Peters Confesion

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-1500 Words is about the intro & altar part

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Message DESCRIPTION: In this series on the Book of Mark, we see that Jesus is always the Main Attraction. This week, Pastor Shawn explores Mark 8:27-9:1, where Jesus asks His disciples a pivotal question: “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus challenges His followers to reflect on their confession of faith, emphasizing that true discipleship means both following and suffering with him.

Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin point 2

Series | The Main Attraction

Pre-Message Welcome

Well... we’re so glad to see everyone of you that are here today in person and online.

· My name is Shawn... my wife and I are the Co-Pastors here at The Grace Place.

· Our mission here is simple... it’s to be Caring People... Caring for people.

· We hope you feel cared for... by God in worship & Word and by the people.

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A mis amigos hispanos, me-da-gusto.. que vino... a adorar... con nosotros hoy!

We’re so glad you came to worship... with us today!

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Transition: We’re in a series called

Sermon Title | The Main Attraction

We’re going through the book of Mark – noting how Mark makes Jesus the Main attraction of every story he writes. Today story is no different.

Well... if you have missed the opener to our series you can catch up

o By listing on most Podcast sites

As well as

o Watch on our Youtube

Our text for todays message comes from Mark 8:27- 9:1 ESV

Read Passage

Before we read our passage I want to remind you what has been going on.

Context:

We saw this last week Pastor Krista talked about the forgetful disciples and their inability to see and hear not with Just natural eyes but with spiritual eyes and ears…

Every time Jesus talks with the disciples he is using natural things like bread or healing the sign of the blind to bless people in need but also… to express deeper spiritual truths.

Over and over agin… Jesus pulls the disciple aside and explain the deeper meaning of his words in hopes they would catch the Good News in his teachings.

He does this once again today as he drops yet again another spiritual truth.

Here in Mark 8… verse 28..

Jesus and his disciples we’re on the move again… he test the spiritual hearing of his followers… this time he ask’s a question to get them talking…

Here we go…

Mark 8:27-9:1 ESV

27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

Because of the miracles and healings that we’re happening through the hands of Jesus many thought he was one of the great prophets of the past … that has come back to life.

Jesus seems to ignore the roomers about himself… his real interest is what his followers think… Here is the question he asks them…

29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly.

For the first time ever he plainly speaks to them about his death on the cross. How do they react?…

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Notice here Jesus is trying to help them SEE with spiritual eyes… he says…

What are the things of God… Spiritual things

They they are not understanding - they are not seeing

What are the things of man… natural / physcal things

The primary way the see everything… this is exactly what he is trying to help them to see beyond.

Scripture continues in v.34 and says..

34 And calling the crowd… to him with his disciples, He instructs them with a powerful spiritual truth, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Spiritual: The way to hell and separation is saving and keeping your life- your sinful ways & your religious ways.

Natural: But,, They way to salvation is to lose your life… let go of your sin nature… and the GOSPEL - the GOOD news about Jesus if you believe it will save you.

Jesus continues to drill this point in v. 36

36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?

Jesus… is serious about this… so serious in fact that he say’s… and just so you know…

38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation

In other words… I expect your public acknowledgment of me…

This is like that guy or girl… that wants to privately date you-for their personal benefit… but doesn’t want anyone else to know-how many of you know he or she is a chump and not worthy of your time.

Jesus is saying I don’t play that… if you try that with me… you are NOT my follower)

In fact scripture says this…

of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

When you arrive before my father in heaven he will ask me about you and I will say… I have no idea who they are?

9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

But today - Lets make sure JESUS is the Main attraction and not the efforts of Man.

As always… we’re going to pray and God is going to speak to us.

***Encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | CONFESSIONS

Peter makes a CONFESSION that changes the trajectory of his life… Perhaps you too… will make that same confession.

I would like to point out 2 things I notice about this story..

The first thing I want you to notice IN YOUR NOTES is…

The RESEARCH. v.27-30

Now… these guys have been following Jesus for about 2+ years… I say “about” because history is unsure of exactly how long. As we have gone on this journey with in Mark, we know they have seen some fascinating things, from the teachings of Jesus… to the miracles, healings and great debates with the religious leaders.

The influence of Jesus is attracting both crowds and a lot criticism.

How are his followers being influenced by the roomers about him, what we’re they hearing…

So Jesus does some research NOT becuase he does NOT know the answers… but to get his disciples talking… he asks his disciples 2 big questions…

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His research reveals some things… IN YOUR NOTES…

It reveals PUBLIC opinions v. 28

Yea… his first question… WHO DO THE PEOPLE SAY I AM reveals the public opinions about Jesus.

Well… we know the public has opinions… So the disciples rattled off several different roomers they heard.

