WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:10.040 Mark chapter 8. One of the great values of preaching through a book of the Bible is that you don't just study individual passages. 00:00:10.039 --> 00:00:18.460 It helps you to understand the Bible in context. It helps you to understand the overall teaching of the whole book. 00:00:20.359 --> 00:00:25.059 You see how the Holy Spirit has woven the whole book together. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:33.879 Now the early church tells us that Mark wrote his gospel from the eyewitness testimony of the apostle Peter. 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:40.219 And that makes what happens here in Mark 8 that much more significant. 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:48.820 So for eight chapters leading up to this point, everything has been climbing toward this moment. 00:00:49.840 --> 00:01:02.460 Every miracle, every sermon, every confrontation, every question has been leading to Caesarea Philippi, at least in Peter's life. 00:01:02.460 --> 00:01:08.280 Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus asked, who do you say that I am? 00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:11.500 And Peter said, you are the Christ. 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:16.879 Matthew tells us, he said, you are the Christ, the son of the living God. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:26.379 Because it's Peter's account in the gospel of Mark, that is the pinnacle of Mark's gospel. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:29.319 Everything before this kind of led up to this. 00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:30.240 It's been the ascent. 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:33.959 But the question has been the whole time, who is Jesus? 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:39.799 As they've watched him, as they've ministered beside him, as they've seen him do miracles, as they've listened to his teaching, 00:01:40.119 --> 00:01:45.399 as they've tried to understand his parables, as they've tried to get all that, the question's been, who is Jesus? 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:47.619 And now Peter answers that way. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:48.699 He gives the answer. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:50.119 It's somewhat the summit. 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:57.840 And we're going to linger around these verses for a couple of weeks, because the Mount of Transfiguration is next. 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:04.760 The Mount of Transfiguration is the Father confirming that Peter's confession is true. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:07.640 And the Father does it in dramatic fashion. 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:18.879 And then we begin the descent, the second half of the gospel of Mark, because Jerusalem is coming. 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:26.000 And what you'll begin to see pretty quickly now is Jesus will speak openly about it. 00:02:26.799 --> 00:02:28.359 He will speak of his suffering. 00:02:28.519 --> 00:02:29.939 He will speak of his rejection. 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:31.599 He will speak of his death. 00:02:31.699 --> 00:02:33.319 He'll speak of his resurrection. 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:44.120 But we'll journey into the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through the garden, through the courts, through the cross, to the empty tomb. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:50.539 Peter got the profession right. 00:02:52.079 --> 00:02:57.120 Now he needs to know what that means. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:00.560 And he needs to set his mind on God's plan, not his own plan. 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:05.960 And I want to focus this morning on just three verses from Mark. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:10.180 And I really want to hone in on just one verse. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:11.500 I want you to see this. 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:15.300 It's in Mark chapter 8, beginning in verse 31. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:16.280 And it says this. 00:03:17.640 --> 00:03:27.159 And he began to teach them, speaking of Christ, that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:30.219 and be killed, and after three days, rise again. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:34.120 And he said this plainly. 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:39.360 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:48.840 But turning and seeing his disciples, Jesus paid attention to who was listening. 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:53.700 He said, get behind me, Satan. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:04:00.659 You're not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:08.740 When he sat down in Caesarea Philippi and asked them, who do you say that I am? 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:13.759 He was preparing them for the last days of his ministry. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:27.279 Unless they knew who they believed in and were persuaded to keep that which they had committed under him against that day, as the great hymn says, 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:30.899 as well as 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 12 says that, by the way. 00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:34.599 It was going to be rough and shaky times for them. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:37.199 It already was not going to be easy. 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:39.620 But if they didn't know who they believed in, they were really going to be in a mess. 00:04:40.239 --> 00:04:43.919 Not knowing what or who to believe was going to make it worse. 00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:51.000 He told them those that would come and scoff him, he told them they'd be questioned. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:53.000 They told him he'd be probed. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:55.920 He'd be driven into a corner. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:04:58.060 All that would now turn vicious. 00:04:59.580 --> 00:05:01.879 And the courts that he would go through would be kangaroo. 00:05:02.020 --> 00:05:03.740 The charges would be exaggerated. 00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:05.040 The punishment would be death. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:12.020 He told them that when they thought their faith had ran out, that he'd rise again three days later. 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:15.659 Verse 32 says that he said it plainly. 00:05:15.719 --> 00:05:17.180 He laid it out there, in other words. 00:05:17.359 --> 00:05:18.639 He shot it straight with them. 