Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Purpose of Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ Communicating New Life in Christ - Evangelism Cultivating New Life in Christ - Edification Caring for New Life in Christ - Fellowship Celebrating New Life in Christ - Worship

Setting Your Interest on the Things of God Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27 The pursuit of true worship will prevent falling into the common traps that have resulted in false worship We pick up our study of the Life of Christ following Peter’s great declaration in Matthew 16:13-20

Setting Your Interest on the Things of God Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27 God revealed to Peter Jesus’ identity, & Jesus confirmed Peter’s future role, but he soon failed miserably Continued success requires not only that your mind is set correctly, but that it remains set the things of God

God’s Plan for the Future Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:22 Jesus told His disciples not to tell others that He is the Messiah for it was not yet time to set up that kingdom Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31 - Jesus tells them plainly what will happen when He gets to Jerusalem

God’s Plan for the Future Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:22 Jesus tells them many more times of His coming suffering, death & resurrection before they get to Jerusalem

God’s Plan for the Future Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:22 Jesus is north of Galilee, in the region of Caesarea Philippi, and He now turns south to journey to Jerusalem

God’s Plan for the Future Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:22 Jesus had consistently had conflict with the religious leaders in Jerusalem, so why then go there? Jesus must fulfill the divine plan, for as a prophet He must perish in Jerusalem - Luke 13:33

God’s Plan for the Future Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:22 The Elders were chosen from among distinguished leaders of cities and towns to be part of the Sanhedrin The Chief Priests were usually Sadducees - theologically liberal and very pragmatic politicians

God’s Plan for the Future Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:22 The Scribes were usually Pharisees - conservative traditionalists committed more to custom that Scripture These leaders should have been welcoming Jesus as Messiah, instead they were the sources of suffering

God’s Plan for the Future Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:22 Jesus was be killed without legal trial or conviction of crime or sin according to God’s plan - Acts 2:23 Jesus’ prediction of His resurrection should have encouraged the disciples, but they appear to have missed it

Peter Rebukes Jesus Matthew 16:22, Mark 8:32 Peter’s rebuke reveals the closeness of their relationship and is testimony to the humanity of Jesus The rebuke sprang out of Peter’s love and friendship with Jesus as well as his own confusion and pride

Peter Rebukes Jesus Matthew 16:22, Mark 8:32 Peter expresses strong disapproval of Jesus suffering and dying, and commits himself to preventing it

Jesus Rebukes Peter Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33 Jesus had called Simon, “Peter” - the rock. Now He calls him Satan - adversary, personal name of the devil The devil was using Peter as a stumbling block - a trap, to lure Jesus away from the cross Jesus set His interest on God’s and so was going to Jerusalem

Jesus Rebukes Peter Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33 Peter’s interests were man’s desires, emotions and wisdom and so became an adversary to God’s plan Every Christian can fail the same way unless you humbly trust the Lord seeking His interests, not your own

Following God’s Interests Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 Jesus is including the multitude in the lesson He is teaching Jesus gives man a choice, and He tells up front the high cost of following Him

Following God’s Interests Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 Self-denial: you must reject your natural bent toward selfishness, sin and rebellion - Romans 8:23 Self-denial requires the humility of being poor in spirit which leads to the rest of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5).

Following God’s Interests Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 Man will not choose Christ unless the Holy Spirit intervenes because man is naturally proud and sinful

Following God’s Interests Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 Take up your cross is not any of the various trials of life, but counting yourself dead to self and alive to Christ Romans 12:1 - a living sacrifice. Colossians 3:5 - mortify your flesh. Galatians 2:20 - crucified with Christ.

Following God’s Interests Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 Obedience to God cannot earn you salvation, but it is the fruit of Holy Spirit’s work of conversion

The Foolishness of Following Man’s Interests Matthew 16:25-27; Mark 8:35-38; Luke 9:24-26 Living life by your own means, methods and wisdom will result in the vanity described in Ecclesiastes Life apart from God is ultimately without purpose resulting in nihilism -

The Foolishness of Following Man’s Interests Matthew 16:25-27; Mark 8:35-38; Luke 9:24-26 Which is more valuable? Your brief life on this planet (James 4:14), or your soul that lasts for eternity? Mark 8:38, Matt 16:27 - God will repay every man according to his deeds when Jesus returns in judgment

The Foolishness of Following Man’s Interests Matthew 16:25-27; Mark 8:35-38; Luke 9:24-26 Following Christ at a minimum means not being ashamed of Him or what He teaches The disdain, ridicule & persecution of the ungodly can be difficult, but we can rejoice to suffer for Christ

Living for Eternity The example of Jim Elliot He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose - Diary of Jim Elliot When it comes time to die, make sure that all you have to do is die - Jim Elliot

Living for Eternity The example of Jim Elliot The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men - 1 Corinthians 1:25

A Transcendent Hope Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27 Messiah will fulfill His role as a glorious king, conquering ruler and the righteous judge of all the earth

Your manner of life will reveal if you are denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus What will you hear? Well done, thou good and faithful servant or I never knew you, depart from Me

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