Sermons
Take Up Your Cross, Pt. 3
January 22, 2023
Ministry:
- Sunday Morning
Speaker:
- Jeff Crotts
Text: Matthew 16:27-16:28
Series:
- Matthew
Take up your cross – Matthew 16:21-28 pt. 3
[Principle] The mindset Jesus models this is the mindset Jesus requires.
- Jesus’ mindset as our model (vv. 21-23)
- Our mindset as Jesus’ disciple (vv. 24-28)
Dying for the faith likely will not happen, but Jesus’ prescribes a mindset that his non-negotiable.
[Prop] “How do you know you have a disciple’s mindset?”
Examine your expectations
- Self-denial is costly (vv. 24-26)
- Your identity (v. 24)
- Your life (v. 25)
- Your soul (v. 26)
- Self-denial is rewarding (vv. 27-28)
- Saved from judgement (v. 27)
[KEY] Taking up your cross turns from loss to gain.
- Lose identity, your life, control of your soul.
- Loss met with immeasurable gain.
- Assurance to never meet with God’s wrath.
- Loss met with immeasurable gain.
- Romans 8:1 says, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Wrath is the point.
- Not brought up by random.
- Understanding the cost of losing, self, life, and control, begs a driving reason.
- Avoiding Jesus’ wrath.
- The motivator.
- The Gospel is saving.
- This is Knowing what you are saved from.
- Then Knowing what you are saved for.
[Appl] When hear what saved from, first hear, our sin. Or, saved from the guilt of our sin. Or, up a notch, saved from being punished (for sin) in Hell.
- Losing all to gain a Savior, whom we follow, who saves you.
- Jesus primary motivator for losing all, to be saved from something.
- From wrath.
- Saved from sin, from guilt of our sin, from the consequences of sin, but chiefly saved from the Son of Man.
[KEY] We are saved from Jesus’ wrath.
[Appl] Understanding sin left unforgiven puts you in a deficit answered with judgment, to preserve God’s justice. What you are spared from becomes your motive. What’s makes sense of self-denial.
[Appl] On more of a personal note, depression has been described as seeing where you are in life, believing you deserve more than you have, when you’re unable to reach it and joy has been described as seeing yourself in terms of what you truly deserve that you have been spared from.
[Illus] I know as a young child, the most fateful words said to me to me when I would cross my mother had nothing to do with what she would do but what as promised me when my father comes home. “Just wait until your Father comes home!” This is where the true warning lies as a son.
Verse 26 makes this warning unspeakably graver.
- Someone who has forfeited his soul (v. 26).
- Going after this world (like Demas).
- Rejecting call to follow Christ.
[Barclay] The man who selfishly hugs life to himself, that man whose first concern is his own safety, his own security and his own comfort, is in heaven’s eyes the failure.
- Attempting to barter for his soul to be bought in heaven, after too late (cf. v. 26).
Verse 27 tells us “…the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and he will repay each person according to what he has done” (v. 27).
- Verse 26 sets the context as Christ’s judgment understood in view of two different groups.
- Who did not forfeit their soul.
- Who did.
- “The Son of Man…will repay each person…” (v. 26).
- Believers see this, bittersweet.
- Ache for those lost.
- Sobered by coming accountability (for believers).
- Believers see this, bittersweet.
ESV Revelation 10:10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. (Rev 10:10 ESV)
ESV 2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, knowing athe fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But bwhat we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. (2Co 5:11 ESV)
ESV John 5:25-29 “Truly, truly, I say to you, aan hour is coming, and is now here, when bthe dead will hear cthe voice of the Son of God, and those who hear bwill live.
26 aFor as the Father has life in himself, bso he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
27 And he ahas given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this, for aan hour is coming when gall who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29 and come out, athose who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (Joh 5:25-29 ESV)
ESV Matthew 7:16-23 You will recognize them aby their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 So, aevery healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
19 aEvery tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus you will recognize them aby their fruits.
21 a“Not everyone who bsays to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will center the kingdom of heaven, but the one who ddoes the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 aOn that day bmany will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not cprophesy in your name, and cast out demons din your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 aAnd then will I declare to them, ‘I dnever knew you; bdepart from me, cyou workers of lawlessness.’
