The Turn Towards Jerusalem

Intro

One of my pet peeves is people (still!) on their phones while driving

True, distracted driving has been around for a long time already

*Show video*

Who remembers Mapquest? As someone who is bad with directions, I am so thankful for Google Maps

*Share about not giving directions to Jason and Courtney*

There is a decided shift in direction in our series about spiritual renewal

Shift from gospel of Luke (audience for all people) to gospel of Matthew (primarily for a Jewish audience)

Shift in the focus of Jesus from teaching to turning towards Jerusalem (facing his trial, torture and crucifixion)

Our story (Matthew 16:13-23) takes place in Caesarea Philippi:

25 miles north of Capernaum; not a Jewish region; home of many pagan idols (including Pan)

This is the backdrop to Jesus asking His disciples some incredibly important questions, and turning His eyes towards Jerusalem

Pray

Who is Jesus?

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (v. 13)

The court of public opinion can be wild and varied, and this is no different:

John the Baptist - widely held belief at that time that John had come back from the dead (similar ministries)

Elijah - Jewish expectation that Elijah would one day return; fuelled by the fact he never died

Jeremiah or the prophets - reveals the prophetic nature of Jesus’ teaching; He taught with great authority

Even I have had to deal with a reputation created without all the information...

“Who do you say I am?” (to the disciples, v. 15)

The disciples are NOT just like the masses; they have followed Jesus closely for years. They know Him in an incredibly personal way.

Simon answers on behalf of the disciples, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16)

Christ = Messiah; no doubt that Jesus is the anointed one they have been looking for

Son of the Living God = Something far greater; something unlooked for; something divine

Surrounded by idols made of wood and stone, he has a conversation with the God of the Universe

Jesus affirms this response, and Peter’s faithful role in believing and leading the church into the future

Read verses 17 - 19

Jesus uses a pun! “Petros” = rock, “petra” = rock

*Share my own puns: dialate, Swiss flag, mathemachicken*

Not just a pun, but an affirmation of Peter’s leadership in the church established by Christ

Gates of Hades = the church will not die… and here we are!

Binding and Loosing = Rabbinic term for what is forbidden (bind) and what is permitted (loose)

The authority to “bind and loose” are later given to the entire church (in Matthew 18)

We see Peter exercise this authority in recognizing Gentile converts into the church (in Acts)

All of this pours out of Peter’s incredible profession of faith in who Jesus is.

What about you?

Who do you think Jesus is? Who is Jesus?

This will be the most important question you will ever answer; it matters for eternity

It is a question that demands an answer; we can’t ride on the fence

*Read C.S. Lewis quote on p. 52*

Liar, lunatic, or Lord? A prophet, Messiah, or God? Who is Jesus?

There are many reasons why you might be hesitant to answer this question, but it is too important to ignore

Nominal Christian (doesn’t impact life too much): “Who do you say I am,” not “Who am I to you, only when you need me?”

Lifelong Christian (going to church since forever): “Who do you say I am,” not “What is the correct answer of who I am?”

Students (parents who have made you come to church): “Who do you say I am,” not “Who do your parents say I am?”

Those hurt by Christians (left the church as a result): “Who do you say I am,” not “Who did others misreperesent me to be?”

This is such an important question, it demands patient inquiry, humble discernment and an honest answer

Take your time! Talk to those you love and trust. SBF is a safe place to work out your faith in fear and trembling

What Do You Set Your Mind On?

The tale of two anwers for Peter:

Truth about Christ revealed by the heavenly Father (v. 17)

This should also be part of your own discernment process about Jesus; guided by the Spirit and not just your own rational thought

Deception about the mission of Christ accepted by flesh and blood (read verses 21 - 23)

“Far be it from you, Lord” = Greek idiomatic saying (What did you just call me?). Literally, “May God be merciful to you”

Came from a good place; he loves Jesus!

Also came from a human place; he did not fully realize the mission that Jesus was on.

“Get behind me, Satan” seems a pretty harsh response!

This was an active area of temptation for Christ; it was extremely difficult and distressing to anticipate the cross

Jesus uses the same word to tell Satan to go away as He did in His initial temptation in the wilderness

Cf. Luke 4:13; this was now an opportune time and place of potential weakness

Christ responded both to Peter (using human knowledge) and Satan (using this as a good time to strike)

“You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men” (v. 23)

It made sense from a human perspective to want Jesus NOT to have to endure the cross

From a divine perspective, God was working something so much greater than Peter could ever have imagined

When we experience trouble and loss, are we able to trust that God is still doing what is best?

What do you set your mind on? The things of God or the things of humanity?

Paul bridges the gap between our faith in Christ (answering who we say He is) and the newfound ability in Christ to set our minds on the things of God

Cf. Colossians 3:1 - 4.

Jesus gives us the gift of being able to lift up our head, above the noise and worries of the world, and focus instead on Him.

For Peter, and for us, this must be more about what we CHOOSE to focus on and not just about what we AVOID focusing on.

For example, cf. Philippians 4:8.

Always quoted to me as a young man in the church about what to NOT do (90% pornography, 10% secular music)

But that isn’t what Paul is teaching, or what Jesus taught (at least not in full). What SHOULD we be thinking about?

Think about the truth of whoJesus is and how much He has displayed His love for you.

Think about those around you who are hurting and in desperate need of an expression of this love.

Think about creative ways in which we can use our wealth to meet real needs in our community.

Think about the joy that is found in creating close, personal relationships with others, even when you have been hurt before.

Think about the promise of life that steals the sting of death and overcomes your fear.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worhty of praise… think about these things.

Pray.

Take it Home

Who do you say that Jesus is? Write down your answer. If more research is required, keep working at it until you find your answer.

What is one way that you can “set your mind on things above?”