The Cross Series

INTRODUCTION

- Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do the people say I am?"

- The disciples gave the answered they gave Jesus the answers they had heard from various people.

- The next thing Jesus does is make it personal when He asks, "Who do you say I am?"

- Let's get personal: who do you say Jesus is?

- What are the implications of your answer?

- Today, we will begin a new series within Core 52 entitled "Bottom Line.:

- Matthew was an accountant—he brokered in bottom lines.

- He, of all people, snapped to attention when Jesus threw down the gauntlet of his identity, our position, ultimate realities, and global mission.

- Bottom line: If you want to follow Jesus, you have to settle accounts here.

- Imagine a Marine Corps recruiting advertisement that says, "Sign up now, travel to exotic locations.

- Get plenty of physical exercise.

- Enjoy the company of other young people and free medical benefits"?

- We all know that's only part of the story.

- But that's exactly what the American church has done with the Good News.

- We stress only the pleasant aspects of salvation.

- I don't hear many altar calls like this: "Help wanted: long hours and low pay. Difficult work conditions and likely pain and suffering. Excellent retirement benefits. Call Now!" (Dan Raymond Core 52 Sermon).

- Jesus makes it clear that He was not using the mock Marine recruiting poster.

- In our passage, He lays out what is expected if you want to follow Jesus.

- Jesus does not offer a flowery picture of beaches and sunshine, He shares to with the disciples the implications for all who want to follow Him.

- Undoubtedly, following Jesus is the greatest blessing we will ever experience, but those blessings do not always come easy.

- Who do you say Jesus is?

- Your answer has expectations and consequences to come along with your answer.

- If you do not believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the only Son of God who died and was raised for us to have the opportunity to have our sins forgiven so we can have eternal life, you will live according to that thought, and you will receive the reward you lived for.

- If you truly believe that Jesus is who He, God, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible say He is, you will, according to that thought, receive the reward you lived for.

- For some reason, many Christians have watered down the work, the walk, and the call of Jesus.

- We have traded what we want a walk with Jesus for what Jesus said the walk would look like.

- The call to follow Jesus will cost us something; however, if you believe He is the Son of God, the cost is worth it!

- Let's turn to Matthew 16:24-26.

Matthew 16:24 (NET 2nd ed.)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

SERMON

I. The path.

- The context of our passage is wrapped in the earlier verses of chapter 16.

- It starts with religious leaders demanding a sign from Jesus to prove who He was in verses 1-4.

- As you move to verses 5-12, Jesus warns the disciples to be careful not to allow the teachings of the religious leaders to poison them.

- Next, we move to the famous verses in verses 13-20, where Jesus asks His disciples who the people say He is, and then He asks who do YOU say I am.

- Peter answers.

Matthew 16:16 (NET 2nd ed.)

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

- Jesus affirms that response.

- In the next part of the chapter, verses 21-28, Jesus tells the disciples that He will die and be resurrected.

- This is where it gets interesting.

- It is vital for us not to miss the context of the statement.

- Peter was a follower of Jesus, at this point in the journey, Jesus is close to the halfway point in His ministry, about a year and a half into it.

- Peter had been walking with and ministering with Jesus the entire time.

- It is safe to say that Peter was gladly following Jesus.

- Now Jesus taught the group something that was not going to be pleasant and fun, Jesus was going to be killed by the religious leaders and would rise from the dead.

- Now here is Peter, oh NO, you ARE NOT going to do that!

- Peter steps in and tries to rebuke Jesus!

Matthew 16:22–23 (NET 2nd ed.)

22 So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: “God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!”