(Mat 7:16-23 ESV)
Still, accountability also for believers.
ESV Romans 14:12 So then aeach of us will give an account of himself to God. (Rom 14:12 ESV)
ESV 1 Corinthians 3:13 aeach one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed bby fire, and cthe fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (1Co 3:13 ESV)
ESV 2 Corinthians 5:10 For awe must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, bso that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2Co 5:10 ESV)
ESV 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 ain flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those bwho do not know God and on those who cdo not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will suffer the punishment of aeternal destruction, baway from1 the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
10 awhen he comes on bthat day cto be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our dtestimony to you ewas believed. (2Th 1:8-10 ESV)
ESV James 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (Jam 2:17 ESV
ESV Revelation 2:23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he awho searches mind and heart, and bI will give to each of you according to your works. (Rev 2:23 ESV)
ESV Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, aDeath and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, zaccording to what they had done. (Rev 20:13 ESV)
ESV Revelation 22:12 “Behold, aI am coming soon, bbringing my recompense with me, cto repay everyone for what he has done. (Rev 22:12 ESV)
[Note] Title, “Son of Man” refers to Daniel 7 prophesy.
- Jesus referred to himself, more than any designation.
- Humanness at incarnation and ancient title.
- Daniel seeing vision of four beasts.
- Looking across entire history of mankind, seeing climax!
- Humanness at incarnation and ancient title.
ESV Daniel 7:9-14 “As I looked, athrones were placed, and the bAncient of Days took his seat; chis clothing was white as snow, and dthe hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; eits wheels were burning fire.
10 aA stream of fire issued and came out from before him; ba thousand thousands cserved him, dand ten thousand times ten thousand fstood before him; the ecourt sat in judgment, and fthe books were opened.
11 “I looked then because of the sound of athe great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, mthe beast was killed, and its body destroyed aand given over to be burned with fire.
12 As for the rest of the beasts, atheir dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 “I saw in the night visions, and abehold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the bAncient of Days and was presented before him.
14 aAnd to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all bpeoples, nations, and languages should serve him; chis dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (Dan 7:9-14 ESV)
ESV Revelation 19:11-16 Then I saw aheaven opened, and behold, ba white horse! The one sitting on it is called cFaithful and True, and din righteousness he judges and makes war.
12 aHis eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are bmany diadems, and he has ca name written that no one knows but himself.
13 He is clothed in aa robe dipped in1 blood, and the name by which he is called is bThe Word of God.
14 And the armies of heaven, aarrayed in fine linen, white and pure, bwere following him on white horses.
15 aFrom his mouth comes a sharp sword bwith which to strike down the nations, and che will rule them with a rod of iron. dHe will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh ahe has a name written, bKing of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev 19:11-16 ESV)
- Pictures Messiah coming in future wrath judgment.
- Return marked by “the glory of his Father” (v. 27).
- Wrath glory.
- “Glory” represents totality of God’s nature, character, and attributes.
- First coming, in veiled glory (cf. Phil. 2:6-8).
- Here, fully unveiled glory!
- Return marked by “the glory of his Father” (v. 27).
- Indominable glory of God the Father’s righteous and holy justice reigning down from the sky.
- Christ returns with angels.
- Not in mode of comforting nor announcing blessing.
- Ministers of fire and judgment.
- Christ returns with angels.
- Christ as Warrior exacting precision, repayment for “each person” “according to what he has done” (v. 27).
[Illus] The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. Gen. 19) is a picture of future, end times, apocalyptic destruction. The picture of escaping judgment is not lost on me. There are many who will be dazzled by this world, willing to seek what fancies their attention, willing to lose their souls over being mesmerized/hypnotized by what’s here. To linger like Lot is such a terrifying thought. There were oppressive mobs, calling to sodomize the visiting angels, tempting Lot to such crazed levels to be willing to give his daughters over to preserve the angels.
