Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev19961110.htm

MATTHEW: JESUS AS ISRAEL'S MESSIAH AND HIS MESSIANIC KINGDOM
Part X. Christ's Messianic Kingdom Postponed
L. Christ's Edification Of The Disciples In View Of His Rejection As The King
2. Revelation Of The CONTRAST Between MAN'S VIEW And GOD'S VIEW Of Ministry
(Matthew 16:21-17:5)
  1. Introduction
    1. When we serve the Lord individually or as a body, we bring certain expectations of "success" to the effort.
    2. However, reality actually often differs from such expectations: our efforts or that of a church's often turn out negatively or with troublesome results, and that can confuse and discourage us.
    3. Jesus revealed that there is a divine view of ministry and a humanly carnal view, and we would do well to know the difference to avoid discouragement and be productive as God views ministry productivity.
  2. Revealing The CONTRAST Between MAN'S View And GOD'S View Of Ministry, Mtt. 16:21-17:5.
    1. After announcing that He would build His Church irrespective of forces that would be against it, Jesus began to tell His disciples of His terrible future crucifixion passion ahead, Mtt. 16:18-19 with 16:21.
      1. Jesus had just announced that He would build His Church against all forces that opposed it, Mtt. 16:18f.
      2. Just after doing so, He began telling the disciples of the horrible suffering He was yet to face, 16:21:
        1. He was going to have to go to enemy territory, Jerusalem in the near future, v. 21a.
        2. He was going to suffer many things by Israel's religious leaders, v. 21b. We know from Matthew's Gospel that this included (a) being conspired against for destruction (26:15), (b) receiving legal action of arrest and binding (26:47; 2 7:1-2), (c) entrapment by slander (26:59-66), (d) physical abuse (26:67a,b; 27:28,29a,30,35a) (e) and verbal abuse (26:67c-68; 27:28,29b,39-43).
    2. This announcement was offensive to Peter, so he took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, urging that this trouble would not be Christ's experience as He, the Messiah would powerfully gain the throne, 16:22.
    3. Jesus rebuked Peter for sharing Satan's errant viewpoint of ministry, noting that he was not savoring the things that be of God, but those that be of men, Mtt. 16:23.
    4. Additionally, Jesus revealed that all believers who would follow Him would have the same difficulty in ministry prior to success as God saw it, Mtt. 16:24-27.
      1. Not only would Jesus suffer before the crown, but would thus pattern ministry for all believers, 16:24.
      2. Thus, believers were to face difficulty for doing what was right rather than compromising on doing what was right for the sake of having an easier time in service for the moment, 16:25-26.
      3. They were to anticipate God's eternal reward as the criteria for what service they performed in the present no matter how much suffering it produced for them, Mtt. 16:27.
    5. To encourage them to accept this truth, Jesus sent His disciples through the Transfiguration, 16:28-17:8:
      1. Jesus predicted that some of the disciples would not die before viewing the Messianic Kingdom, 16:28.
      2. That prediction was fulfilled about a week later when Peter, James and John were taken by Jesus up into the Mount of Transfiguration to view His coming Messianic glory, Mtt. 17:1-4.
      3. While there, God the Father ordered the disciples to hearken to Jesus' words, Mtt. 17:5. Thus, the Father reemphasized Jesus' teaching that they were to accept trouble prior to ministry blessing, for they were to serve God with eternal goals and values that countered those of their evil world around them.
Lesson: (1) The carnal view of ministry success includes (a) promoting beliefs that fit the approval of people adopting this age's goals and values (b) so that one works in a supportive, non-threatening environment, (b) experi encing emotional, physical, legal and verbal support from other religious people and (c) gaining their full acceptance. (2) The godly view of success includes (a) resisting man's false values in favor of God's will (b) resulting in working in locations where there are opponents (c) who dish out emotional, physical, legal and verbal abuse for our efforts and beliefs and (d) being rejected by them. (e) The hope for working is eternal rewards from God in the life to come!

Application: Opt for God's eternal rewards and a cross before the crown rather than skipping the cross due to short-sightedness of seeing only current persecution and missing the crown to come!

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