Matthew 16:21-27Matthew 16:21-27

Most failed to comprehend who He Most failed to comprehend who He was, Matthew 16:13-14was, Matthew 16:13-14

Peter (who confessed Him to be the Peter (who confessed Him to be the Son of God) balked at His Son of God) balked at His declaration of approaching suffering declaration of approaching suffering and death, Matthew 16:21-22and death, Matthew 16:21-22

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His purposes were often rejectedHis purposes were often rejected cf. Premillennialism’s corruption cf. Premillennialism’s corruption

of God’s kingdom purpose (Dan of God’s kingdom purpose (Dan 2:44)2:44)

The purposes and plans of God The purposes and plans of God are not hampered and are not hampered and prevented by men, Rom 11:29; prevented by men, Rom 11:29; 9:20-21 (Psa 2:1-3)9:20-21 (Psa 2:1-3)

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The idea that men prevent God from The idea that men prevent God from fulfilling His plans is offensive and fulfilling His plans is offensive and denies the word of Goddenies the word of God

God’s redemptive plan in Jesus God’s redemptive plan in Jesus Christ was a stone of stumbling to Christ was a stone of stumbling to the Jews, 1 Cor 1:22-23; 1 the Jews, 1 Cor 1:22-23; 1 Pet 2:7-8; Isa 8:13-14Pet 2:7-8; Isa 8:13-14

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The Christ The Christ mustmust go to Jerusalem, Lk go to Jerusalem, Lk 13:33-3513:33-35

The Christ The Christ mustmust suffer many things: suffer many things: According to OT prophecy, Lk 24:25-27, 44-According to OT prophecy, Lk 24:25-27, 44-

46 (Deut 18:15; Psa 22:1; Isa 53)46 (Deut 18:15; Psa 22:1; Isa 53) By the religious leaders, Acts 4:11 (1 Cor 2:7-By the religious leaders, Acts 4:11 (1 Cor 2:7-

9)9) The Christ The Christ mustmust be killed, Isa 53:7-8 be killed, Isa 53:7-8 The Christ The Christ mustmust be raised the third day, be raised the third day,

Lk 24:6-8, 21; Acts 2:24-31 (Rom 1:4) Lk 24:6-8, 21; Acts 2:24-31 (Rom 1:4)5

Peter pronounced mercy, not Peter pronounced mercy, not murder, for the Son of God murder, for the Son of God (“merciful to you”)(“merciful to you”) What appeared to be well-intended What appeared to be well-intended

was completely wrong!was completely wrong! The purposes of God are not the The purposes of God are not the

intentions of men (Prov 16:25; Isa intentions of men (Prov 16:25; Isa 55:8-9)55:8-9)

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People still rebuke the Son of God by People still rebuke the Son of God by trying to dispense mercy in violation of trying to dispense mercy in violation of His truthHis truth How to be saved: “Water baptism not How to be saved: “Water baptism not

necessary”necessary” One church: “Many ways to God” (Eph 4:4)One church: “Many ways to God” (Eph 4:4) MDR: “One loosed, both loosed” (Matt 19:9)MDR: “One loosed, both loosed” (Matt 19:9) Doctrine doesn’t matter: “We all agree on Doctrine doesn’t matter: “We all agree on

Christ” (2 Jno 9-11)Christ” (2 Jno 9-11)

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Obstruct things of God, cf. Rev 12:1-8; Obstruct things of God, cf. Rev 12:1-8; 9-109-10

Tried to keep Christ from living (Herod the Tried to keep Christ from living (Herod the Great)Great)

Tried to keep Christ off the cross (Peter)Tried to keep Christ off the cross (Peter) Tried to keep Christ in the grave (Death, Tried to keep Christ in the grave (Death,

guards)guards) Tries to dishearten disciples with Tries to dishearten disciples with

persecution, Rev 12:13persecution, Rev 12:13 Satan Fails! 1 Pet 5:8-9 (Rev 12:11-14)Satan Fails! 1 Pet 5:8-9 (Rev 12:11-14)

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Word of God, 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 3:18Word of God, 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 3:18 Purposes (will) of God, 1 Pet 4:1-2Purposes (will) of God, 1 Pet 4:1-2

Your sanctification, 1 Ths 4:3Your sanctification, 1 Ths 4:3 Be transformed in mind and life, Rom 12:2Be transformed in mind and life, Rom 12:2 Stand perfect and complete, Col 4:12Stand perfect and complete, Col 4:12 Suffer for doing good, 1 Pet 3:17; 2:15; 4:19Suffer for doing good, 1 Pet 3:17; 2:15; 4:19 Receive the promise, Heb 10:36 (1 Jno 2:17)Receive the promise, Heb 10:36 (1 Jno 2:17)

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By following JesusBy following JesusThe one who died and lives forever moreThe one who died and lives forever moreDeny yourself to achieve God’s purposesDeny yourself to achieve God’s purposes

Like Jesus, willingly rejected by othersLike Jesus, willingly rejected by others Like Jesus, willingly misrepresented by Like Jesus, willingly misrepresented by

friendsfriendsGod will reward you, Matt 16:27God will reward you, Matt 16:27

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Death of Jesus is the world’s greatest Death of Jesus is the world’s greatest example of self-denial, Matt 16:24example of self-denial, Matt 16:24

Will we be stumbling blocks to the Will we be stumbling blocks to the purposes of Christ?purposes of Christ?

Or, will we be “living stones” in His Or, will we be “living stones” in His spiritual house? 1 Pet 2:4-8spiritual house? 1 Pet 2:4-8

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