ESV 2 Peter 2:4-11 For if God did not spare aangels when they sinned, but bcast them into hell1 and committed them to chains2 of gloomy darkness cto be kept until the judgment;
5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but apreserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought ba flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6 if by aturning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, bmaking them an example of cwhat is going to happen to the ungodly;1
7 and aif he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked
8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, ahe was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);
9 then athe Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,1 and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,
10 and especially athose who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and bdespise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble cas they blaspheme the glorious ones,
11 awhereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. (2Pe 2:4-11 ESV)
[Illus] Depravity, allegorized by John Bunyan:
Pilgrim was fleeing the City of Destruction.
The narrator falls asleep and has a dream. He dreams of a raggedly dressed man (later revealed to be the protagonist of the rest of the story, Christian) holding a book and carrying a burden on his back. The man reads the book and weeps, crying aloud, “What shall I do?”
The man (Christian) goes home and eventually vents his grief to his wife and children. He explains that he’s overwhelmed by his burden. In addition, he has learned that their city is soon to be destroyed by fire from heaven, and unless they discover some way to escape, they will all die. The man’s family thinks he has a delirious fever, so they put him to bed.
However, the next day, the man (Christian) is no better. He keeps warning his family about the coming destruction, but they grow increasingly resistant; they even mock, scold, and ignore him. Over the next several days, the man retreats into solitude, wandering in the fields, reading, and praying.
[Appl] 7 billion people on the planet.
Emersed in malaise of media distraction. Easy to convince yourself God has no time or intertest in holding you accountable. Is there a God who knows your name at all? Let alone, who cares at all about what you are doing, good or bad; right or wrong. Nothing could be further from the truth and the exact opposite is reality.
The Lord is promising that He will return, coming in the force and authority of Daniel’s prophesy to “repay” everyone he has ever created, who rebelled, in every possible way against him. This coheres with the Great White Throne judgment where everyone who’s name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life will be judged according to his deeds.
ESV Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and abooks were opened. Then another book was opened, which is bthe book of life. And cthe dead were judged by what was written in the books, daccording to what they had done. (Rev 20:12 ESV)
ESV Revelation 20:15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, ahe was thrown into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:15 ESV)
Not vague, dream-like future, but an exacting science to sins committed against Christ’s holiness.
[KEY] Before you think this too harshly of God in terms of his precise justice, have you considered the opposite dynamic that comes by what the Cross has done for you? The Cross is equally precise in its efficacious and amazing grace.
You have been given a covering of grace from the blood of Jesus that has purchased you from every sin committed, past, present, and future. Not only will you never be repaid for the sins you have committed, but your sin debt has also been completely paid in full.
ESV Colossians 2:13-14 aAnd you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God bmade alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
14 by acanceling bthe record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Col 2:13-14 ESV)
[Point] We have joy because we know of the wrath we have been spared and likewise we give grace because we know God gave us so much grace. We are forgiven, because the Son of Man absorbed the Father’s wrath meant for us, by dying on the Cross.
[TRANS] This is what we are spared from, but Jesus does not stop there, he then tells us what we are spared for!
- Saved for glory (v. 28)
[TRANS] Verse 28 is a bridge that transitions to chapter 17; before moving forward, you need to look backward.
[KEY] Jesus says, “Truly” [amnv] or “A’men!” (v. 28).
- Jesus’ A’men is the stamp of blessing on all who are spared from Jesus’ wrath!
- “A’men, I say to you…!”
- Blessing promised to believers represented by who Christ is addressing.
“…some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (v. 28).
- “Son of Man,” this time is positive and means safety with him, “…coming in his kingdom” (v. 28).
[TRANS] Verse poses a serious question in terms of end times theology.
[KEY] Jesus saying, “Truly” means a real/literal promise made to, “…some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (v. 28).
[Question] “What does this mean?”
- “What is the timeframe for his coming in his kingdom?”
- Is this Jesus’ first arrival, what they are seeing right then as Jesus was speaking?
- Will this be fulfilled at the transfiguration that will happen in a few days?
- Is Jesus referring to his resurrection.
- Is Jesus referring to his ascension?
- Is he talking about when the Holy Spirit will come at Pentecost?
- Is Jesus referring to when Rome will come to destroy Jerusalem in AD 70?
- Is this when Jesus returns (the 2nd coming, what we have covered in our first point?)