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:20.180 He didn't hold back. 00:05:21.299 --> 00:05:22.899 He told them what would happen. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:31.060 That's quite different than this veil of secrecy that we've seen leading up to this time when he's been speaking. 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:33.919 When he spoke through parables, it was often a mystery. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:38.439 The disciples would walk away and go, well, what was that about? 00:05:39.359 --> 00:05:40.659 What do you mean by that? 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:47.780 And he either heard them or perceived that's what they were saying, and he'd turn around and give them a lesson and explain to them what that parable meant. 00:05:47.880 --> 00:05:50.360 Thank God he did, so now we know what it means, too. 00:05:51.760 --> 00:05:55.540 And there's other ones that we don't have that explanation there. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:57.600 We read it. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:00.420 It takes some explaining to understand it. 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:06.300 Not only that, but when he healed folks, he often told them, don't tell anyone. 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:09.180 It's hard to do. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:11.680 But he'd tell them, don't tell anyone. 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:13.920 It was all veil. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:18.620 He had some tasks to take care of. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:23.500 And he needed enough time to carry them out, and I believe that's why he did that. 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:30.120 I want you to understand, Christ came to die for the sins of the world and to establish as well. 00:06:30.280 --> 00:06:32.759 I mean, his key purpose was to die for the sins of the world. 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:43.259 But while he was here, he was establishing the infrastructure for the church to thrive after his resurrection and after the ascension. 00:06:43.259 --> 00:07:01.560 I want you to pay close attention to the gospels, and you'll see that he used every event as a training ground for the apostles to explain to them and how to do what he would say they would do even greater things than he had done. 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:04.079 What did he mean by that? 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:11.980 They couldn't do all the things he did because they saw tremendous conversion experiences in the book of Acts. 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:15.140 Those were things that didn't happen in the gospels. 00:07:15.460 --> 00:07:22.140 You see that happening as the church begins to awaken, as powerful things begin to happen. 00:07:22.280 --> 00:07:23.800 They were witnesses to all of that. 00:07:26.400 --> 00:07:31.259 When we get to this passage in Mark chapter 8, it's time. 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:38.360 The training that he has given them will be gone soon because he'll ascend into heaven. 00:07:39.220 --> 00:07:40.319 He's been training them. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:48.959 Now, his longest teaching time of anywhere in Scripture is John 13 through 17, which is the last night he had with them before he went to the garden. 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:53.620 He prepared them for what it would be like when he was no longer with them. 00:07:54.379 --> 00:08:04.259 But the training had to stop now for the greater task and the one that makes the church possible, and that is to take place on the cross. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:06.420 And now is the time. 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:08.399 And now they must know. 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:11.219 And so he wanted them to set their minds. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:13.360 What does that mean? 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:16.199 What does it mean to set your mind? 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:20.480 Well, first I want you to see that Jesus set his mind. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:22.939 I want you to see how this happened. 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:29.199 Because after he was baptized by John the Baptist, he went into the desert for 40 days, Jesus did. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:33.720 There he fasted and he prayed and he faced great temptations. 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:46.360 And I believe the temptations in the desert that he faced had to do more with the direction of his future ministry on the earth than it did with his physical state. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:50.120 I don't want to take away from anything about fasting for 40 days. 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:50.980 No doubt he was hungry. 00:08:51.439 --> 00:08:52.980 But there was more going on than just food. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:57.980 People had certain expectations of the coming Messiah based upon their interpretation of prophecy. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:02.840 Based upon their interpretation of prophecy. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:04.840 By the way, that's still true. 00:09:05.560 --> 00:09:09.600 People have certain expectations of the coming Messiah based upon their interpretation of prophecy. 00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:13.519 And in that day, many people expected a provider. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:17.639 Somebody who would give them what they needed. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:22.300 So when he fed the 5,000, it just, they got excited. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.920 They tried hard to pursue him. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:27.740 And remember that he somewhat escaped. 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:30.259 He got away from them. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:34.920 Scripture says because they were trying to force him to become king. 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:37.060 What was that about? 00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:39.340 It was about having a providing Messiah. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:43.500 And then some wanted a miracle work. 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:47.080 I mean, that's what they wanted. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:50.759 That was the, not the means, but the end. 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.039 That's what they were looking for. 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:53.559 And then some wanted a conquering king. 00:09:54.199 --> 00:10:00.459 David, King David was the man as far as leadership in growing that country. 