Mark 8:31-38.

The Message of the Cross (31)

Peter rebukes Jesus (32)

-         He was questioning God’s way of working and suggesting to him another pattern

Jesus rebukes Him right back (33)

3 questions this morning….first question:

-         What did Peter do wrong?

o       He was in front of Jesus

§        you cant be led when you are the one leading the way

§        He was telling Jesus what to do

o       He was opposing Jesus’ plan

§        “Satan” He was being an adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act)

o       He was thinking “like a man”

§        Once again the contrast between our instincts and God’s directions

§        man’s ways are not always God’s ways

§        Jude 1:4,10 “For certain men whose condemnation was written about  long ago have secretly slipped in among you…  Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them.

Next question…

-         What should Peter have done right?

o       (34)“If anyone should come after me”

§        The goal is following Jesus

·        FINDING OUT WHERE JESUS IS GOING AND FOLLOWING HIM

o       The church is a group of God’s people following Him

I.                  He should have denied himself

-         Not denying yourself of the good things in life

-         Denying yourself is denying control of yourself, your life

§        Luke 22:42:  "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

§        Our will (what we want) means nothing when He tells us otherwise. 

·        We must become obedient to His will no matter what that means

§        No matter how small or innocent, we must follow His ways

·        Don’t be an adversary.

How do you deny yourself?????

o       Come to the end of yourself

§        Psalm 51:16-17. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are  a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

o       Give Him total control…. you and god can’t control your life at the same time

§        (ex: too many bosses, steering wheel…you have to let go)

§        This is scary stuff…. Are you afraid of what God wants you to do or become?

o       We are a broken people, we just need to admit we cant do it alone

o       Sometimes sin

o       Sometimes life failures or just life

Life based on instinct leads to destruction

II.               He should have taken up His cross

-         Lord, I understand the costs

-         I’m willing to physically die for your will

-         I’m going to live as if I’m already dead

-         The old me is dead, I’m yours. There’s no going back

III.           He should have followed Him

-         Following Him requires 100 % obedience

-         This is not just a decision, but an action

-         You died to the old self but now you are a new creature.  Follow Him as a new creature

Last question:

Why should we deny ourselves and follow Him?

When we get ourselves out of the way

And

Decide to give God control of every aspect of our life

and

Begin walking in obedience (as best as we can)

Here is what it does…

1.     For the weary and overloaded, there is inner rest.

Matt 11:28-30.  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

2.     For the sinner (we are all sinners, but are you struggling with sin?), there is cleansing

Matthew 23:26.  Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean

-         let God change you from the inside out, not the outside first

-         when we focus on what is on the inside, God will naturally change what is on the outside

o       relax…stop letting people beat you up because of what is on the outside…

§        I’m not finished yet….that does not give you permission to sin

-         this is more for the believer to lay off the sins and focus on who that person is on the inside

o       let the holy spirit convict, not you

3.     For the fruity people (Christians- because we all desire good fruit in our lives) there is fruit

Luke 6:43.  "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.”

-         You can only pretend on the outside for so long.

o       Eventually you will be what you have always been unless you become something new.

-         John 15:5.  5.  "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

-         start living remaining in Him so fruit can naturally flow out of you. 

-         People cant always spot fake fruit at the beginning but once they bite into it, its pretty obvious