- Some believe Jesus not knowing when he was supposed to return, so he believed he would return in their lifetime.
ESV Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour ano one knows, not even the angels of heaven, bnor the Son,1 cbut the Father only. (Mat 24:36 ESV)
- Or, listening represent the final generation who are there, Jesus prophetically foreseeing them at his return?
- Or, interpretation that those who did not “taste death” were, Enoch or Elijah, called “immortals.”
[TRANS] Let’s take this verse apart (inductively) to answer this question.
- Jesus is being literal when he says “…some standing here” are going to literally see this event before they die!
- Who is Jesus talking about?
- Certainly, he is talking about some of the 12 or others present.
- Most obvious to assume.
- Jesus speaks of some from the 12.
- What does it mean to “taste death?”
- In every case in Scripture, to “taste death” means to physically die.
ESV Hebrews 2:9 But we see him awho for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, bcrowned with glory and honor cbecause of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might dtaste death efor everyone. (Heb 2:9 ESV)
- Not a metaphor, so some who are there with Christ are promised to see him “…coming in his kingdom” (v. 28).
- So, who will see this before they die?
- What will this look like?
[KEY] Big questions should come to mind:
“What is Jesus’ point?”
“Is he merely targeting some of the 12 to bless them by this incredible promise?”
“Doesn’t this promise apply in a broader sense?”
[KEY] Ask:
“Isn’t every Christian supposed to claim this promise Jesus makes here (at least indirectly)?”
“So, how can this event be closed out from an earlier timeframe that is over and done?”
- Remember the immediate context.
- Jesus has just promised, he is going into Jerusalem to suffer and die.
- Also, raised on the third day.
- Not sure they heard or embraced that promise.
- Jesus has just promised, he is going into Jerusalem to suffer and die.
- Disciples also called to join him at risk of their own lives.
- They needed comfort.
- Comfort applies for all who called to “Take up their cross!”
- Christians facing suffering.
- Giving comfort of future glory.
[Appl] “Heaven can feel so esoteric or non-realistic.”
- Comfort from heaven can feel like no comfort at all.
[Appl] In the 1950’s a theologian, George Eldon Ladd wrote a book called, The Gospel of the Kingdom and in this work, he frames the Kingdom of God in terms of God’s rule and how Christians experience it.
- In short, we experience the Kingdom in two ways.
- In our hearts now.
- Anticipating it coming, in the future.
- “Already/Not Yet” dynamic.
[Appl] Whole denominations formed around what end times will be.
[Question] “Are things trending better or worse.” “What does the Bible predict?”
- Preterism says the majority of Revelation has taken place, while others see Revelation as future.
- Some believe the church will be spared tribulation by rapture while others believe the church will have to endure partial or all of the judgments that Revelation predicts.
- Some take the promises made for a believing Jewish remnant literally, while others not.
- Some believe in a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth, while others take this to represent a large beginning of heaven.
- Regardless, to be an evangelical or a Gospel doctrine believer, you all believe that the Son of Man will literally return!
- And this is the kickoff for the last, last days!
[Question] “So how does this help us now!”
[KEY] Debates do not help so much but learning how to understand what C.S. Lewis placed under the umbrella theme: The Weight of Glory, does.
- There is God’s immediate, loving, joy-filling presence that we as believers should feel now, while at the same time knowing the real promise of a future that is better, to come.
- Now and Not-Yet!
[Illus] Christmas Eve, now, knowing Christmas Day is coming. Christ in our hearts and lives now is a foretaste of his presence that is coming in his Kingdom later.
- Building in hearts through patient endurance, for personal growth.
[Illus] You may have heard of the Stanford experiments conducted with children there were a series of tests on delayed gratification. Conducted in the 1960’s and 1970’s, these were called the Marshmallow Experiments. Children offered the choice between one small reward immediately verses two small rewards if they waited 15 minutes (while tester left the room). The reward was a second marshmallow. Children waiting would distract themselves, pulling their hair, or even petting the marshmallow like a pet. Researchers kept records on the children’s lives and found that those who were able to wait longer for rewards had better outcomes in life and were markedly more successful.
[Point] Trivial illustration, you get the point in terms of how God has made us. We are growing through the marathon each of us are called to run.