The public is still rattling off opinions about Jesus.

Some say he was a good prophet and teacher - but could not have been God.

Many other religions see him as a spiritual leader like Mohammed or Buddha but NOT God.

v. 29… ignoring these roomers… he says to his closes followers… I want to know something about you…

v. 29 Who do YOU say I am?

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Peter - the 1st to raise his hand… ME ME ME ME… PICK ME JESUS…

Now remember… Jesus had pulled these guys away from the crowds several times becuase they lacked spiritual sight… and he had to help them understand what he was saying on many different occasions…

But somethings changes this time … as Peter… who is often seen as the leader of the disciples pipes up and these words flowed from his lips… WORDS that Jesus longed to hear from him…

v. 29 he says…

You are the CHRIST… some translations say…, You are the Christ… The son the living God.

The researched revealed some things… Not only did the public have opinions… but so did Peter and the disciples…

His 2nd research question reveals some more information… IN YOUR NOTES…

It reveals PERSONAL revelation v. 29 (Matt. 16:17)

Yea… Peter is the 1st one who speaks out what he know knows about Jesus’s divinity… he has a personal revelation of Christ…

the Greek word for Christ is the word Christos.. meaning anointed one… the Messiah… …

According to the scripture… everyone had been waiting for the Anointed one… the one who was Chosen by God to be the King of the People… that would lead people into a finial victory.

This is who Peter Confesses Jesus to be…

How did he learn this?

Was he smarter or intelligent than everyone else… more spiritual… No… it was NONE of these things…

Well what was it?

In Matt. 16:17 Matthew account of this story tells us how Peter knew… it says…

“man did not reveal this to you… it was the father that revealed this to you.

Friends… this news about Jesus can ONLY come by revelation from God.

We are to deprived… too sinfully minded and lack the ability on our own to understand this GOOD.

Here is whats so awesome about this… it takes he pressure off of us… .

For example:

If your struggling to believe today… and some things just don’t make sense… to you about Jesus… just begin to ask God to give you revelation… of himself.

Even if we had all the information before us… we are not that intelligent… we are unable to put all the pieces together… this is why we are called to a life of FAITH - it takes more than knowledge and information… it takes a revelation form God… it takes faith in that revelation.

If your a believer and you are struggling trying to convince someone about God… STOP IT… and start asking God to intervene… and begin asking God to give your friend revelation of himself…

Here is the question I I have for you today…

Question: Who do the people say Jesus is?

If you we’re asked this question… what would you say?

Do you believe the roomers?

Do you only him by 2nd hand information…

Or do you have a personal REVELATION of Jesus?

Jesus ask us the same thing he asked the disciples…

Who do YOU say that I am?

Do you confess me as your Christ the Son of the living God?

Going back to the passage… After Peter’s great confession… Jesus say’s something interesting… in v.30… he says’s

v. 30 Do NOT share this

Why does he ask the disciples NOT to share this Good news?

Because Jesus knows they don’t yet fully understand what it means for Jesus to be the Christ… the Messiah.. the Anointed one. They too like everyone else are waiting for a secular king to come and over throw the Roman Government.

They actually have a plan for their messiah’s EARTHLY rule and Reign.. and Jesus knows this…

The title of our message today is...

CONFESSIONS

We see the Research reveals.. .

that the world things one thing about Jesus

But the disciples understand that he is The Christ - the Anointed messiah.. .

Yet… they don’t fully understand the implications… of this…

With that… next thing I want you to notice about our passage IN YOUR NOTES is… this

The RESPONSE. v.31- 37

How does Jesus respond to Peter’s Bold claim “You are the Christ… the Son of the Living God”

Remember - For Peter and the disciples… they still saw many things through their NATURAL SIGHT.. and lacked spiritual sight.

When Peter boldly said… YOU ARE THE CHRIST… and Jesus said.. you are RIGHT.

They thought…YES…!!!! THE REVOLUTION has begun. We have our Messiah… our King! It’s time to conquer this Roman Government once and for all…

The reality is that these followers of Jesus don’t quite understand the spiritual mission of Jesus and he does NOT want them running off with the wrong message.

So in v. 31…

Jesus begins to tell them about all he is going to suffer… on the Cross… the beatings… mockings… the rejection and illegal trial… that will eventually lead his death… by this point… I don’t even think they hear the best part about his resurrection…

They could NOT believe their ears.

Peter goes from feeling on top of the world… their conquering King is finally here… and now… after hearing what is going to happen to his King… he can NOT accept it…

So.. Peter pulls Jesus aside in V.32 and Rebukes him!

Jesus, we have a revolution to start… it’s time for us to overthrow the Roman Authorities! You’re supposed to be crowed as our New KING.

