Stop Comparing

Life of Peter   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 44 views

Waiting for God

Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →

Stop Comparing

Matthew 19:30 KJV 1900
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Peter was listening to the discourse between Jesus and the rich young ruler .....
This guy was not willing to give up his riches for the kingdom
Matthew 19:21–22 KJV 1900
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Jesus then explained why it is hard for a rich man to get to heaven
matt 19.23-24
Matthew 19:23–24 KJV 1900
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Peter was listen to this and wondering what about me?
Look what I have given up.
Illustration comparing ourselves with others
“Lord, what about him? Why is his life easier than mine?” or “Lord, what about her? Why is she so healthy while I suffer?” or “Lord, what about him? Why does he live in a big house with lots of things and I don’t” or “Lord, what about her? Why is her family so functional and mine dysfunctional?” or “Lord, what about him? Why is he so successful in his pursuits while I seem to fail at so many?”
Comparisons. Questions about why things are different for other Christians.
We all tend to measure our circumstances against those of other people. However, this aspect of fallen human nature can lead to all sorts of problems.
We waste our time contemplating and comparing, and we cease following Jesus as He intends. We are too busy looking side to side rather than to our God in front of us.
John 21:19–21 KJV 1900
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
John 19:20–21 KJV 1900
20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
Do not look to the circumstances and lives of others. Do not look to the left at one person or to the right at another. Look straight ahead – at Jesus. And hear Him say of any potential comparison, “What is that to you? You follow me!”
john 19.
Facts about comparisons:
Comparisons are always unfair. We typically compare the worst/best we know of ourselves to the best/worst we presume about others.
Comparisons often result in resentment. Resentment towards others and towards ourselves.
Comparisons deprive us of joy. They add no value, meaning, or fulfillment to our lives. They only distract from it.
You are too unique to compare fairly. Your gifts and talents and successes and contributions and value are entirely unique to you and your purpose in this world. They can never be properly compared to anyone else.

I Look What We have Forsaken

Matthew 19:27 KJV 1900
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
matt 19.27
In the previous incident Jesus told the rich young man to sell all he had and follow Him.

In the previous incident Jesus told the rich young man to sell all he had and follow Him. This was exactly what the disciples had done, as expressed by Peter. We have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us? Whereas the young ruler did not leave his possessions (v. 22), Peter and the other disciples had (4:18–22; 9:9; cf. 16:25). Surely then, Peter reasoned, God would bless them for they were not trusting in their wealth!

This was exactly what the disciples had done, as expressed by Peter.
In the previous incident Jesus told the rich young man to sell all he had and follow Him. This was exactly what the disciples had done, as expressed by Peter. We have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us? Whereas the young ruler did not leave his possessions (v. 22), Peter and the other disciples had (4:18–22; 9:9; cf. 16:25). Surely then, Peter reasoned, God would bless them for they were not trusting in their wealth!
Believer’s Bible Commentary H. Concerning Rewards for Sacrificial Living (19:27–30)

“What shall we have?” Peter’s self-life was showing, the old nature reasserting itself. It was a spirit each of us must guard against. He was bargaining with the Lord.

We have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us?
Whereas the young ruler did not leave his possessions (v. 22), Peter and the other disciples had (4:18–22; 9:9; cf. 16:25). Surely then, Peter reasoned, God would bless them for they were not trusting in their wealth!
What shall we have?” Peter’s self-life was showing, the old nature reasserting itself. It was a spirit each of us must guard against.
He was bargaining with the Lord.
Life is not fair look what I have done!
What shall we have?” Peter’s self-life was showing, the old nature reasserting itself. It was a spirit each of us must guard against. He was bargaining with the Lord.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke b. Grace and Reward in the Kingdom (19:23–30)

Yet Jesus does not castigate his disciples for being mercenary: they have made sacrifices and deserve an answer. But what he says—that the blessing to come, whether belonging exclusively to the Twelve at the renewal (19:28) or to all believers now (vv. 29–30), far surpasses any sacrifice they might make implies that it is a gentle rebuke.

They left possessions
They left family
They left comfort
They left home
It does not seem fair to us that we can not seem special.
Everyone knows that life isn't fair.
Saying it's not fair suggests that you think life is supposed to be fair, which makes you look immature and naive.
What is Peter learning?
Stop comparing yourself to others ......
Peter struggled with this most of his life......
John 21:21–22 KJV 1900
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

II Look Where You will Sit

Matthew 19:28–29 KJV 1900
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Matt 9
Yet Jesus does not castigate his disciples for being mercenary: they have made sacrifices and deserve an answer.
Believer’s Bible Commentary H. Concerning Rewards for Sacrificial Living (19:27–30)

The Lord assured Peter that everything done for Him would be rewarded handsomely. As to the twelve specifically, they would have places of authority in the Millennium. The regeneration refers to Christ’s future reign on earth; it is explained by the expression, “when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory.” We have previously referred to this phase of the kingdom as the kingdom in manifestation. At that time the twelve will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Rewards in the NT are closely linked with positions of administration in the Millennium (see Luke 19:17, 19). They are awarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but manifested when the Lord returns to earth to reign.

As to believers in general, Jesus added that all who have left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for His sake shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. In this life, they enjoy a world-wide fellowship of believers that more than compensates for severed earthly ties. For the one house they leave, they receive a hundred Christian homes where they are warmly welcomed. For lands or other forms of wealth forsaken, they receive spiritual riches beyond reckoning.

The future reward for all believers is eternal life. This does not mean that we earn eternal life by forsaking all and sacrificing. Eternal life is a gift and cannot be earned or merited. Here the thought is that those who forsake all are rewarded with a greater capacity for enjoying eternal life in heaven. All believers will have that life but not all will enjoy it to the same extent.

But what he says—that the blessing to come, whether belonging exclusively to the Twelve at the renewal (19:28) or to all believers now (vv. 29–30), far surpasses any sacrifice they might make implies that it is a gentle rebuke.
The Lord assured Peter that everything done for Him would be rewarded handsomely.
As to the twelve specifically, they would have places of authority in the Millennium.
The regeneration refers to Christ’s future reign on earth; it is explained by the expression, “when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory.”
At that time the twelve will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 21:12–14 KJV 1900
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
rev 21.
As to believers in general, Jesus added that all who have left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for His sake shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
In this life, they enjoy a world-wide fellowship of believers that more than compensates for severed earthly ties.
For the one house they leave, they receive a hundred Christian homes where they are warmly welcomed.
For lands or other forms of wealth forsaken, they receive spiritual riches beyond reckoning.
The future reward for all believers is eternal life.
This does not mean that we earn eternal life by forsaking all and sacrificing.
Eternal life is a gift and cannot be earned or merited. Here the thought is that those who forsake all are rewarded with a greater capacity for enjoying eternal life in heaven.
All believers will have that life but not all will enjoy it to the same extent.
It will be very good!
First SS Sunday at OBBC - very good
My wife committing to stay home - very good
Leaving to Crown College - very good
Coming to WCBC - good
Look what peter is learning
The song is not over

III Look Who Will be first

Matthew 19:30 KJV 1900
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
matt 19.
Dave Ramsey - live like no one else so you can live like no one else
You have to wait and stop comparing yourself to othetrs
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more