00:10:00.599 --> 00:10:01.480 He had his weaknesses. 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:04.039 But man, he was a man after God's own heart. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:08.219 And God blessed his reign. 00:10:08.719 --> 00:10:10.319 And Israel grew strong. 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:15.640 And now understand in the setting, they are being oppressed by the Roman Empire. 00:10:15.760 --> 00:10:17.460 They want freedom from the Roman Empire. 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:19.260 The Roman Empire is choking them out. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:21.240 They want somebody who will conquer. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.800 So many expected that. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:25.779 And then some expect everything. 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:28.120 They expect the provision. 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:30.139 They expect the miracle worker. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.439 They expect the covenant king. 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:41.720 And when Jesus is in the desert, Satan is simply tempting Jesus to become the savior that people want him to be. 00:10:42.380 --> 00:10:45.680 Instead of the savior that the father has sent. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:49.079 The temptations are recorded twice. 00:10:49.319 --> 00:10:50.679 They're recorded in Matthew chapter 4. 00:10:50.839 --> 00:10:53.279 They're in Luke chapter 4 as well. 00:10:54.219 --> 00:10:56.799 They're the same three temptations, but they're in different orders. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:02.079 But in both of them, the first temptation was to turn the stones to bread. 00:11:02.599 --> 00:11:04.339 Jesus was hungry when that came up. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:06.179 But the temptation was more than bread. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:14.679 The temptation was, would he become a savior that would be focused upon the physical needs that people have? 00:11:14.959 --> 00:11:17.099 And the answer to that was no. 00:11:17.099 --> 00:11:22.919 As a matter of fact, Jesus responded to Satan by saying in Matthew chapter 4 verse 4, 00:11:23.479 --> 00:11:26.779 It is written, man shall not live by bread alone. 00:11:26.859 --> 00:11:29.679 But by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:31.479 But bread is what people were after. 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:39.019 As I mentioned earlier, when he fed the 5,000, he left immediately because some were wanting to force him to be king. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:43.799 He didn't fall for that temptation after the feeding of the 5,000. 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:45.620 He had already dealt with it in the desert. 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:49.099 That was not his mission. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:55.240 The second temptation was Satan urged him to throw himself from the pinnacle of the temple. 00:11:56.799 --> 00:12:05.599 The highest point is thought to be the temple's southeast corner that's loomed over a cliff that overlooked the Kendron Valley. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.839 Should have been a drop of 450 feet below. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.639 And Satan said, jump. 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:13.259 Let God save you. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:16.899 Well, can you imagine the crowds that would follow this perspective? 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:20.179 Be amazed by that. 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:26.600 Jesus performed many miracles, but his ministry was never about amazing people. 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.679 That was not what he was about. 00:12:27.959 --> 00:12:30.620 The miracles always point to a greater message. 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:33.319 Always notice that. 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.840 Look for the message in the miracle. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:35.779 Powerful. 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:39.899 And then finally, that Satan offered him the kingdoms of the world. 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:45.059 And as I said, Israel longed for another David who would conquer the nations. 00:12:45.439 --> 00:12:48.919 The Romans were so overbearing, but Jesus came to establish a different kind of kingdom. 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:51.819 As a matter of fact, he said in John 18, verse 36, 00:12:52.339 --> 00:12:54.059 My kingdom is not of this world. 00:12:54.319 --> 00:12:57.079 If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:13:04.139 That I might not be delivered over to the Jews, but my kingdom is not from the world. 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:16.180 So in other words, every temptation that Jesus was offered was an attempt to get him to make a shortcut around the Father's plan. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:22.780 And the reality is, he could have provided without ever saving. 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:27.620 And he could have amazed people without ever redeeming. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:31.819 And he could have ruled without ever going to the cross. 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:36.100 However, that was not what he came to do. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:41.459 And he set his mind on that before ministry ever started. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:44.339 That's why I call it Jesus' seminary experience. 00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:51.579 God called me in the ministry, and I went to college to study the Bible. 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:57.120 And when I got done, it was time to go to seminary because I had made a commitment to the Lord that I'd prepare myself. 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:59.700 Until he showed me different as best I could. 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:02.060 I knew where I was going. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.060 Preachers went to Texas. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.800 Lord, I preached. 00:14:05.160 --> 00:14:07.340 We rode out to Texas and got on that site. 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.879 It wasn't for me. 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.480 I love Texas. 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:14.900 But that wasn't where I was supposed to be. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:17.020 And I knew it. 00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:19.620 The moment I walked on that campus. 