Matthew 16:22-23..Ready

Matthew 16:22-23..Ready

16:22 Peter took him aside (Possibly pulling Jesus by the arm-(New)) and began to rebuke him. Never, Lord! he said. “This shall never happen to you!”  23 Jesus turned  and said to Peter, “Get behind me” Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me;  you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (For Complete Expository See Book)

Extended Sermon 

“Warns if not careful we start to think we know better than God in what’s best for us and everyone around.” ⇒ Satan always gets a foothold when we think our ways are higher or better than the ways of God. While we may not rebuke the Lord to His face, we are all guilty at times of setting our minds on the things of men rather than on the things of God. We trust ourselves and our own wisdom more than God and His wisdom. We decide that we know better than the One who made us. How often do we say “I love Jesus” but we reject or ignore God’s method of operation. We say, “God you are all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, and perfectly holy and wise. You are awesome and I love you. However, let me tell you what you need to do and how to do it. I’ve got a great plan on how You should accomplish Your mission.” When we approach God like this, we become a hindrance and obstacle to the plan of God. Let’s declare Who He is without dictating what He must do.

“Warns how we can miss what God is doing when it doesn’t align with our plans and conflicts with our interests.” ⇒ Have we lost sight of God’s plan for our life, even confusing our plan for God’s plan? Like Peter, God’s plan may be the farthest thing from our mind. Our “Never Lord!” could actually be God’s plan for us. And do we demand that God’s plan makes sense before we follow it? God can work in ways that don’t make sense to us. He can use surprising people and circumstances to bring his will to pass. Things may even appear out of control from our human perspective, but may actually be moving along according to God’s perfect plan. Rather than trying to get God to go along with our little plans, We should ask God; what are you doing and how do you want me to join in with that?’ When we’re thinking about moving to a new city for a higher paying job are we looking to the benefits for ourselves or are we asking, ‘Lord, is this what you want me to do?’. When we’re choosing someone to marry are we asking God’s opinion or do we just want him to rubber-stamp our plans.

“Warns how Satan often tempts us through the unsuspecting hands of those nearest and dearest to us.” ⇒ Usually with appeals as; “Surely God doesn’t want you to go through this” or “Spare yourself all the trouble & pain”. The enemy not only attacks us directly, but also tries to influence us through family and friends who will try to dissuade us from our calling. Many times people will try to convince us that this is not what the Lord will have you do at this time. Peter’s advice was to compromise and take the easier route and more comfortable road. He was well meaning. From Peter’s perspective he wanted the best for Jesus. He cared about Jesus. He loved Jesus. He wanted Jesus to succeed. Listen carefully, the temptation for all of us when giving someone advice is to care more about their comfort than their character. When we strictly give advice based on what makes someone happy rather than holy, we are giving the devil’s advice. When your advice to someone starts out with what will make them happy, you are beginning at the wrong point. What is right? What is God’s will? What does the Father want you to do? That’s the question you are to answer. Peter was giving advice that the devil would give, not a godly man.

“Warns how oftentimes we think there’s another way without the cross.” ⇒ Peter offered Jesus the end result without taking the path to get there. The same thing Stan offered Jesus-(4:   ) We often want immediate glory without all the pain and hard work. We avoid dealing with difficult emotions, personal challenges, or past traumas. We want the path of least resistance. Glory is coming, but we can’t short circuit the way there.  We are to follow in the footsteps of our Savior. Enduring the cross was Jesus’ path to glory. Jesus humbled himself. He came from the splendors of heaven to serve humanity.

Additional Notes & Applications.

Displays how even the strongest, must spiritual filled, honest confessing Christian can get it wrong in what Salvation and success looks like.

Teaches how great temptations often come through well meaning friends. (Peter meant well, he just………….. (To be Continued)

Teaches how sometimes we focus too much on the negative and forget the positive. Jesus said He would die and be raised, but Simon Peter only heard about the suffering and death, missing the resurrection part entirely.

Warns if not careful just like Peter we can speak out against our own Salvation……(To be Continued)

Teaches how our thoughts are often self-centered & self-serving, while the things of God are other-centered & self-giving.

Teaches how instead of listening to those who tell it like it is, we want to silence them anyway we can. Often times the truth hurts, especially when were called out on a sin or doing something wrong.

Calls for seeing blessing in rebuke. The  sharp rebuke of the Lord can be an expression of love in turning us from the self-destructive path were going down.

When Peter makes this bold statement that he’s not going to let anything happen to Jesus we see how that worked out. Later while trying to keep Jesus from being arrested Peter misses with his sword and cuts the high Priest’s servant ear of instead. And even after Jesus’ arrest Peter denied knowing Jesus on three different occasion.

It’s tempting to knock Peter for saying such a thing. We can be hard and critical on Peter because we know on this side of the cross the Redemptive story and the necessity of the cross. We know the need of Jesus’ substitutionary atonement for sin, We know Jesus’ need to go to cross if our sins are going to be paid for and forgiven. We know the ascension and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But from Peter’s vantage point he didn’t have that. He didn’t have a full understanding of Jesus’ mission and work. Because Peter had no concept of a suffering Savior he has an excuse. But for us, who are living on this side of the crucifixion and resurrection do not have that excuse. We will not be able to say on the day of judgment; “Lord we just didn’t know enough.” Or “We just didn’t have enough tools, You didn’t give us enough information to go on.” When in fact we have not only have the written accounts of the Gospels, but the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our hearts as well.

Many are shocked by Peter in the way he openly rebuked Jesus. Even going so far as saying that he would never allow them to do such a thing. Yet how can you be sure that your entire life isn’t a rebuke to Jesus. Maybe your preoccupied with worldly things. Your mindful of the things of men but ignorant of the things of God. Year after year you put your own interests first in instead of Kingdom interests. Your job comes first, your family comes first, going out with your friends comes first.