Has Peter lost his mind?

He is rebuking the one that he just declared the Son of God.

Peter seems to forget that he is the follower and Jesus is the teacher.

Peter wanted Jesus to choose CROWN… yet… Jesus choses THE CROSS

Peter seems to wanted all the glory… but not the suffering.

I don’t blame him…

But the spiritual truth here is that… SUFFERING leads to Glory.

Have you ever been there before…?

Jesus this is NOT what I had planned… I had crowns and blessing in mind… but you’re asking me to suffer… to struggle… I’m done with struggle… I’m done with suffering… I’m ready for the CROWN…

v.32 Jesus turns to Peter and the rest of the disciples… so they too can see and hear him…(They seem to be guilty by association) then Jesus responds with a rebuke

Get behind me, Satan!

Why such a harsh statement for one of his lead followers?

One Commentators pointed something out that I did not see…

Peter was behaving in a way similar to Satan In Matt. 4. While being tempted in the dessert…

Satan offered Jesus a shortcut — providing a way around the cross — Peter is offering the same shortcut… the same temptation.

TO that JESUS say’s GET BEHIND me Satan!

Here is what’s important to know…

Jesus’ harsh rebuke… is a teaching tool, not a rejection of Peter.

Here is how Prov. 17:10 puts it…

Proverbs 17:10 NLT

10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding

than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

Don’t fear a rebuke for Jesus… it will give you the understanding and revelation you need to follow Jesus

Trans: In v. 34 Jesus responds with a three part invitation… IN YOUR NOTES the first invitation is…

An invitation to FOLLOW Christ v.34a

We see this in v. 34a… after the rebuke…

Jesus say’s “If you want to follow”… even though you seem a bit resistant to the news of my suffering… Jesus is saying… my invitation remains open…

What do we learn here about Salvation…

Friends… Jesus DOES NOT force the way to salvation upon anyone… not even the 12 who have followed them this far…

Hard to believe he does NOT give up on them even though they are resistant to his ways… rather.. he shows them GRACE

he say’s “My invitation remains open… it’s up to you”

He gives the same invitation to you and I… even though at times we are resistant to his ways…

Aren’t you Glad Jesus doesn’t give up on people!

What they have known about Jesus so far they liked… but now He begins to reveal the deeper meaning of what it means to be saved and follow him.

We see this v. 34 it’s the 2nd part of his invitation IN YOUR NOTES it’s…

An invitation to DENY yourself v. 34b

If you want to follow me… it requires you to DENY yourself.

What does it mean to Deny Yourself?

It means…

To strongly reject or refuse.

What are we strongly rejecting and refusing?

The sin nature… that is a part of humanity becuase of the Fall in the Garden.

The sin nature has its own thoughts, feelings and desires.

Peter’s sin nature caused him to REBUKE reject the will of God for Jesus.

To the lost…

Jesus say’s deny yourself and follow me in to salvation…

Deny… How it thinks, how it feels, how it desires… and put your faith in me.

Friends… Salvation comes at a cost… that cost is denying… and renouncing the sinful nature.

But the reward for letting go of your old way of living pales in comparisant to receiving new life in Christ!

Some Christians read this as if Jesus is giving a formula for maintaining our salvation… this is not a formula to maintain our salvation… its a revelation FOR salvation.

To the Religious minded… To deny yourself means…

Put your faith in me for your salvation… deny your your self… efforts, your religious works as a way of maintaining your salvation.

Everyone likes the idea of being able to achieve and do… this is is the bedrock of RELIGION… however… it comes from a spirit of pride that says I CAN DO THIS… yet.. the Law has revealed that YOU CAN NOT DO THIS.

This is the exact thing Jesus wanted them to deny… to strongly refuse… and reject their man made efforts..

He say’s to deny yourself means to choose…

Faith over works

Trusting… over trying

Surrender... over control

Receiving… over doing…

Ok… finishing out in v. 34….

If you want to follow me… Deny yourself… here comes the last part of his invitation IN YOUR NOTES he gives them…

An invitation to TAKE-UP the cross v. v.34c

If you want to follow me… it’s your choice… it will require you to deny yourself… and take up your cross… then you are fit to follow me.

I invite you to TAKE-UP your cross.

What does it mean to take up your CROSS?

The cross represents two thing… first

The cross represents PHYSCAL realities…

We all see Crosses… on necklaces… representing the physcal death.

It represents DEATH… the death Christ.

Why a physcal death.. . Rom tells us the wages of SIN is DEATH.

We deserve a physcal death… we deserve the cross…

But the cross doesn’t just represent physcal reality …

The cross represents SPIRITUAL realities…

It represents the death of the old sin nature…

The spiritual reality is this JESUS carried the cross that you were unable to bear.

