What's your Mind Set On?

Introduction:

Pledge

Scripture:

Scripture:

English Standard Version Chapter 16

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”

23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

TITLE: What’s You Mind Set On?

Segway:

Every Year we attend our Districts Ministers and Mates retreat.

We have our time of rest

We have our time of worship

We have our time of reflection

We have our time of introspection (looking inward)

We have our time of being encouraged

We have our time of vision casting (For the District)

We have

We have our time of corrections (If needed)

We have our time of breakout sessions

This retreat that Jesus and his disciples are on, we have seen ...

Or would have to assume there was some rest.

Or would have to assume there was some worshipping going on.

Time of reflection ...... “Who do the People say I am?”

Time of introspection ..... “Who do you say I am?”

Time of encouragement ..... “Blessed our You (Divine Favor) … Truth Revealed … New Name … Keys to the K.O.H.”

This bring us to this pericope

This retreat with Jesus and his Disciples is coming to a close.

From this moment on Matthew is revealing something significant.

This is the 2nd movement of Jesus’s ministry. (Vs 21) “From that time...”

The first movement we find in 4:17 which starts the ministry of Jesus (From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”)

Now we read, (16:21) “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and “Suffer” … “be killed” … and on the third day be raised.”

PAUSE

How many of us have experienced a high moment in life and then, almost immediately you experience a low moment?

I experienced one a few years ago while watching my SeaHawks in the Superbowl.

Specifically, the disciples!

They had just completed an impossible catch at the one yard line with 30 seconds to go in the game. They score, they are Superbowl champs again. The very next play they decided to throw the ball and its intercepted.

They have gone from a

I had gone from exhilaration to heartbreak in a matter of a minute.

Another experience .... I remember when Lucas was born, we were on cloud nine! After he had come out they took him immediately to the table to clean him up.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

But before it ends there is one more thing Jesus wants to share with his disciples .....

And after kissing my wife and celebrating this miracle that just took place, I went over to the table to look at my son.

Once the disciples reveal who Christ is, “The Son of the Living God” ......

I noticed that something was wrong with his feet. He was born with “Club” feet.

Jesus reveals something to them

I had to go tell my wife before she would see him.

We had gone from an emotional High to an emotional low in a matter of minutes.

Body:

I have to believe this may have been what the disciples were experiencing at this moment.

They had gone from a High, (You are the son of the living God ..... Blessed are you, you have been given truth, a new name and the keys to the Kingdom) to a low, (Your Messiah is going to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and be raised in three days).

This is what is taking place at this retreat with Jesus and his disciples.

(Vs 22) tells us the reaction of the disciples, (More specifically the reaction of Peter).

Scripture tells us Peter takes Jesus off alone and rebukes him.

This word “rebuke” means exactly what you think it means.

The one thing that stands out about this word is that is has the sense of this going on for a length of time.

Not just a “Hey stop talking like that” but Peter lecturing Jesus.

Don’t be to hard on Peter ..... If you think about it there has been times we all have lectured God.

Just like when I have been at our Ministers and Mates retreat ....

We have had time of Vision Casting.

This is what Jesus is doing here … casting the vision for his ministry to his leadership.

Peter say’s, “Far be it from you” (translated … this will not be happening to you)!

Exaggerate Peters rebuke

What we see now, at the retreat, is a time of correction.

(Vs 23) tells us Jesus reaction to the whole thing.

“But he turned ...” (he had his back to peter as if he was not listening to what Peter was saying).

Jesus has had enough of this rebuking … (He) said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.”

We need to understand, its not that Peter was Satan himself!

Matthew reveals Jesus saying this because of the motive of Satan .... to stop the will of the Father.

Jesus emphasizes this by saying, “You are a hindrance to me.”

This word “hindrance” means an action that leads one to act contrary to a proper course of action or set of beliefs.

Jesus is saying, “the actions you are displaying is in directed contrast to the course of action the Father desires.”

PAUSE

Isn’t it interesting how at these significant moments in the ministry of Christ, Satan is present.

(Chapter 4) Jesus has just been baptised with the Holy Spirit (Satan shows up to try and stop his ministry)

Jesus has just revealed to his disciples he is the Son of the Living God (Satan shows up and try to use Peter to stop salvation from coming for all mankind).

I think you would agree with me, when God is doing something Highly significant in a believers life ....

spiritual growth .... blessings .... healings ..... revelation ..... Guess who shows up? SATAN

But aren't we glad we serve a God who recognizes the enemy.

He takes care of him (Satan) “Get behind me Satan.”

Not only recognizes him and takes care of the situation but helps us ....

.... to see, understand what’s taking place,

.... and gives us the authority to handle him (Satan) as well.

Let me show you what I mean, (Vs 23b For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.)

How can we recognize, understand, and handle these hindrances?

Jesus tells us in (vs 23b) Setting your mind on the things of God and not on the things of man.

By setting our mind on things of God!

Climax:

(Vs 23) reveals to us to the “Main Idea” (prepositional statement)!

You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.

There a couple of thoughts that come to my mind that I think would be of help to us as believers ...

God Ways are not Our Ways!

Peter believing Jesus was going to be the Earthly Messiah (Take over Rome)

He was going to do it with his power.

Joshua and the wall of Jericho

Make sure we are not a stumbling block for the will of God to be done

In our lives or for others

Am I doing the Fathers Will?

Its rather simple but, yet, not always easy ...

It requires intentionality, commitment, and obedience

How can I tell if I am? (Vs 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take

up his cross and follow me.)

says, “....take up his cross (daily)”

Am I denying self?

The word “deny” means to act in a selfless manner.

Its not about you, but what the spirit wants to do through you.

Am I carrying the Cross?

Metaphorically speaking - Always ready to endure death of self .

Not conforming to the ways of the world.

Am I following Christ?

This is the same word we find when Matthew was called by Christ “to follow him.”

Akolotheo

Conclusion:

We will pick back up in January, Matthew and the conclusion of this retreat.

The Breakout session (Where Jesus , Peter, James and John Get away up the mountain).

We will be doing an Advent series leading up to Christmas.

Before we go, I want to give us all the chance to allow Christ to speak to us (Correct us) ....

What is your mind set on?

The will of the Father? or your will?

How do we know?

Ask yourself .... Do I Deny myself? Do I embrace the idea of taking up the cross? Am I following Jesus?