The Power beyond the Pain

The resurrection moves us beyond the pain of the Cross to the power of the New Creation in Christ.

Matthew 16:13–18 LEB

13 Now when Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he began asking his disciples, saying, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” 17 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it!

You should long for Peter’s insight.

if you dont believe. Ask god to relieve you of silly notions. Jesus was just a good teacher… would a good teacher tell you to risk and lose your life simply on His behalf? Would a wise man think he is God?

Or if only there were more books around that proved Jesus. Be careful of moving the goal posts.

An evangelist once said that for the skeptic, it God gave 1000 convincing proofs of Jesus. The skeptic would ask for 1001.

And when you come to an area that is a real sticking point for you, ask God to give you understanding. That’s what happened here.

Peter received a divine understanding.

Be encouraged by Jesus’ pronouncement upon Jesus.

Many people saw a rock headed Peter.

Jesus beyond Peter’s pain and current problems.

Matthew 16:21–24 NASB95

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 be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Receive the Blessing of Peter’s Blunders.

He asked the questions people wanted to ask but were afraid. He said the quiet things outloud.

We often remember Peter for all he got wrong. We forget no one else got out of the boat. We forget there were another 11 who would never have learned things if it was for Peter blurting.

He was never in doubt, but often wrong.

But learn from Peter’s Nevers.

Never try to correct God when His plan doesn’t seem to work for you. (v.22)

RA TORREY said, the reason many of you are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because you haven't come to the end of yourself yet. You’re still negotiating and giving God orders. You are interfering with God’s work in you.

Your “nevers” are not like God’s never.

I’ll never understand why that person is depressed. I’d never get depressed. Then job loss, a loss of a child, injury, breakdown.

I’d never yell at my kid. I’d calmly explain to them why they’ve not lived up to God’s standard and how I’m disappointed them.

I will model loving the sinner and hating the sin. I will reflect the unyielding love of God and only discipline in calm soothing voice. Mr. Rogers will move to a new neighborhood when people see how I roll.

How did that person fall off the wagon. I’d never be an addict. I’ll never touch that stuff.

I’d never put up with a cheating spouse. That girl should leave him now. I’d never put up with that.

I’ll never need Christ. I’m good enough on my own. It is appointed for men to die once and then judgment.

Jesus, you’ll never go through pain. I’ll make sure that never happens to you. Jesus, you will go through pain. Some by other’s choosing, some by the Devil, some by you doing the right thing and being crucified.

Praise Jesus for His never!

BUUUUUT I’ll never LeAVE you. I know what you can be. I have the last say in WHO you are.

Remember the light of Jesus can shine through a cracked pot.

Jesus arms can pick anyone up.

The resurrection means death can’t destroy you.

No pain can change how God sees you.

But you will need to DENY yourself. YOu will need to stop relying on your ability. You don’t have it all together, you can’t control everything. You won’t be perfect. You need to rely upon the perfect one to forgive you by ASKING Him. You need to learn to submit to Him, even in the pain. You’ll have to carry the cross as well. God sees your potential, but only by coming to Him as you are and trusting Him where you will He take you where you need to go. Peter had to take a real cross in the end. But he did so willingly.

Trouble with some of you is that you have enough religion to keep you miserable but you keep Jesus just out of reach you never experience the joy of victory.

Hebrews 13:5 NLT

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

You know, the fellow who has no money is poor. But the fellow that has nothing but money is poorer still. With Jesus you will find satisfaction. Without Him, nothing will fully satisfy.

No problem can keep Jesus away. He NEVER LEAVES!

Romans 8:37–39 NLT

37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Even though there are things you wish you could change in the past, painful things, things that set you back. Remember there’s a reason the rear view mirror is so small and the front windshield is so big. Where you are headed is so much more important than where you’ve been.

But don’t be like Peter, remember to keep Jesus in the driver’s seat:)