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:21.019 Nothing wrong with it, Grace. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:22.679 But I knew I wouldn't want to look for it. 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:34.220 Literally, as we went home, when you hit the bridge that crosses the river in New Orleans, 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.100 you'll smell Louisiana tea brewing. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:46.740 And you'll see a steeple that sticks out among that marshland. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:51.240 It's like an Eden in the middle of Sodom. 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:54.240 We literally went to the river in the middle of Sodom. 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.240 We literally went to the river in the middle of Sodom. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.039 I said, let's just go in there. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.860 We pulled in there. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.820 Drove on that campus. 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:06.440 Literally, the grass was greener on that side. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.700 I'm just telling you. 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.419 You know why? 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:10.180 Because it's swamped. 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.680 But anyway, that's not all that I'm out of there. 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:14.579 But I just knew that's where I was supposed to be. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.719 Scared to death in New Orleans. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.599 Didn't understand why. 00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:20.620 I went back home. 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:22.399 Put everything I owned in a Honda Civic. 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:25.639 Drove 600 miles from my mama and every friend I had. 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:28.319 And wondered what in the world I was doing. 00:15:30.099 --> 00:15:33.659 And after about five weeks there, I remember sitting out in the Presley's garden. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:38.120 And he had a rose garden or some flower garden or something out there. 00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:40.120 With some benches and a fountain in the middle. 00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:42.000 And I was out there all by myself. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:44.240 And I said, God, why did you bring me down here? 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.620 Why am I here? 00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:53.480 I had no idea within just a few months I'd be able to pastor a church. 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:58.220 I never thought at that age, that experience, single and all that stuff. 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.559 We want somebody like that. 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:01.799 God opened up a door for me. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:08.899 To be able to pastor as I studied for that. 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:19.779 And he allowed me the time to become clear on what ministry was about. 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:24.679 What my theology was and what my focus was going to be. 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:27.559 I gained a greater confidence in God's Word. 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.919 A greater passion for the pastor. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:31.240 A greater appreciation for the call. 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:35.019 And I've done more schooling since then. 00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:40.959 But never established like it was there. 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.539 My friend, clarity is a good thing. 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:49.439 And Jesus said, is mine in the desert. 00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:51.620 The ministry was gone. 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:54.099 That happens again. 00:16:55.579 --> 00:16:57.799 He did it again in Luke 9, verse 51. 00:16:57.939 --> 00:17:00.199 One of my favorite passages of Scripture in the Gospel. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:03.000 It's when the days drew near for him to be taken up. 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.440 He set his face to go to Jerusalem. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:10.259 Here his ministry soon takes a turn in Jerusalem. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.580 And he spent the bulk of his ministry in Galilee. 00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:15.039 We've studied him going to the Tecapolis. 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:20.680 He went on up on that northern shore of the Mediterranean to Tyre and Sudan. 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.799 We've seen those places. 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:27.399 But the last six months of his ministry is in Jerusalem. 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:33.440 And that turn is made here in Mark 8 and 9. 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.759 He begins to make that turn. 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:44.200 The Luke passage that's on the screen says that it was about setting his face. 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:49.240 That does not happen long after our focal passage today. 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:52.600 And he told his disciples openly what was coming. 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:57.279 And then he went to Jerusalem and openly ministered as the Messiah. 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:59.360 Matter of fact, he came in turning tables. 00:17:59.539 --> 00:17:59.799 Literally. 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.759 He was on his way to Calvary. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:07.240 And there was a narrowing of his vision that took place. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:09.180 Then it even becomes more narrow. 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:12.240 And we see the third time in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:15.279 When he said in Luke chapter 22 verse 42, 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:18.259 Father, if you're willing, remove this cup from me. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:20.259 Nevertheless, not my will, but yours. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.700 Be done. