Podcast Summary: Real America’s Voice – The Power of Getting Back Up with Jentezen Franklin

Date: November 23, 2025
Host/Speaker: Jentezen Franklin
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Real America’s Voice

Overview

This episode, delivered by Jentezen Franklin, centers on the power of resilience and redemption, highlighting how failure is not the end but an invitation to get back up. Using the biblical story of Simon Peter’s denial of Jesus and subsequent restoration, Franklin weaves in inspirational stories from history to illustrate that setbacks do not define us—perseverance and faith do. The message encourages listeners to reject shame, accept grace, and believe that God can use their lowest moments for the greatest comeback.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Peter’s Failure and Redemption

[03:29 – 16:35]

• Franklin reads from Matthew 27, recounting how Peter assured Jesus that he would never deny him, but within hours denied Jesus three times.
  • “I will never be made to stumble…even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you.” (Jentezen Franklin quoting Peter, 03:52)
• Franklin details Peter's escalating denial: first, denying association with Jesus, then adding oaths and swearing, and finally cursing—demonstrating how failure can deepen when we move in pride.
• The moment Jesus looks at Peter after the rooster crows stands out as transformative:
  • “The Lord turned…and looked at Peter. Their eyes caught one another…It was a look that pierced his heart.” (Jentezen Franklin, 08:32)
• Franklin reminds listeners that despite Peter’s shame, Jesus’ look was not one of condemnation but of unconditional love.

2. The Tears of Failure: Biblical and Historical Examples

[10:55 – 16:35]

• Franklin compares Peter’s sorrow to others in Scripture: Adam and Eve, Job, Lot, Jacob, Aaron, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Mary, and Paul—all wept over their failures and losses.
  • “Throughout the Bible, the tears of men…Adam and Eve…Job…Lot…Jacob…the most important tears, the tears of Mary at the cross…” (Jentezen Franklin, 11:28)
• Point: Great men and women throughout history experienced bitter tears and failure; it’s not unique to us.

3. History’s Comeback Stories: Learning from Setbacks

[19:39 – 32:40]

Examples:

• Thomas Edison: 14,000 failed attempts at the light bulb; his mother’s belief in him changed his destiny.
  • “He said, ‘No, I just found 14,000 ways it didn’t work.’” (Jentezen Franklin, 20:02)
• Vincent van Gogh: Only sold one painting in his lifetime; hundreds were destroyed due to criticism, yet his art became priceless.
• Abraham Lincoln: Chronicled years of personal and political failure before becoming President and abolishing slavery.
• Albert Einstein: Delayed speech, labeled as mentally handicapped, ultimately changed science.
• Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel): 27 rejections; success only came after adopting a new pen name.
• Colonel Sanders: Over a thousand rejections before KFC became global.
• Babe Ruth/Hank Aaron: Held records for both home runs and strikeouts—keep swinging.

Overarching Message:

• Great accomplishment often grows from repeated failure and rejection.
• “You’ve just got to keep going. You’ve just got to keep believing. We all know what it is to swing and miss.” (Jentezen Franklin, 31:17)

4. Spiritual Parallel: Peter’s Restoration and Our Second Chances

[34:43 – 43:15]

• Franklin likens Peter’s denial to striking out in baseball—three chances, three misses.
  • “The bases are loaded…He swings, and he misses. And you think God would leave him there? But read the story!” (Jentezen Franklin, 36:04)
• Even after public failure, Jesus singles out Peter for redemption:
  • “You go tell my disciples and Peter that I’m alive…” (37:08)
• Peter, despite his past, becomes a pillar: preaches at Pentecost and 3,000 are saved.
  • “Cleanup is Simon Peter, the failure. The loser. Oh, good, we’ll be all right…But God says, ‘I’ll tell you which one I’ll pick…I want that guy named Simon Peter.’” (40:37)
• Acts 2:38 is highlighted as Peter’s message of repentance and hope—the gospel through a self-confessed failure.

5. Application and Invitation: Your Past Doesn’t Disqualify You

[47:03 – 57:11]

• Franklin passionately invites listeners to “get back up”—to not be defined by failure but by their willingness to accept grace.
• He calls out to different listeners: the discouraged, parents, those facing loss, or wrestling with shame.
  • “Maybe you just feel like you’ve messed up and you can’t recover. This message is for you.” (Jentezen Franklin, 47:03)
• Listeners are urged to reject the “roosters”—the reminders of their failures—and instead pick up the “bat” once more, trusting God’s redemption.
  • “You don’t have to be the strikeout king. You can be the home run king for the glory of Jesus Christ.” (47:55)

6. Personal Commitment & Prayer

[52:19 – 57:11]

• Franklin extends a heartfelt call for repentance and surrender.
  • “If you know this sermon is for you and you failed and you’ve messed up…God’s grace is reaching for you.” (48:32)
• Hundreds respond in person; Franklin leads a prayer of surrender, referencing Peter’s restoration and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.
• The overwhelming theme: Your past cannot hold you hostage. The failure is not your end—let God write your comeback.
  • “You are a new creation. The old things have passed away, including the failures. Let them go.” (57:09)
  • “If you hear any roosters, say you’re a lying devil. I don’t listen to roosters. I listen to the dove.” (58:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jesus’ Love Despite Failure
  “When Jesus looked at him, it was not a piercing look. It was a look of, I still love you. I can prove that because He’s going to use him again.” (08:45, Jentezen Franklin)

• On Failure and Perseverance
  “You’ve just got to keep going. You’ve just got to keep believing. We all know what it is to swing and miss.” (31:17)

• Baseball Parallel with Peter’s Denial
  “Here comes the first softball…It’s coming right across the plate. And he swings and misses…Strike one. …Strike two…Strike three.” (34:43)

• God’s Message to the Disqualified
  “You may think God has given up on you…but you don’t know Jesus. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. And when you cry out, he says, give him the bat.” (38:05)

• God Uses the Overlooked
  “Watch me work miracles in losers lives. Watch me raise people up. Watch me use people the world throws away.” (41:36)

• On Embracing Grace Again
  “Tell the roosters to shut up and get up and say, ‘But Jesus said that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’” (48:28)

• On Being a New Creation
  “You are a new creation. You’re a new creature. The old things have passed away, including the failures.” (57:09)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |----------------------------------------|--------------| | Host Introduction & Scripture Readings | 03:29–10:55 | | The Tears of Failure | 10:55–16:35 | | Historical Failures and Comebacks | 19:39–32:40 | | Peter’s Restoration & Spiritual Parallels | 34:43–43:15 | | The Call to Respond & Closing Prayer | 47:03–57:11 |

Summary Tone

Jentezen Franklin’s approach is hopeful, energetic, and deeply pastoral. He uses a warm, storytelling style filled with empathy, conviction, and humor—especially when drawing parallels to sports and sharing personal, relatable illustrations. His message is uncompromisingly positive: it’s never too late for a comeback.

Bottom Line

This episode is a stirring encouragement to anyone weighed down by past mistakes. Drawing from Scripture and history, Franklin’s central message is that no failure is final—with faith and perseverance, and especially through the grace of God, everyone can get back up and make a meaningful impact.