Let's take again our copies of God's Word. Turn to the Gospel according to Mark 8. And again, we'll look at verses 27-33. If you would, please stand in honor of reading God's Word. Mark 8, verse 27. And Jesus went on with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, He asked His disciples, Who do people say that I am? And they told Him, John the Baptist. Others say, Elijah. And others, one of the prophets. And He asked them, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered him, You are the Christ. And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed. And after three days, rise again And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, Get behind me, Satan, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. Lord, even as we read this, how hard to read of this attempted rebuke from Peter. Lord, I pray that we not condescendingly look on Peter, but rather, Lord, help us to see our sin and help us to see our need, our desperate need of you, just as Peter needed you. Help us to see your sufficiency. Help us to see your grace. As it says here, even in this passage, may we not set our mind on the things of man, but on the things of you. Let's look to the cross of your son, Jesus Christ. Let us look into the depths of your perfect will, your predestined will, your sovereign grace. Help us now. Give us clarity. Give us guidance. Be our teacher and our shepherd. We need You now in Your name. Amen. Please be seated. A gentleman who professes faith in Jesus Christ, he was desiring counsel. And a sense of despair and hopelessness how quickly he went from the things of God and the things of Scripture and his testimony of how he came to saving faith, how quickly that speech transitioned to a satanic attitude. His wife whom he married, who he thought was a believer, was likely an unbeliever. He was unfulfilled in multiple aspects of his marriage And he said this, is there anything in Scripture that could justify me divorcing my wife? And he continued in his transparency and he said, am I missing anything that could get me out of this situation? He didn't set His mind on Scriptures such as Proverbs 19, verse 11. It is a man's glory to pass over a transgression. Or other passages of Scripture like Malachi 2.16, For I hate divorce, says the Lord, so be careful about your spirit that you do not deal treacherously. Or what about in Ephesians 5, verses 28-30, where the Apostle Paul paints a wonderful Christ-like attitude, a wonderful picture of what a godly marriage, a godly husband, how he should view his wife. It says this, "...husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself, for no one ever hated his own flesh." But what? nourishes and cherishes it just as Christ does the church because we are members of His body. Instead of saying, I should nourish, I should cherish, I should value my wife as Christ did the church or does value the church, Instead, he was looking for an escape. He was looking for a way out. While being eternally minded is difficult and contrary to our flesh, he was swifter to that which God hates than he was to God's will and God's Word. He was eager to do the will of Satan rather than to readily look to the authority of Scripture. And unfortunately, we see something very similar in this text with one of Jesus' disciples. And the big picture this morning is this. Those who have made the good confession of faith must press on and set their mind on God and His will. I'll say it again. Those who have made the good confession of faith must press on and set their mind on God and His will. This text answers these questions and more. When are we found to be doing the will of Satan? We see the rebuke of Christ towards Peter, get behind me, Satan. We must ask ourselves the question, when are we found to be doing the will of Satan? Why did our Lord say that He must suffer How are we to view even the best of men like Peter? How should we respond to a brother or a sister who is caught in a transgression? And finally, where do those who have made the good confession of faith, where do they set their mind? We saw last week, the first point, the outsider confession, or perhaps it would have been better categorized or labeled as outsider's lack of confession or a confession of faith in the wrong source or the wrong persons. but we saw in the outsider confessions how vast are the false categorizations of Jesus Christ. We also saw the commendable. As much as we're looking at the bad news or the bad conduct and words of Peter in the verses today, in verses 31-33, it's immediately following the ultimate confession, the faithful confession where Peter confesses Jesus Christ as the Christ, the anointed one of God, the Messiah, the savior of the world. We've seen to this point that demons had confessed Jesus as the son of God. We had seen other confessions or professions of Jesus as the son of God, as Jesus baptism. We saw and we heard the voice from God, the father. that Jesus was the Son of God, but not here, not until Mark 8. Do we see this good confession that Jesus is the Anointed One of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world? We also saw how narrow that path is to rightly acknowledge Jesus Christ. We saw the circumstances. This was before the death of Jesus Christ, before His resurrection, before His ascension. And Peter made this good confession before any of this ever took place. And on top of that, we saw the circumstances of the good confession, this faithful confession. This was right in the heart where Jesus was absolutely