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.460 I want you to understand. 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:30.440 I know he did not look forward to the physical agony that he would suffer on the cross. 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:37.339 But Old Testament prophecy tells us that the cup that he's talking about was not the physical suffering. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:41.720 It was a foaming cup of God's wrath. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:19:03.559 That the illustration that the prophets use is it's like a foaming cup of alcohol that is so consumed and so much of it is consumed by somebody in such an addictive fashion that it ruins their life. 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:13.379 That's the picture that the prophets pay of when God's wrath comes upon somebody. 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:21.620 And so when he says, remove this cup from me. 00:19:24.020 --> 00:19:26.180 He was talking about the wrath of God. 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.040 The fallen blood. 00:19:28.040 --> 00:19:31.580 Understand, there was never a hindrance in Jesus' life. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.120 He was not born in sin. 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.380 He never sinned. 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:44.260 He had perfect communication with the Father until the earth shook and the sky grew dark. 00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:45.980 And he took upon the sin of the world. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.620 And he felt that separation. 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.180 That was the dread. 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:52.880 And he said, not my will. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:57.080 But then he gave it up and said, but yours be done. 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.500 The Father didn't spare Jesus the cup of his wrath. 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:04.560 And for that, my friend, we ought to celebrate. 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:07.460 2 Corinthians 5 verse 21 says, 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:14.000 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:17.259 The dread for Christ was taking on sin of the world. 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:19.700 It was taking the separation that comes from sin. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:27.400 However, when he left the garden after agonizing in prayer, his mind and his heart were set out for what needed to happen. 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.340 And thank God he went to the cross. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:30.880 And thank God he died for you and me. 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.240 And thank God he rose again. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:37.960 The Christian lives all of his or her days in the shadow of the cross. 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:41.599 As the hymn says, Jesus, keep me near the cross. 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:44.559 Let's be like Christ. 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:51.220 Christ set his mind on his mission. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:58.259 So he had every right to look at them and say, 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:01.460 You're not setting your mind on the thing of God. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.559 But on the things of man. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:09.259 As Christ set his mind on his mission, we set our mind on him. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:17.859 When he tells them in our passage what he is to do, it's more than Peter can take. 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:22.319 Peter's not going to let anybody mess with Jesus. 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.819 He's not going to do it. 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.220 I mean, he's high spirited. 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:32.319 And when Jesus says, you know, I'm going to die. 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.779 They're coming after me and I'm going to die. 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.480 Peter says, no, I'll cut their ear off. 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:41.059 I believe the only reason Peter cut the man's ear off in the garden was because he missed. 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:43.240 I believe he was aiming for his neck. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.380 He wasn't going to tolerate it. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:49.420 And he didn't want Jesus talking like that. 00:21:49.420 --> 00:22:02.080 And when Jesus heard him say that, I believe he thought about what the temptation was in the desert. 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:06.440 The devil was always throwing him off. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.200 He wasn't throwing him off. 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:09.640 He was trying to throw him off. 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.820 What his ministry was going to be. 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.920 And he realized that didn't come from Peter. 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:16.960 He wasn't calling Peter, Satan. 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:23.840 He was telling him, you got to get Satan behind you. 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:36.420 And the reality is, verse 33 tells us that Jesus saw the disciples and watched him. 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:40.279 He orders Satan to get behind him. 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:45.299 And so, because the reality is, either you're following the Lord or you're following the evil one. 00:22:48.119 --> 00:23:00.799 Peter's ignorant words were like a follower of the evil one that was attempting to tempt Jesus to back away from his God-commissioned responsibility. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:09.359 And then he makes a statement that I just want to take a few moments here to unpack for the rest of our time together and see what we have. 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:16.960 When he said, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:23.779 Scripture is clear that the way one sets his mind makes a world of difference. 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:31.059 As he set his mind toward ministry, so we are to set our minds toward ministry. 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:36.419 What is it God would have you to do to serve in his kingdom? 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:39.539 That's a question that Christians ought to ask. 