The Cross and the Kingdom

Matthew 16:21-28


I. CHRIST'S PREDICTION OF HIS SUFFERING

Matthew 16:21  “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things... and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”

  1. Jesus described what was necessary.
  1. The Old Testament had already pointed to His suffering.

Isaiah 53:5  “But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.”
Luke 24:27  “Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.”

  1. Jesus willingly went to the cross.

John 10:18  “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”


II. PETER'S RESISTANCE TO THE CROSS

Matthew 16:22–23  “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.””

  1. Peter wanted the right Messiah—but on his terms.
  1. Peter was thinking from man's perspective instead of God's.

Matthew 16:23  “Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.””
Proverbs 14:12  “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”


III. THE CALL TO SELF-DENIAL

Matthew 16:24  “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

  1. Deny yourself.

Galatians 2:20  “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

  1. Take up your cross.

Luke 14:27  “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
1 Corinthians 15:31  “I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

  1. Follow Me.

Matthew 4:19  ““Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.””


IV. THE PARADOX OF LOSING YOUR LIFE

Matthew 16:25–26  “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?”

  1. The world cannot satisfy the soul.

Matthew 16:26  “For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?”
1 John 2:15  “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

  1. We must live with eternity in view.

V. THE PROMISE OF CHRIST'S COMING GLORY

Matthew 16:27–28  “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

  1. Jesus is coming again.

Acts 1:11  “They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.””
Revelation 1:7  “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen.”

  1. Our faithfulness will be rewarded.

Matthew 16:27  “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done.”

  1. Present suffering must be viewed through future glory.

Romans 8:18  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.”
2 Corinthians 4:17  “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.”