hated. and despise, and yet Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ. We saw the outsider confession, the faithful confession, and only one point this morning, a disciple's plea for confession. A disciple's plea for confession. what typically follows a rebuke of substance. If there's a substantial, if there's a credible, validated rebuke, What typically follows such a rebuke of substance? Typically, a confession of sin. But here in verses 31-33, there was no rebuke of substance, at least on Peter's part, nor was there a confession of sin by Jesus because as we know, through the authority of the Word of God, there was no sin in Jesus. As commendable as Peter's confession of faith was prior, startling actions and words would soon follow unfathomably, unbelievably. We see this attempted rebuke and we see it in verse 32. And Peter took Him, that is Jesus, took Him aside and began to what? He read it correctly. Rebuke Him. Rebuke Him. This was so outside Peter's man-centered plan. It was so against his fleshly desire of what Peter wanted to happen, of what Peter wanted to come to pass, that Peter came to the conclusion, Jesus must be wrong. He must be inaccurate. He must be out of line here. so focused on Peter's own will and plan, he attempted to rebuke the King of Kings in hopes of a confession from Jesus that suggested otherwise. Immediately following a confession of faith, that ultimate confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, Peter had submitted to the will of Satan over Christ's clear plan and teaching. His clear plan and teaching. Did you notice in these verses that it makes very certain that Jesus was very plain in His teaching. This wasn't a misunderstanding. This wasn't because Peter misheard, because there was some sort of miscommunication. Jesus was plain as to what God's will was and what must take place. And yet still, Peter submitted to the will of Satan rather than Christ's perfect providential plan. Now as wicked, as unholy, as evil as this rebuke was of Jesus, perhaps we can also see this way too quick response. Perhaps there was some motivation of love. Perhaps there was some love. As Peter didn't want to think of Jesus' absence from Him or anybody else around Him. Yet we must see from this passage of Scripture, even so as loving, as affectionate as this rebuke perhaps was, pure motivations and what seems to be kind and what seems to be loving as it perhaps seemed to be that way for Peter in that moment of heat and passion. If it's contrary to God's Word, it's of the Father, of lies, the devil, is it not? Even if you have the most pure of motivations, even if it seems kind, even if it seems affectionate and loving, if it's contrary to the authority of the Word of God, if it's contrary to God's perfect will and plan, we must see it is of Satan. Even so, as much love as could have been behind such an outburst and such conduct and such words, instead of a confession of sin, we see Jesus. He turns the attempted private rebuke to a very public rebuke, a very public rebuke. Look at verse 33. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, Get behind me, Satan, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God. but on the things of man. The irony in this situation is that those who try to be God or those who try to surpass God or think that they know it better than God, the irony is that those individuals are most like Satan, most like Satan. This is not the only time Peter would be rebuked. We see in Galatians 2, Peter wanted approval of the Judaizers. But the Apostle Paul rebuked him in front of all just as Jesus did in front of His disciples. Not only is this not the last rebuke that Peter would have in his walk with Christ, but he would also commit that treacherous sin of denying Christ three times. If Peter's attempted rebuke was private, why? We must ask this question. Why did Jesus turn to His disciples? Why did, if He was in private with Peter, if Peter had taken Him aside, why all of a sudden does Jesus make this a public rebuke and a public conversation? Why turn to the disciples? As we see here in multiple spots in Scripture, Peter served the disciples as the spokesperson, the leader, the voice of the disciples. We see it in the Transfiguration. Mark 9 verse 5, Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents. And then in Mark 10, verse 28, Peter began to say to Him, see that we have left everything and followed You. Peter oftentimes served as the spokesperson of the disciples. And so we must ask these, I think, valid questions. Was Peter speaking for all? of the disciples had such a rebuke? In other words, did they agree? Were they in harmony with Peter when Peter took Jesus aside? and said, it must not be so. Were they in agreement with Peter's rebuke? Were there head nods in their mind where they're saying, yes, Peter, please let Jesus agree with you for we like your plan better than what Jesus just said has to happen. If so, does this not tell us something about ourselves? How prone we are to sin, oh, so quickly. Even following such commendable worship, even being in the Spirit, even being led by the Spirit of God, does this not show us how prone we are to sin, oh, so quickly? Pastor Larry not many weeks ago was speaking of that for many families, for many individuals. Sometimes that most unholy hour of the week is that hour right before worship. Right? And how true that is. But here we see Peter's most unholy moment, or one of them, I should say. It was right after a moment of adoration. One