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:43.779 What do I need to be doing in service for the Lord? 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:47.059 Not to pay him back, but in faithfulness. 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:51.559 He did not do. 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:55.539 Jesus did not do what he did to appease people. 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.779 He did it to please the Father. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:04.919 He did not do what he did to marvel people, but to give honor and praise to the Father. 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:09.599 He did not do what he did to conquer the whole world, but to save it. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:18.539 And my friend, we don't need to appease people, and we don't need to marvel people, and we don't need to conquer people. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:22.079 We need to live our lives for Christ. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:31.079 Christ, self-taught Chinese Christian writer, Watchman Nee, wrote a little book. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.960 You could read it this afternoon. 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.119 Well, some of you could. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.259 You could read it this afternoon. 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:41.659 It says, sit, walk, stand. 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:46.720 Maybe this is what it means to set our mind. 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.579 Oh, God. 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:49.500 First, we sit. 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:58.940 We realize that all we have in the Lord, that all we have is in the Lord, and we spend time with him privately. 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:02.579 We spend time with him prayerfully. 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:10.700 We spend time with him devotionally, and we allow the Holy Spirit to remind us what Ephesians tells us, 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:13.720 and that is that we sit with him in heavenly places. 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:21.160 We need to first realize all that we have when we have Christ. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:26.059 And you need to do it every day. 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.819 Don't tell me you don't have time. 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:36.779 You're too busy not to pray. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:41.939 Before you start your day, 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:45.379 when my kids were young, 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:48.299 I'd get up early and have my time with the Lord. 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:53.240 And my goal every day was not to blow everything I committed before we ever left the house. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:57.400 Let me all understand that. 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.680 First, we sit. 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.859 Heck, you know what it is. 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.259 That it is. 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.880 And then we walk. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.819 You can't stay there forever. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:21.639 You've got to get up from your time with the Lord. 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:26.000 And because of where we are placed with him, we walk. 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.599 In him. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.619 Watchman D was studying Ephesians when he wrote this. 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.839 And Ephesians is clear about this. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:39.859 We walk in a manner worthy of the calling that he's placed upon us as his children. 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.799 That's what Ephesians 4.1 says. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:46.919 We walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us. 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:48.119 That's Ephesians 5.2. 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:51.539 We walk as children of light. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.359 We walk away from impurity. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:55.579 We walk away from empty words. 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:57.159 We walk away from darkness. 00:26:57.579 --> 00:27:01.359 We pursue what is good and what is right and what is true. 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:04.019 That's what Ephesians 5.8 and 9 tell us. 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:08.419 We walk in the Lord. 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:11.379 And lastly, we stand. 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:17.240 When the battle comes and the battles will come, we stand. 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:19.299 We put on the armor of God and we stand. 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:21.639 And having done all, we stand. 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:24.879 Ephesians 6 just eats that up. 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:27.399 And says it again and again. 00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:29.539 Stand against the evil one. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:33.779 James 4 tells us, resist him and he'll flee from you. 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.839 And I want you to recognize something. 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:40.500 Peter makes one of the strongest statements ever made in Scripture. 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:46.359 I've just told you how the Gospel of Mark is wrapped around his quote that you are the Christ. 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:57.299 And then, almost immediately, he says something else of utter foolishness. 00:27:57.959 --> 00:28:00.139 He rebukes Christ. 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:06.300 Satan will take us from our high point. 00:28:07.580 --> 00:28:11.480 Turn us on a dime. 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:18.960 And what Jesus spoke of is not what Peter wanted. 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.319 That is not what he wanted. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:22.920 He didn't want anybody to hurt Jesus. 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.539 He didn't want anything to happen to Jesus. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:27.420 He wanted Christ to reign, wanted to be with him in that reign. 