Mark 8

1. Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ – vs27-30

2. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection

v31 – MUST – means it is necessary

-it was necessary for Jesus to suffer on the cross – the pain of the cross

-Jesus went through painful times – Luke 4:16-21, 28-30 – rejection

-we will go through painful times as believers – Acts 14:21-22

          CONSIDER THE VALUE OF PAIN

1. Pain gives us credibility when we reach out to others who are suffering

-We can go to Jesus because He has felt pain

2. Pain increases our level of compassion

-we can become arrogant and prideful when it comes to feeling or not feeling pain

3. Pain allows us to grow in humility

-pain lets us know that we need Jesus

4. Pain shows us who our friends are

-Jesus on the cross – only a few stayed with Him

-Paul was deserted by everyone

5. Pain can be used to draw people to Jesus – James 4:8

-Pain does have a purpose…Do not waste your pain

-Transform your pain instead of transferring your pain

v33 – turned about – to means to turn oneself around

-the other disciples believed what Peter was saying and doing

-the issue was the enemy and not Peter

REMEMBER SOME POINTS:

1. Never make your battle personal – Jesus addressed Satan and not Peter

2. The ultimate goal of the enemy is to draw us away from the Lord

-Peter denied Jesus 3 times

-all levels of maturity in Christ will be greatly tested…The attacks never stop

3. Demonic attacks are very real

-the enemy understands your mission

-the enemy will always use someone close to you to get to you

Vs34-38 – Jesus talks about going to a new spiritual level in Him

Whoever desires – this speaks of making choices – Joshua 24:15

1. The Lord created everyone with the power to choose

a. a free will does not have to give in to the pressure from the enemy or people

-1 Corinthians 10:13

b. a free will chooses God’s direction

-from the Word of God and the voice of God

2. Everyone is responsible for their own choices

-you cannot blame anyone or anything else for your own choices

REMEMBER 2 THINGS:

a. one bad choice can erase all of your right choices

b. Make right choices regardless of everyone elses wrong choices

3. There are consequences for our choices

-good choices – Luke 6:38

bad choices – anything against the Word and will of God