of the most memorable confessions of faith It followed a rebuke of Jesus. Perhaps it's tempting for us to condescendingly observe the married gentleman that I used as an example at the beginning of this sermon who sought counsel. Perhaps it's tempting to say that we would Never do as Peter has done here in these verses. Maybe you're saying to yourself, I would never have the nerve. Never would I. I commit such an unholy act of of pulling Jesus to the side and and correcting him on what should take place. Maybe you saying in your mind, I would never do such a thing. I would never think such a thing. I would never say those words to Jesus Christ himself. But I ask you this morning, what have you expressed verbally when there is, as we've seen in recent days, such a tragedy? Or if something hits too close to home? Something so unexpected? Something so dark in circumstances? Psalm 139 verse 16. Your eyes saw My unformed substance. In Your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for Me, when as yet there was none of them." Every single person ourselves, others, every single person. It was predestined. The days were predetermined. The amount of days in which we would live on this fallen world. But does our attitude suggest a rebuking the Lord kind of mentality? when in our mind we say something foolish like, that death happened too soon, they were too young, it was too quick, whether for ourselves or whether for others. I saw a video clip of Tucker Carlson, and he expressed, it is never, under any circumstance, it is never okay to kill women and children in war or in any other type of scenario. What about the idolaters in Ezekiel 9 verses 5-7 that we're studying on Wednesday nights? And to the others He said in My hearing, pass through the city after Him and strike. Your eyes shall not spare and you shall show no pity. Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom the mark and begin at My sanctuary. So they began with the elders before the house. Then he said to them, Defile the house and fill the courts with the slain. Go out." So they went out and struck in the city. It was Tucker Carlson whose words are contrary to what it says in Ezekiel in that situation. 9, verses 5-7, to those wicked idolaters. Was Tucker Carlson not saying a rebuke to that of the authority of the Word of God? God's perfect will and plan? How many of us, when it comes right down to it, yeah, maybe we recite the verse, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute. Maybe you see the verses, the example, the demonstration of faith of Stephen, even when he's being persecuted in his dying moments, he says, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. But in our lives, in our daily walks, we say, yes, I'll forgive some when it's convenient for me. But when it comes around to it, if I don't want to Forgive them? I'm just not going to do it. Do we not internally or verbally rebuke the Lord in such a way? Do we internally rebuke God when we commit to partial counsel and not the whole counsel of God? 1 Peter 2 verse 19, for this is a gracious thing when mindful of God one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. But in the heat of the moment, when we're experiencing that unjust suffering, maybe we say in our minds, God, this is not gracious. I know what your word says, but in this moment, this is not a gracious thing. In our hearts and minds, do we not question the authority of God? Do we not in a way rebuke the Lord and say, I am right, not You or Your Word? Christ's expectation for His own is readily accepting of His will, His Word, and His plan. That's the expectation of Christ. But like the disciples, like Peter, are we so prone to be about our will? The things of earth, self-ease and comfort, our traditions, our own man-made, man-centered commands instead of readily accepting Christ's commands as here in verse 31. Does this example, does this sin of Peter, Does it not cause us to gaze upon the cross of Jesus Christ? Does it not fix our gaze upon the death of Christ and the sacrifice that He made on the cross? What thankful worshipers we should be for such a sacrificial and suffering plan that God had planned out perfectly. But we must ask another question. Why attempt to rebuke? We know it's nonsensical. We know it's ridiculous. We know it's unholy and wicked and the list goes on and on and on. But what made him attempt to rebuke the one he just confessed as the Christ? What propelled such a puzzling response from Peter What content was articulated to prompt such a baffling reaction? We see it's the necessity that was taught. The necessity that was taught. Going back, verse 31. Verse 31, and He, that is Jesus, began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed. and after three days, rise again." This was the first of three predictions for himself that he would have to suffer and die. Peter should have readily accepted it. Not that it was pleasant. Not that it was lovely or wonderful or pleasant to reflect upon, but instead, he should have readily accepted it for one, It was the words of the One He just confessed as the Christ. It was the words of Jesus. We should readily accept the words of Christ, should we not? But secondly, He should have readily accepted it. For secondly, it had already been prophesied, as Don read so well at the beginning of this service from the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 52 v. 14, His appearance was so marred beyond human semblance. Isaiah 53 v. 3, despised and rejected by men. Continuing in v. 