What Will You Do For Love? Matthew 16:21-23

 What Would You Do For Love?

Matthew 16:22-23

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 

NIV

This verse follows the question Jesus asked His disciples

Matthew 16:15-20

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."  20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. 

Peter may have been on an all-time high, filled with pride because Jesus

Had singled him out as the one who had a word from the Father in Heaven

This was three years into Jesus' ministry on earth. The disciples had been 

Taught by Jesus. They had witnessed all the miracles He performed. 

They had seen His popularity grow among the people. They

Had come to the conclusion that Jesus would free them from Roman

Rule and be their King.

From their youth, they had been taught the Word of God

Isaiah 54:13-14

13 All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace. 14 In righteousness you will be established:

Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.

The disciples were not ignorant or illiterate as the Pharisees and Scribes 

Described them, They did not have the formal theological training, but they

Have the teaching of the Old Testament from their youth. And they held on

To God promises of a Messiah (Isaiah  9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5)

When Jesus claimed that He would be killed by the Jewish leaders including The Chief priest, Peter was alarmed. He went into his defensive protective Mode to ensure Jesus that would not happen under his watch.

John Baptist looked at Jesus and proclaimed that He was the Son of God

This was the start of their journey with Jesus

 

Matthew 16:21-23

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 

Point  1

Don’t put your agenda ahead of God 

Notice Peter didn’t hear that Jesus said He would be raised on the third day. He would die, but He would not stay dead.

Peter had the word of God confirmed by Jesus,  He, Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. He would be their King. Except His kingship was

Not of this world 

Peter’s boldness was not without Biblical truth but wrong in his timing and concept. Peter thought he knew best for Jesus. We can’t tell Jesus how 

Carry out His divine plan. 

PETER LOVED JESUS

What was behind Peter’s superior domineering tone? Some would say it was pride, but Some commentaries said he was arrogant. I Say it was love.

Jesus was his friend. He loved his friend. 

He trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat in a storm and walk on water.

He wanted to protect his friend, so he carried a sword for protection

He loved Him enough to leave the family business. He loved Jesus

Enough to spend his days away from his wife but with Jesus

Point 2 

You and I need to be careful that we don’t read into God's Word what we want to believe

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 

Don’t let love and empathy block your understanding of God’s Word. 

Your love can become a stumbling block to God’s plan and rational thinking and decision-making. 

Peter saw Jesus as king of the Jews and rightly so. But Jesus would be the

Spiritual king, not the replacement of the Roman empire. 

I love my grandkids, But that doesn’t mean they can do what they want to do and be right. 

Peter loved Jesus, but he was planning a life separate from Jesus' divine plan’ Peter’s plan was today, now. But Jesus' plan was an eternity. 

Peter’s plan was freedom from Rome. but Jesus' plan was freedom for

Life in Jesus Christ.

Peter’s plan was freedom from problems. But Jesus' plan was freedom from problems through faith in Him.

In all our planning, we must be mindful of God’s Word.  If our thoughts and

Ideas don’t line up with God, throw them out.

Jesus’ plan for the crucifixion and the death was eternal life.

Any man who wants to save his life will lose it. Any man wants to lose

His life will save it 

Peter remembered the prophecy for the coming Messiah ( Isa 9:6-7)

But he ignored the prophecy of his death and resurrection (Isa 53:12

Point 3 

 KEEP SATAN BEHIND YOU

Satan is sneaky, sly, and out to destroy.  He will influence your love to be in opposition to the Word of God. Daddy Daddy can you buy me a car said

My teenaged son. I love you son but you are not responsible enough to 

Drive a car. GET BEHIND ME SATAN

It’s a rebuke to Satan and a prayer of strength to Jesus,

There are many times in our day when we need that proclamation 

When the line is too long in the grocery store, GET BEHIND ME SATAN

When I just got cut off on the freeway and I am thinking of giving the finger

GET BEHIND ME SATAN

When I am upset with something and about to get angry, GET BEHIND ME SATAN

When I am about to judge you by my standards, GET BEHIND ME SATAN

When I am about to watch what I shouldn’t watch, GET BEHIND ME SATAN

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high places 

Point 4

Don't Be A Stumbling Block To Jesus

Daily we fight this battle against what we want and what God wants for us.

