Revelation and Responsibility Matthew 16:20-28 Logos Bible Fellowship 8/20/2008

Breakdown of Passage 1. Jesus reveals His identity, death and Resurrection (vv.20-23) 2. Jesus calls for true discipleship (vv ) 3. Jesus reveals His reward (vv.27-28)

Overview  Matthew 16 is… …a critical chapter in the account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection …a critical chapter in the account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection …a high point in Jesus’ teaching and the disciples’ growth …a high point in Jesus’ teaching and the disciples’ growth …the climax of Jesus withdrawal from the crowds …the climax of Jesus withdrawal from the crowds  Some important teachings in Matthew 16 Peter’s confession of Christ (v.16) Peter’s confession of Christ (v.16) The first mention of the church (v.18) The first mention of the church (v.18) Jesus’ teaching that He must die and rise (v.21) Jesus’ teaching that He must die and rise (v.21) Jesus’ teaching about mandatory self-denial (v.24) Jesus’ teaching about mandatory self-denial (v.24)

Jesus’ Self Revelation (vv.20-23)  Jesus first asked the question, “ Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? ” (v.13)  Next, He asked, “ But who do you say that I am? ” (v.15)  Peter quickly answered, “ You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. ” (v.16)  Jesus quickly replied, “ Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ” (v.17)

Jesus’ Self Revelation (vv.20-23)  Why did Jesus command the disciples not to tell that He was the Messiah (v.20)? He did the same in 8:4 and 12:16 He did the same in 8:4 and 12:16 God’s timing was critical God’s timing was critical Compare John 7:30 and 8:20 with 13:1 and 17:1 Compare John 7:30 and 8:20 with 13:1 and 17:1  What does this teach us about God’s timing in our lives? Should we keep Christ’s identity as a secret also?

Jesus’ Self Revelation (vv.20-23)  “From that time on” marks a new emphasis in Matthew’s account Jesus’ private teaching and preparation of the disciples for His death Jesus’ private teaching and preparation of the disciples for His death  What four critical things did Jesus begin to reveal to His disciples (v.21)?  How do you think Jesus “showed” His disciples these four things? See Luke 24:40; John 2:18, 20:20; James 2:18, 3:13 See Luke 24:40; John 2:18, 20:20; James 2:18, 3:13  How can we “show” unbelievers what Christ has done and how He has affected our lives?

Jesus’ Self Revelation (vv.20-23)  How did Peter react to the revelation of Jesus? Not that before this, Jesus had only indirectly alluded to His death once (Matthew 9:15) and His resurrection once (Matthew 12:39-40); after this, He repeatedly teaches this lesson (Matthew 17:22-23; 20:18-18; 26:2, 11-12, 21, 31-32) Not that before this, Jesus had only indirectly alluded to His death once (Matthew 9:15) and His resurrection once (Matthew 12:39-40); after this, He repeatedly teaches this lesson (Matthew 17:22-23; 20:18-18; 26:2, 11-12, 21, 31-32) How well did the disciples absorb Jesus’ teaching about His death and resurrection? See Mark 16:9-11. How well did the disciples absorb Jesus’ teaching about His death and resurrection? See Mark 16:9-11.  Did Peter learn his lesson? See Acts 4:  How can we prevent hard-heartedness?

Jesus’ Self Revelation (vv.20-23)  How did Jesus respond to Peter’s reaction? Jesus suggested that Peter was being a mouthpiece for Satan Jesus suggested that Peter was being a mouthpiece for Satan The death and resurrection of Jesus was part of God’s sovereign plan (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28; Isaiah 53:10; John 12:27) The death and resurrection of Jesus was part of God’s sovereign plan (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28; Isaiah 53:10; John 12:27)  Lessons learned: 1. Christianity without the cross is worthless 2. It is easy to be exactly right one minute and terribly wrong the next.  How can we be mindful of the things of God rather than the things of man?

True Discipleship (vv.24-26)  “ Here is Jesus’ first mention of the word “cross” to His disciples. To them it would have evoked a picture of a violent, degrading death. He was demanding total commitment from them—even unto physical death—and making this call to full surrender a part of the message they were to proclaim to others. This same call to life-or-death devotion to Christ is repeated in 10:38; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; 14:27. For those who come to Christ with self-renouncing faith, there will be true and eternal life (v. 39). ” ~ John MacArthur  “ If the gospel of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed as a theology of self-esteem, imagine the health this could generate in society! ” ~ Robert Schuller  Did Jesus preach “self esteem” or “self denial”?  See Boice, p. 314.

True Discipleship (vv.24-26)  What did Jesus mean in verse 25? Does “whoever loses his life for My sake” indicate that Jesus was looking for willing martyrs? Does “whoever loses his life for My sake” indicate that Jesus was looking for willing martyrs? The word “deny” means “disregard/disown/refuse”, “save” means “preserve”, and “lose” means “destroy”. The word “deny” means “disregard/disown/refuse”, “save” means “preserve”, and “lose” means “destroy”. Are there any contextual clues to the meaning of lose?Are there any contextual clues to the meaning of lose? How does Matthew 26:34-35 enhance our understanding of the word “deny”? How does Matthew 26:34-35 enhance our understanding of the word “deny”? What is the relationship between confession and denial (John 1:20)? How about deeds and denial (Titus 1:16)? What is the relationship between confession and denial (John 1:20)? How about deeds and denial (Titus 1:16)? Is it possible to serve Christ without self-denial? See Matthew 6:24 and Revelation 3:8. Is it possible to serve Christ without self-denial? See Matthew 6:24 and Revelation 3:8.

True Discipleship (vv.24-26)  Jesus made it clear that self-will = self-worship.  In order to serve God, we must deny ourselves and submit to His will.  What are some examples of taking up your cross (see Romans 12:1)? See John 14:6 on following Jesus.  As the saying goes, such and such (fill in the blank) and $1.40 will buy you a gallon of gas. Similarly, gaining the whole world is worthless in eternity. Your soul is the only thing you possess of any eternal value! See Job 27:8.  How does this teaching relate to the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23), the treasure (13:44) and the pearl of great price (13:45)?  How was it exemplified by the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-27), the teacher of the law (8:19-20), and the disciple who wanted to bury his father (8:21-22)?

Jesus’ Reward (vv.27-28)  Jesus will reward believers and unbelievers according to their works (v.27) How can we reconcile the fact that salvation is by grace alone but judgment is by works? How can we reconcile the fact that salvation is by grace alone but judgment is by works? Believers will be judged at the “Bema Seat” (1 Corinthians 3:8-15 (notice the foundation), 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Revelation 22:12) Believers will be judged at the “Bema Seat” (1 Corinthians 3:8-15 (notice the foundation), 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Revelation 22:12) Unbelievers will be judged at the “Great White Throne” (Revelation 20:11-15) Unbelievers will be judged at the “Great White Throne” (Revelation 20:11-15)