Die to Self

Research:

Scripture:

Matthew 16:21–26 NIV

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Observations:

This is on the back of Christ being led to death for the crucifixion. Christ doesn’t promise removal of suffering, but He does promise to be with us in it.

Jesus is teaching His Disciples a new perspective as he endures suffering in obedience

Peter had this preconceived notion that Jesus was going to over turn the Roman empire’s oppression and liberate the Jew. Peter’s plan and expectation where purely human.

As long as they had this human perspective (things of men) then God’s perspective (things of God) would never make sense to them **What God is saying

Peter the foundation rock had already become a stumbling block...

Peter wanted to share in the Messiah’s glory. Jesus rebukes that and expresses that any desire we have to share in His glory must also be partnered with the resolve to share in His humiliation and rejection.

To take up the cross is to set off for public execution. Humiliation, disgrace, pain, suffering. Not just suffering patiently some irritation.

Verse 25-26: Real life is defined here by Christ this verse means more than just physical survival. Greek word for life and soul are the same in greek. It’s a play on words. To save your life is to save your soul and it is only possible in Jesus Christ.

Death is the way to glory for the Son of Man.

Verse 16 Peter states that Jesus is the Messiah the Son of God. Yet moments later he showes that he still has this faulty concept. You can know of God and not know God and His plans.

Martyrdom was not something people willingly welcomed. Usually associated with the prophets. Jesus seems to welcome it.

For Peter to speak out like he does in verse 22 is very controversial. The unspoken rule was to never criticize the teacher, especially publicly.

Peter offers the same temptation Satan does in the desert. Kingdom without Cross.

Disciples sometimes walked behind their teacher to signify submission. Peter has taken a position infront of Christ as a stumbling block.

Peter goes from “Rock” to “Stumbling Block” - Problem here is man changes. We can fall, we are all one step away from stupid.

Crucifixion was the worst form of a criminal death. To carry it meant to endure mockery and scorn on a path leading to death. Are we willing to neglect the world and it’s popularity at the risk of enduring mockery and scorn, but for Jesus. **

Peter is told God revealed to him that Jesus was the Messiah the Son of God. Peter then feels that What Jesus is saying about His ressurection is wrong, he indulges his feeling and attempts to rebuke Jesus but is immediately shut down. **Example of Problem

What Peter says doesn’t line up with the scriptures **PROBLEM

One second Peter hears from God, in another second Peter hears from Satan… Again I reference Peter’s suggestion was the same temptation the Devil tempts Jesus with. ***Problem - Challenge the assumption

It’s interesting that the devil’s scheme is to distract from your purpose. He was distracting **Problem - Challenge the assumption

Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion; To bear the cross means to accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following Him. **What we do(solutions)

If a person is not willing to suffer the world’s rejection and persecution in order to follow Jesus but instead seeks to retain his physical life, then that person will lose both physical life and inner transcendent life (at judgment). **Problem

To further elaborate on the previous point. Not being willing to deny self and carry your cross will effect THIS life. You will be a victim to the fruit of the flesh, evil, and destruction. You could be saved, and run the risk of projecting on God because of your unwillingness to to wholeheartedly commit.

Jeremiah 17:9 NIV

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Observations:

We cannot trust ourselves. It leads down a path of destruction. The one thing worth following is not our heart it’s God.

lēḇ heart; one’s inner self; inclination, disposition; determination, courage; will, intention; attention, consideration, reason

Israel followed their hearts and it lead them to exile. They indulged what felt right and good at the time and it led them to destruction.

Israel refused to heed the warning. Their heart kept them from repentance. The heart is the door that can either lead us to life and or to death.

Proverbs 3:5–7 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Observations:

This is surrender. This is faith.

The heart is not to be trusted by I do have permission to give my complete heart to Christ.

To not give my heart to Christ is to lean on my own understanding.

My own understanding is not life and it is not truth. My own understanding makes sense and it often feels right!

Problems:

We often choose the things that feel good, but many times are not good for us at all.

We mistake our emotions for God’s voice - We think our emotions are the voice of God. We can’t discern between God’s voice and our emotions.

We are disappointed because where we thought was the voice of God leading our path, it was really just our feelings and that disappointed us. Because we have not identified that it wasn’t God leading us but our emotions we end up blaming God for something that was our fault.

What questions are we asking?

Is how I feel an indicator of how I should act?

Is how I feel the voice of God on something

What does God mean when he says die to self and carry my cross?

How do I deny myself and hear God?

Assumption and Challenge: This is wear Problem & Impact are inserted

How I feel is right and God’s voice. Nope, the flesh and the Spirit want opposing things therefore often times how we feel is not what God is saying.

God let me down. - No your expectation let you down...

What is God saying?

What will we do about it?