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Mark 14:27-31
28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
God always has a plan
Your inability to understand the plan of God doesn’t mean that he doesn’t know what he’s doing-
“the sheep will be scattered”
Part of this story is that Jesus is prophesying to the disciples what is going to happen.
Psalm 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
I’m sure in that moment that the disciples questioned in their hearts what Jesus was saying
They are all going to desert him. That’s the plan. Now, if its God doing it, or if God saw it, We aren’t getting into, but it was told it was going to happen, and it did
Prophetic- Zechariah 13:7 “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,” Says the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.
The disciples had to scatter. It was part of plan! It was prophesied! Jesus goes alone to the cross
Psalm 31:11 I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances, Those who see me outside flee from me.
God’s plan will always prevail- Don’t get caught up on the WHY or the HOW- Get caught up on the WHO- God’s plan is always a good plan that eventually accomplishes his goals
What does it mean to you?
Trust in God’s plan for YOUR life and his ETERNAL plan
One of my favorite verses- Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
I don’t know HOW- but I know he WILL
You have probably had some devastating horrible things that have happened in and to you in your life- learn to trust that God can turn them to good- He didn’t hurt you- but he can use that
Proverbs 19:21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
I believe that I am merely a spectator on this earth. I’m playing a role in the cosmic plan of God, but this Earth does not revolve around me. God will bring me home when he sees fit
Often times you are trying to do something, and its not working out the way that you want it to, but you’ve submitted your life to God, you have to TRUST that God knows what he is doing!
Like this whole texas thing- no last year- looks like its happening this year
Job 42:2 “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
Here’s the other part of it
Everyone at some point fails
“ yet I will not be” Is the words of Peter- he’s like “everyone else is going to desert you, but not me”
Its just not the truth- Peter does desert him. He does deny him. He does leave him
Many people, including myself identify with Peter- A great man who had a weak moment. Part its of God’s plan, but weak nonetheless. Same guy that walked on water with Jesus was the guy who denied that he was one of his disciples.
He eventually comes around and is instrumental in the advancement of Christianity, but the fact of the matter is that he failed Christ in his most dire moment.
John 18:25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”
He even goes so far to warm himself by the fires of those conspiring against Christ.
His denial runs deep and consumes him- he fully denies Christ- all the disciples did. They questioned if he was the Son of God- if they hadn’t they would have stayed with him.
What does it mean to you?
We all fall short- Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
All of us were born into sin. Even after salvation, many of us fall short- repeatedly
We are endeavoring to live perfect holy lives, but often times we miss the mark
Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.
We do not LIVE in our SIN. We occasionally miss the mark and fall into SIN.
You WERE a sinner. Now you’re a SAINT. Its STiLL SIN- but you’re no longer DEAD in your SINS in the same way as you were before Christ- still talk to God about it!
Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Don’t ever become so prideful to think that you will never miss the mark.
And this isn’t to say that you should go and find ways to sin- its when you fall into it, you have to realize that as horrible as it may be, its not the end of you. QUICKLY REPENT
Psalm 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
We serve a God of restoration- we serve a God of fulfilled promises. A God that uses broken people who have done horrible things to accomplish his holy purpose
But don’t live in your SIN 1 John 3:4 ESV who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
You are no longer your sin. What you’ve done. What you’ve been saved from. You failed. Admit it, repent of it and move on.
Don’t let your words be empty
“ even if I have to die with you” Such lies- their mouths didn’t line up with their hearts at all
The passion of their mouths didn’t line up with the passion of their hearts and actions
Merely saying what you think that Jesus wants to hear isn’t enough to impress him.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
These disciples even repeat themselves- 31 But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise
Jesus is looking for followers, he’s not looking for lip service.
I can remember many empty words that were spoken to me throughout my life.
I remember when my parents got divorced- Many men came into my life and said they would be there for me- lead me. Love me. Nothing. Gone. Disappeared.
I remember I joined the Army- and then this man from my university wanted to meet
What good are words that are not backed up by actions?
Jesus spoke to his disciples and wanted them to passionately follow him- but he always challenged them-
Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Call Him Jesus all you want- if you’re not doing what he says- he’s not your Lord
What does it mean to you?
Don’t be a person who only offers up lip service- to Jesus and to others.
God is not impressed with what you say that isn’t connected to your heart and actions
James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Faith is Great! But saying “ even if I have to die with you” and then not being able to get up on time for church is a bit embarrassing
Volunteering for something at church and not showing up, promising missions giving and then not doing it, promising a brother or sister in Christ to be there and then abandoning. Agreeing to a Church membership, and then not sticking to it when it gets hard, or quitting on the Church
“even if I have to die with you” quickly turns into “ until it become inconvenient or uncomfortable”
Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Should we just be lip service Christians? Shouldn’t we be better than the world?
I don’t want to be known by- or live a life where I am not a man of my word. No way
This is one of the reasons I love Pastor Jay. This dude. If he says it. Its happening. There’s no out. There’s no “this came up” there’s no “I was going to” If he says it- You don’t have to follow up. He will make it happen.
It inspires me.
So we submit to God’s plan, but we fail, and we offer up lip service- but in this scripture is a few little nuggets that should inspire and motivate us for good works- It should PUSH us
Jesus fixes all
28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
WHAT A PROMISE OF SCRIPTURE- AFTER I HAVE BEEN RAISED
After the resurrection- all will be fixed. Plans accomplished. Failures Fixed. Lip service silenced
The Power of the Resurrected Christ is able to overcome all sins, all failures, all hearts
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
This newness of life is a promise of Jesus AFTER his resurrection- and he alludes to it to his disciples here- AFTER I HAVE BEEN RAISED
Yeah man- ya’ll are going to desert me. You’re going to deny me. You’re going to leave me
But don’t worry- AFTER I’ve been raised- I’ll make it all OK. I’m gonna fix everything.
Jesus said we would never be hungry. We would never be thirsty. That rivers of living water would flow from us. We’d never experience death. Have abundant life. Live forever. Have eternal life. Bear fruit. Be one with him. Get rewards. That nothing would be impossible for us who believes. We’d be saved. We’d have authority over the enemy. That nothing would hurt us. That we would have rest. That we would live. That we would have the Holy spirit in us and be completely full of Light! Resurrection POWER!
Not only the power of the resurrection-but that he would go before us!
“I will go before yOU’
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Isaiah 45:2 ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
Psalm 136:16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever;
What does it mean to you?
Use the power NOW- Don’t wait until Heaven 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
You can overcome sin NOW. You CAN live without sinning! Maybe not sinless, but Sin LESS
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
You can overcome SIN and get through ANYTHING With CHRIST
Be in Relationship- Don’t follow a religion- John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
This isn’t rules, its relationship. Its following Jesus not following Rules
Set eternal priorities Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
If your only goals are wordly, you’ll never experience God’s best
Die to self Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
You will never experience God’s best living for yourself. Resurrection power only follows death. You must die to yourself. To live in HIM>