[TRANS] The Bible makes the Already/Not Yet the Christian’s essential mindset, to face all life throws at you.
Testimony of Christ.
ESV John 17:1-5 When Jesus had spoken these words, ahe lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, bthe hour has come; cglorify your Son that the Son may dglorify you,
2 since ayou have given him authority over all flesh, bto give eternal life to all cwhom you have given him.
3 aAnd this is eternal life, bthat they know you cthe only dtrue God, and eJesus Christ whom you have sent.
4 I aglorified you on earth, bhaving accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
5 And now, Father, aglorify me in your own presence with the glory bthat I had with you cbefore the world existed. (Joh 17:1-5 ESV)
Testimony of Paul.
ESV Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time aare not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Rom 8:18 ESV)
ESV 2 Corinthians 4:17 For athis light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2Co 4:17 ESV)
ESV Ephesians 2:5-6 even awhen we were dead in our trespasses, bmade us alive together with Christ–cby grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and aseated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (Eph 2:5-6 ESV)
Applications.
ESV Romans 14:13-17 aTherefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide bnever to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus athat nothing is unclean in itself, bbut it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, ayou are no longer walking in love. bBy what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
16 aSo do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 aFor the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but bof righteousness and cpeace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom 14:13-17 ESV).
ESV Colossians 3:1-5 aIf then you have been raised with Christ, seek bthe things that are above, where Christ is, cseated at the right hand of God.
2 aSet your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3 For ayou have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ awho is your1 life bappears, then you also will appear with him cin glory.
5 aPut to death therefore bwhat is earthly in you:1 csexual immorality, impurity, dpassion, evil desire, and covetousness, ewhich is idolatry. (Col 3:1-5 ESV)
ESV 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, athat you may not grieve as others do bwho have no hope.
14 For asince we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him bthose who have fallen asleep.
15 For this we declare to you aby a word from the Lord,1 that bwe who are alive, who are left until cthe coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For athe Lord himself will descend bfrom heaven cwith a cry of command, with the voice of dan archangel, and ewith the sound of the trumpet of God. And fthe dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be acaught up together with them bin the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so cwe will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1Th 4:13-18 ESV)
[Conclusion] So who are the ones standing there who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom?
Maybe we see the real meaning when we cross reference Mark’s account.
ESV Mark 9:1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not ataste death buntil they see the kingdom of God after it has come cwith power.” (Mar 9:1 ESV)
[Barclay] The mighty working of his kingdom coming with power. Those standing there who saw the coming of Jesus, coming in power, who will witness the Spirit at the day of Pentecost, who will see Gentiles engrafted into God’s program, swept into the kingdom, who will see the tide of the Christian message sweep across Asia Minor and cover Europe until it reaches Rome. Within the lifetime of many of those who heard and witnessed Christ’ Kingdom coming with power.
Jesus’ had just given the sobering message to these disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, to suffer and die, but not to stay dead! Is not the resurrection a powerful display of Christ coming in power. The Cross was his shame, but the Cross was not the end. After the Cross comes the resurrection and at the resurrection, there is the unleashing of the power that would surge throughout the whole world.
[Question] “Is the answer to the difficult question, “D” – “All of the above?”
In a sense Yes and in a sense No.
[KEY] I believe this promise is made literally to some who were standing there in the hearing of the promise and that their testimony serves as an example for what is to come.
This is an Already/Not yet application.
In “six days” (cf. Matt. 17:1), Jesus will take three of his disciples up a mountain to show them his glory.
[KEY] To prepare and comfort them for their mission.
[Appl] How we live within the weight of glory.
This weight of glory that lives inside, is by design a “W-A-I-T” of glory to perfect our patience.
The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis,
“The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, to bridge some chasm that yawns between us and reality, is part of our inconsolable secret. And surely, from this point of view, the promise of glory, in the sense described, becomes highly relevant to our deep desire. For glory means good report with God, acceptance by God, response, acknowledgment, and welcome into the heart of things. The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last. At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door…but all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get in.”
Next week we go up the mountain with Christ and his select disciples where he “in-part” fulfills this promise to his most intimate three.