
Failure is not final, but it becomes so only if we make it our identity.
- 6
God loves to redeem our failures, as shown by using Peter — who denied Jesus three times — to preach the first gospel message and see 3,000 people come to faith.
Outline
Introduction: Failure Is Universal
Pastor Scott uses a personal story about flunking sociology as a senior to establish that every person — Christian or not — experiences failure. He introduces the central reframe: failure is an event, not a person.
Peter Walks on Water (Matthew 14)
Pastor Scott walks through Matthew 14:25-33, arguing that Jesus was not rebuking Peter for sinking but celebrating him for being the only one bold enough to step out of the boat. Staying in the boat, he suggests, is the most dangerous place to be.
Failure Is Not Final — But Don't Waste It
Pastor Scott draws a practical principle: don't waste a failure. Failure is a costly education, so we should ask God for wisdom, learn from it, and pursue doing things differently rather than repeating the same mistakes.
Peter Denies Jesus (Matthew 26)
Moving to Matthew 26, Pastor Scott recounts Peter's three denials and the bitter weeping that followed, inviting the congregation to empathize with the crushing weight of failing someone you love — and yourself.
When Failure Becomes Identity
Pastor Scott distinguishes between saying 'I have failed' and believing 'I am a failure.' When failure becomes identity, we begin to sabotage blessings, healthy relationships, and God's purposes for our lives.
God Redeems Failure — Acts 2
Turning to Acts 2, Pastor Scott shows that God chose Peter — the man who vehemently denied Jesus just weeks earlier — to preach the first gospel message, resulting in 3,000 people coming to faith and the birth of the New Testament church.
Application and Closing Prayer
Pastor Scott challenges the congregation to either move forward by releasing the regret of past failure or to step out of the boat in a fresh act of faith — then leads a prayer of commitment for both.
Memorable moments
failure is an event not a person
Stepping onto the water can be scary, but I want to suggest that staying in the boat is the most dangerous place to be
Don't let the fear of what others might think or say keep you from trying something new or doing something great for the glory of God
I can say, I have failed, but when I begin to say and believe I am a failure, then we're in a tough spot
God loves to redeem our failure
We have not failed in any way that you cannot redeem
Application
Pastor Scott closes with two practical challenges rooted in the sermon. First, for those weighed down by past failure: today is the day to stop being haunted by regret, to refuse to wear failure as an identity, and to move forward — acknowledging that while consequences may linger, failure does not get the last word. Second, for those playing it safe: it may be time to step out of the boat. If nothing in your life currently requires God to come through, consider where He may be calling you to trust Him more fully — whether that's in His Word, in sharing your faith, in generosity, or in a relationship. Failure is an event; it is not who you are. God redeemed Peter's greatest failure and used it to change the world — and He is just as ready to redeem yours.
