Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:21-23
"Get Behind Me Satan"
(Matthew 16:21-27)
Intro.
1. Misunderstandings about Jesus followed Him as he “went about doing good” and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Acts 10:38; Matt 4:23; 16:13-14).
2. Even those who confessed Him to be the Son of God balked at the idea of Him suffering and dying, Matt 16:21-22.
3. Some have gone so far as to develop a doctrine that says men prevented God’s kingdom plans from being fulfilled (Premillennialism):
a. “When the Lord withdraws the offer of the Kingdom to the Jews He announces the inception of an entirely new, unheralded and unexpected program – THE CHURCH.” (Dwight J. Pentecost, Things to Come, 463-464)
b. The purposes and plans of God are not hampered and prevented by men, cf. Rom 11:29; 9:20-21 (Psa 2:1-3).
4. The idea that men prevented God’s plan to establish the kingdom and call sinners to it by substituting the church is filled with denials of God’s word and shows faithlessness in prophecies and power of God.
5. God’s redemptive plan in Christ was a stone of stumbling to the Jews (1 Cor 1:22-23; 1 Pet 2:7-8; Isa 8:14).
I. GOD’S PURPOSES FOR THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD. Matt 16:21 (Acts 2:23)
A. He Must… (“Necessary, right, proper”; required to attain some end)
1. Go to Jerusalem, cf. Lk 13:33-35. His rejection would be complete
2. Suffer many things:
a. OT Prophecy, Lk 24:25-27, 44-46 (Deut 18:15; Psa 22:1; Isa 53)
b. From the religious leaders, Acts 4:11 (cf. 1 Cor 2:7-9).
3. Be killed, Isa 53:7-8.
4. Be raised the third day, Lk 24:6-8, 21; Acts 2:24-31. (Rom 1:4)
II. PETER REBUKES THE SON OF GOD, Matt 16:22.
A. Peter Pronounced Mercy, not Murder, for the Son of God (“Merciful to you”; May God be merciful).
1. Good intention…but completely wrong!
2. The purposes of God are not intentions of men (Prov 16:25).
B. Men Still Rebuke the Son of God and Attempt to Dispense Mercy in Spite of His Truth:
1. How to be saved: “Water baptism is not necessary!”
2. One church: “Many ways to God…all churches right.” (Eph 4:4)
3. MDR: “One loosed, both loosed” (Matt 19:9).
4. Doctrine doesn’t matter: “We all agree on Christ!” 2 Jno 9-11
III. THE WORK OF SATAN, Matt 16:23.
A. Obstruct the Things of God, cf. Rev 12:1-8; 9-10.
1. Tried to keep Christ from living on earth (Herod the Great).
2. Tried to keep Christ off the cross (Peter).
3. Tried to keep Christ in the grave (Death, guards).
4. Tries to dishearten disciples through persecution, Rev 12:13.
B. Satan Fails! 1 Pet 5:8-9 (Rev 12:11-14)
IV. WE MUST MIND THE THINGS OF GOD AND NOT THE THINGS OF MEN, Prov 23:7; Col 3:1-4.
A. By Minding the Word of God, 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 3:18.
B. By Minding the Purposes (Will) of God, 1 Pet 4:1-2.
1. Your sanctification, 1 Ths 4:3.
2. Be transformed in mind and life, Rom 12:2.
3. Stand perfect and complete, Col 4:12.
4. Suffer for doing good and silence the foolish, 1 Pet 3:17; 2:15; 4:19.
5. Receive the promise, Heb 10:36 (1 Jno 2:17).
C. By Following Jesus, Matt 16:24-27.
1. Follow the One who died and lives forever more.
2. Deny yourself the life this world offers in order to accomplish the purposes of God.
a. Like Jesus, be willing to be rejected by others.
b. Like Jesus, by willing to be misunderstood by friends.
3. God will reward you, Matt 16:27.
Conclusion
1. The sacrifice of Jesus is the greatest example of denying self (16:24).
2. When we have that heart, we will trust Christ completely (faith) and obey Him unhesitatingly.
3. Will we be a stumbling block to His purposes, or will we be “living stones” in His spiritual house (the church)? 1 Pet 2:4-8