THE PASSION OF THE CHRISTIAN
MATTHEW 16:21-28
Introduction
Jesus’ followers fully expected to see Christ reign as King over Israel in their lifetime. However, the Lord knew differently, and at this point He begins to prepare them for the unexpected. Before the kingdom reign there was to be the building of a Church!
I. THE STRIKING REVELATION. v.21"From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
The Disciples Misunderstood :-
1. The Plan of Salvation v. 21 Note:-
(a) The Compulsion of Calvary - "He must go unto Jerusalem."
(b) The Complexity of Calvary v. 21 "and suffer"
The Complexity Of His :-Sufferings(many things), His Sacrifice( Be killed),His Salvation (raised again) Rom 4.v 25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
(c) The Compensation of Calvary v. 22 "then Peter"
2. The Price of Salvation v. 22 "be it far - this shall not be unto thee"
1 Peter 1 v 18 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
Rev 5 v 9 "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"
3. The Profit of Salvation v. 26 " For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? -here we have an impossible gain (world), an immeasureable loss (soul), an immaterial profit - (what profit?)
4. The Promise of Salvation v. 27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
(a) The promise of His coming v. 27 " For the Son of man shall come."
(b) The purpose of His coming v. 27 "he shall reward"
(c) The preview of His coming ch 28 v. 1 - 8 on the mount of transfiguration
II. THE CHALLENGING INVITATION. (Vs 24) "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." ie. In the light of Calvary
Note The :-
(a) The Call to Discipleship "if" - it was divine, direct - "any", distinct - "come", and deliberate "to calvary"
(b) The Conditions of Discipleship - he must:-
(1) Make his Decision Deny self, - "nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling."
(2) Fulfil his Duty Take up his cross - - "the death march of crucifixion" "must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free, no there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me." also his delight "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross"
(3) Follow his Direction -follow in death, in resurrection, in ascension and to glory
(4) To Share his Destination John 14 v 1"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(c) The Consequence of Discipleship v. 25 "whosoever shall loose his life shall find it."
What kind of service is the Saviour seeking? He is seeking a service :-
(a) of love! 2 Corinthians 5:14–“For the love of Christ constraineth us. . .”
(b) of loyalty Notice those last words of verse 24, “follow Me.”
Look at Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.;"
(c) of urgency John 9 v 4 "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
1. We will DO what He wants us to do.
2. We will GO where He wants us to go.
3. We will SAY what He wants us to say.
III. THE IMPELLING MOTIVATION. v.25 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Note :-
(a) The Principle v.24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
(b) The Paradox v.25 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
(c) The Price v.26 "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
(d) The Promise v.27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
(e) The Prize v.27 "and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
Romans 8:18–“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
2 Corinthians 4:17, 18–“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8–“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
IV THE IMPRESSIVE VINDICATION v.28 "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."