Jesus said to Peter you are a stumbling block to ME.

Whenever we put our desires before God, we are a stumbling block to

The proclamation of the Gospel.

Whenever our character does not mirror Jesus we ar a stumbling block.

Any doubt we have in Jesus becomes a stumbling block to the faith

Of others. 

Point 5

Don’t Disregard The Rebuke of Wisdom

Peter heard what Jesus said, but still carried his sword to protect

Jesus.  When the Chief priests and the elders came to arrest Jesus,

It was Peter who cut the ear of a servant off. 

It was Peter who denied knowing Jesus three times before men during

The trial of Jesus. Had Peter listened and abided by Jesus' instructions 

He would have rejoiced at the crucifixion of Jesus. Certainly, it would

Have been painful to watch, but there would have been hope in the resurrection.

The Word of God is the whole truth which contains trials and tribulations

But with joy and hope. 

LET THE LOVE OF GOD BE YOUR OBJECTIVE

The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Matthew 17:20

 

THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

Matthew 17:20, Mark 4:30-32

The word parable is made of two words. Para which means along side and ballo which means cast. Parable means to cast alongside, according to the Bible Expository commentary, A parable is a mirror through which see ourselves. And by it a window we see God. 

Jesus used parables in two ways. For believers to add clarity

To the Word. And for unbelievers to leave them confused.

Matthew 13:10-12

10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" 

11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 

It is my belief that the Word of God is broad in its concepts and provides enlightenment to each believer at their level

Of spiritual maturity. Notice in Matthew, the Word draws us into deeper study. The disciples asked the meaning of the

Parables. 

The mustard seed is presented by Jesus in passages of scripture.

Mark 4:30-32

30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.

NIV

Matthew 17:20

"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

The first point in the lesson: Each believer has great potential

Your trust in God leads to unimaginable accomplishments. 

Notice we don’t start with the faith of  Abraham. The faith of Noah. or the faith of Apostle Paul. We start with a small faith

Notice God gives us the beginning of faith and then the results of trusting God, He does not give us the in-between.

He takes from a low to a high from nothing to glory. The in-between is life and life’s experiences.

Jesus was introduced to the world in the flesh as a baby, but

Changed the world with His message. From 12 years old to 30 we have no scripture concern those years.  What we do we know is he was growing in the spirit.

Point 2  To grow in faith a humble spirit is necessary

The smallness of the mustard seed indicates a humble beginning. We all begin our faith walk from nothing

A seed has to be planted in fertile soil. The parable of 

The sower.  Good ground doesn't always happen.

I grew up doing the summer months on my grandfather’s farm. He used a mule and a plow to break up the ground. To prepare the soil for planting.

God placed us in a families, with mothers, fathers and aunts, or teachers who introduced us to  Jesus. He was preparing the soil

I also grew up with parents who didn’t take NO or hesitation

For an answer. They would quickly beat you into obedience.

God was preparing the soil.  Proverbs tells that if we don’t

Discipline our children we don’t love them. God teaches us how to prepare the soil.

Have you every did the wrong thing or made a mistake and

Learn the hard way  how to do it right the next time. God

Was preparing the soil

,

THe Word of God is the seed. Once planted,. a seed sprouts roots downward first. It begans its growth by taking root in

The soil.   The Word of God is the root for the believer. The

Root grows stronger as we study and meditate on Word.

The root of the seed grows stronger as it is saturated with the soil.  So does our faith with Word 

Our life with Jesus starts in the dark, but grows into His light.

The nutrients of the soil flows through the stem upward by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

John 14:26

 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you

The young plant as it emerges from the ground draws light from the sun and water from the soil to continue its growth

God adapts the plant to its new life in the world.

Colossians 3:16-17

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17

You and I have to adapt ourselves to the world we live in under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. 

Notice the young plant has it direction toward the sun

As it grows. I know of no plant that grows without sunlight.

Every living thing needs the energy from the sun. 

The energy from the sun along with air and gases create 

Glucose needed for growth, This process is called photosynthesis. In the same light, you and I need to the

Photosynthesis of the Son of God and  the Holy Spirit for

Spiritual growth. 

