Reversing Adverse Peer Pessure

Why does peer pressure work? Peer pressure works because we want to be liked by others and we want to be included. We sometimes give in to pressure because of the fear that we may be made fun of or rejected. Sometimes we just don't know how to deal with the situation, so we do what others tell us to do.

Problem with peer pressure, it pits us from choosing good from great or even from good from evil.

illustration - Peer pressure causing me to invite bad company back into my high school life. Which inevitable led to many poor chooses that I regret. (Just like Samson invited Delilah to be is prostitute girlfriend, it ended with his blindness and death.)

We - All of us have experienced peer pressure i.e. Drinking with friends on weekends because everyone is doing it. Working overtime to afford a lifestyle that keeps up with friends and family. Buying things that are unnecessary to keep up appearances. Driving recklessly because your friends encourage it. Skipping out school and work because your colleague endorses it.

Which leads us to temptation and eventual fallout to sin. i.e. debauchery, idolatry, greed, addictions, laziness. Listening to peer pressure can led us down a path of pain and sorrow.

But are we hopeless when it comes to resisting adverse peer pressure?

Let’s see how Jesus overcomes the culture of peer pressure.

God - Background of text - final week of Jesus earthly ministry.

Matthew 21:1–11 ESV

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

When we read this story it sets us up for Easter, but really the whole story is about the Jews pressure Christ to set up his kingdom now! Forget the cross!

They wanted action and demanded for Jesus to take his thrown. Crying out Hosanna, which means Salvation has come.

The Jews pressure Christ to set up his kingdom now! Forget the cross!

It the voices of the serpent speaking to Eve, take the fruit and Satan speaking to Christ in the desert

The problem with peer pressure here for Jesus was he going to choose the good over the great. The good would be establishing control and freeing the Jews from Romans, but the great would be taking a crown of thorns and carrying a cross so to overcome the sin.

But that’s not what Jesus did, he didn’t listen to devil, the world or even his own people because he was chasing after something great, his everlasting kingdom.

You - Looking for the bigger picture will lead to the best results.

Humbly ride with Jesus to the cross. (Die to yourself) Don't be satisfied with a cheap crown. Carry your cross so you can receive the crown of life.

Don't be satisfied with a cheap crown.

Carry your cross so you can receive the crown of life.

Overcome peer pressure by not living for the applause. (You don’t have to be liked by everyone.) Woe to you if everyone likes you.

Live the counter-culture kingdom by rejecting the what’s normal.

Be an overcomer of peer pressure by taking up the cross.

Don't be satisfied with a cheap crown.

Carry your cross so you can receive the crown of life.

We - When the church brushes off worldly pressure, we become a more excellent evangelist for Christ.

Pray