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.660 He didn't want anything coming away. 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:32.860 Folks, it's not about what we want. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.460 It's not about what he wanted. 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.640 It's not about what we want. 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.460 It's not about what we understand. 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.440 It's not. 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:43.259 I can't answer all your questions. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.140 I can't. 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:47.720 I can't answer all the questions in my own life. 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:50.140 I don't know why things happen like they happen. 00:28:50.300 --> 00:28:51.860 I don't understand all that. 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:57.339 It's not about having our questions answered. 00:28:58.419 --> 00:29:00.619 It's not about getting everything we want. 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:04.339 It's about who we've trusted our lives with. 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:09.099 The Apostle Paul put it this way in Philippians 3. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:14.399 Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 00:29:14.459 --> 00:29:20.339 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:22.980 To forget our ways. 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:30.839 And in the power of God to walk out of the strongholds of the evil one has upon our lives that weaken us. 00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:37.720 The same Lord that faced temptation and conquered it is the same Lord that lives in believers 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:43.519 and gives us the strength that we need to walk away from the sinful patterns of our life. 00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:45.299 To leave the past behind. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.619 To get Satan behind us. 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.199 And then sit. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:55.379 Sit with the Lord in the high places. 00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.859 And then walk. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.079 Walk in His ways. 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.539 And then stand. 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.720 When the battle comes, 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:12.279 and if you're not in the midst of it right now, it'll come. 00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:16.319 Stand strong in Christ. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:18.259 Sit. 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.319 Sit. 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.759 Walk. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.259 Stand. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:27.779 I believe that's what it means to set our minds on Christ. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:33.240 And to get Satan behind us. 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:36.980 That's not always easy. 00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.200 It's not always easy. 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:44.620 When I was a teenager, I began to notice. 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:50.439 A little later than that, I took it more seriously and I got it checked out. 00:30:51.439 --> 00:30:55.479 And I have something called intermittent extratropia. 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:59.700 I don't want to say I'm a pastor with a wandering eye. 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:01.099 That don't sound right. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:07.579 But I got an eye that just, both of them do it a little bit, but one of them really does it. 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:10.779 I've had surgery and it corrected about 50% of the sores. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:16.980 But every time I turn my head, one eye focuses a little slower than the other. 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.480 And I see double. 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:23.160 It only takes about a nanosecond for it to fix itself. 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:25.480 I don't really think about it since I've been talking about it. 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.319 It's happened about three times. 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.599 I don't really think about it a lot. 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:33.920 It used to be a lot slower, but for the surgeon people too, I'm looking at it. 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:36.779 If I'm ever looking past you, I'm not looking past you. 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:46.819 But after the surgery, when the doctor was analyzing it, he said, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:53.559 I see that you still have the traits, but he said, you recover so quickly. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:59.799 I don't know that I've ever seen anybody refocus as fast as you do. 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:02.899 Sometimes eyes blind out something, but I don't. 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.519 I see double. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:09.079 And he said, you fix it really fast. 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:21.079 It's become my prayer. 00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:30.159 Lord, at any time my focus is not where it needs to be, 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:37.039 that I'll fix it as fast as my brain fixes my brain. 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:44.419 Lord, let me set my mind on you 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:49.820 and let nothing end your life. 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:54.940 Now that begins by surrendering your life to the Lord. 00:32:57.100 --> 00:33:01.080 And if you've never done that, there's no church affiliation that's going to help with that. 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:06.039 There's no ancestry that's going to help you with that. 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:09.779 It's a personal surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:11.480 You've never given your heart life to Christ. 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.879 You need to do that today. 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.420 Before you leave here. 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:17.940 Urgently. 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.379 You need to give your life to Christ. 