Set Your Mind On God’s Interests

Set Your Mind on God’s Interests

June 21, 2009 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must keep our eyes on God; it’s all about God, not us.

Focus Passage: Matthew 16:21-28

I. Get Behind Me Satan (v 23a)

a. Just a few verses earlier, Jesus gave Peter a great compliment (vs 15-16)

b. Peter wanted what Satan wanted, that is, to bypass the cross

c. Many people today want to bypass the cross, to gain heaven without the suffering of Christ

II. Set Your Mind on God’s Interests (v 23b)

a. It’s not about you; it is all about God.

b. The problem is we WANT. We often don’t exercise judgment or restraint; just GIVE ME!

i. We even get mad at God when we don’t get what we want; healing, money, etc.

c. We get confused and think that Earth is our home; we are strangers, just passing through.

d. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

III. Let Jesus Take the Lead (vs 24-26)

a. The formula for following Jesus: (vs 24)

i. Deny self – Put Jesus First

ii. Take up your cross – Die to yourself

iii. Follow Jesus – Get out of the driver’s seat and into the passenger seat

b. Give up the world to gain Heaven: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” Jim Elliott

Invitation: