We believe Jesus for He is and for He has done for us on the cross.
We cannot what God is doing. We can only be for it or against it.
A part of Biblical discernment is separating will from God’s.
6 Great Paradoxes of the Bible
- Find through it (Matthew 16:25, Matthew 10:39, Luke 9:23)
- through (Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35)
- through (Luke 14:11, James 4:10)
- through (2 Corinthians 12:10)
- through (John 8:32,36, Romans 6:18)
- through (Luke 9:48)
Sermon Talks
- What caught your attention in this week’s message? Was there something you had never heard before or something you had a question about?
- Read verses 21-23 again. What Jesus was telling His disciples did not make sense, causing Peter to step in and assure Jesus that what He was saying would not happen.
- How did Jesus respond to Peter and what did Jesus mean?
- How do we, at times, get in the way of what God is doing? Can you think of a time in your life where this has happened?
- What did Jesus mean when He said in verse 24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”?
- Go back and look at each of the six paradoxes we listed and discussed today. Read the Bible verses attached to each one and then answer the following questions.
- What is the meaning of the paradox?
- Why are they so counter-cultural?
- How does the paradox relate to you?
- If you have seen God teach you through one or more of these, explain what you have learned.
- Verse 27 tells us that Jesus is coming again. He is coming as the judge when He will repay every man for his deeds.
- Will you be ready?
- What do you need to do to be ready?
Pray about it: Meditate on God’s Word (Matthew 16:13-27) and this week’s message.
Adoration: What can I praise God for in light of what this teaches me?
Confession: What sin can I confess because of what this teaches me?
Thanksgiving: What can I thank God for in light of what he has done?
Supplication: What do I need to ask of God in order to grow in light of this?