September 3, 2023

Clearwater Community Church - FL

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September 3, 2023

Simple Obedience - Following the Suffering Savior

September 3, 2023 • Pastor Josh Kee • Matthew 16:21–28

Matthew 16:21-28 Sermon Information

Series: Simple Obedience

Title: “Following the Suffering Savior” 

Context:

16:1-12 – Guard against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees

16:13-20 – Peter makes his confession of Christ, revealed by the Father

16:21-23 – Jesus foretells his death and resurrection; Peter rebukes Jesus

16:24-28 – The requirements of following Jesus

Jesus foretells his death and resurrection (16:21-23) – “the sign of Jonah”

“From that time” (21) – marks a shift in Jesus’ ministry toward Jerusalem (crucifixion)

Jesus reveals the nature of his Person and Work

He came to suffer; he came to die; he came to conquer death

These are the conditions of Jesus’ messiahship foretold by the Prophets (see Isaiah 53)

Peter rebukes Jesus (22)

Peter had a different kingdom in mind than Jesus’

Zeal and sincerity are not sufficient qualifications for faithfulness to Christ (Proverbs 19:2-3)

Jesus rebukes Peter (23)

Peter’s attempt to protect Jesus was really an attempt to protect his assumptions about Messiah

Peter’s attempt to protect Jesus stood in opposition to the will of God

Peter’s attempt to protect Jesus was more aligned with Satan than with God (Satan had offered Jesus a kingdom without suffering, see Matthew 4:8-10)

Peter was preoccupied with earthly things (see Colossians 3:1-4)

Jesus gives the requirements of following him (16:24)

“if” – conditional statement implying specific requirements

“anyone” – implies all; universally applicable without partiality

“come after” – follow; be yoked to Christ; unified with Christ (see Ephesians 1:3-14)

“let him” – conditions of yoked-ness with Christ (see 10:38)

deny himself – relinquish self-centered, earthly allegiance; submit to Christ

take up his cross – embrace suffering and death; identify with crucifixion and its implications

follow me – lit. “go where I go” (i.e. to Jerusalem to suffer, die, resurrect)

Jesus gives his reasoning (16:25-28)

His kingdom has different values (25-26)

In God’s kingdom: gain = loss; loss = gain

Self-preservation leads to self-destruction

Your soul > Your possessions/ accomplishments

“An empty vessel is the only thing that can be filled”

He will repay us in his kingdom for what we have done (27; see 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:11-15)

Promise: seeing his glory (witnesses of the transfigured, crucified, resurrected Christ)

Main Point:

God’s grace in Christ transforms our perspective and our values. Only grace received from the fullness of Jesus can free us from obsessively protecting our lives and liberate us to generously give ourselves away for God’s glory and the good of others as we live as citizens of his kingdom.

Discussion Questions:

How are you prone to redefine the nature of discipleship (following Jesus) to better fit your expectations, assumptions, and desires?

Are you guilty of rebuking God in any way? (often displayed in our attitude toward suffering)

Have you embraced the requirements of following Jesus?

What areas of self-will remain that need God’s grace to work?

Where are you prone to indulge your flesh rather than deny it?

Where do you resist (or even resent) what following Jesus costs you?

Are there ways that you have denied self and counted that cost that you can humbly rejoice over as evidence of your discipleship?

What is most likely to threaten your allegiance to Christ? Confess these things and trust that God wants to give you his grace to change your heart so that you joyfully “count all things as loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus [your] Lord” (Philippians 3:7-11).

How do your values align with God’s values? How are they not aligned? What needs confessed and repented of?

Rather than raise up in self-protective defense, go low in humble confession. Jesus promises to meet you in your weakness and in your need to give you sufficient grace for a life of obedience.

Remember that your lack is not the issue. Jesus makes full provision. His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10). Ask him to meet you there, in your weakness. Confess honestly and boldly where you are more devoted to self than to Christ. Trust him to be merciful and to cleanse you. There is no condemnation and he will keep making you holy for his name’s sake. Rejoice in this!

Does Jesus’ word in 16:27 scare you or comfort you? Why? How does Jesus’ work on the cross bring hope and comfort as we learn to deny self, carry our cross, and follow him? (see Romans 8:28-32; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonian 5:23-24; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 10:14-18; 1 John 1:9-2:6)

November 26, 2023

November 26, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Matthew 28:16–20

Theme: Simple Obedience to Jesus’ Commission Passage: Matthew 28:16–20 Jesus’ Great Commission to His Followers: 1. Jesus’ plan comes to followers who ... a. Respond (16), b. Worship (17a), c. Yet, Doubt (17b). 2. Jesus’ plan calls His followers to make disciples of the nations. a. Why? Jesus possesses complete authority over everything (18). b. How? (19–20a) i. Get started (19a). ii. Call people to follow (19b). iii. Teach them to obey Christ’s commands (20a). c. What about ...? Jesus will empower you to the very end (20b). Main Idea: Christ followers make followers of Christ. Application Questions: · As a follower, where are you doubtful or weakest in following Christ? What step can you take this week to begin to address this? · What does it mean that Christ has “been given all authority in heaven and on earth?” How does this impact your life and decision-making? · Is Christ’s plan optional for each of his followers? Why do many Christians not involve themselves in His plan to make disciples? · With the gifts and abilities Christ has given you, how are you helping (how can you help) others follow Christ? If you are not involved helping others follow Christ, what can you do to get started?

November 19, 2023

November 19, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Matthew 26:47–57

Passage: Matthew 26:47–57 Theme: Simple Obedience and Violence Realities of Following Christ: · Betrayal · Violence done against Christ · Injustice Command: “Put your sword back in its place”: There is no place for violence in Christ’s Kingdom Community (51). Reasons for Non-Violent Response: 1. Violence destroys the violent (52). 2. Violent response betrays trust in God’s ability to protect (53). 3. Violent retaliation misses God’s greater purposes for His suffering Servants(s) (54). Main Idea: Christ followers should respond to betrayal, violence, and injustice by displaying Christ through their nonviolent actions. Application Questions: · Why is it that even as believers we are drawn toward violence and violent responses when wronged? What might this indicate about violence and us? · Are there occasions when Christians should respond with violence or act violently? Provide NT examples or teaching. · How does the cross bring about justice for the Christ follower as well as the one who rejects Christ? (See 1 Peter 2:18–25) · How should we apply Jesus’ teaching here to believers regarding self-defense and military service? · What are you doing to counter injustice by displaying Christ through loving actions?

November 12, 2023

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Matthew 26:31–46

Passage: Matthew 26:31–46 Theme: Simple Obedience and Failure No matter our intestinal fortitude and spiritual resolve, we will fail on our desire to perfectly follow Christ. Why? 1. Distraction from readiness 2. Lack of prayer 3. Weakness of Flesh Good News: 1. God knows this. 2. He sent his Son to experience this and overcome it for us. Commands: Look to Christ’s example: 1. Remain watchful for Christ (38) 2. Persist in prayer (41) 3. Join Jesus in facing the tests God has allowed in your life (46) Main Idea: Christ followers overcome temptation, opposition, suffering, and even their own failures by repeatedly returning to Christ. Application Questions: · What are the ways or areas in which you think of yourself as a spiritual failure as a Christ follower? · Which reason for failure to follow Christ do you struggle with the most? How do you plan with and through the power of the Holy Spirit in you to address this? · How do (or can) you persist in prayer? What steps do you need to take to create a space for prayer in your daily routine? · How can you help create a culture of readiness and prayer with the believers in your life? · The next time you fail or begin thinking that you are failing in your following Christ, what are you going to do to counter those thoughts? What actions are you going to take to return to Christ?