The growing plant has to survive in an environment that at times is harsh.  Lack of rain, insects, diseases, and animals that feed on the plant.  We do not survive without trials and

Tribulations

In fact God designs specific trials and tribulations for our spiritual growth,

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The green leaves and the flowers of the growing plant beautifies the environment that it lives in.

You and I ought to beautify our environment with fruits of the

Spirit 

Galatians 5:22-24

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

As we grow it is the trials and tribulations that give us 

The opportunity to develop the fruits of the spirit. Can you

Image a plant trying to grow without being nurtured by

 The shade of a mature tree, 

Sometimes we learn the value of what we have by what we lack, When I was growing up as a young kid, I didn’t know

We were poor. But I was satisfied in the comfort of the family.

What we had was enough until I saw the others had much

More. What others had became goals to pursue that made

Me strive to do better. 

That young plant reached toward the sun maturing as it grew

The kingdom of God is a garden of plants. Some grow to be small plants and some grow large. They all start from a seeds, some small and some large. The mustard seed is the

Smallest of seeds

The verse in Matthew is framed by a father who brought his

son who was demon possessed to Jesus disciples. The boy

Was deaf and dumb and described as a lunatic. He threw himself to the ground in an effort to destroy himself.

The disciples could not cast out the demon.   

The father brought the son to Jesus who established a relationship with him.  Jesus said if you believe anything

Is possible. The father replied “Lord help my unbelief (Mark 9:24)

It is what we go through in life that makes us know our faith

Is lacking. Lord help my unbelief is my prayer.

WHAT IS YOUR MOUNTAIN

Matthew 17:20

"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

The mountain describes something that is incomparably 

Difficult. A goal, a plan, a sickness, hurt, pain, unforgiveness

Something you want to do for God. Whatever you are

Striving for is possible.  Lord Help My Unbelief

Maybe Jesus is waiting for YOU to ask Him to help your

Unbelief. 

The disciples as Jesus why could we not cast out the 

Demon? We cast out demons before. We used the right

Words. We followed your procedure.

 Jesus responded this kind comes out by fasting and prayer.  

The disciples lost their focus. They were trying to impress

The crowd.  They forgot to reach up to the Lord for help

Every situation requires devotion and prayer. When we

Forget we have to be reminded.  That is the process of

Growth and development of our faith.

There are different degrees of trials and tribulations

That wil require more prayer than other situations.

For example I don’t smoke. Don;t like the smell of

A cigarette.  It does not take  prayer to not to smoke

However I love my ME time. It takes prayer and 

Devotion to keep me focused on the Lord’s agenda. 

I can fix broken items around the house. But it take

Prayer and evotion to have the desire to repair a broken heart with Kindness and love. 

I don’t have no problem loving my family, But it

Takes prayer and devotion to love someone who’s

Goal is to destroy me. On the cross, in pain and

Agony, Jesus said forgive them for they no not

What they do. Lord Help my unbelief

We are all drawn upward to heaven by the Lord. God’s design 

For us was to be with Him in glory. He put us through lifes

Trials and tribulations to break us down into humble spirit

For His use and glory.

Mark 4:30-32

30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.

It is our active faith that grows us to be useful to the Lord

Other ought to be able to come to you for comfort and 

And advise. Others ought to find rest and peace in your

Presence.   

The mustard plant can grow to be a tree up to 30 feet tall

It can grow out as wide as its height

It is the small seed that can become the greatest plant 

Stretches  upward toward God it stretches wide toward

The community for the community,

Point 3

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

Some have religion, but no faith

Some have faith but no works

The faith of a mustard seed is alive, vibrant and active

It starts small but does not stay small 

It starts small but it in a constant stage of growth.

I hear about missionaries every day. The sell all they

Have and move to a foreign country, live in horrible

Condition to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I say to

Myself what great faith they have, Not all of us are called

To missions in foreign countries. Some of us need to stay

Here to use the income we are blessed with to support them

There is much mission work to done where we are to spread

The Gospel to the glory of God. 

The disciples had faith but need more practice putting it

Work in difficult situations.