4, we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace. And with His wounds, We are healed. Continuing in verse 7, yet he opened not his mouth like a lamb that is led to the slaughter. Going down to verse 10, yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him. Yes, put him to grief. And again in verse 12, he poured out his soul to what to death. And was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors." Number one, it was the words of Christ. Number two, it was prophecy. It was prophesied. This was the perfect plan that was laid out. It must happen this way. Scripture must be fulfilled. If Scripture wasn't fulfilled, then Jesus would be what? Like Satan, a liar. This had to take place. And on top of all this, if Jesus had not died, would Peter's or our sins ever have been forgiven? I have to ask. Did Peter not hear the closing words of the necessity taught? Did you hear the closing words of verse 31? What does he say at the end of verse 31? And after three days, what? Rise again. Did he not hear it? Did he not listen? to the wonderful story that He would conquer the grave. If you fall into the category this morning of the outsider's confession, maybe up to this point you have merely seen Jesus as a good moral teacher, as a prophet, or as merely a good man. If you have rebuked the Lord, and maybe you have said, I know better, or it shouldn't be this way, or God has got it wrong. Have you yourself this morning, consistently over your life, have you shared with Peter having a non-eternal, a satanic mindset that's focused on the things of man rather on the things of God? Think about your life. Think about the hours spent. Think about the time in which you have used and how you have spent your time. Have you lived your life in a non-eternal mind frame? Or as we put and as we use the words of Jesus Christ Himself, having a satanic mindset? As bad news as that is, as hard as it is to read about the sin of our brother Peter, Listen to me this morning. There is such good news. And it's the good news I just read from Isaiah. There's a perfect Savior. It is Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah. He is the Anointed One of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is not a way. He's not a way of many ways. He is the way, the truth, the life. No one gets to the Father except through Him and Him alone. That's good news. He's a perfect Savior. He died for the sins of those who would believe in Him, who would trust in Him, who would repent of their sin and turn to Him and Him alone. Unlike Peter, in that fallen moment, see it for what it is. Good news. He didn't see it at first. He couldn't see it at first. He had this outburst. He had this man-centered theology in that heated moment. But you must not be like Peter in that moment. You must see the truth. You must see the Word of God. You must see Jesus for who He really is. And you must see. The news for what it is is the good news of the Gospel. That's why it's called the Gospel. And even better news than that, He's risen. He's at the right hand of God the Father. It makes everything okay. Our hope is not in anything here. It's in our precious Lord. For any of us to be saved, including Peter, this sacrificial death, it had to take place like a lamb led to the slaughter. Praise God for such a sacrifice. It's not the way we would write it up. It's not the way that we would draw it up. And that's a good thing. Because God's way, it's perfect. It's perfect. When are we found to be doing the will of Satan, simply put? When our minds are on the things of man. That's the words of Jesus, not me or Pastor Larry. Why did our Lord say He must suffer? He was fulfilling that of sacred Scripture. And we need a Redeemer to be forgiven. How are we to view even the best of men like Peter? as sinners saved by grace at best. If you are looking way too longingly or hopeful at a future spouse, if you are looking way too much at a singing group or a singer or a worship leader or an elder, a pastor, stop it. Even the best of men are sinners saved by grace at best. Look to this Jesus. Not man. Not man. How should we respond to a brother or sister caught in a transgression? Look at this holy rebuke of Jesus, a public rebuke at that. We should rebuke that of sin, but we should also, as the Apostle Paul says, restore that brother or sister in a spirit of gentleness. We should not be condescending. We should not be holier than thou. All of us are desperately in need of God's sovereign grace as much as anybody. We need His sufficient grace. Where do those who have made the good confession of faith set their mind? Simply put, as Jesus clearly states here, we are dedicated, we are committed, setting our mind on the things of God. I encourage you, have the worship music, have solid, foundational, truth-filled music. Have it playing. Read the Word of God. Be constant and consistent in prayer. Set your mind on the things of God. As I asked several times last week, I ask yet again, what do you think of this Jesus? What do you think of Him? You must make the ultimate confession of faith as Peter did. You need His grace. You need His righteousness. You need the blood of the Lamb. You need this Jesus. What do you think of this Jesus? Have you made the ultimate confession of faith? Not just Jesus as God's anointed One, but your surrender to Him, your turning from sin and turning to Him. If so, I challenge you today, continue to set your mind on the things of the Lord, especially the graciousness of the cross of Christ. Amen.