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:25.099 And if you've done that, but you've never acknowledged that publicly, 00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:26.379 it's been a private matter to you, 00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:29.099 I want you to know that's a hindrance in your life 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:32.539 that's keeping you from setting your mind on what it needs to be set on. 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:35.379 And you need to be obedient and follow Him. 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:40.299 By His commission and by His example, 00:33:41.139 --> 00:33:42.279 He shows us the importance. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.980 Maybe God's drawing in this church. 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:51.200 This is where you know you're not big on being recognized, 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:53.399 but you know that's where God would have you to be. 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:56.279 If you know that's where God would have you to do, 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.119 you need to obey Him. 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.119 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.119 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.119 00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:06.319 And there's not a person in this place today 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:09.739 that don't need to hear what I'm about to say. 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:16.320 We all need to recommit our lives today 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:19.259 to set our minds on Him 00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:25.980 to let nothing come in the way of us keeping our minds set upon Him. 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:31.619 Man, it sure does help Him when we sit with Him. 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:36.340 It won't happen unless we walk with Him. 00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:41.639 And we'll fail if we don't stand with Him. 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:46.980 I want you to know that Satan loves to work on alienation. 00:34:48.740 --> 00:34:51.880 If he can make you feel alone by yourself, 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:53.099 he can get you down. 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:57.099 And I want you to know today, 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.279 you're not alone. 00:35:00.259 --> 00:35:01.039 You're not alone. 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.599 I mean that in a lot of ways, 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.679 and I don't have time to explain it. 00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:07.619 The commonality of our difficulties 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:09.420 is much more than you would ever imagine. 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.420 I can promise you that. 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.079 I can promise you that. 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:14.179 They really are. 00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:17.000 You're not that different. 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.900 Some of you are. 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:21.179 But you're not that different, you know? 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:24.719 We all struggle. 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:29.019 It comes about. 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:32.480 The fruit of it happens in different ways, 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:34.960 and it's all customized and those type things. 00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:40.139 But the categories are just pure and very common. 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:44.219 You're not alone. 00:35:45.739 --> 00:35:46.639 You're not alone. 00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:50.119 You've got a congregation of people that are wonderful, 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:51.179 and they love you, 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:53.119 and they'll do whatever they can for you. 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:55.900 And we'll stand with you. 00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:58.519 We'll sit with you if you need us to. 00:35:58.859 --> 00:36:00.460 If you don't know what it means to sit with the Lord, 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:02.119 come sit with me this week. 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:04.500 Let me explain to you what that means. 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:06.840 We'll walk with you. 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:08.679 And when needed, we'll stand with you. 00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:14.059 You've got a church-loving family that cares about you, 00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:17.260 and you get as much as you put into it. 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.300 You really do. 00:36:21.239 --> 00:36:23.900 But if there were none of us here, 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:26.500 you would not be alone. 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:29.500 You would not be alone. 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:33.539 The strength that we have in the midst of our struggle 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:36.519 is the common bond that we have in Christ Jesus. 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:38.360 That's the strength of the church. 00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:40.139 And so it's all about Christ. 00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:46.019 And He'll be with you through it all. 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:50.880 Set your mind on Christ. 00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:54.920 Refocus on Him. 00:36:54.920 --> 00:37:00.619 It'll become a lot more natural the more you do it. 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:05.700 Set your mind on Christ. 00:37:07.320 --> 00:37:09.360 Heavenly Father, lead us right now 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:11.860 to be obedient, 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:13.720 to follow You 00:37:13.720 --> 00:37:17.019 in any and every way that You have us. 00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:21.119 Father, we love You dearly. 00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:24.260 And we thank You for Your love for us. 00:37:24.920 --> 00:37:28.260 Give us the focus to respond to Your obediently today. 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:30.240 In Jesus' name, amen.