Friends The cross represents… GRACE, it represents.. the Good News!

We know the story of the cross… 1 John 2:2 say’s he took our place

So if Jesus took up my cross… what is MY JOB… why does it say to take up MY CROSS?

Your cross to bear… is the cross of “self Denial…” self efforts.. self reliance and simply trust JESUS for your salvation.

The old dead sinful nature will continue to whisper to you

To the unsaved…

It will say… you are TOO FAR GONE God Cant save you…

It will say… the kind of sin you committed God can not forgive…

It will say… you must pay… you deserve a horrible life…

In some way’s the flesh is partly right… except for GOD CAN’t SAVE you

Jesus say’s… PICK UP YOUR CROSS… Deny your old self… the lies of the sin nature…

My cross is enough for you.

The old dead sinful nature will continue to whisper to you

To the SAVED sons and daughter of God…

The old dead sin nature will will try to get them to heap on the do’s and dont’s of religion.

This is a good one… in fact it almost gets me every time… as it convinces me through my old prideful ways that I can do it on my own… Until I can’t…

Friends… every day saved… believers-in-Jesus fall right into this trap all the time…

Look at me… my prayer life… my purity… look at how I obey the bible… look at my great works… doesn’t this SOUND a lot like the RELIGIOUS people in Jesus day? Not much has changed.. the temptations of the enemy are old..

***To the Saved that get roped into religious mindest… Taking up your cross… is surrendering the pride of religion…

‌you say… …Look at Jesus… look at how he saved me… look at how he helps me every day to follow him… all though I am tempted in many ways… I chose to deny myself… deny my religious ways and FOLLOW him by GRACE through FAITH.

Oh… you will keep working … BUT YOUR WORK IS NOT THE MAIN ATTRACTION… the FINISHED work of JESUS on the CROSS is!

As the world looks at your works… and see’s your good deeds… They want to LIFT you up as the Main attraction…

You and I have to RESIST that and say as Paul does in…

Eph. 2:9 says… None of this my doing… … it is the WORK of God in me.

PAUSE -CLIP BEGINING

Friends… in Mark 8… Jesus is saying… the ONLY WAY TO GET WHERE I AM GOING. the ONLY WAY TO SAVE your life… the only way to salvation… is to lose your life…

This means I invite you to…

Deny Your self

Take up your cross

and Follow me

CHURCH… Jesus he didn’t just die FOR you… HE DIED as you…

This means… when he carried the cross to Calvary… it was your cross he was carrying…

So today… Jesus isn’t asking you to carry YOUR CROSS… HE already did that…

Your cross to bear the cross of self Denial… self efforts.. self reliance and trust JESUS for your salvation by Grace Through Faith.

Friends its Jesus who saves you by grace…. and keeps you by Grace… you can’t save yourself… nor can you maintain your salvation without Christ

There is NO other way to where Christ is going.

John 14:6 sums up the way to salvation…

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

PAUSE -CLIP ENDING

To conclude the message today.. I have one last question..

Question: Have you received his invitation to follow Him and deny yourself?

Today Jesus is INVITING you to FOLLOW him… he has shows you the way to Salvation…

We know… what about you… what is YOUR confession about Christ…

Will you deny Jesus today… attempting to maintain and keep your life

Will you deny your self… take up your cross and follow him.

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

Salvation Altar Call

Jesus say’s the same to the world today… My invitation reminds open even though you are a bit resistant.

I believe Jesus is here today… and I believe he wants to save you.

The same way it took the power of God and the faith of that woman to believe in Jesus… is the same way your receive salvation.

Believing in Jesus is about beleiving everything that Jesus reveals to us…

It’s about believing

What he say’s about Sin and the eternal punishment.

It’s about believing

That … His death on the cross paid the penalty of our sin….

Because of this we can be made right in the sight of God.

According to Eph 2:8 – there are 2 things required for Salvation

For it is by Grace that we are saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

1st is this... Gods Grace

What is his Grace: It’s when God gives you something you do not deserve because of his incredible love for you– What does he give us... He gives us His forgiveness and His life

2nd is this... Faith.

He invites us to PUT our FAITH in him... for our salvation

1. If you have never asked Jesus to save you and made a public profession of faith… today is your day…

a. All across the room....

b. If you would like Jesus to save you today… RIASE YOUR HAND ALL AROUND THE ROOM….

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action FOR THE SAVED

Today is a renewed proclamation to follow Jesus by Grace through faith..

Denying our own religious efforts..

We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.

Going Deeper

Who do the people say Jesus is?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you received his invitation to follow Him and deny yourself?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor. 14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).