NBBC KC - Mark 8:27-33

Introduction: Friends, last week we had seen how Jesus exercised God’s power to stop a storm. How was it that Jesus could do that? - Because He’s God, that’s right!

Tonight, friends, we’re going to catch up with Jesus and His disciples as they walk through a town.

Friends, how many of you have been hiking before?

Are you usually quiet when you go on a hike? No

Normally, when we go on a hike, we want to talk with those around us, right? (get everyone up and walk around the room like talking on a hike)

Friends, let’s see what Jesus and His disciples discuss while they’re walking through a town.

Content and Explanation: Mark 8:27–33 “27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?”

Friends, notice, that Jesus asks kind of a strange question?

“Who do people say that I am?”

You see, friends, Jesus was asking His disciples what people thought about Jesus.

We call this a reputation.

28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist (?); and others say Elijah (?); but others, one of the prophets (?).”

Their answers were interesting.

Basically, the others thought that Jesus taught well like a prophet.

But, they also understood that Jesus performed some actions that set Him apart.

29 And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Friends, Peter is making an important observation about Jesus!

Peter is making a right statement of his belief about Who Jesus is.

To be the Christ means that Jesus is the One that the Old Testament speaks about Who will be a king and make everything right that went wrong when Adam and Eve sinned.

Friends, this is really good news that impacts the whole world and everything!

His kingdom will be a time where there will be no fighting, not even among animals!

We won’t have to worry about people doing wrong things and getting away with them because Jesus will rule perfectly!

30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

Notice, friends, Jesus makes another interesting statement.

If this is such good news, why wouldn’t Jesus want others to know this about Him?

Well, it’s related to what Jesus had to say next.

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.

Friends, what would Jesus eventually do where what we just read will take place?

He died on the cross for our sins.

Friends, does this sound like good news, that Jesus would die?

It’s never good news to hear of someone who has died.

But, friends, notice that Jesus said this must happen!

This is something that has to take place.

It has to take place to complete God’s plan for how He is going to save the world from sin.

However, friends, notice how Peter responds.

32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

Friends, we’ve all been rebuked before at one time or another.

It means to be told that you’re wrong about something and you need to change, even sometimes very harshly.

You know, friends, we could take this as an indication that Peter just loved Jesus so much that he didn’t want Jesus to die.

However, friends, Peter is directly contradicting God’s Word.

Why would Peter or anyone go against God’s Word?

33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.””

Friends, would you want to be called Satan?

No!

Satan is God’s enemy and our’s!

We would not want to be called God’s enemy!

You see, friends, Peter didn’t like Jesus’ answer and so he tried to intimidate Jesus into backing away from it.

This is no different from when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness.

Friends, Peter was acting just like Satan in trying to get Jesus to avoid suffering and dying for our sins!

Friends, notice how Jesus identified what was really going on in Peter’s heart.

Peter was more interested in what he wanted than what God wanted.

Peter put what He wanted over what God’s Word plainly explained about what Jesus would do in suffering, dying, and coming back to life to never die again.

Application: Humbly believe all of God’s Word.

Friends, was Peter right when he said that Jesus was the Christ?

Absolutely.

Was Peter wrong when he tried to correct Jesus about His suffering, dying, and coming back to life?

Absolutely.

Friends, how do you respond when your mom or dad tell you to do something and you don’t want to?

Normally, we try to make excuses to get out of doing what our parents tell us to do.

Friends, do you realize this is no different than Peter’s attitude?

You see, Peter didn’t want to hear what Jesus had to say about suffering and dying.

Friends, God’s Word reminds us that we need to obey our parents.

When you don’t obey your parents, it’s like your saying to God, “I don’t want to hear that part of Your Word.”

Friends, since Jesus identified that Peter was acting just like Satan, so are we when we choose what we want instead of obeying God’s Word.

Friends this is sin (define).

God hates sin.

God must punish sinners because we sin!

Friends, the only way that we are going to change is if the Lord changes us.

The only way that the Lord is going to change us is if we believe on Jesus to save us from our sins.

When Jesus saves you, He will give you a new heart, that is He will change your wants to please the Lord.

Jesus does this by giving us His Holy Spirit to live in us.

Friends, if you have yet to believe on Jesus to save you, talk with Ms. Carrie or me today.

But, friends, if you have believed on Jesus to save you, you’re got to take seriously every part of His Word.

You can’t just decide I’ll obey this one part over here (like being kind) But don’t have to worry about this other part over hear (like obeying my authorities, including my teacher).

Otherwise, friends, you’re acting just like Peter who was acting just like Satan.

Scripture Memory - Mark 8:29b Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Explanation - Friends, Peter believed the right thing here about Jesus but he still needed to submit his life to God’s Word.

Illustration - Friends, you can say the right things (Jesus is God) but, unless your life demonstrates that He has changed you and you want to please Him, then those words do not matter.

Admonition - Friends, seek the Holy Spirit to help you believe all of God’s Word and change your life and desires to reflect this belief.

Repetition - Mark 8:29b Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Discussion Questions:

What town were Jesus and His disciples walking through when Jesus asked them about Himself? - the villages of Caesarea Philippi

When Jesus asked His disciples about what the people thought of Jesus, what were some responses from the people? - John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet come back from the dead

What answer did Peter give when Jesus asked who the disciples thought that Jesus was? - the Christ

How did Jesus respond to Peter’s answer? - He told them to tell no one about Peter’s answer

Who is the Son of Man? - Jesus

What did Jesus discuss with the disciples that the He, the Son of Man, would go through? - He would suffer, die, and come back to life again 3 days later

What did Peter do after he heard what Jesus had to say about suffering, dying and coming back to life after 3 days? - He rebuked Jesus, told Jesus that He was wrong

What did Jesus say Peter was most interested in? - man’s interests